Author Topic: 1977 CB550 K cafe racer build (Read 234881 times)

traveler · « **Reply #975 on:** August 04, 2010, 06:01:35 PM »

booties installed....work great! Bike flat hauls a$$....no joke.

~Joe

Zaipai · « **Reply #976 on:** August 04, 2010, 06:06:29 PM »

Quote from: traveler on August 04, 2010, 06:00:03 PM

Are you guys SERIOUSLY going to take over this thread?

Sorry Joe, just felt I had to jump in there. Glad she is working for you. Wished we lived closer to each other, would kill to see that bike in person..

Enjoy!

.: Scott :.

traveler · « **Reply #977 on:** August 04, 2010, 08:11:33 PM »

yeah...you may not be impressed....she isn't restored....rattle can touched up, with some high dollar nick nacks on it.

The pictures are kind to her....in person, she has alot of ....."patina". $:-\$

Basically just an old "rat-rod".

~Joe

Zaipai · « **Reply #978 on:** August 04, 2010, 08:32:27 PM »

I believe you are being modest. However even if that is true, I would love to have that "old rat rod" in my stable!

.: Scott :.

traveler · « **Reply #979 on:** August 04, 2010, 08:44:43 PM »

Thanks bud.

One thing I have learned...is that you are "good people" scott.

Thaks for the props throughout the build.

I mean that sincerely.

~Joe

Zaipai · « **Reply #980 on:** August 04, 2010, 09:01:11 PM »

Just being honest Joe, I know you think you just threw a few dollars at it.. Really look, if you do you will see you put your own character into it. You compromised on nothing! That says allot about you and your build. You do have a one of a kind quality build there!

.: Scott :.

traveler · « **Reply #981 on:** August 04, 2010, 09:11:42 PM »

All I know is she really has alot of torque and horsepower the way I geared her, and stripped her down.

~Joe

Syscrush · « **Reply #982 on:** August 05, 2010, 05:43:31 AM »

Quote from: traveler on August 04, 2010, 09:11:42 PM

All I know is she really has alot of torque and horsepower the way I geared her, and stripped her down.

And all I know is that I love your bike and I learned a lot from your approach.

traveler · « **Reply #983 on:** August 05, 2010, 06:45:09 AM »

Thanks. I appreciate the kind words.

With my filters on, she is rich at WOT 6,500+ RPM....and by rolling out of the throttle a hair, it lunges forward to 9,500 RPM....so that's how I know she is rich....also, when idling, it is rich.

A while back I put one heat range colder plugs in it....but that trick is for a lean motor, so next will be one heat range hotter on the plugs....BR6EA NGK plugs.....will help burn the fuel, and should reuturn WOT at high RPM's. It's not a big deal, you just have to learn how to work the throttle to make it work at it's potential. For those who are lost in what I'm talking about with the plugs, here is a quick note:

NGK plugs
BR6EA - 1 heat range hotter (cures slight rich condition....helps burn the extra fuel)
BR7EA - stock heat range
BR8EA - 1 heat range cooler (cures slight LEAN condition, especially in hot climates and carb popping)

With the gearing, weight reduction, and these carbs and exhaust.....the bike is unbelieveable strong in the mid-range.....just pure torque.....seat of the pants and watching the tach...you would not believe the pull throughout the range.

Certainly dosen't feel like a 550 motor.

~Joe

Syscrush · « **Reply #984 on:** August 05, 2010, 06:59:44 AM »

That's really good to know, Joe. My plan is also to concentrate on lightening (although will probably end up heavier than your bike) and some CR's w/ pods and a full exhaust. I don't want to get into engine internals if I can avoid it and I'm fine with changing gearing.

Anyhow, performance isn't an important criteria for me with this bike, it's more about style. Still good to know that you can wake it up without opening it up the way you have!

Kemp · « **Reply #985 on:** August 05, 2010, 07:06:23 AM »

Quote from: traveler on August 05, 2010, 06:45:09 AM

Thanks. I appreciate the kind words.

With my filters on, she is rich at WOT 6,500+ RPM....and by rolling out of the throttle a hair, it lunges forward to 9,500 RPM....so that's how I know she is rich....also, when idling, it is rich.

A while back I put one heat range colder plugs in it....but that trick is for a lean motor, so next will be one heat range hotter on the plugs....BR6EA NGK plugs.....will help burn the fuel, and should reuturn WOT at high RPM's. It's not a big deal, you just have to learn how to work the throttle to make it work at it's potential. For those who are lost in what I'm talking about with the plugs, here is a quick note:

NGK plugs
BR6EA - 1 heat range hotter (cures slight rich condition....helps burn the extra fuel)
BR7EA - stock heat range
BR8EA - 1 heat range cooler (cures slight LEAN condition, especially in hot climates and carb popping)

With the gearing, weight reduction, and these carbs and exhaust.....the bike is unbelieveable strong in the mid-range.....just pure torque.....seat of the pants and watching the tach...you would not believe the pull throughout the range.

Certainly dosen't feel like a 550 motor.

