Author Topic: documenting my cb550 build  (Read 48506 times)

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Offline bill440cars

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Re: documenting my cb550 build
« Reply #125 on: April 25, 2006, 06:07:55 AM »
got the tank and seatpan painted, buffed and mounted. all I'm waiting for is honda to get my stupid clutch cover gasket in (3-5 days has been 7) and i should be on the road. I'll post some finished pics if and when that happens.

         paul, I don't know right off just how complex (I guess that's the word) that gasket is but, have you ever tried to cut your own gaskets? If you know or can find out the gasket thickness, you can cut your own gasket. It's been a little while but, I've done a few gaskets in my time. If you haven't and would like to, I'd be to try to tell you how I've done it. Anyway, good luck with what ever you do. I,
like others am waiting to see more on your bike. Later on, Bill
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Offline paulages

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Re: documenting my cb550 build
« Reply #126 on: April 25, 2006, 10:43:22 AM »
thanks bill. i have cut my own gaskets, i just didn't want to #$%* with it when honda had it for $8. little did i know they were sending it by mule.  :-[
paul
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Offline bill440cars

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Re: documenting my cb550 build
« Reply #127 on: April 25, 2006, 01:45:51 PM »
thanks bill. i have cut my own gaskets, i just didn't want to #$%* with it when honda had it for $8. little did i know they were sending it by mule.  :-[

          Isn't it amazing, postage and shipping costs keep going up while the actual shipping of letters and packages seem to get slower and slower. Go Figure.      Later on, Bill
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PRAYERS ALWAYS FOR: Bre, Jeff & Virginia, Bear, Trevor & Brianna ( Close Friend's Daughter)
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Offline paulages

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Re: documenting my cb550 build
« Reply #128 on: April 26, 2006, 03:49:48 AM »
still waiting on my right side cover from david silver spares and then to paint them. also have to polish the tank a bit more. i was pretty impatient and ready to get on the road. i did ride it around today, and damn, did it ride nice. the homemade silencer sounds perfect and was dirt cheap to make. i do have a fuel delivery problem to sort out, but that's for another thread...



paul
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1972 NORTON Commando Combat
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theunrulychef

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Re: documenting my cb550 build
« Reply #129 on: April 26, 2006, 04:40:21 AM »
Wow man  :o!!  F#&$ing awesome. Great job.  I bet you feel like a million bucks right now, huh? 

Now you gotta ride her down to that restauraunt where they serve southern breakfast late at night in bowties & treat you like crap.   ;D

Offline Chris Liston

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Re: documenting my cb550 build
« Reply #130 on: April 26, 2006, 05:06:36 AM »
Very nice, Very nice.  Love the red pinstripe.  Nice looking exaust too. 
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Offline chippyfive50

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Re: documenting my cb550 build
« Reply #131 on: April 26, 2006, 05:16:16 AM »
that's all inners. here's my wonky version:

Tech support at Buchanan's insist that the slight curve in the outer spokes will straighten after 100 miles or so, at which point they will need to be re trued...i'm still a little sketched out, but my local tech shop seemed to agree with this diagnosis when i had them mount the tire.

NICE WORK... you will get some leg tonight FOR SURE....
I had the same problem with the bowed spokes, but for a different reason i think. It looks like they made the spokes the same as factory, but due  to the beefier gauge of the new spokes, the inside radius is less friendly on the mid to late 70s hubs, which have a substantially thicker flange and a different casting profile than the earlier ones like yours appears to be. It would be rough working against both problems..... Ii have a 18" rim and it was a #$%* to get the radial, and after loosening and re-tightening the whole wheel a few times  a 1/4turn @ a time it finally worked out, however I do have about 8-10in lbs less on some spokes randomly about the wheel, and it is a new EXCEL WM3, is this normal?   Did you have this problem??
« Last Edit: April 26, 2006, 06:17:23 AM by chippyfive50 »
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theunrulychef

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Re: documenting my cb550 build
« Reply #132 on: April 26, 2006, 05:21:26 AM »
On second thought, you should take your victory ride down at Tilamook.  All those twisty roads & huge pine trees..... mmmmm Tilamook cheese. 

BTW, can you post instructions on how you did the tip.  Chris was asking about the one I got from Carpy & we figured that there had to be a very cheap way to do it from auto parts store tips.

