Author Topic: Speed Pony - 550 race bike recreation  (Read 50115 times)

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traveler

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Re: Speed Pony - 550 race bike recreation
« Reply #75 on: September 02, 2010, 03:33:21 AM »
If it looks like they will be true continuations, I may be interested.

Please keep me in the loop.

~Joe

Offline Tintop

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Re: Speed Pony - 550 race bike recreation
« Reply #76 on: September 02, 2010, 05:31:59 AM »
If it looks like they will be true continuations, I may be interested.
Please keep me in the loop.
~Joe

No problem Joe.  Thinking of doing a frame swap with your 550? ;)
1977 CB550/4 Cafe - Speed Warrior / BOTM 03/11
1980 CB750F (project)
Whittaker GBF Vintage Racing Sidecar (XS750 power) - ITG / 151's / CMR Racing Products (SOLD)
1976 CB400 SS - stock / BOTM 04/11 (SOLD)
1973 CB750 K - basket case (SOLD)
77 CB550 Cafe build
550/750 Filter Thread
Sidecar Rebuild Thread

traveler

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Re: Speed Pony - 550 race bike recreation
« Reply #77 on: September 02, 2010, 08:47:01 AM »
If she dosen't sell....just want to keep my options open....and this might be a really cool deal.

~Joe

Offline Tintop

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Re: Speed Pony - 550 race bike recreation
« Reply #78 on: September 02, 2010, 09:37:49 AM »
If she dosen't sell....just want to keep my options open....and this might be a really cool deal.
~Joe

Be a nice home for that engine of yours, and a huge step forward in handling. ;)
1977 CB550/4 Cafe - Speed Warrior / BOTM 03/11
1980 CB750F (project)
Whittaker GBF Vintage Racing Sidecar (XS750 power) - ITG / 151's / CMR Racing Products (SOLD)
1976 CB400 SS - stock / BOTM 04/11 (SOLD)
1973 CB750 K - basket case (SOLD)
77 CB550 Cafe build
550/750 Filter Thread
Sidecar Rebuild Thread

Offline Tintop

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Re: Speed Pony - 550 race bike recreation
« Reply #79 on: September 02, 2010, 10:25:26 AM »
Saw Kemp yesterday,and had a great chat with he and his wife.  Saw the original Speed Pony engine, and all the Yosh parts.

He had to have the 590 piston grooves (3) slightly enlarged.  Seems you can't get the skinny Yosh rings, but Ducati's fit fine with the grooves widened just slightly. ;)  Compared it to a handy 650 piston.  It's much the same, has a dome like the 650 piston, but only about half the height, also cut back skirts.  As my engine will be built to current vintage rules, the Yosh pistons would be to big. :( ::)  Up next was the Yosh 'Ilse of Man' cam.  Kemp also had a 550 Webcam handy to compare with.  We both agreed that the Yosh cam sure looks like a 'regrind', almost zero cam lobe left on the 'close'.  That will make life easier sourcing a cam (no he won't let it go! ::)).  Will plan on doing a regrind to the Yosh specs.

Then we got to the Jerry Branch prepared head. :o :o :o ;D ;D  Wow, I thought the exhaust port was the intake for a moment it was so big! ;D  The exhaust valves are stock Honda, while the intakes are 1mm over size.  Its also obvious that the combustion chambers have been cc'd.  Mike if your reading this I tried to snatch the head so you 'see it', no luck.  Did get challenged to a dyno run though.  Given the displacement difference (578 / 590) think a 3rd party flow bench test would be better. ;) ;)  I'm game - Mike / kemp?  Did make a last ditch offer to swap him for an 'equal' head - no go. :(  Of course if I won the flow bench test?? ;) ;)

After that we went out to his garage/shop, no cars in here! ;D  Saw his latest cafe 550, kemp you have to post pics or a link.  Along with his daily scoot, and his wife's 550 SS.  It was partially under covers, as it seems she found out that the lean angle left is not as great as right when you have a side stand.  Luckily she has only minor scraps, but some cosmetic work required to the bike.  There was also related discussion about the effectiveness of the un-drilled Honda disk he had installed when wet. ;D ;D

A great day, thanks kemp for showing me around.

tintop
1977 CB550/4 Cafe - Speed Warrior / BOTM 03/11
1980 CB750F (project)
Whittaker GBF Vintage Racing Sidecar (XS750 power) - ITG / 151's / CMR Racing Products (SOLD)
1976 CB400 SS - stock / BOTM 04/11 (SOLD)
1973 CB750 K - basket case (SOLD)
77 CB550 Cafe build
550/750 Filter Thread
Sidecar Rebuild Thread

Offline Tintop

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Re: Speed Pony - 550 race bike recreation
« Reply #80 on: September 02, 2010, 05:26:36 PM »
Quick update on the frame situation.

