Author Topic: 1975 CB550F Project Penguin. A.K.A. David (Read 89316 times)

theofam · « **Reply #225 on:** April 15, 2010, 08:35:17 AM »

Scott, good progress! I've burned the whole week thusfar painting, stripping and repainting

a buddy's fender. So, it's good to see you're moving the ball forward as my poor CB sits there waiting for attention.

traveler · « **Reply #226 on:** April 15, 2010, 08:55:11 AM »

you're a nice guy......I don't have anyone to do my scrubbing for me.....I have to do it myself!

~Joe

Captainkirk · « **Reply #227 on:** April 21, 2010, 07:58:48 PM »

Scott, this is shaping up beautifully!
I'm sure it's frustrating to have to go so slow, but it will be worth it when it's done.
The way you're coordinating the colors is both unusual and exciting...definitely NOT run-of-the-mill!
I may have to buzz up to Paddock Lake and see it in person when you're finished!

Zaipai · « **Reply #228 on:** April 21, 2010, 08:25:46 PM »

Quote from: Captainkirk on April 21, 2010, 07:58:48 PM

Scott, this is shaping up beautifully!
I'm sure it's frustrating to have to go so slow, but it will be worth it when it's done.
The way you're coordinating the colors is both unusual and exciting...definitely NOT run-of-the-mill!
I may have to buzz up to Paddock Lake and see it in person when you're finished!

That would be awesome.. I have a 12 pak in the garage.. You are not the only one that enjoys a frosty one when working on the bike. Tho admittedly its been more coffee then beer given how cold it is out. However there were a couple warm days there..

I would suspect I will have it at work a few times, if you are near North Chicago perhaps we could have lunch and talk bikes..

Thanks for the complements.. It should be soon, I have the motor in the frame, I put the carbs on tonight. I am waiting for the wheels, then (insert drum roll here...) the wire harness.. I may need a few beers for that one, I am not looking forward to that. sigh..

TTYS,
.: Scott :.

Zaipai · « **Reply #229 on:** April 25, 2010, 03:55:40 PM »

Well some progress was made. I have to say, when the motorcycle gods want your bike a certain way, its best to let them have it. That is not the back tire I had them order, however given how long it took and given the look when I mentioned it, I just imagined it would take 3 weeks to get the right one. So for now I will use this one, however its going to make the back even lower and that is not what I wanted, so we will have to see what it looks like once I have it on the ground. Its not as nice as some others (cough.. Traveler, MCRider... etc you all know who you are) however progress is progress. I had to make some brackets for the rear turn signals so I will upload those pictures later. Also I have a sticky carb that is giving me crap.. More later I have to run and take care of some non-bike related stuff..

Blurry not sure why, stupeed camera..

Notice the chrome nuts?

More coming later...

.: Scott :.

traveler · « **Reply #230 on:** April 25, 2010, 04:07:49 PM »

looks GREAT!

A hell of alot better than mine.

~Joe

Zaipai · « **Reply #231 on:** April 25, 2010, 05:15:48 PM »

Quote from: traveler on April 25, 2010, 04:07:49 PM

looks GREAT!

A hell of alot better than mine.

~Joe

Your too kind.. However have you looked at yours?

Well no more pic's tonight camera battery is dead. I did manage (and you can just about see it in the first picture), to paint the bar ends gold to match the frame, the silver seemed out of place. I also painted most of the hex bolts gold or silver if they were not chrome. I have the wireing just about worked out. Next weekend should be the brakes and soon first ride since last September!! I hope.. Oh, and yes I am keeping the chain gaurd, mostly because I will have passengers and want to be safe, however the tire is so wide it rubs the guard, so I will have to adjust that. Also I have the seat to do when it comes in.. sigh..

.: Scott :.

Captainkirk · « **Reply #232 on:** April 25, 2010, 09:00:28 PM »

Scott, you're making me regret not painting my frame and motor. Just the other night I looked at the motor, and wondered aloud "Gee, I wonder just how difficult it would be to drop that motor?" I decided to pass on opening another beer at that point....
But seriously...how difficult IS it?
Your project looks fantastic! You're making the little perfectionist within me squirm....

Zaipai · « **Reply #233 on:** April 25, 2010, 10:04:28 PM »

Quote from: Captainkirk on April 25, 2010, 09:00:28 PM

Scott, you're making me regret not painting my frame and motor. Just the other night I looked at the motor, and wondered aloud "Gee, I wonder just how difficult it would be to drop that motor?" I decided to pass on opening another beer at that point....
But seriously...how difficult IS it?
Your project looks fantastic! You're making the little perfectionist within me squirm....

Really its not that hard, remove the wires, cables and Oil filter housing. Then drop some cushions on the floor, tip the bike on its side and remove the motor bolts (probably want to loosen them first) then lift the frame off the motor you need to twist it a bit. Just reverse for assembly. Really its that simple, it took me no time to get it out. I just had to have help with the motor getting it off the floor on to a stand. The frames heavy but even with my bad back I was able to lift it out with not much problem. I put it back the same way and did not nick the paint at all. That said, I prefer a clean non painted motor, it just runs cooler however mine was so pitted and scratched (and I am a bit lazy) so I just painted it with a Metallic Charcoal gray. Its actually cool, the paint shimmers a bit in the sun light, the metal flakes are tiny and hard to see until the light hits them.

Thanks for the kind words.. I am just doing the best I can however it will never be of the quality of most of the bikes here.. Look at this months nominations for Bike of the Month for example. Heck Look at travelers 550 for example its going to be fantastic when hes done.

.: Scott :.

