Topic: CB550 Cafe build - 1st bike build, but not 1st build

[traveler]

Looks great!  Lovin' the high shouldered rims!

~joe

[Tintop]

Looks great!  Lovin' the high shouldered rims!

~joe

thanks Joe - the rims are Borranis, rear was from a Moto Guzzi, not sure of the front's parentage .  Buchann supplied the SS spokes.  rear was a standard 550 set, front's based on my 550 hub & the rim #'s. only problem was with rear, as I spec'd the heavier shouldered spokes and the hub holes had to be made perfectly clean to get proper fit.

[Zaipai]

Fantastic build. I love what you are doing. Can't wait to hear the pipes.. I think the motor color was a great choice..

Sorry about your injury, however it does not seem to be slowing you down too much.

Keep up the great work documenting this build!

.: Scott :.

[Tintop]

was at the shop yesterday, and ran into a problem.  seems when the swing arm bracing was done they used a 520 chain to establish clearance.  only thing is the 550 uses a 530, so when I went to install the chain it rubs the bracing

options are to modify swing arm, which would require it being stripped and re & re powder coat . or do a 530 to 520 conversion.  did a conversion post (thanks all who responded) and have decided to go with a Sprocket Specialties 520 combo (17/38).

did get some positive things done - alternator has been checked out and bottoned down, ignition has been serviced and static timed, and the clutch removed for serving.  when I opened it up the plates were stuck together with very old oil.  popped them apart only to discover that the steels are covered with small rust spots.  so have ordered new steels (from Barnett) to go with the previously sourced frictions / and spring set.

[Zaipai]

Do you have a link to the Friction and Springs? I am going to have to do the same here shortly.. Any issues with the 530/520 conversion, just wondering since I know nothing about it.

Thanks,

.: Scott :.

[Tintop]

Do you have a link to the Friction and Springs? I am going to have to do the same here shortly.. Any issues with the 530/520 conversion, just wondering since I know nothing about it.

Thanks,

.: Scott :.

I'm using Barnett steels, and EBC frictions / springs, because of a couple of factors, availability being the main (will have monday)    note that EBC doesn't sell steels, and although Barnett lists friction #'s, nobody I contacted could even source them in under 2 weeks.  hence the mix and match which shouldn't present any problem.

this is the link to the Barnett page for cb550- http://www.barnettclutches.com/products/clutch_plates_springs.aspx?type=clutches_other&clutch_make=Honda&clutch_cc=550

as for the EBC stuff. just about any bike shop can order it.  my local Harley custom shop ordered the plates and springs today, and I pickup monday.   didn't even look at me funny when I told him it was for a 77 550   of course that was after I pointed out that the custom dresser out front had its lights on .

as for the 530 / 520 conversion, race bikes & modern middle weights use this now, so strength isn't an issue. there is also a much wider choice of chains, at generally better pricing.   got great advice and leads from my post and just ordered a front and rear set from Sprocket Specialists (f- 5033-17 / r- 520-38-245C).  this will give a change from the stock 2:18 to 2:24, with the option of going to 16T & 2:38.  the front is shouldered like the stock 530, but sized for 520 chain.  it uses a c-clip, instead of the Honda plate, which I'm not pleased about.  will just take extra care to make sure everything is seated properly.  the rear is a straight bolt-on. 

[Zaipai]

Wow, thanks for that info. I am taking note of it for when I start..

Thanks!!

.: Scott :.

[traveler]

Makes me wonder what my ratio is?  I am running 15/37 on a standard but nickel plated 530 chain. (SProcket Specialists alloy rear sprocket, eBay front sprocket)

Anyhow....everything you're doing just looks top notch to my eye.

~Joe

[Tintop]

Makes me wonder what my ratio is?  I am running 15/37 on a standard but nickel plated 530 chain. (SProcket Specialists alloy rear sprocket, eBay front sprocket)

Anyhow....everything you're doing just looks top notch to my eye.

~Joe

I figure about 2:46, your heading for MX territory    must scare the pocket rockets off a light though.

[traveler]

I like coming out of the hole STRONG.  5,100 RPM @ 60 MPH.  So, yes, there is a tradeoff.