Offline bill440cars

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Re: documenting my cb550 build
« Reply #133 on: April 26, 2006, 05:29:06 AM »

                      Definitely "ONE TOUGH BIKE" paulages. After all the involvement in the bike, what will
           you do when your finished, besides ride it. Will you be satisfied to maintain and ride this one, or
           will you be starting up another one? With your creativity, I'm betting you will be itching to start
           another one, after a while anyway. You really have put together a great looking bike in this
           one. When you ride it, think of us (who would like to be having that experience ourselves.)
           Have a good one and I'll catch you later on,Bill
Member # 1969
PRAYERS ALWAYS FOR: Bre, Jeff & Virginia, Bear, Trevor & Brianna ( Close Friend's Daughter)
"Because HE lives, I can Face Tomorrow"                  
 You CAN Teach An Old Dog New Tricks, Just Takes A Little Bit Longer & A Lot More Patience!! 
             
Main Rides: '02 Durango, '71 Swinger & Dad's '93
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Offline ProTeal55

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Re: documenting my cb550 build
« Reply #134 on: April 26, 2006, 06:01:03 AM »
Great Job...........
Joe a.k.a ProTeal55 a.k.a JoeyCocks a.k.a Maker of Friends

Offline cb(r)

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Re: documenting my cb550 build
« Reply #135 on: April 26, 2006, 07:08:16 AM »
me likeeeee!  that bike looks awesome! 

Offline ProTeal55

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Re: documenting my cb550 build
« Reply #136 on: April 26, 2006, 07:24:19 AM »
me likeeeee! that bike looks awesome!
Your Avitar looks awesome  ;D
Joe a.k.a ProTeal55 a.k.a JoeyCocks a.k.a Maker of Friends

Offline cb(r)

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Re: documenting my cb550 build
« Reply #137 on: April 26, 2006, 09:21:05 AM »
me likeeeee! that bike looks awesome!
Your Avitar looks awesome  ;D

thanks man! It is always an honor to get a compliment  from the king of avatars.
 she is a hotty.  It is my girlfriend  she just doesn't know it yet.

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Offline paulages

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Re: documenting my cb550 build
« Reply #138 on: April 26, 2006, 10:09:53 AM »
yes, i'm sure i'll start another one soon enough. my '71 cb350 is on the table next, but then i'll be back at another sohc4.

chippy---was yours a buchanans kit? mine was a pain in the ass, and they blamed it in the rim in the end, even though it is a standard HD rim in every way and their kit was precisely for that.


the silencer:  a $7.95 10" slip-in glasspacked baffle (pounded) into a 1 3/4" pipe, which i had a muffler shop bend at a 30deg. angle and spread a flange so that it would fit on the header. then, a chrome tip is tacked over the end. there is actually an airgap between the pipe and the tip (1/4" tops) which should aid in cooling it.  :D  so far, great response with 110 mains in and stock settings everywhere else. plug chops to come though...
paul
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1974 CB550 (735cc)
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1972 NORTON Commando Combat
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Offline cbjunkie

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Re: documenting my cb550 build
« Reply #139 on: April 26, 2006, 10:46:28 AM »
nice, man!

love the seat - i'm looking at the line from the clocks to the tail and it's pretty amazing how similar our ideas are about where we're taking these designs...i'm going for even LESS of a seat than yours   ;)  (speaking of seats - have you figured out what you're gonna pad that thing with?)

my new bushings came in and the new All-Ball front bearings get shipped today - still haven't gotten into the fiberglass yet, but when i get back from vacation i'm all over it...

junkie out...
« Last Edit: April 26, 2006, 10:48:50 AM by cbjunkie »
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Offline paulages

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Re: documenting my cb550 build
« Reply #140 on: April 26, 2006, 11:27:09 AM »
nice, man!

love the seat - i'm looking at the line from the clocks to the tail and it's pretty amazing how similar our ideas are about where we're taking these designs...i'm going for even LESS of a seat than yours ;) (speaking of seats - have you figured out what you're gonna pad that thing with?)