~Joe

Sounds like the main jet is too big, I expect you'll probably drop it one size before you play with the plugs as you can cause yourself grief if you go too warm on the heat range especially on a stock motor that is comfortable with NGK DR7ES or even the colder DR8ES

Feyden · « **Reply #986 on:** August 05, 2010, 07:25:41 AM »

Hey, just curious where you got those cloth boot covers? I would love to grab some of those if they will replace POD filters or something.

traveler · « **Reply #987 on:** August 05, 2010, 07:48:42 AM »

http://www.cas4.com/Carburetors-Intakes/Air-Cleaners/Velocity-Stacks/carburetors-air-cleaners-wimmer-velocity-stack-filters.html

check out page 37 of this thread for more info as well.

traveler · « **Reply #988 on:** August 05, 2010, 07:51:20 AM »

30,000+ views of my build thread.

Unbelieveable.

Came in dead last in BOTM, only pulled 19-20 votes, but seems to be alot of curiosity towards my bike that wasn't well received in balloting. $:-\$ It did about as well as a Republican running for Mayor of San Francisco.

~Joe

goaarongo · « **Reply #989 on:** August 05, 2010, 08:02:17 AM »

Just for the record, I was one of those 19-20. I really enjoyed reading this thread and I think the outcome is top-notch. Makes me want to get a 550.

traveler · « **Reply #990 on:** August 05, 2010, 08:53:39 AM »

Stay with the 750's.

HedNut · « **Reply #991 on:** August 05, 2010, 09:41:08 AM »

I just read thru most of your build from start to finish...I must say that it's pretty magical what you've done with the 550.. I love it! Excellent work and some nifty innovation all around! I hope we get to see a video sometime!! It'd be REALLY cool to get a helmet cam shot on your bike!!

(it's something I've wanted for years now....a helmet cam....)

Cheers to an excellent build man!

Syscrush · « **Reply #992 on:** August 05, 2010, 11:20:09 AM »

Quote from: Feyden on August 05, 2010, 07:25:41 AM

Hey, just curious where you got those cloth boot covers? I would love to grab some of those if they will replace POD filters or something.

They are cool but they're not really a replacement for pod filters. From the CAS4 website:

Quote

Note: CAS4 recommends that Velocity Stacks & air horns be used in racing applications only as they do not provide the filtering protection required to preserve the engine on a day to day basis. These filters are not returnable.

If you don't do a lot of miles on your bike, they may be worth considering. They sure do look nice.

Feyden · « **Reply #993 on:** August 05, 2010, 12:05:02 PM »

Awesome, thanks for the link! Being these are about half cost of pods, I think I'll buy them to substitute the filters, until I think the bike is in good enough shape to be taken out on a regular basis. These will at least get me started and save some cash for other parts! Again, thanks for the help, much appreciated!

Syscrush · « **Reply #994 on:** August 05, 2010, 12:37:01 PM »

Quote from: Feyden on August 05, 2010, 12:05:02 PM

Awesome, thanks for the link! Being these are about half cost of pods, I think I'll buy them to substitute the filters, until I think the bike is in good enough shape to be taken out on a regular basis. These will at least get me started and save some cash for other parts! Again, thanks for the help, much appreciated!

I think that there a lot of good reasons to run stacks + booties instead of pods, but cost savings probably isn't one of them. Whatever you decide, keep in mind that they don't filter as well as a good set of pods or the OEM setup, and less filtration = more risk of expensive internal engine damage.

Also, do you have the stock CV carbs, or some kind of flatslide or roundslide setup?

traveler · « **Reply #995 on:** August 05, 2010, 04:53:40 PM »

I can get away with it....because my bike is just a toy that I only ride occassionally, and only on sunny clear days, on the pavement only. I certainly wouldn't do it on a bike I would ride daily, in the rain, etc.

~Joe

Syscrush · « **Reply #996 on:** August 06, 2010, 09:02:47 AM »

Quote from: traveler on August 05, 2010, 04:53:40 PM

I can get away with it....because my bike is just a toy that I only ride occassionally, and only on sunny clear days, on the pavement only. I certainly wouldn't do it on a bike I would ride daily, in the rain, etc.

It really does look great. I'll bet it sounds pretty awesome with the slides clattering at idle, or the intake roar at WOT.

traveler · « **Reply #997 on:** August 06, 2010, 07:26:40 PM »

IT's not a roar....more like a shreik!!!!

Kind of makes you go "oh $hit, I'm gonna blow her up!"

~Joe

Flying J · « **Reply #998 on:** August 19, 2010, 09:35:02 PM »

still looking for drags?
http://www.cyclexchange.net/24%20Hour%20Sale.htm

cb550fcafe · « **Reply #999 on:** August 20, 2010, 05:08:15 AM »

Quote from: traveler on August 06, 2010, 07:26:40 PM

IT's not a roar....more like a shreik!!!!

Kind of makes you go "oh $hit, I'm gonna blow her up!"

~Joe

LOL!!! I just got mine on and WTF!!! I had no idea that it would run like this. Redline happens quick. It feels like I'm gonna blow it up. Its like the old set up on nitrous. The clutch is pissed off! I have to figure out how to hold this motor. The stock(new plates,shimmed springs) won't do it. Big bore, Mreick stage 3 head, web 58b, dyna, etc. what a ride!

I cut my spigots down and used some 77-78 intakes, the air filters fit but I contacted K&N to build me air filters that are 3/4" shorter. If anyone else is interested in the shorter filter, I will have a price by Monday. I did not know but K&N will build almost any filter you need.

The machinist who cut my spigots down made an internal holder to cut these. He did a great job.

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Author Topic: 1977 CB550 K cafe racer build (Read 234881 times)

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