1st thing is that I have been assured that it is in raceable condition, and complete with swingarm, and a tank (not Speed Pony's though). Also that in some way it will be made available to build new jigs from.;D ;D

However, the plot thickens after that.  Seems it has been 'sold', or traded a number of times, but never left its original storage place. ;) Looks like everyone involved has figured out now who 'owns' it.  Their just not sure what was traded for it the last time, and hence a value. ::)  The wait now is to see if I can buy it / trade for it / or just borrow it.  Hoping to have that answer shortly.  Good thing I have the cafe to keep my mind occupied. ;) :)
1977 CB550/4 Cafe - Speed Warrior / BOTM 03/11
1980 CB750F (project)
Whittaker GBF Vintage Racing Sidecar (XS750 power) - ITG / 151's / CMR Racing Products (SOLD)
1976 CB400 SS - stock / BOTM 04/11 (SOLD)
1973 CB750 K - basket case (SOLD)
77 CB550 Cafe build
550/750 Filter Thread
Sidecar Rebuild Thread

Offline Soos

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Re: Speed Pony - 550 race bike recreation
« Reply #81 on: September 26, 2010, 06:44:02 PM »
Interesting thread!

l8r
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Just think to yourself what would Alowishus Devander Abercrombie do?
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(61mm)652cc 1979 cb650

Offline Ecosse

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Re: Speed Pony - 550 race bike recreation
« Reply #82 on: September 26, 2010, 06:47:06 PM »
best of luck, tintop.  8)
1974 CB550K     
                 
            Help stop TORTURE and SLAUGHTER of cats, dogs, and other kept animals.                                                  www.animalsasia.org

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Offline Tintop

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Re: Speed Pony - 550 race bike recreation
« Reply #83 on: September 26, 2010, 10:34:06 PM »
thanks Ecosse.  It looks like the frame situation will get resolved one way or another this week.  Finally. ::)
1977 CB550/4 Cafe - Speed Warrior / BOTM 03/11
1980 CB750F (project)
Whittaker GBF Vintage Racing Sidecar (XS750 power) - ITG / 151's / CMR Racing Products (SOLD)
1976 CB400 SS - stock / BOTM 04/11 (SOLD)
1973 CB750 K - basket case (SOLD)
77 CB550 Cafe build
550/750 Filter Thread
Sidecar Rebuild Thread

Offline fastbroshi

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Re: Speed Pony - 550 race bike recreation
« Reply #84 on: September 26, 2010, 11:36:21 PM »
Man, God forbid someone would actually want an old race bike's frame to do something crazy with, like say, go racing with or ride it around.  Collectors, *shrug*
Just call me Timmaaaaay!!!

Offline Tintop

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Re: Speed Pony - 550 race bike recreation
« Reply #85 on: September 27, 2010, 02:47:47 AM »
Man, God forbid someone would actually want an old race bike's frame to do something crazy with, like say, go racing with or ride it around.  Collectors, *shrug*

 ???
1977 CB550/4 Cafe - Speed Warrior / BOTM 03/11
1980 CB750F (project)
Whittaker GBF Vintage Racing Sidecar (XS750 power) - ITG / 151's / CMR Racing Products (SOLD)
1976 CB400 SS - stock / BOTM 04/11 (SOLD)
1973 CB750 K - basket case (SOLD)
77 CB550 Cafe build
550/750 Filter Thread
Sidecar Rebuild Thread

Offline fastbroshi

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Re: Speed Pony - 550 race bike recreation
« Reply #86 on: September 27, 2010, 05:20:01 AM »
  It's a comment on the relative rareness of any bits of old racing hardware, 2 or 4 wheeled, that aren't being held onto by some collector because of visions of grandeur.    For example, it wouldn't surprise me if someone had the car that placed dead last in Aryton (sp?) Senna's last race trying to hawk it for crazy money just because. 

   That bike/frame has definitely been through more than my 550 has, but it's not exactly a MotoGP winner either.  So the current owners can't let go of it because it has a bit of racing history.  "Who cares who rode it or how many wins it has....it was raced!!!  ONE MILLION DOLLARS, MUUUUHUWAHAHAHA!!!!" They know darn well the best way to get a value would be to go to people who currently race the vintage classes and ask around.  Or do they?  Good luck getting a good price on it, owning the original and making copies would be awesome.
Just call me Timmaaaaay!!!

Offline Tintop

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Re: Speed Pony - 550 race bike recreation
« Reply #87 on: September 27, 2010, 07:14:40 PM »
I don't think anyone involved has any illusions that this is some great, rare piece of motorcycling history.  It's a frame & swingarm.  Unique yes, but not a Robert's TZ, or for that matter the championship sister 550 frame.  If it was complete, as raced, that would be a different story.

