Author Topic: If it works good, it looks good...right? (Read 37135 times)

seanbarney41 · « **Reply #150 on:** December 04, 2011, 06:45:05 PM »

I've been workin' my fingers to the bone on that 550 mutt...engine is all cleaned up ready to go...sandblasted the rusty spots on the frame and then hand sanded the rest, I figured if the factory paint was still good after 35 years, It will make a sturdy base for fresh paint... I used rustoleum appliance epoxy in a spray can but sprayed in my bud's spraybooth, kinda like eating a hamburger at the gourmet restaurant, huh $:-\$ I'm satisfied with results but learned a couple of things...if you sandblast, watch your pressure and and use the finest abrasive you can to get the job done. I ended up with deep pitting that I failed to sand out. This mistake was compounded by the extremely high gloss of the appliance epoxy, it is really too shiny to look factory. Overall, it looks alright though and is very inexpensive and tough!

Stev-o · « **Reply #151 on:** December 04, 2011, 06:49:36 PM »

Hamburger in a gourmet restaurant - good analogy!

seanbarney41 · « **Reply #152 on:** December 04, 2011, 07:01:34 PM »

forks cleaned up decent, the first pic shows one leg clean, one leg unclean...maybe a better view of what we are lookin' at with that frame paint...and a fresh paint windchime

seanbarney41 · « **Reply #153 on:** December 04, 2011, 07:06:29 PM »

...engine rests quietly in it's new frame

seanbarney41 · « **Reply #154 on:** December 04, 2011, 07:17:32 PM »

This pic attempts to show the damaged upper triple from the crashed bike. I never really managed to get a pic that had the right perspective to show how seriously twisted the front end was...but after disassembly, this is the only bent part I have found. Apparently, most of the twist in the front end was from the legs slipping in the triples so that they were no longer lined up...I'm gonna keep lookin' at the lower triple, fork legs, front axle, etc. and try to find what else is bent...

lucky · « **Reply #155 on:** December 05, 2011, 05:55:22 PM »

Quote from: seanbarney41 on December 05, 2010, 06:36:15 PM

Quote from: Zaipai on December 05, 2010, 04:54:40 PM
Love that parts bike. The yellow has to go, however the rest is pretty cool. So it would seem that you have the problem fixed. Now what? Tar down the spare motor and start rebuild?

.: Scott :.
Yep Scott, here's what happened. I replaced the carbs and all in their proper locations and fired the Wolverine up...and was rewarded with 4 out of 4 firing. Was even able to manage a steady, loping, idle as low as 800 rpm. So time for a seat and a spin around the block. Out of the five Hondas I've owned(and one Kawasaki!) I've never had a proper set of seat hinge pins so I dug around and found these hefty harley spokes.

Did you notice that the rubber battery tray grommets are upside down?

liPPy · « **Reply #156 on:** December 05, 2011, 08:34:42 PM »

Did you notice you are replying to a post a year old???

Quote from: lucky on December 05, 2011, 05:55:22 PM

Quote from: seanbarney41 on December 05, 2010, 06:36:15 PM
Quote from: Zaipai on December 05, 2010, 04:54:40 PM
Love that parts bike. The yellow has to go, however the rest is pretty cool. So it would seem that you have the problem fixed. Now what? Tar down the spare motor and start rebuild?

.: Scott :.
Yep Scott, here's what happened. I replaced the carbs and all in their proper locations and fired the Wolverine up...and was rewarded with 4 out of 4 firing. Was even able to manage a steady, loping, idle as low as 800 rpm. So time for a seat and a spin around the block. Out of the five Hondas I've owned(and one Kawasaki!) I've never had a proper set of seat hinge pins so I dug around and found these hefty harley spokes.

Did you notice that the rubber battery tray grommets are upside down?

seanbarney41 · « **Reply #157 on:** December 05, 2011, 09:47:53 PM »

huh huh, plus I sold that bike several months ago...just sayin'...again

seanbarney41 · « **Reply #158 on:** December 18, 2011, 07:37:58 PM »

progress...got the front end back on, everything went together smooth and clean...started thinking about handlebars, controls and gauges, what stuff from what bike?, what still works?,... made a big mess sorting it all out, wound up needing a starter button, ended up having to use a rh switch off the '76 gl1000 front end I got for my 750...successfully re-inserted the wiring through the bars. Its not as hard as it looks, just takes a little patient stuffing. I bet it would be a snap with nice new bars that don't have rust inside.

seanbarney41 · « **Reply #159 on:** December 18, 2011, 07:50:06 PM »