~Joe

[Raef]

had a 14t on the front of my 76 f for a while, a lot of fun in town, not so much out on the road

[Tintop]

had a 14t on the front of my 76 f for a while, a lot of fun in town, not so much out on the road

and I'm sure the squirrels trembled in fear knowing there wasn't a tree you couldn't climb

[Tintop]

big update on the oil filter front.  with a very big thanks to Terry in Australia, I will soon be receiving this remote filter adapter.  the final missing piece to my plan to relocate a spin-on filter over the points / clutch.  pictures from Oz, enjoy.

view from front, will have it anodized after tapping for aeroquip fittings.


'3rd port' - brass plug will be changed for fitting to run line to an oil pressure, or temp gauge.


filter will be a WIX 51348 with back flow, and bypass.  these are used on the Ford Focus, and Mazda 3, among others.  now to finish the remote filter mount, and make up the lines.

[Stev-o]

Looks great. Terry has great skill machining.

[Raef]

That is cool, does the Oil also return there or is there a return line going somewhere else

[Tintop]

That is cool, does the Oil also return there or is there a return line going somewhere else

the oil will exit the engine from one port, go the the remote filter, and return to the sump via the other port.  if I ever want to add a cooler, its just a matter of removing the return line, and replacing it with lines to & from a cooler.

[Raef]

I kinda like the stock filter, you can inspect what it's catching but I would like to add a cooler

[Tintop]

I kinda like the stock filter, you can inspect what it's catching but I would like to add a cooler

in my situation retaining the stock filter housing was not an option.  you can get the bolt out, but you can not even lift the filter enough to clear the hole it sits in/on.  going spin-on makes oil changes a snap, and the filter is widely available.  if I want to know what's in the oil before the filter, I just have to loosen the retaining bolt, and catch whatever is sitting in the adapter.

as for adding a cooler.  all the adapters I found (for sohc's) that included ports for cooler attachment were also for spin-on filter conversion.  that said, I wasn't looking for anything that reused the stock filter housing

[Zig]

Your bike bench is identical to mine. So am gonna try mayfair for plating??

[Tintop]

Your bike bench is identical to mine. So am gonna try mayfair for plating??

Zig if you go late on a Friday to Mayfair (with cash in pocket), there is rumoured to be a poker game.

they did my rims, cases, top triple, and some other small stuff.  not the cheapest, but you will not be disappointed with the quality.

bench works quite well, but I am thinking of building a slightly wider one.  would like to be able to lift whole bike with an 'under engine' jack.  would make assembly easier, except for the exhausts.

[Tintop]

some parts came in, and the machine shop had two other pieces ready.  the clutch arrived so in it went, after soaking the plates overnight.  also received my Frankenbike points cover, blue of course.  right side is almost done, just the rear sets, and my remote oil filter to go.


while adding some blue to the engine, I also assembled and installed my gauge package.  will be adding an oil pressure gauge (1 1/2", oil damped) between the speedo, and tach.  thanks to Terry in Austrialia's remote adapter 3rd port.


also did a trial fit of the tail light.  it will attach to the back of the electrics tray.  a little weather strip should make a good seal to the seat & frame.  top edge of lens will be flush with seat. thinking of cutting back the trailing edge to follow the lens shape more.


had the machine shop shorten the new lower engine mount SS 12mm bolt, as the stock pegs are history.  they also had the alloy bung ready for the tank.  decided to change the filler to a Monza cap (long story).  will cover stock door area with an alloy plate.



next up is fitting exhaust so it can go for coating.  have you voted?

[FrankenFrankenstuff]

Sweet. The motor is one of a kind.

[Flying J]

How did you swap out the  gas cap and bung? i want to do the same to mine and was looking at welding in a new one.

[Tintop]

How did you swap out the  gas cap and bung? i want to do the same to mine and was looking at welding in a new one.

the bung was machined from alloy to 'loose fit' over the contour of the existing neck, with the same size ID.  once the surfaces are perfectly clean the bung will be epoxied to the tank.  the loose fit is to allow space for the epoxy.  don't have the name handy, but it is the stuff used to bond Monza caps to 'glas' tank bungs.  exotic race fuels won't harm it.  

[Tintop]

Sweet. The motor is one of a kind.

it is called a 'motor'cycle, now its got another 'gee look at that'.  thanks Frankenbike.