'm gonna try to go with memory foam, a la tempurpedic matresses. only the best for my ass! ;D

i wanted even less of a seat, but the rear frame crossbrace/ seat rest was a limiting factor. once i cleared that, i had to keep the curve lloking nice. i dies always look great with no seat, huh? makes you want that really low profile.
paul
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1974 CB550 (735cc)
1976 CB550 (590cc) road racer
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1972 NORTON Commando Combat
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Offline paulages

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Re: documenting my cb550 build
« Reply #141 on: April 27, 2006, 11:38:14 PM »
just found this picture of my bike six months ago. i think i like it better now.  ;)

paul
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Offline scunny

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Re: documenting my cb550 build
« Reply #142 on: April 28, 2006, 05:21:28 AM »
I know how you feel about the look without the seat. Nice job on the bike,you should be proud of it.
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BMan1113VR

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Re: documenting my cb550 build
« Reply #143 on: April 28, 2006, 08:42:44 AM »
I must say, that is a beautiful 550!!

rt

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Re: documenting my cb550 build
« Reply #144 on: April 30, 2006, 05:09:48 AM »
Short update in doing tanks the Paulages way....

I must admit, I'm a dedicated long-term member of the old 'cut-and-reweld-Brigade', so Paulages' idea of getting those knee inserts in a tank seemed a bit weird at first glance. After spending some years of my working life as mechanic in a body-repair garage I knew shaping sheet metal to more or less satisfying results means a need for unlimited access to both sides of the panel, something that would be restricted in case of a tank-layout. A couple of pints later I decided to give it a go, took a spare tank out and startet my first Paulages tank (always having 'Plan B-cut/weld') in mind. As I always fancied an overall slim body-line for my cafe project, I used an old 500 tank.

Here's how it went in 9 easy steps:

1. put tank on bench
2. put tools on bench
3. important at this stage: put some beer and fags on bench
4. drink 1 pint (at least), have a fag and say farewell to to your tank
5. mark the desired basic shape of knee-insert (I used a cardboard pattern, taped it to the tank and a steel marker)
6. have another pint (and a fag)
7. start hammering with dead-blow hammer, always start from center, using entire hammer surface, then gently work your way outwards up to the desired shape. As Paulages already wrote somewhere else, never try to shape al in one go - that'll leave you with nasty dents and loads of filling work...
8. after having the basic shapes trial-fit tank to frame and compare both sides, reshape where necessary with tank in situ
9. have some more beer and give yourself a big pat on the shoulder


Some things for consideration though:
* make sure, your tank is in a good, accident-free condition. Mine was heavily filled in the areas of the intended knee inserts, which left me with lots of small, sharp-edged dents I now have to fill in.
* consider carefully, which 'layout' you want - as I want to keep my Honda decals I decided for small recesses
* when doing it that way (the Paulages way that is), always have in mind that you won't alter the area where bottom section and side panel join, meaning depending on the tank you use you'll still see a more or less protuding curve at the bottom (if you want to avoid that you'll have to go for the cut/reweld option).
* if you have to buy a dead-blow hammer go for (at least) 15 oz - with less you'll have to put too much force in the blow itself instead of letting the hammer do the job....
* always, really always, find a good explanation for your misses as to why it is absolutely essential to bang the #$%* out of an otherwise perfect tank instead of doing some jobs on the house or in the garden (I refered to things like 'street cred', 'the boys' and stuff like this, although I don't think she was very impressed :-) )

Success fellows.
Ray


And here's some pics:


theunrulychef

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Re: documenting my cb550 build
« Reply #145 on: April 30, 2006, 06:41:33 AM »
Just want to add a little to rt's great explanation of banging knee insterts.  A good selection of hammers will also help in smoothing out your roughed out surface w/ the dead blow - so you use even less filler.  I've got an angled hammer I made with a polished stainless 2" ball on the end (for dishing in a tree stump).  It's like an iron "L" w/ a ball on it.  That worked well to smooth out some of the rough spots.  Just go light on your tapping when using steel on steel, or you'll create more problems than you fix.  Then I pulled out the smaller rounded side polished planishing hammer & did a little more with that.  When you're at this stage, remember "light taps" is the key.

If you're a really adventurous kinda gentleman, and much much better at welding than I, it would be pretty easy to cut the entire bottom out of the tank to get access to both sides of the metal for a perfect, chromable tank. 

