Topic: 1977 CB550 K cafe racer build

[traveler]

Well, I'm 6'2 and the reach is EASY...the rearsets are a bit cramped...but they are already on there and bought and paid for, so I'll have to deal with it.

It's just a toy anyway.

Do you like the look?

~Joe

[Steve_K]

I have been watching your build.  Great Ideas! Great Work!  I like the tank and seat, very cool cafe.  I am liking your airbox mod.  I did not know that batteries could be that small.  I can not wait to hear your report on charging and starting the engine.  Great posting, I should work posting my build.
Steve

[traveler]

Please do!  I love reading and seeing others work when I am recuperating from working my butt off scrubbing, sanding, painting, and straining to get things to look a certain way!

Appreciate the kind words.

~Joe

[traveler]

Well, I got the entire valve cover done today...took 3 hours, but it looks pretty good, I think.....

















~Joe

[strynboen]

uh mine looks terribel..and loose oil at top..a long vay to it looks ok..its my new..old 400 from 75"..have 2 vrags in vork now 550 and 400..

[fastbroshi]

Well, I'm 6'2 and the reach is EASY...the rearsets are a bit cramped...but they are already on there and bought and paid for, so I'll have to deal with it.

It's just a toy anyway.

Do you like the look?

~Joe

   It looks great, but not for me, as I've got clubmans, a stock tank, and the stock seat.  It really only bothers my wrists and back on long rides, like 250 miles+.  I find myself snugging up to the back of the tank where it is, even now.  If I were to get a tank like that I think I'd go for a 3 inch stretch max.  I was thinking I'd like some rearsets that go back to the passenger pegs, but I have a K type frame and it's got those tabs versus the tubes that the later models have back there and it just doesn't look as nice.  If I do it I'll probably just cut off the tabs and weld some tube on there.
   I've looked at roccity's page since you bought yours, seems they've raised their price signifigantly.  Looks like you got in at the right time.

[traveler]

Thanks for the comments.

I understand the problem.....clubmans and rearsets only work if the setup is such that you can comfortably ride with them.  I wasn't sure, and decided to do it, so it is just plain "dumb luck" that it worked out.  On your rearsets, I'm thinking you could weld on a bracket to put them where you want them.  If welding on your pristine frame is a no-no...then perhaps you could clamp on a bracket or make a plate that bolts on to nearby holes and spaces them where you want them.

Your bike is SUPER clean, so I understand not wanting to do any chopping on it.

My only conern is whether or not I will have enough power to actually be happy with the bike.  I'm used to riding a modified Harley with gobs of torque, so we'll see.

Sean @ Roc City probably adjusted his prices, after seeing how much labor is involved in doing it.

~Joe

[Flying J]

Bike is looking amazing. Have you considered putting an aluminum fairing on it? or even a fiber glass one.

[traveler]

do you have a source for that?  I'd do that in a heartbeat.

I like alloy cafe stuff.

~Joe

[Flying J]

dont think its a direct bolt on for our bikes but im sure you could make it fit.
http://www.thetankshop.com/

[fastbroshi]

  Oh yeah it's clean, but it's a mish mash of parts from an F and K, so the F pipes slightly contact the brake pedal and the tank's not right etc.  But I didn't set out to make it a factory resto either.  Hell it's my first bike.  
  I'm going to try placing some rearsets with a couple clamps on the frame first, and if they're not far enough back I'll have some tube welded on there.  I really like the way Squirrelly did his.  Then chrome the rearset bits.  Anyone not in the know wouldn't be able to notice it's not factory.  
  Do you know how many gallons that tank holds?  Got any close pics of the fastening at the rear of the tank?

[Flying J]

 Your rectifier is hanging out for the world to see! How embarrassing! Tuck that thing in.

[traveler]

hehe...yeah...darn thing won't stay put!

Just got to get an "L" bracket and paint it up and mount.

