Topic: Non-running CB550F into (hopefully) just total freaking glory!!

[ZoomyZen]

We know the tank has had rust issues in the past.  It has been soldered.  The tank is also chipped and I think has a few VERY small, minor dents.  
What is the consequence of this?  Before the bike is finished, of course it will have new paint including the tank.  

Should I be considering options for a replacement tank?  
Would anyone mind proving quality links for aftermarket tanks?
Would this be a rational reaction or is it fairly easy to repair rusted tanks to the point of looking virtually new after repair, smoothing and paint?

[TwoTired]

Should I be considering options for a replacement tank?

Yes.

I have a perfectly un-dented Cb550F tank that just needs paint to look good.  The internal rust through, just like what your pictures show, prevent it's use.  All the patch jobs last just until the thinned metal rusts through nearby.

For a permanent repair of the tank, a band of metal about an inch wide would have to brazed on all around the bottom of the tank.
The tank would need to be de-rusted inside, preferably via electrolysis, then treated with a phosphoric acid metal etch, and then internally coated with something like Kreem or POR15, (after any external dents were addressed).

Then it would need external painting before put into use, and it should be good for the next 20 or more years.

You can probably pick up a serviceable tank for the F model for about $100 or less.  (I did)

Cheers,

[ZoomyZen]

Ok.  Thanks!

[ZoomyZen]

NO TITLE!!!!!

[Spikeybike]

....well .... you can apply for a lost/salvaged title ... depending on what state you live in , it's about 100-150 bucks

[ZoomyZen]

The tank is completely rusted out.  The retainer chain is completely covered with rust, the surface inside the tank is bumpy underneath the some blackish looking paint and does not appear to be intentional.  So I'm in the market for a tank and a title so far.  

I like the concept of the gas cap cover, it's pretty clean.

[ZoomyZen]

....well .... you can apply for a lost/salvaged title ... depending on what state you live in , it's about 100-150 bucks

I really am not comfortable with the notion of this guy taking back the bike back just to be a dick.......  In the OP I alluded a certain relationship dynamic consisting of two males and a female:  One male bailed on the female, the other male got a free motorcycle shortly there-after.  What I'm going to try to do is find out who this guy is and then hope he leaves the continent at which point I will apply for the title..  

So, in other news:  I was stuck in my field for two days with the bike in the back, I finally got the truck out with a strategic placement of cardboard and gravel and more cardboard and gravel..  The ruts I left behind... It's unbelievable that I was able to get a two wheel drive Tacoma out of a mess that deep and soupy but I did.  Took me two days..   After that triumph I called my buddy who came over and helped me unload it.  We stood over the bike for two hours in 30 degree weather just talking (mainly him talking) about all kinds of #$%*... I got a ton of info!!  Later, I was so excited I went out to tinker with it and proceed to rip the lock right out of the gas tank with my handy emergency screwdriver-key...................  Oh well it's toast anyways but still.  At that point I realized the tank wasn't even affixed to the frame, it just fell off onto my foot and I quickly realized I was lucky to get home without slinging it through some poor bastard's windshield..

So, now I need to decide if I want to continue sitting on it making *vroom vroom* noises or actually get to work!!!

Of course, title comes first so...  As soon as the DMV people aren't pissy and hung-over from New Years, just the normal pissy, I'll head down and hope this guy didn't leave his wife jealous of a better biker.......

[ZoomyZen]

   The electrical could be easier than you think.  Get yourself a wiring diagram and compare to what you've got to identify the problem areas, then clean all the connectors and make sure they have a good sturdy connection, likewise for the fuse block.   The only real PITA is if someone ever hooked up the battery cables backwards (or did this while trying to jump start it from a CAT bulldozer, oh no definitely not my bike  ), which can fry a LOT of the harness real quick.  If you check the main ground connections and they look good, you should be in the clear on that note.  If not, get a new harness. 

  Given what they have highlighted on that diagram, it's probably a problem with the starter switch circuits.  You can always work around that to test the starter and check the mechanicals anyway.  Good luck with it all man and we're here if you have any questions.

Much appreciated!

[ZoomyZen]

SO!  I burrowed a corner into my garage where I moved the bike to get it out of the weather.  Dave (my buddy) advised that this would be the better option, I would be be well off to make a serious effort to find a home for it that would less humid than a tarp.  I figured, just get it out from under the rain, he made the point that the moisture will just accelerate the rust:  Indeed.  

