Topic: New project for a first timer CB550 build - Slowly getting back to it!

[bambuhiphop]

Update from this last weekend:

Was able to spend some time on the bike and got a few things done. Still waiting on some parts for the fork rebuild but I think that may happen this weekend 

Got the new tapered bearing seated on the the lower and then the triples all mounted up with some new hardware as well



Also got the rear inner fender cleaned up and remounted


Battery box all mounted up with new rubber and bolts. It also go a bit of scrubbing and new paint.


New rear brakes prepped


Started the rewire as well. Need one or to more electrical components but I stripped most the old tape off in preparation for new tape. Going to be removing a few stock wires and then wiring in the new components. At that point I will re tape and have a pretty new harness.


Once I get these next few parts in I will be able to get more done so stay tuned if interested!

[luceja]

I noticed it looks like you went with no spacer on the bottom steering bearing. I also have a 550 -I am curious how fitment is when you assemble the triples. Nice work, looks like it's coming together well.

[bambuhiphop]

@luceja -- I actually am running the smaller spacer but it is in the steering stem above the bearing. I went that way after reading this thread

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=1516.225

Check out post 241. I found it very helpful.

[luceja]

@luceja -- I actually am running the smaller spacer but it is in the steering stem above the bearing. I went that way after reading this thread

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=1516.225

Check out post 241. I found it very helpful.

Thanks! I read that too, but mine didn't have the original bearings to measure and what was there was a poor fit. What confused me was that if I put the small spacer above the lower race, the core of my lower bearing would touch the spacer, as if the race was slightly too large so the bearing sat too high in it. It's the all balls kit, so I'm not sure what my issue was. I put the spacer underneath but would have preferred it above the race like yours. Either way, good to know that the small spacer is what you got when you measured a proper 550. Thanks again!

[bambuhiphop]

Ok, got some parts in last night and was able to get some work done.

New forks finally came in. They are a little longer than the stock ones but no biggie. They sure are pretty though


After that went right into the fork rebuild. Following the directions from RaceTech I drilled out the holes in the dampener rod to 5/16 and added 4 more. This is needed to "disable" the rods as the emulator will be handling this job from now on. After I drilled them out I went through the new holes with a grinding wheel and lightly smoothed everything out. Also removed the roll pin. I got that out with a circular grinding wheel and my dremel.

Here is a comparison of one I worked on and one I hadn't


Close up


Here is the roll-pin removed


Stack order of the emulator, adapter, dampener rod, and spring


Built it dry last night as I still need to figure out the correct spacer for the springs but they are looking good.


Here they are mounted on the bike


Close up of the new nut


Didn't like the headlight brackets I got so those will be going back and new ones will be ordered. Also started fitting the new bars. My bar clamps haven't made their way to me yet so I just used the stock dummy lights for the time being. Just test fitting everything. Going to drill out the bars so I can run the wires inside.

[Bunicula]

coming along very nicely dude! what did you go with for bar claps? i was actually just thinking that i needed some as well but wasnt sure which ones fit.

[bambuhiphop]

I ordered some bar clamps from Carpy. They should be here any day now

[Bankerdanny]

B: you are either a single man or have the worlds most wonderful wife/girlfriend. You are building your bike in your living room with a beige couch and carpet? LOL

[bambuhiphop]

I am not single but my girlfriend does not live with me full time. She is very cool with the bike. In fact she wants me to finish it because she wants a ride She will chill, drink a beer, and watch TV while I tool on the bike. Right now everything is dry. When I get it to a rolling status I will move it on the patio briefly to fluid it up and install the motor. I am also really careful  I would love to have a dedicated space to work on this guy but having to do it in an apartment has added a fun challenge

[Sheik Yerbouti]

What kind of paint did you use on the frame? Is that flat or satin? It looks reaaaalllly nice and I want to copy it.

[bambuhiphop]

@Sheik -- The frame is actually not paint. It is powder coat. It is a flat black with 10% gloss. I can get the color code later if you are interested.

[Bankerdanny]

I am not single but my girlfriend does not live with me full time. She is very cool with the bike. In fact she whats me to finish it because she wants a ride She will chill, drink a beer, and watch TV while I tool on the bike. Right now everything is dry. When I get it to a rolling status I will move it on the patio briefly to fluid it up and install the motor. I am also really careful  I would love to have a dedicated space to work on this guy but having to do it in an apartment has added a fun challenge

I totally understand. I have a condo and no garage. Fortunately my sister and her boyfriend just bought a house with a very large garage, which made it much easier to get the bike up and running this year. unfortunately it's a 50 mile drive, so I was only working 1 day a week.

My storage spaces in my condo are crammed with woodworking tools: portable table saw, 12" compound miter saw, 2 circular saws, drills, router, etc. Plus my 3 large tool boxes and a couple small ones.

At this point I would kill for even a decent size shed.

[bambuhiphop]

Hello All, I disappeared for a bit but hope to be back again. I had some other opportunities come up that pushed the timeline for the bike back. I am now planning on getting on the road for this next season. This will allow me to do some other mods/fixes that I was going to wait to do.

