Topic: 1977 CB550 K cafe racer build

[traveler]

Since I am waiting for my MAC 4-1 exhaust to arrive, I went ahead and sanded up the front of the frame, and painted it with engine paint, after sanding it smooth, and wiping it down with alcohol.  I also went ahead and gave the exhaust collars a shot of silver engine block paint, left over from the wheels.  Once the paint is hard, I will take the paint off the tips, and leave the silver in the crevices to cover the rust.

You can also notice that the bolt heads and nuts were buffed in place, via steel wool.

Just a quick mask job.

Here are a few pics:
















~Joe

[Zaipai]

Hot dang that looks good.. Nice work. Perhaps I should have just done that to mine.. Can't wait to see the 4-1 on it.


Happy 4th man.. Hope you get to enjoy it!

.: Scott :.

[traveler]

Happy 4th to you Scott....thanks.

The key to this engine enamel is to give it a day or so to REALLY harden up.  It's THICK enamel.  And, I like to put it on thick and shiny....

~Joe

[traveler]

My MAC exhaust came in today, and I installed it.  I can tell you two things......it is LIGHT....and two, it went right on!  Didn't have to push, pull, or any of the normal stuff you get with aftermarket stuff.....just slipped right on!

Here's a few pics.  You can tell the contast between the gloss black frame and the rough texture of the pipes.  The quality is VERY nice!



















Carb also came in....will go on this weekend.

~Joe

[Laminar]

Will the exhaust impede filter changes?

[traveler]

looks like it will clear...at the most, If I loosen the head tubes just a tad....no problem.

~Joe

[Zaipai]

Joe, I think you sent the gauges back too soon. Do you want me to send them back? This would be the week for me to do it since I am off and all. Boy the chrome part is the same as mine, the headers are MUCH better then the ones I have, those hug the frame and motor better then mine. Let me know about the gauges it would be easy as pie to send them back to you.

.: Scott :.

[tweakin]

Looks great Joe.  Watch that coating, when I first set up my Mac 2-1 for my 400twin the black coating pealed due to my bike running hot.  I had my headers ceramic coated to solve this problem. 

Check out the baffle I built for my 750 in my thread, I will post video with sound if I ever get the 750 completed.

[traveler]

I'm gonna try bench sync'ing the carbs first and see how she works.

If the paint peels, then I will scuff them up, mask them off, and paint with BBQ paint.  That paint will take it, and is easy to touch up as time goes by.

Thanks for the kind words, guys.

~Joe

[Flying J]

Looks great Joe.  Watch that coating, when I first set up my Mac 2-1 for my 400twin the black coating pealed due to my bike running hot.  I had my headers ceramic coated to solve this problem. 

Check out the baffle I built for my 750 in my thread, I will post video with sound if I ever get the 750 completed.

same problem on my mac

[traveler]

I guess I might as well post some pics.....I replaced my gauges with mini gauges I got from CrC2 online.

I like 'em!

Lower profile, and I put them such that they are sucked around the headlight and used holes already available.
















Opinions?

~Joe

[Zaipai]

Holy cow, those look great. Your racer is looking slick.. I am so glad you don't live around here, I would never be able to match the quality of your work!!!

See if you can borrow a cell phone that can do video once you have her button'ed up and I should would like to hear her rev...
Great work!!

.: Scott :.

[traveler]

Thanks, Scott.

Looks like I'll be going to CR carbs....these PD carbs just plain SUCK.

I played with the floats yesterday, I adjusted the height to mthe minimum and the fuel leaks stopped....so the fuel flow WILL stop, but the fuel level is too low right now for the pilots, so I will play with them a bit more.....but I am really not happy with them at all

Hate to spend the money.....but I need new carbs.

~Joe

[Zaipai]

Go for it.. If its going to be a true racer it needs cr carbs.. right?

If it helps any, I am planing the same thing, tho I have to wait till X-Mas to get it..

.: Scott :.

[FrankenFrankenstuff]

Well, I had some good luck today!

I FINALLY got the bike running GREAT!






Took 6 months to get the build done, and I want to thank ALL who helped, in any way they could to get her done!
 
~Joe

I want to ride your bike. I tried a more poetic way of saying it....your bike WANTS me to ride it. lol

[traveler]

Ordered a set of these from Dynoman today:



In the deal, they are setting them up for a 550 and jetting them.  I also bought some main jets, one size smaller and one size larger to fine tune if needed.

EXPENSIVE!.....damn

~Joe

[Steve_K]

The carbs look great!  I brought 36MM Mikuni flatsides for my GIXXER and I checked that the jets were snug and I found the float levels were off.  Adusted them and I was plug in and go.   I suppose that they supplied info for the your application.  I love the flatslides on my bike.
Steve

[traveler]

Thanks.

Yeah, Buzz at Dynoman is going to set up my carbs and jet them for my application, and recommended the one jet size up and down, so I went with that.

Got a little nervous apprehension......it's alot of $$$ for new carbs.

~Joe

[Zaipai]

I bet, however I think based on what others have said you wont regret it!!! Sweet looking carbs!

.: Scott :. <-- envious!

[tweakin]

Money well spent Joe.  I just installed my CR's on my 750 today, and if they are as good as everyone says they are should be great. 

[traveler]

Thanks again, guys.  Godffrey on here is running CR's on his 550, as is another guy.....so I won't be the only one on here!

~Joe

[Zaipai]

Thanks again, guys.  Godffrey on here is running CR's on his 550, as is another guy.....so I won't be the only one on here!

~Joe

Yes I saw he was running those, turns out he is just the next town over from me. I am going to try and arrange a meet up or some thing. I would like to see that bike of his..

.: Scott :.

[shane]

Ordered a set of these from Dynoman today:



In the deal, they are setting them up for a 550 and jetting them.  I also bought some main jets, one size smaller and one size larger to fine tune if needed.

EXPENSIVE!.....damn

~Joe

ahhh man... So jealous. I'm looking for some for my 550F.

[traveler]

same setup....550 is 550 with these carbs

[Godffery]

Thanks again, guys.  Godffrey on here is running CR's on his 550, as is another guy.....so I won't be the only one on here!

~Joe

Yes I saw he was running those, turns out he is just the next town over from me. I am going to try and arrange a meet up or some thing. I would like to see that bike of his..

.: Scott :.

Stop by any time man, just call first to make sure I'm not out on a service call or running for parts.

   Godffery's Garage
 http://tinyurl.com/yfrw4fc 
 Ph# 262 210-9269  ( between 9;am & 9:pm)
8010 Gateway Drive, Burlington WI. 53105