Topic: 1975 CB550F Project Penguin. A.K.A. David

[Zaipai]

Ok I got impatient (patients is not my forte ) however I took my old tank with the hole in it and gave it a coat of some rustoleum gloss black I had laying around and put it on the frame, the frame btw still needs a couple of coats of clear yet however I will let it cure a day or two before I do that. That tank is stock F tank, I don't know for sure what the one Spikeybike is making will look like on it..but this gives me an idea of what it will look like..Then before I can start putting parts on it I have to take it to the DMV along with the title and the bill of sale and get my plates so I will be ready to go in late spring early summer when I finally finish it.

Note the shiny rim! 

[traveler]

I like it!

You need to use that tank!  It workls perfect with what you have there!  Oh...well, use a tank just like it then!

~Joe

[Zaipai]

I like it!

You need to use that tank!  It workls perfect with what you have there!  Oh...well, use a tank just like it then!

~Joe

Thanks!!
Well I would use that tank, I do like it however it has a great big hole in the side well a split where the seam is actually... sigh.. See picks below.. Spikey was nice enough to offer a spare one he has, finding a tank in good shape for these CB's it hard stuff.. Just not that many around anymore.

[Zaipai]

Oh yea, the forks on this frame are from a CB400 if any one needs/wants them. They are good, they do however need new seals..

[traveler]

Scott,

Let me know if the tank deal with Manny falls through.

~Joe

[Zaipai]

Scott,

Let me know if the tank deal with Manny falls through.

~Joe

Will do Joe, Thanks..

.: Scott :.

[Zaipai]

Ok so my controls are shot.. this explains why the starter button did not work.. Seems the wires at some point melted together an caused the plastic in side to fall apart and the brass connections are all corroded.. That said, they are too expensive to replace with stock ones unless I go used and then I could have much the same problem.

So my question is what controls can I use with the least mods that can be purchased off the net for my 75 CB550F..?

Thanks,
.: Scott :.

[hondaface75]

+1 on finding some aftermarket new controls and a dual cable push pull style throttle.

[Zaipai]

+1 on finding some aftermarket new controls and a dual cable push pull style throttle.

Hum.. Are you saying its not real likely? I have not done any searches yet I was however looking at the bike and I am not sure I need the push/pull style, I mean the spring pulls them closed pretty darn good.. So I am thinking it could even be a single cable throttle. At least that is my thought at the moment.

[traveler]

I'm using a pull cable only.

~Joe

[Zaipai]

I'm using a pull cable only.

~Joe

Yea see I was thinking that would be ok.. I mean the spring on the carbs is WAY more then is needed, so I should be ok. I just need to find the controls.. I think the hardest part will be wiring the thing up. I really don't need the kill switch, I mean has anyone really ever used it for its intended purpose? Anyway there is one set of wires I don't have to deal with.. The horn switch and Starter switch I have other plans for so there are some more.. So.. Turnsignals and High beam are really all I need then.

[traveler]

Well, when I went through the MSF course years ago, they told us to turn off the bike with the kill switch every time.

I have seen, and alot of guys just turn it off with the key.

So...long story short....use the key and don't sweat it...IMHO.

~Joe

[Zaipai]

Yea, I agree.. I believe that the kill switch was an emergency deal and really has no real use today.
I did find this at www.cyclexchange.net



http://www.cyclexchange.net

I was hoping for better, since they have so much cool stuff. However it will do if I don't find any thing else..

The hunt continues..

[traveler]

Just remember your factory switch contains the start button as well.

Not a big deal, just have to come up with a start button somewhere else.

~Joe

[Zaipai]

Just remember your factory switch contains the start button as well.

Not a big deal, just have to come up with a start button somewhere else.

~Joe

I am already plotting a way to mount the starter, HiLo and Horn on a plate to be mounted under the smaller chrome speedometer and tach I will be odering later. I just need to come up with the right buttons and the right control with flasher button.. Still in the works tho at this time.