I was able to do some very minor items this weekend. Got my tank emblems cleaned up and painted.



And after a lot of work I got my brake caliper stripped, cleaned, and repainted. Also finally got the darn piston and brake pad out. Used the grease gun method. Messy but effective.

Caliper:


Before:


After:


Have the cotter pin, bleeder cap, spring, and caliper seal on order. Basically a brand new brake setup

I could use some advice on how the piston looks. I think it will work fine but want to make sure first.   http://youtu.be/A30w8EYegsM

My original rear hub was not usable so I tracked down a replacement. Finally got it mostly apart. Just one more bearing to get out. No pics of that yet. Hopefully I can get updates more often now. Going to be little things for the time being until I can give the bike more attention. Most likely this winter. Just wanted to check in 

[Nortstudio]

Great to see you're back at it.

Not an expert, but that one spot looks pretty gnarly. Might be worth the peace of mind to grab a new one - the forum member here who makes them sells them very reasonable.

[hsr]

What paint (brand and color) are you using on stuff like your master cylinder, the tank emblems, piston side of the caliper?  Can't tell if it wrinkle or metallic.

Thanks!

[bambuhiphop]

@hsr - Dulpi-Color Caliper Paint in black. I went with it cause it seems to be tough and fairly resistant to heat and chemicals. I guess I will see how it holds up over time.

http://duplicolor.com/products/caliperPaint/

[hsr]

Thanks for the paint info.  How did you get the texture on the caliper (piston side), the master cylinder and tank emblems.  Looks like a different finish on the non piston side of the caliper and mounting bracket.

On your piston, I don't think I would use it.  Looks worse than the two I have and I'm not planning to use either.  The one really bad spot you have looks like it's much bigger than the width of the piston seal and would allow the seal to leak.

New ones can be had cheap:
Click this link
or phenolic ones from Kevin400F on here.

[bambuhiphop]

Mounting bracket I just painted more wet. The non piston side is actually very similar in person. The pic isn't very good and that was when the piston side was still drying.

Already ordered a new one from Kevin. Better off in the long run.

[bambuhiphop]

Itty bitty update:

Got some new parts in:

New grips and throttle


New headlight brackets (these will be powder coated black)


Some other items I got done:

Front Brake: Got the new phelonic piston from Kevin400F as well as new piston seal, bleeder cap, stainless brake line, banjo bolt with integrated sensor, and adjustment spring. Got most everything mounted up. Had a bolt seize on me in my fork lower (to coarse of threads  ). Hoping to get that removed and then retap the hole and buy new bolt. Going to get brake arm powder coated and new brake arm bolts and the front brake will be mounted and complete. Not to mention basically brand new 

Rear Hub: I had to purchase a new rear hub because my first one got destroyed when being taken apart. Threads where trashed. Anyways, after lot of pounding and cursing I got it completely apart, bearings removed, and removed from the wheel. It is now awaiting a date with the powder coater.

Front Hub: This is the next little project. Purchased a 1 1/4" socket for modification to remove the bearing ring. Hope to get that finished in the next week or so. Time permitting.

That's it for now (not so itty bitty I guess)

[Nortstudio]

Coming along. Sometimes it's nice to get some fresh new parts after dealing with something as frustrating as bearing retainers.

[Bandit18]

Nice build so far,that's going to be one kick a** bike when your done!

[bambuhiphop]

So the big reason why the bike project timeline got stretched was because I decided to purchase my first home back in late June. Well, escrow closed this last Thursday and the move is on. Been over at the house cleaning and patching for the full time move this next weekend.

The bike is happy because it will be going from inside an apartment to an actual garage!!!

Nothing is setup yet but I couldn't resist taking a shot of the bike in its new home



After we get moved in fully I can start setting up the work area and get back into the bike. I am super stoked to have a garage to be able to work in.

[lucky]

You're working quick, keep it up!  Unfortunately my bike is at a friend's house (no garage here in the city) so I'm not moving quite so fast.

I'm actually playing with the idea of a projector HID setup - I've got some spare projectors from a previous car and a set of two ballasts/burners.

I feel sorry for the way some people have to live. No garage or work space Dumb architects!! Guess they grew up with a lap top and never went outside to play.
I cannot imagine having no workshop with street level access.

New Yorkers grow up living in squirrel cages. Thats why they are always talking about nothing. Otherwise they would go crazy. Freezing outside, and no workshop.
I guess they just stay in their room on the internet.

[Nicolai]

What are your plans for the engine? Rebuild? Paint?

[bambuhiphop]

Originally nothing, just a cleanup.

Now that I have more time to get it on the road I am going to have a little more fun with it. Upgrading the carbs for sure. I am thinking I will strip the block down and get a ceramic or powder coat laid down on it. Not 100% on the internals yet. I am leaning towards a webcam but this is going to be a daily driver so I need to keep that in mind.