~Joe

[traveler]

 Oh yeah it's clean, but it's a mish mash of parts from an F and K, so the F pipes slightly contact the brake pedal and the tank's not right etc.  But I didn't set out to make it a factory resto either.  Hell it's my first bike.  
  I'm going to try placing some rearsets with a couple clamps on the frame first, and if they're not far enough back I'll have some tube welded on there.  I really like the way Squirrelly did his.  Then chrome the rearset bits.  Anyone not in the know wouldn't be able to notice it's not factory.  
  Do you know how many gallons that tank holds?  Got any close pics of the fastening at the rear of the tank?

12 Liters or 3 gallons on the tank.  the rear is held down by a strap attached to the seat.  The seat has one bolt up front that goes through a factory hole, and the 2 factory holes on the rear "bridge" hold the back of the seat down.

My opinion....who cares if it's a mix/match.....it's not a 100 point resto, so build it the way you like.

~Joe

[cosmo]

Bike's coming along nicely, Sean some great work there.  Nice avatar

[traveler]

Avatar???  Ooops!  PM sent.

~Joe

[Zaipai]

Man, I love it... I wish my 550 project was progressing as well....

it just sits in the dining room begging for some work.....but homework comes first........only need a few more parts, and this beast will be up and running soon.........(i hope!!!)

Extra special bonus points to you my friend for having it indoors and in the dining room!!

.: Scott :.

[traveler]

Today my new tach cable came in.  It's from Motion Pro, and is 3 inches shorter than stock.

Also got some clear 1/4" inside diameter fuel line.  Also from Motion Pro.  Very hefty stuff...very thick wall.

I'll post pics of them both on install.

~Joe

[Zaipai]

Today my new tach cable came in.  It's from Motion Pro, and is 3 inches shorter than stock.

Also got some clear 1/4" inside diameter fuel line.  Also from motion Pro.  Very hefty stuff...very thick wall.

I'll post pics of them both on install.

~Joe

The 3" shorter is good for you? I would assume that it is since you did not mention returning it.. 

.: Scott :.

[traveler]

When I measured for the length on the tach cable, I measured 2.5 inches shorter than stock.  when I talked to Motion Pro they said they had a 3 inch shorter one in stock for 13 bucks, or I could custom order a 2.5 inch shorter one for 50 bucks.....so I decided to go with the 3 inch shorter one!

I will install Saturday, and see if all is well.

~Joe

[traveler]

Well, didn't install the tach cable yet...but I got the motor done.











I also got the carbs all cleaned up and ready to go



And good riddance to this:



All I need to do is put the pipes back on...here's a view of where we're at:




Some parts of the engine will receive a final buffing with WD-40 and a white scotchpad, but the hard part is DONE!

~Joe

[Zaipai]

Nice man.. Looking good. You will be done just in time for riding weather. Funny it hit 45f here Saturday and I say so many bikes on the road. You would think it was summer the way they where acting..

.: Scott :.

[traveler]

My repro Blackhawk tank badges I ordered from Thailand via eBay are taking FOREVER to get here! 

sure would be nice if they arrive.

~Joe

[Zaipai]

Cool can't wait to see em. I am still working on what to do with mine. I am sure they will arrive soon, if not you may wish to nudge the seller..

.: Scott :.

[traveler]

Had a productive day....nice and warm...lots of sunshine.

Started by getting my fork stabilizer mounted.  I drilled a hole in the frame right where the cross bracing is, as that is the strongest section.  I then tapped the hole, and since there was a bit of play in the threads, I used red loctite and screwed the heim joint in....after it was dry, I assembled the rest.












I then went ahead and installed my 3 inch shorter tach cable I got from Motion Pro





After that, I went ahead and installed the battery.  As you can see from the pics, it is in nice and tidy













I then mounted a painted "L" bracket, and mounted the rectifier up nice and neat...where it can get "air"





I then finished up the day by laying out my rear drum holes, and getting them started.  It was then my battery went dead on the cordless drill....so I decided to stop for the day.





~Joe