Topic: 1977 CB550 K cafe racer build

[kennydean2000]

Another lurker - looks great.

The 550 I picked up has a front wheel needing attention too.  The rim is good but the spokes are rusty.  My first thought was replacement of the spokes but you did a great job cleaning yours up - keep it up!

[traveler]

Thanks.

The spokes aren't too bad.....they have a stain on them from age/corrosion, but are smooth and have a slight shine to them.  Once I get them in the sunlight...any that are too dark, I will sand with 150 grit sandpaper and then rub down with Never dull to bring out a shine, and the oil in the polish will protect the bare steel.

Trying to do more with less now.....don't want to dump any more $$.

~Joe

[Ryan 550k]

Thanks.

The spokes aren't too bad.....they have a stain on them from age/corrosion, but are smooth and have a slight shine to them.  Once I get them in the sunlight...any that are too dark, I will sand with 150 grit sandpaper and then rub down with Never dull to bring out a shine, and the oil in the polish will protect the bare steel.

Trying to do more with less now.....don't want to dump any mopre $$.

~Joe

They can eat up a ton of dough huh?

[traveler]

yeah...you're not kidding!

Started getting my rotor ready to go today:







~Joe

[Zaipai]

Nice work on the hub. Getting closer!

I hear ya about the money, I on the other hand have a vision and well if I want to get to it I have to send the cash even if we don't really have it.
In the end, if it comes out to what I have in my head, it will have been worth it even tho I will never get for it what I put into it.

.: Scott :.

[traveler]

....and a pic of the front side:



~Joe

[Zaipai]

....and a pic of the front side:



~Joe

Looks great.. I want to do that to mine, but it will have till next winter..

.: Scott :.

[dagersh]

Trav,

Your build is awesome.  The reason we can't all make comments, is that you are now the teacher....

Keep teaching.

Gersh

[traveler]

thanks.

[psniff]

lets see some pics with the tank and seat on! we know you secretly mocked it up

[Ryan 550k]

lets see some pics with the tank and seat on! we know you secretly mocked it up

Scroll Down.

[Laminar]

Is there any chance that folding up your right peg and using a kickstart lever from a 550f like this one would give you a functional kickstart again? The 550f kickstart lever has an extra bend or two that move it further away from the bike when folded out.

[traveler]

I've had several ask me for pics of the tank and seat on the bike.  I quickly layed both on the bike and took a few pics...keep in mind, the seat is just laying on there, and it is not down flush where it will be when done.

Anyhow here are a few (poor quality) pics to look at:













BTW, the handlebars clear the tank with about 2 inches of clearance on both sides.

Looks pretty good, I think.

~Joe

[traveler]

Front wheel is all done and ready to go!







~Joe

[Zaipai]

That is looking very sharp Joe, I gotta say money well spent!!!

.: Scott :.

[Little_Horse]

looking really good!

[greasy j]

As for all the lurkers... many of us just can't think of much to add. As I said before you seem to have all the bases covered. I would keep posting, just because some one does not post a comment does not mean your post was not of some value to them..
.: Scott :.

I agree. I post something now and then, but at first I was lurking on this site for about 2 years before I signed up for real. and some of my fave threads, I never had much to say. it'd all been said. but I understand that it is really encouraging to know others are watching what you're doing.

the project section is cool because it is like each home builder having his own discovery channel bike building show. only with substance. and we can all watch at our leisure.  I'm glad lots of people like you are not as lazy as me and do these build threads. they make the site what it is. and this is the 1st website I've ever spent much time on.

I am starting my thread in the next few days, I have put it off for a while, but I have to do a journal of my engine rebuild for school, so I have a good reason, now.

oh yeah, the bike looks ba-dass!

[greasy j]

yeah...you're not kidding!

Started getting my rotor ready to go today:







~Joe

by the way, not to be a know it all, just a suggestion:

1/4 inch blue tape is super bendy and you can outline sharp curves like with this rotor really easy. and it's cheap! then mask the rest w/ white or blue or green tape. white is fine as long as you don't leave it overnight. especially in the sun or with solvent based paint on it drying. then it will make a mess.

like I said not trying to tell you what to do, just my job. I'm a painter for a living. but really I'm more like a masker/sander. I have made an art out of masking after doing it every day for about 13 yrs!

just wanna make your life easier next time.

[traveler]

No sweat!  I appreaciate the advice.  Hell, I'm just glad to have a few actually take the time to write something.

I used the white masking tape because I had it, and I didn't think it made any difference.  Right after I painted it, I pulled the tape off....as I was just using it to catch overspray.

I just hope the bike turns out decent when I'm done.  The amount of scrubbing and cleaning/polishing on this thing is becoming outrageous!  I'm about ready to nickname the bike "scrub"...because it seems like that's all I do these days.  

~Joe

[greasy j]

you did it right. with white tape just pull while wet or soon after spraying. it's cheaper, but if you leave it on too long you will spend a lot of time cleaning up glue. again, nice work!

I'd like to be helpful to people because I have learned a lot from this site and want to chip in if I can. but I don't want to come off sounding like a know it all.

[traveler]

FYI,

I have some of the take off parts for sale....see my post in the parts for sale thread.

~Joe

[Zaipai]

you did it right. with white tape just pull while wet or soon after spraying. it's cheaper, but if you leave it on too long you will spend a lot of time cleaning up glue. again, nice work!

I'd like to be helpful to people because I have learned a lot from this site and want to chip in if I can. but I don't want to come off sounding like a know it all.

Hey Greasy J you have a link to a better picture of your bike (assuming its your avatar)?

Joe,
Looking really good, I know how you feel about the scrubbing, that is why I took mine apart, there is still the scrubbing but its easier on most of the parts. Tomorrow I am going in to have the tires removed and then I will remove the rusty spokes and replace them with some shinny ones. However that may take some time to lace the new rim (and the old front rim) to the hubs, but at least I can clean up the hubs easier with no spokes..

.: Scott :.

[traveler]

Well...got the front wheel back on and the caliper finshed.  Of course the fork sliders need more work, but I wanted to get the front wheel back on...so I will finish the sliders later on.







Went ahead and mounted the seat and tank.  This requred lowering the electrics down a bit.  Because I went with the 14.5 inch shocks, and even when sitting on the bike I still have over 1 inch of clearance, which will be fine.  Here is the first time the bike has been out in the sun for awhile....gives an idea where we are going with it.

















Anyhow, just thought I'd post today's work.

~Joe

[Zaipai]

Wow, some one has been busy!! Man she looks like she's doing 100 just sitting there. Look fabulous Joe!!! I know its not complete but dang sweet job none the less.. I just came in from working on mine to eat dinner and saw the post! Glad I did not wait till later to look..

It did not raise it up nearly as much as I thought.. Looks perfect for a street racer.. Loving the tank and the seat.. just awesome..

Why the cry face at the end?

Front wheel looks great, pop's like crazy with the drilled caliber and the cleaned up brake...

Off to eat more later!

.: Scott :.

[fastbroshi]

  I have to ask, how tall are you?  That tank is uber long and the mounting of the rearsets look a little forward of where your hips might be.  How's the reach to the bars?