After I'm done w/ my fiberglass tank, I'm planning on doing one out of aluminum.  I've got a blacksmith in the neighborhood that does fancy pieces for large restauraunts in NY & Philly.  He could weld pipelines - very clean welder.  I'll do all the pieces separately, then bring them to him for the final fit up.  I might even see if he'll let me use his power hammer - now that's a piece of machinery!

Paul, how's the final kinks?  Are they working themselves out?

Offline Bob Wessner

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Re: documenting my cb550 build
« Reply #146 on: April 30, 2006, 06:50:37 AM »
I've been following this thread about hammering knee inserts, interesting. I'm trying to envision the work. It seems no matter how slowly and carefully you work, the finished surface of the hammered area will still not be truly smooth. How do you accomplish that final finishing step?
We'll all be someone else's PO some day.

theunrulychef

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Re: documenting my cb550 build
« Reply #147 on: April 30, 2006, 07:40:55 AM »
I've been following this thread about hammering knee inserts, interesting. I'm trying to envision the work. It seems no matter how slowly and carefully you work, the finished surface of the hammered area will still not be truly smooth. How do you accomplish that final finishing step?

Unless you have access to the back (Cutting out the bottom), it would be very very difficult to get it perfectly smooth.  Once you've got your shape as close as you can get it, you finish it off w/ body filler or fiberglass resin - in layers, sanding between.  After your shape is just the way you want it, prime, paint & clearcoat.  It's alot of work - mostly sanding & shaping.  But as you can see from Paul's, rt's, & my own, it really gives your tank an individual, muscular look. 

If it's something you're planning on doing, and have no dishing experience, I would practice on a spare piece of 16 gauge sheet metal first.  With the right set of anvil stakes, a good dishing stump, and nice hammers (many many hammers), you can really do some fine work at home by cold forming steel & aluminum.  Of course, a good welder, polishing wheels, and even an english wheel are pretty important for many parts, but metal forming is quite a rewarding hobby.

You're not thinking of doing this to your tank, are you Bob?  I thought you were more of a stocker?
« Last Edit: April 30, 2006, 07:42:59 AM by theunrulychef »

Offline Bob Wessner

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Re: documenting my cb550 build
« Reply #148 on: April 30, 2006, 08:11:40 AM »
Quote
You're not thinking of doing this to your tank, are you Bob?  I thought you were more of a stocker?

No. Still working to get her back to what she should look like, not concourse, just visually. Down the road I would like to play around with another bike, the cafe look interests me, but if I plan to ride it at all, it will not be a small, svelte cafe for sure.  ;D Would also like to acquire an older, pre-toaster beemer some day. My wife seems to be encouraging with respect to future projects, so half the battle is won.  ;D
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Offline bill440cars

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Re: documenting my cb550 build
« Reply #149 on: April 30, 2006, 08:43:02 AM »
Quote
You're not thinking of doing this to your tank, are you Bob?  I thought you were more of a stocker?

No. Still working to get her back to what she should look like, not concourse, just visually. Down the road I would like to play around with another bike, the cafe look interests me, but if I plan to ride it at all, it will not be a small, svelte cafe for sure.  ;D Would also like to acquire an older, pre-toaster beemer some day. My wife seems to be encouraging with respect to future projects, so half the battle is won.  ;D

          Good for you Bob, MY wife refers to my "Project Bikes (which need a lot o work) as"JUNK" or
       "THOSE OLD MOTORCYCLES" and she used to tell me "You need to get rid of that STUFF, do
       you know how OLD you are? Well now, it's the 1st two comments, she's stop using the age
       thing. I had told her,"My Grandfather road up until he died (63 yrs old) and my Dad's getting
       back in it (he's 80 and will be 81 in july). And at age 59, I want to build and ride motorcycles
       while I'm still able to do it.  So, you go Bob!     Later on, Bill :) ;)

Member # 1969
PRAYERS ALWAYS FOR: Bre, Jeff & Virginia, Bear, Trevor & Brianna ( Close Friend's Daughter)
"Because HE lives, I can Face Tomorrow"                  
 You CAN Teach An Old Dog New Tricks, Just Takes A Little Bit Longer & A Lot More Patience!! 
             
Main Rides: '02 Durango, '71 Swinger & Dad's '93
                  Dakota LE 4x4 '66 CB77 & '72 SL350K2
Watch What You Step Into, It Could  End Up A Mess!