[B.O.X.N.I.F.E.]

Yuck, I hate emgo stuff!

[Zaipai]

Yuck, I hate emgo stuff!

Thanks B.O.X.N.I.F.E. now I have some thing to go on.. I was non to thrilled with that one also, it looks cheap in the pictures, it was a just in case thing.. now at least I have this to look in to so probably wont go with the Emgo thing.

Anyone else come across any thing please post it, I am still looking however so far the one above is winning..

.: Scott :.

[Zaipai]

Some eye candy for the CB550'ers out there..



http://www.anubiscycle.com/anubis_cycle_home_wrecker.htm

[traveler]

Yuck, I hate emgo stuff!

EMGO makes the world go 'round!

~Joe

[KB02]

I really don't need the kill switch, I mean has anyone really ever used it for its intended purpose? Anyway there is one set of wires I don't have to deal with...

Yes, I use the switch all the time. I almost NEVER turn a bike off by the key.
The whole purpose of having the engine cut off switch right by the thumb is that you never have to take your hands off the controls. It's a safety thing.

Keep searching. Those Engine Cut Off/Starter switches are out there.

[Zaipai]

I really don't need the kill switch, I mean has anyone really ever used it for its intended purpose? Anyway there is one set of wires I don't have to deal with...

Yes, I use the switch all the time. I almost NEVER turn a bike off by the key.
The whole purpose of having the engine cut off switch right by the thumb is that you never have to take your hands off the controls. It's a safety thing.

Keep searching. Those Engine Cut Off/Starter switches are out there.

Really? I always thought it was for emergency situations. You would still have to turn off the bike with the key, or your headlight etc.. will drain the battery... correct?
Yea, I am sure they are out there.. hoping to find some thing with a switch for the turn signals and the horn at the least other wise I go with what B.O.X.K.N.I.F.E. suggested...

The search continues..

.: Scott :.

[Spikeybike]

if you end up needing the controls for the left side, i got a stock one

i'm gonna order the tank liner this week and get the tank lined, and make sure there's no issuses with that ..  long story but i might have to move in a month or so , so i gotta get all these side jobs that are in my basement finished   

are you particular  to any brand of tank liner?  i'm planning on using RedKote because it's easier to buy in bulk (i have another tank for someone else to do too)  But i have no experience with RedKote, so if you know of any horror stories with it let me know

the tank your getting will mount and fit exactly like that stock one you have there, so the one you have will do fine for any mock up you have to do

 i'm gonna see what other 550 goodies i've got.. i think i've still gotta drilled rotor , maybe some other goodies  .. ok now i'm just thinking out loud

bikes lookin good, can't wait for M.V.R. this summer

[55fbomb]

i used the cycle x throttle, works just fine, i also got some handle bar controls off an old suzuki dual sport, they had a lot of switches and are only about an inch wide and are polished aluminum, and the throttle matched and was single cable with 2 switches in it. just a thought, you have a good start there.

[traveler]

"55"...On the switches....if you know...please provide the year and make....I think this might be the way to go, Scott.  It's always cool to do unique and cool things like this, versus just buying new stuff and bolting it on, IMHO.

Not that it matters, but I'm real pleased with the direction your project is going.  Just remember there are no rules, so if the 400 front end is nice, and you like it, then use it.

~Joe

[55fbomb]

i think they were off a early 70s suzuki ts125 or 250, i think now that the throttle might not have had switches on it because it looked like this one,
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/THROTTLE-CONTROL-TS250-SUZUKI-TS-250-1970_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem2302da0d90QQitemZ150371700112QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

but there was a little pod that was on it that had a puch button or maybe 2 and a three way toggle i think.  i ended up not using them, my bike is kick only with the head and tail lights on with the key and no turn signals, i dont have any buttons on my bars at all, i think i gave them to a buddy of mine.  but those switches were a lot less bulky than stock ones.