Topic: 1977 CB550 K cafe racer build

[The_Crippler]

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

...and they don't seem to make them for my 650...  *sniff*

[Godffery]

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

...and they don't seem to make them for my 650...  *sniff*

They weren't making them for the 550 when I was looking but were willing to put a set together if I could give them all the necessary dimensions.

[The_Crippler]

I'm willing to bed I'd have to get together larger dimensions for my wallet as well.

I'll just keep their info for when I (hopefully) do a 750 cafe at some point.

[traveler]

'79 and '80 should work.  Shoot Dynoman some dimensions....they could probably do it easy enough.

~Joe

[bradweingartner]

Will the exhaust impede filter changes?

I have the same mac exhaust as traveler and you can in fact just barely change the oil filter with the exhaust in place!

Nice build Traveller. 

[traveler]

thanks, Brad

[traveler]

You know, guys.....I kinda like my little racer. 

[Zaipai]

As well you should she is a beauty!!!

.: Scott :.

[The_Crippler]

You do?  Really?  Well, sh*t, that's lucky.

[cdoggy81]

so any deals on a CR set for the 550 or will they run you the same for the 750, $700 to $800???

[traveler]

Unfortunately bro, that's the deal.  CR 29 carbs are used on both 550's and 750's, and new CR's cost ALOT of money.  The older versions are a real pain in the butt....Best route, use stock carbs and if you can't get them where you want then it becomes "pay-to-play".

Don't like it either, and it killed me inside to do it, but it was necessary....it was either that, or sell it and go buy a new 600 Sportbike.

I want a "racer"....so I'll keep at it.

~Joe

[traveler]

You do?  Really?  Well, sh*t, that's lucky.

i hope so.

[traveler]

I received the following e-mail from Dynoman today:

"Your carbs are on the way. They are set-up for a CB550, but you will still have to make sure that they are jetted correctly for your needs. Try them the way they are and them try the larger 125 main jet to see if it runs better or worse. If it is worse try the 115 jets and see how it runs.  When the bike is warm set the idle around 900 RPM and turn the pilot airscrews in and out 1/4 turn to see where the idle is best. A setting between1/2 turn out and 1 1/2 turns is normal.  When you install them you will see that they are larger than the stock carbs and a tight fit in the rubber carb mounts. Be sure to loosen the carb clampsas far as possible or remove them to make the installation easier. As crazy as it sounds we put a little Windex inside the carb mounts to make them slipin easier. It will evaporate and the carbs will seal better. It helps if you sit the bike in the sun until the carb mounts are warm. Also a person oneach side to push them into place helps. If your carb mounts are too old andhard to stretch just let us know. We stock new carb mounts for the 550s. Please let us know how it goes and we will be happy to help you if you haveproblems. Thanks again for the order and have a great weekend.".

In short....somehow they found a set in stock, and they have already shipped!

Good times!

~Joe

[The_Crippler]

Sweet!  And the hits keep on coming!

[Zaipai]

Ok we expect pictures soon, weather the bike is running good or not. I have not seen it with the new 4 into 1 exhaust and now with the new carbs its time for updated pictures, and possibly a video also...  Glad its shaping up for you man!

.: Scott :.

[traveler]

yeah....I'll get some pics.

As for video....I'll have to ask around here for someone with a cam.

~Joe

[Zaipai]

yeah....I'll get some pics.

As for video....I'll have to ask around here for someone with a cam.

~Joe

Hum.. I may have to see what I have, I may have an old camera phone or a old video cam with a working video capture..

.: Scott :.

[traveler]

Shouldn't be too hard to find....I'm probably the only one around here who dosen't have one.  I'd be nice to use one with a mic on it.

~Joe

[Zaipai]

Nice little video on CR's.. Short but cool.

.: Scott :.

[traveler]

carbs arrived....so now the experiment begins.

~Joe

[traveler]

Carbs are installed and bike idles....charging battery now for more tests.

Tried the K&N filters.....weren't working for me, so I installed the factory velocity stacks.  Idles fine.  The stacks came with rubber dust covers.  I will cut the centers out of them and glue in some of that thin silk type material they use for K&N dust covers.  Everything fits now, as opposed to having to "jam" everythign together with the K&N's on there.

Also need to note that the rubber couplings between the carbs and the intakes.....easiest way to do it, is to take them off, tap them on to the carbs with a mallet and tighten them down.....then when installing carbs, you push them on to the intakes and tighten them down.....too easy (once you figure it out! )

Here are a few pics of the install





















~Joe

[strynboen]

just waurv..no words..hope it works like it looks...great :oand now  film it..

[Zaipai]

That is sweet!!! Here is hoping that they tune up good and perform as good as they look.. Good god man, your little racer is all grown up!

.: Scott :.

[traveler]

Well, what I suspected has come to pass.....cylinders 1 & 4 aren't firing, so I will grab my ohmmeter and start tracing.....may need a new coil, or condensors....points look good.

Now...as far as the carbs?  FANTASTIC!  Was acting a REALLY rich, so I pulled the muffler off, and that fixed it!  I never mentioned it, but I ordered a muffled cap to put on the end of the pipe and was going to get rid of the muffler anyway, so in a few days my cap will be in.  They are made a member on here "johnny5".

Here is a pic of it on his personal 750.



Even running on 2 cylinders, she pulls hard, and a plug chop on cyl's 2 & 3 were showing really nice on the 8EA plugs.

so, 120 mains with velocity stacks and an open 4-1 are good on an otherwise stock 550!

I have a bunch of excess slack in the throttle I will have to get inventive with to get rid of....but that's easy.


Get the other 2 cylinders firing, and she will probably pull the front up no problem.

~Joe

[The_Crippler]

Okay, my pants got a little tight looking at those carbs.