Author Topic: documenting my cb550 build (Read 48454 times)

paulages · « **Reply #75 on:** January 16, 2006, 01:27:44 PM »

it came out grey on accident, actually. i like it, but i would have rather it look more metallic. i used an entire can of duplicolor aluminum color high temp engine paint (i don't have the can with me for the exact color #), then used an entire can of duplicolor clear engine enamel. the clear is what made it shine, but it somehow dulled the tone of the color at the same time. next time I'll try and find something with a metallic flake in it.

pablo78cb550 · « **Reply #76 on:** January 16, 2006, 04:30:46 PM »

i was hoping to find the flat dull grey color honda used.

TitaniumRic · « **Reply #77 on:** January 16, 2006, 05:56:07 PM »

Quote from: paulages on December 26, 2005, 03:21:30 PM

i did do the tank myself. incredibly easy! if you notice in the background of one of those pictures is an orange deadblow mallet. i practiced on the black tank, which was f@#*ed anyway. it is almost perfect as is, but a bit of bondo before painting it will smooth it out exactly how i want. it tends to bend right where you want it to, if you're careful hammering. no actions shots, but here are some more pictures:

Awesome job on the tank.!!!!.....My 550 project will have a similar approach on the tank..I love the lok of the knee inserts on the tanks...classic and functional

paulages · « **Reply #78 on:** January 18, 2006, 01:51:03 AM »

haven't done too much noticeable, but i did get some better pictures with the headers on it and the motor situated. i cut out the background in one photo in photoshop, and have been using it to draw up seatpan prototypes. i started working on the mold, but have a long way to go.

beachpeople · « **Reply #79 on:** January 18, 2006, 05:56:16 AM »

Paul, I love the rear wheel/tire setup you have in these pics. What are the specs for this?(Tire and rim size)

Did you keep the stock swingarm? Your project looks great! I've following your project for awhile...in fact it inspired me to go find me a 550! Don

cbjunkie · « **Reply #80 on:** January 18, 2006, 09:51:40 AM »

Quote

i cut out the background in one photo in photoshop, and have been using it to draw up seatpan prototypes.

heh...

that's exactly what i've been doing...

ProTeal55 · « **Reply #81 on:** January 18, 2006, 10:16:11 AM »

CBJ--> Any luck with seat ideas ?

bill440cars · « **Reply #82 on:** January 18, 2006, 11:45:33 AM »

Paulages,
That is already one Tough bike!!! I can't even imagine how great it will look when it's finished!! Keep up the good work and keep us posted, okay? Bill

paulages · « **Reply #83 on:** January 18, 2006, 01:37:24 PM »

beachpeople--i think i posted the specs already, but it's just a standard 3.5" x 16" HD rim laced to the stock hub, with a 130/90/16 pirelli speed demon tire on it. i like that it makes it look a little but tougher, but doesn't look huge and stupid.

CBJ---here's my mockup, with my current winner for seat shape:

i really love the look of the long racing tanks, with a short seat and stubby bum stop, but with the stock tank's curvy lines, i have to go for a different approach. i'm thinking more along the lines of 50's-60's era british racers.

cbjunkie · « **Reply #84 on:** January 18, 2006, 01:43:53 PM »

lean and mean - i likes it...gonna go with pods?

paulages · « **Reply #85 on:** January 18, 2006, 01:59:13 PM »

yeah. the carbs are cleaned and assembled and have been run on the bike i took apart as a donor, but i have to take the intake rubbers off of another bike, as this one didn't come with them, and the other bike had the 022A carbs instead of 069A's. i managed to cram them onto the wrong manifold just to test run them, but it's definitely not something i want to do everytime i have to pull them (coming soon for sure).

beachpeople · « **Reply #86 on:** January 18, 2006, 02:08:44 PM »

Yep, I went back and read all the posts on this thread and saw the specs...guess i'll be learning how to lace some rims! Your bike is looking great!

cbjunkie · « **Reply #87 on:** February 01, 2006, 01:33:55 PM »

hey man, post some more pix!

paulages · « **Reply #88 on:** February 01, 2006, 01:49:28 PM »

what I've got right now ain't so good...I'm having a hard time with my seatpan mold. (no, not a fungal problem) it's coming along, but i keep having to spray more great stuff on and re-carve it some more. here it is close to what I'm going for, but i need to add some more foam to the back, and either level out the seat section or cut it off all together and just use cardboard across the frame for that section of the mold. i spraypainted it black a little bit, just to get a better idea of how it'll look.

cbjunkie · « **Reply #89 on:** February 01, 2006, 01:51:16 PM »

"great stuff" ...does that mean you are forming the seat blank up out of that expandable foam?

paulages · « **Reply #90 on:** February 01, 2006, 01:56:48 PM »

yeah. i just taped some paper bags accross the frame, pushing it down so that it contoured the frame, and then just made a giant blob in the general shape i thought i'd need. i waited a day, then went at it with the electric bread knife. the upside to great stuff---no trying to figure out how to make rigid foam sit on the frame properly before beginning the great carve, it's easy to fill if you over-carve, and it sands easily. however, you do have to wait a while after filling and it tends to leave air pockets here and there even if you are very methodical when making your blob.

cbjunkie · « **Reply #91 on:** February 01, 2006, 02:02:38 PM »

another killer idea - musicians are the most creative!

paulages · « **Reply #92 on:** February 12, 2006, 09:57:06 PM »

got my fiberglass seatpan roughed out this weekend. still have a lot of filling in sanding to do, but it's getting there.

scunny · « **Reply #93 on:** February 12, 2006, 10:22:09 PM »

looking good and now for the questions since I am at the seat bit myself, what is this foam, it looks better to use than the poly. How will you attach it to the frame ?

paulages · « **Reply #94 on:** February 12, 2006, 11:32:22 PM »

scunny,
i just started a new topic outlining the process i used to make the seat. not sure how i'll attach it yet, but i've got a few good ideas...

fotoguy79 · « **Reply #95 on:** February 13, 2006, 10:03:42 AM »

Quote from: paulages on January 07, 2006, 12:39:12 AM

well, my help for tonight all flaked on me, so i managed to drop my engine in myself. i imagine i'll be feeling it a bit tomorrow in the lower back, but it wasn't that terrible. here are some pictures of the engine cleaned up, painted, clearcoated, and covers polished. i still have some polishing to do, but at least i have the SOB in there. oh yeah, i posted some dirty before shots of the engine, but here's another anyway as a "before" for the "afters." oh yeah, and i installed the wiring harness yesterday, too.

Could you go over the cleaning of this engine in more detail? I have an engine that is pretty filthy and I'd like some good ideas. I've attached a photo.

paulages · « **Reply #96 on:** February 13, 2006, 12:41:05 PM »

dark red scotch brite pads, acetone, a stiff nylon bristle brush, and lots and lots of elbow grease.

cbjunkie · « **Reply #97 on:** February 13, 2006, 12:42:33 PM »

... no big secret there, huh?

ProTeal55 · « **Reply #98 on:** February 13, 2006, 04:04:32 PM »

PAULAUGES-->
That bike of yours is looking killer ! I was a fan of it at the start, and it keeps on
looking better and better as it goes along. You are going to have one wicked-ass
cafe monster on your hands when it is all said and done.

If you ever end up selling it - i want first crack

grumburg · « **Reply #99 on:** February 13, 2006, 05:08:57 PM »

Better than "Biker Build-Off" !!

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Author Topic: documenting my cb550 build (Read 48454 times)

TitaniumRic

beachpeople

beachpeople

fotoguy79