'Round about here I decided, as things were starting to look like a bike again, a little mocking up was in order. Not only was this good for inspiration, but I needed to re-affirm that certain f and k parts combo's are gonna work together. The K seat was an easy decision because of it's overall good condition and I like the looks of it anyway. I still haven't decided on the tank yet. They are both dented, although the f tank should be easier to fix, they both need paint...I'm kinda leaning towards the k right now, only cuz of the goofy gas cap door thing on the f...

seanbarney41 · « **Reply #160 on:** December 18, 2011, 08:12:51 PM »

although f and k bodywork seems to work alright together, some of the mechanical stuff doesn't...the f has a different swingarm. Although I can't see any reason why the k swinger wouldn't go in the f frame, I just went ahead and painted and installed the f...I guess I just figured it would work better somehow. One difference between the two that I didn't catch was the axle adjusters...very different between the k and f...which sucks cuz the k adjusters are mint and the f adjusters are pitted and ugly. Also the f rear axle is longer and thus you have to use the f axle spacers with the f swingarm. I got some research to do on sprockets and gear ratios too...my f came with a 34 tooth rear and the k 37. Is that stock for both these bikes? Is that due to different transmission ratios? I have not checked out the front sprocket situation yet either

seanbarney41 · « **Reply #161 on:** December 18, 2011, 08:25:17 PM »

Here are some pics that show the differences with the right foot controls...this is the main difference in the f and k frames. Once again I am forced to use the scruffy f parts 'cuz the nice k stuff doesn't go on the f frame

seanbarney41 · « **Reply #162 on:** December 18, 2011, 08:31:03 PM »

...and a word to the wise if you reassembleing one of these bikes...be sure and put all the rear brake pedal stuff together before you put the swingarm on...otherwise you'll just have to take the swingarm back off again to get the brake pivot/actuator arm thingy on...

seanbarney41 · « **Reply #163 on:** December 18, 2011, 08:42:10 PM »

Got the rest of the electric equipement installed, hooked up all the wiring, jumpered a battery and...

...everything works!...including the starter, and it has spark!...but not the horn

...here are some pics of where I'm at...I ended up using the k indicator dash with the f gauge brackets. This leaves a big empty spot that I may have to fill with something...

seanbarney41 · « **Reply #164 on:** December 18, 2011, 08:46:56 PM »

...next is carbs...shouldn't be too bad, the bike ran great before it got wrecked and they don't look too bad...I probably just pull the float bowls and inspect and clean 'em visually as best I can without taking them off the rack

seanbarney41 · « **Reply #165 on:** December 18, 2011, 08:53:10 PM »

Quote from: seanbarney41 on December 04, 2011, 07:17:32 PM

This pic attempts to show the damaged upper triple from the crashed bike. I never really managed to get a pic that had the right perspective to show how seriously twisted the front end was...but after disassembly, this is the only bent part I have found. Apparently, most of the twist in the front end was from the legs slipping in the triples so that they were no longer lined up...I'm gonna keep lookin' at the lower triple, fork legs, front axle, etc. and try to find what else is bent...

ohh yeah, turns out the fork tubes were pretty well bent too. I can't figure a quick, easy, and semi-accurate way to check the lower triple but feel it almost has to be tweaked as well...

lucky · « **Reply #166 on:** December 19, 2011, 02:53:50 PM »

Quote from: liPPy on December 05, 2011, 08:34:42 PM

Did you notice you are replying to a post a year old???

Quote from: lucky on December 05, 2011, 05:55:22 PM
Quote from: seanbarney41 on December 05, 2010, 06:36:15 PM
Quote from: Zaipai on December 05, 2010, 04:54:40 PM
Love that parts bike. The yellow has to go, however the rest is pretty cool. So it would seem that you have the problem fixed. Now what? Tar down the spare motor and start rebuild?

.: Scott :.
Yep Scott, here's what happened. I replaced the carbs and all in their proper locations and fired the Wolverine up...and was rewarded with 4 out of 4 firing. Was even able to manage a steady, loping, idle as low as 800 rpm. So time for a seat and a spin around the block. Out of the five Hondas I've owned(and one Kawasaki!) I've never had a proper set of seat hinge pins so I dug around and found these hefty harley spokes.

Did you notice that the rubber battery tray grommets are upside down?