TyMatthews · « **Reply #234 on:** April 25, 2010, 11:39:37 PM »

Damn, this is looking sweet! I've been hemming and hawing about whether to put the chain guard back on or not... judging by the way yours looks on there, I think I've decided which way to go. Safety is probably more important than a trimmed-down look, especially since I'll have passengers.

The pics are probably blurry because you're so excited to take the pic your hands were shaking! That, or your exposure is too long. Rest the camera against a hard, fixed object to steady it, or get a tripod. Hell, make your own out of a couple used computer cases

Question: is that the stock front fender? If so, how did you patch up the holes from the stay bar? Just something like JB Weld or devcon?

Industrial Cafe · « **Reply #235 on:** April 26, 2010, 04:46:53 AM »

man that thing is lookin' good!!!
what size tire is it? looks like a 130/70/16?

Zaipai · « **Reply #236 on:** April 26, 2010, 05:18:42 AM »

Very good.. I had them order a 130/90/16 while I did not check the size on the tire, that is how it is on the receipt, so tonight I will look on the tire and see. You could be correct..

Thanks.. I am liking it..

a few more weekends and she should be ready to fire up.

.: Scott :.

fasturd · « **Reply #237 on:** April 26, 2010, 05:29:12 AM »

Hey Scott,

It is looking great. I understand the chain guard woes... I like them off for looks but they really do help keep the bike clean (without them you get chain lube everywhere). I am building a bike for the Maxton mile and they require a metal chain guard. The stock one on my bike is plastic. In my mind at 200 mph no chain guard is going to stand up to a broken whipping 530 chain...
Regardless, your the bike is looking great. And I am sure your S/O will appreciate the thought that you put into this build for her.

Hurry up it is getting pretty warm!!!!

Zaipai · « **Reply #238 on:** April 26, 2010, 05:33:10 AM »

Quote from: TyMatthews on April 25, 2010, 11:39:37 PM

Damn, this is looking sweet! I've been hemming and hawing about whether to put the chain guard back on or not... judging by the way yours looks on there, I think I've decided which way to go. Safety is probably more important than a trimmed-down look, especially since I'll have passengers.

The pics are probably blurry because you're so excited to take the pic your hands were shaking! That, or your exposure is too long. Rest the camera against a hard, fixed object to steady it, or get a tripod. Hell, make your own out of a couple used computer cases

Question: is that the stock front fender? If so, how did you patch up the holes from the stay bar? Just something like JB Weld or devcon?

Thanks.. Yea the camera's flash did not go off, so it was too long an exposure. The flash seems to have a mind of its own, in fairness tho its a 10 year old Nikon coolpix that is just about shot.

Yea, like my megshift bike stand? Being that I work on computers for a living I have a ton of them in the garage so.. Funny part is the bottom case is the one I use in the garage to watch TV while I work in case there is a good game on or some thing.

That is the fender that came with the bike when I bought it. I did not plug any holes, there are there you just cant see them. I will be putting on the stay bar, just have not done so yet.

The other thing about the chain guard is it stops a lot of the road grime from kicking up and getting on you when you ride, or your passengers.. I like the look of them off, so I am thinking I may mod it later to trim it down and make it look almost not there yet still provide what I need.. I have it mapped out just need to do it.

.: Scott :.

Zaipai · « **Reply #239 on:** April 26, 2010, 05:36:40 AM »

Quote from: fasturd on April 26, 2010, 05:29:12 AM

Hey Scott,
Hurry up it is getting pretty warm!!!!

Thanks, I know its been in the 70's and a few 80s here until last week even now its in the upper 60's.. I need to take another week of to work on it!

Right now I just weekends a few week nights and on the weekends I don't get the full Sat and Sun as family things get in the way.. However I am ahead of schedule, as I originally planed on end of may beginning of June as that is when normally its warm enough to ride around here...

.: Scott :.

Spikeybike · « **Reply #240 on:** April 26, 2010, 07:16:52 AM »

be careful with those chrome nuts and bolts my friend .... they are highly addictive , and will drain your bank account

Little_Horse · « **Reply #241 on:** April 26, 2010, 07:22:26 AM »

Looks great!

theofam · « **Reply #242 on:** April 26, 2010, 08:34:00 AM »

Scott - I just had a chance to catch up on your build after a six-day ride on my running bike. It looks awesome. You got a ton done on your week off! I can tell you're not one to take a compliment based on your responses, but from those of us looking at your work, you've done a great job! It's looking real nice and would be a fantastic addition to anyone's garage. Can't wait to see it finished!

Zaipai · « **Reply #243 on:** April 26, 2010, 09:20:06 AM »

Quote from: Spikeybike on April 26, 2010, 07:16:52 AM

be careful with those chrome nuts and bolts my friend .... they are highly addictive , and will drain your bank account

Yes they are.. And they have.. So its now at a point if I don't have the cash, I can't get them.. I hate having a budget!!!

I need corporate sponsorship!!!

.: Scott :.

Zaipai · « **Reply #244 on:** April 26, 2010, 09:20:43 AM »

Quote from: cornandp on April 26, 2010, 07:22:26 AM

Looks great!

Thank you very much!!!

.: Scott :.

Zaipai · « **Reply #245 on:** April 26, 2010, 09:23:11 AM »

Quote from: theofam on April 26, 2010, 08:34:00 AM

Scott - I just had a chance to catch up on your build after a six-day ride on my running bike. It looks awesome. You got a ton done on your week off! I can tell you're not one to take a compliment based on your responses, but from those of us looking at your work, you've done a great job! It's looking real nice and would be a fantastic addition to anyone's garage. Can't wait to see it finished!

Well Thanks.. I just do the best I can with what I have on hand. However I have been wanting to ride it for weeks now and its killing me, but once its together it will be a LONG time before I do this again with it so I want to get it right so it does not bug me later on.. I am glad you like it.

.: Scott :.