This title situation SUCKS...  Now that it's in a warm spot I'm not entirely confidant I can keep myself from tearing it down before the DMV tracks down the title holder.  I figure, why can't I just play dumb and claim I started the tear-down before knowing the proper course of action for a title recovery?  If you really want the bike, you're free to come pick up the boxes....

[Spikeybike]

did you get a bill of sale?   if so .. then it's yours to with what you wish ..you just need the title to get plates and such

i'm not sure how it works in the great big up north , but down here .. they can't take it from you unless it's reported stolen

[ZoomyZen]

did you get a bill of sale?   if so .. then it's yours to with what you wish ..you just need the title to get plates and such

i'm not sure how it works in the great big up north , but down here .. they can't take it from you unless it's reported stolen

The *sale* in complicated.  I'm building an amp for the guy, he is currently summing up the total cost for the components needed for the amp parts that will be my responsibility to purchase.  He knows that if he comes back with a sum that I feel is more than what would be a fair price for the bike (with labor factored in) I will reject it... He is a freind we are on very good terms.  He is rational.  So any sale that we could write up really hasn't taken place yet.

I was told by Dave that what I previously described was the process the last time he had to deal or participate in a title recovery.  If there are any people reading that have recently dealt with a title recovery in Oregon I would greatly appreciate some input.

[Greggo]

did you get a bill of sale?   if so .. then it's yours to with what you wish ..you just need the title to get plates and such

i'm not sure how it works in the great big up north , but down here .. they can't take it from you unless it's reported stolen

The *sale* in complicated.  I'm building an amp for the guy, he is currently summing up the total cost for the components needed for the amp parts that will be my responsibility to purchase.  He knows that if he comes back with a sum that I feel is more than what would be a fair price for the bike (with labor factored in) I will reject it... He is a freind we are on very good terms.  He is rational.  So any sale that we could write up really hasn't taken place yet.

I was told by Dave that what I previously described was the process the last time he had to deal or participate in a title recovery.  If there are any people reading that have recently dealt with a title recovery in Oregon I would greatly appreciate some input.

Dude, IMHO, don't work on that bike until it's yours.  You could end up putting a hundred hours into it, only for this guy to say he wants it back.  You doing work on it only raises the value of the bike, making it more tempting for him to take back.  You say there's a chick involved here somehow...it just sounds like you could end up getting burned.  

How much do you expect to 'pay' for this bike if everything did work out all peachy??  It's just my opinion, but be careful, and maybe look for another bike...Have you checked that this bike isn't stolen?

Gregg

[TwoTired]

This title situation SUCKS...  Now that it's in a warm spot I'm not entirely confidant I can keep myself from tearing it down before the DMV tracks down the title holder.  I figure, why can't I just play dumb and claim I started the tear-down before knowing the proper course of action for a title recovery?  If you really want the bike, you're free to come pick up the boxes....

You can play dumb on receipt of stolen goods.  Maybe get away with it without charges, and just loose the bike.
If they find a stolen bike on your premises, and it has been distributed into boxes for possible sale, you look like a chop shop trying to profit on someone else's loss, or vandalizing someone else's property.
There are laws against such activity for a reason.  Be prepared for court costs.

My advise is let it sit until you have proof it is actually yours to decide it's fate.

So far, it is not in any way a "good deal".  IMO

[ZoomyZen]

Points well taken, but there are some other social factors that change the dynamic quite a bit.  I personally know all parties involved with the exception of the chick and the dude that left t he bike......  With that said, for the bike to have been stolen, the thief would have to be one of the two individuals I know and that is not possible: They are both Professionals in their 30s.  I assure you the bike is not stolen.  

The relationship dynamic between the Party A and the woman who gave him the bike, I doubt is anything illicit as Party A is married with children and a very responsible individual. I threw in the line about speculation pertaining to relationship dynamic mainly for entertainment purposes. At the time, I thought the title was with the bike.

Party B is a close personal freind of mine.  He understands the situation with the bike.  I have informed him that I certainly have to intention of starting work on the amp until I have a title in hand.  He also understands that he really is the one who stands to get burned as he actually built two amps for the bike without checking into the title issue.  

Due to the advice on this thread, I have decided that I will not start work on the bike until I have the title.  Court costs are a #$%*.