Is it still being ridden around with the battery grommets upside down for the last year?

lucky · « **Reply #167 on:** December 19, 2011, 02:59:52 PM »

Quote from: seanbarney41 on December 18, 2011, 08:12:51 PM

although f and k bodywork seems to work alright together, some of the mechanical stuff doesn't...the f has a different swingarm. Although I can't see any reason why the k swinger wouldn't go in the f frame, I just went ahead and painted and installed the f...I guess I just figured it would work better somehow. One difference between the two that I didn't catch was the axle adjusters...very different between the k and f...which sucks cuz the k adjusters are mint and the f adjusters are pitted and ugly. Also the f rear axle is longer and thus you have to use the f axle spacers with the f swingarm. I got some research to do on sprockets and gear ratios too...my f came with a 34 tooth rear and the k 37. Is that stock for both these bikes? Is that due to different transmission ratios? I have not checked out the front sprocket situation yet either

Mistake.

seanbarney41 · « **Reply #168 on:** December 19, 2011, 03:29:48 PM »

Quote from: lucky on December 19, 2011, 02:53:50 PM

Quote from: liPPy on December 05, 2011, 08:34:42 PM
Did you notice you are replying to a post a year old???

Quote from: lucky on December 05, 2011, 05:55:22 PM
Quote from: seanbarney41 on December 05, 2010, 06:36:15 PM
Quote from: Zaipai on December 05, 2010, 04:54:40 PM
Love that parts bike. The yellow has to go, however the rest is pretty cool. So it would seem that you have the problem fixed. Now what? Tar down the spare motor and start rebuild?

.: Scott :.
Yep Scott, here's what happened. I replaced the carbs and all in their proper locations and fired the Wolverine up...and was rewarded with 4 out of 4 firing. Was even able to manage a steady, loping, idle as low as 800 rpm. So time for a seat and a spin around the block. Out of the five Hondas I've owned(and one Kawasaki!) I've never had a proper set of seat hinge pins so I dug around and found these hefty harley spokes.

Did you notice that the rubber battery tray grommets are upside down?

Is it still being ridden around with the battery grommets upside down for the last year?

yup...and the new owner is headed your way on a fantastic hell ride of suicidal fatalistic vibratory battery box time bomb antics...with the timer set to explode when he reaches Guerneville...be sure and let me know how that works out Lucky...seriously though, good catch, I'll be sure and notify the new owner to flip 'em around as soon as possible

seanbarney41 · « **Reply #169 on:** February 09, 2012, 07:49:09 PM »

Well, my little 550 flipper project has been flipped before it is even done...the guy who wrecked it in the first place is buying it back and I have promised to finish up on it before spring...mostly just cosmetics and tuning from here on out.
I had to buy new sidecovers as the early k covers don't fit the f frame. I found a pair of late k's to do the job here on the forum and proceeded to bust a tab while test fitting to some really tight grommets. I think I managed to fix it satisfactorily. I used jb weld to glue it back together and then jb welded a drill bit into it as a reinforcement.

seanbarney41 · « **Reply #170 on:** February 09, 2012, 07:56:50 PM »

finally got the right footpeg/kickstart/brake pedal confusion all sorted out...if you got a 550f you NEED to use the f model parts here, had to buy an f kickstart lever here on the forum as my parts bike didn't come with one> I could still use a cleaner brake pedal, but I will probably let the new owner deal with that....

seanbarney41 · « **Reply #171 on:** February 09, 2012, 08:32:40 PM »

So about all that's left on this thing is bodywork, paint, and exhaust...I took a little trip out to my bodyman's shop, dropped off the bodywork and did some sandblasting...it's good to have bro's...

seanbarney41 · « **Reply #172 on:** February 09, 2012, 08:39:12 PM »

...on that MAC exhaust I sandblasted with fine play sand, sanded with 80 grit, and then sprayed with VHT flameproof...it's still wet in the picture, looks real flat and even when dry. This same process has held up decent on my cb750. Here is what it looks like after about 15k miles...and it's pretty dirty in this pic...it seems like most of the graying occurs the first time you get caught in the rain

seanbarney41 · « **Reply #173 on:** February 09, 2012, 09:04:23 PM »

I've been working on my 750 too...mainly trying to figure out some home made rearset brackets and linkages...I just can't wrap my mind around if these are gonna be good enough to be worth all the effort...I should probably just save up and buy some Tarrozi's...here are some pics of an attempt at mockup out of wood...I would eventually cut the brackets out of .5" aluminum plate.

seanbarney41 · « **Reply #174 on:** February 09, 2012, 09:17:47 PM »

I got a bunch of "other bikes" type updates I might elaborate on in here too...another cb750 that needs a frame, a kz1000, and a rd350...but now I gotta go to sleep...enjoy the winter and stay warm

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Author Topic: If it works good, it looks good...right? (Read 37135 times)