The issue actually isn't value, or its history; its that the current owner had / has plans to put an H2 in it for Vintage racing.  Its only value is that it is the 1st, and only known to still exist. It would therefore make the perfect starting point for recreating the frame.  That said, I am picking up a 73 750 frame / swingarm, some parts, and a couple of engines Wednesday.  That's what Denis used originally to locate the major points on the jig, and he has his original build notes.  If I end up with it great, but if not it really changes little. ;)
1977 CB550/4 Cafe - Speed Warrior / BOTM 03/11
1980 CB750F (project)
Whittaker GBF Vintage Racing Sidecar (XS750 power) - ITG / 151's / CMR Racing Products (SOLD)
1976 CB400 SS - stock / BOTM 04/11 (SOLD)
1973 CB750 K - basket case (SOLD)
77 CB550 Cafe build
550/750 Filter Thread
Sidecar Rebuild Thread

Offline rachet

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Re: Speed Pony - 550 race bike recreation
« Reply #88 on: September 27, 2010, 08:54:24 PM »
Truly an interesting and inspiring read! I'm looking forward to your progress.

Rach-
But I need Tacos!  I need them or I will explode!

Offline Tintop

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Re: Speed Pony - 550 race bike recreation
« Reply #89 on: September 27, 2010, 09:21:12 PM »
Truly an interesting and inspiring read! I'm looking forward to your progress.

Rach-

Thanks Rach.  Both Denis and I are iching to get going.  It's the reason behind picking up the 750 stuff.  Well that, and later I'll have the bases for a stock frame 750. ;)  Always love it when the seller says - 'oh, and I have a bunch of parts you can have.'  ;) :)
1977 CB550/4 Cafe - Speed Warrior / BOTM 03/11
1980 CB750F (project)
Whittaker GBF Vintage Racing Sidecar (XS750 power) - ITG / 151's / CMR Racing Products (SOLD)
1976 CB400 SS - stock / BOTM 04/11 (SOLD)
1973 CB750 K - basket case (SOLD)
77 CB550 Cafe build
550/750 Filter Thread
Sidecar Rebuild Thread

Offline Tintop

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Re: Speed Pony - 550 race bike recreation
« Reply #90 on: September 29, 2010, 06:58:43 PM »
So after a trip to North Bay (I waved Hednut ;)), got home tonight with the 750 stuff.  Just had time to snap a few pictures before the light went.  I'll strip down the 73 frame for the project.  There was a 2nd 750 engine complete with carbs, along with a top end and partly disassmbled 3rd carb set.  Interesting 4 into 1.  It was fitted to the 73 engine, which looks to have been apart.





As for the 750 frame, the latest is I received the s/n (CRR7MH0100), and Denis has confirmed that this is correct for the Mieklejohn frame.  Speed Pony's s/n was 0101.  I will have pictures for the next post, probably Friday.
1977 CB550/4 Cafe - Speed Warrior / BOTM 03/11
1980 CB750F (project)
Whittaker GBF Vintage Racing Sidecar (XS750 power) - ITG / 151's / CMR Racing Products (SOLD)
1976 CB400 SS - stock / BOTM 04/11 (SOLD)
1973 CB750 K - basket case (SOLD)
77 CB550 Cafe build
550/750 Filter Thread
Sidecar Rebuild Thread

Offline HedNut

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Re: Speed Pony - 550 race bike recreation
« Reply #91 on: September 30, 2010, 06:06:19 AM »
Oh Damn! Tintop...you were SO close...another hour n' a bit and we could've had a few beers and spoke the SOHC lingo...  I need closer SOHC friends...nobody truely understands around here....  :'(  Looks like you got a nice barrage of dookie there!!  Good Stuff and looking very forward to seeing this build come together...as always!!
Cheers!!

Offline Tintop

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Re: Speed Pony - 550 race bike recreation
« Reply #92 on: September 30, 2010, 05:28:42 PM »
Oh Damn! Tintop...you were SO close...another hour n' a bit and we could've had a few beers and spoke the SOHC lingo...  I need closer SOHC friends...nobody truely understands around here....  :'(  Looks like you got a nice barrage of dookie there!!  Good Stuff and looking very forward to seeing this build come together...as always!!
Cheers!!

Thought about letting you know, but time wouldn't allow.  I must say I was in awe of the colours up there.  Really wish I'd had my camera. ::)
1977 CB550/4 Cafe - Speed Warrior / BOTM 03/11
1980 CB750F (project)
Whittaker GBF Vintage Racing Sidecar (XS750 power) - ITG / 151's / CMR Racing Products (SOLD)
1976 CB400 SS - stock / BOTM 04/11 (SOLD)
1973 CB750 K - basket case (SOLD)
77 CB550 Cafe build
550/750 Filter Thread
Sidecar Rebuild Thread

Offline HedNut

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Re: Speed Pony - 550 race bike recreation
« Reply #93 on: October 01, 2010, 05:43:39 AM »
Yes the fall colors are a beautiful expression du' bush way of saying..."Get ready for the Coldness of my wintery wrath... NO bike riding for you!"

Offline Tintop

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Re: Speed Pony - 550 race bike recreation
« Reply #94 on: October 04, 2010, 07:04:15 PM »
So things are progressing on the frame front.  Have started stripping the 73 750 I just picked up.  This will serve to locate the original engine and swingarm points on the new frame jig.

Received a couple of pictures of the 1st frame, Robbie's 750 race bike.  Looks like it still has Mike Crompton's oil tank. ;) :)  The gas tank however is.....interesting. ;)  These original frames were built with 1" tube.  The new one(s) will use 1 1/8", and Denis' revised head bracing like in the early picture I posted of the KR/H2R frame.



The brazed on bits have been added later.  Probably to mount a disk brake MC.  You can see were Mike C had to clearance the swingarm brace to clear the 750's chain.


Crash damage at the head?  Have been told it is straight, and only the gusset was damaged.  You can see the end of the shock.  This is an early Yamaha motocross unit.  The one with the big reservoir on the end.  It predated the TZ 750, and was in use just as the TZ350 was going to mono shock.




As to the status.  An offer has been made, now we wait for the reply.
1977 CB550/4 Cafe - Speed Warrior / BOTM 03/11
1980 CB750F (project)
Whittaker GBF Vintage Racing Sidecar (XS750 power) - ITG / 151's / CMR Racing Products (SOLD)
1976 CB400 SS - stock / BOTM 04/11 (SOLD)
1973 CB750 K - basket case (SOLD)
77 CB550 Cafe build
550/750 Filter Thread
Sidecar Rebuild Thread

Offline bwaller

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Re: Speed Pony - 550 race bike recreation
« Reply #95 on: October 04, 2010, 07:09:17 PM »
Looks like it hasn't been shown a lot of love of late.  ;)

Good luck.

Offline Tintop

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Re: Speed Pony - 550 race bike recreation
« Reply #96 on: October 04, 2010, 07:21:24 PM »
Looks like it hasn't been shown a lot of love of late.  ;)

Good luck.

I wouldn't exactly call it 'concourse' condition.  It does look as bit worse than it probably is.  Seems they decided to clean it up for the pictures, and power washed it with a steam genny.  Clean it up alright, peeled off most of the paint, and then it flash rusted.
1977 CB550/4 Cafe - Speed Warrior / BOTM 03/11
1980 CB750F (project)
Whittaker GBF Vintage Racing Sidecar (XS750 power) - ITG / 151's / CMR Racing Products (SOLD)
1976 CB400 SS - stock / BOTM 04/11 (SOLD)
1973 CB750 K - basket case (SOLD)
77 CB550 Cafe build
550/750 Filter Thread
Sidecar Rebuild Thread

Offline Ecosse

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Re: Speed Pony - 550 race bike recreation
« Reply #97 on: October 04, 2010, 07:59:11 PM »
again best of luck tintop!
1974 CB550K     
                 
            Help stop TORTURE and SLAUGHTER of cats, dogs, and other kept animals.                                                  www.animalsasia.org

                                  Your 1%er name

                                                A WORTHY EFFORT: http://www.honorflight.org.

Offline Tintop

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Re: Speed Pony - 550 race bike recreation
« Reply #98 on: October 04, 2010, 08:29:48 PM »
Glad to see your still keeping tabs Ecosse. ;)

Its interesting to compare the photos of the two bikes / frames.  The dry sump tank for the 750 really changes the look.  Makes it look much shorter wheel base.  Did you notice it still has a stock 750 triple. ;) :)
1977 CB550/4 Cafe - Speed Warrior / BOTM 03/11
1980 CB750F (project)
Whittaker GBF Vintage Racing Sidecar (XS750 power) - ITG / 151's / CMR Racing Products (SOLD)
1976 CB400 SS - stock / BOTM 04/11 (SOLD)
1973 CB750 K - basket case (SOLD)
77 CB550 Cafe build
550/750 Filter Thread
Sidecar Rebuild Thread

Offline fastbroshi

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Re: Speed Pony - 550 race bike recreation
« Reply #99 on: October 04, 2010, 10:37:13 PM »
  That swingarm is interesting.  So it links up to the shock behind the steering head?  Don't think I've ever seen that before.
Just call me Timmaaaaay!!!