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

[bambuhiphop]

Got some new parts from FrankenFrankenStuff

Better mounts for my seat:



And shiny new side covers 



Hoping I can get some assistance from someone on the correct grommets for the side covers.

I pulled up pics from my tear down back in 2011 and I'm pretty sure that the covers that were on the bike when I got it weren't original. They were mounted with screws as you can see in this pic:



They were mounted with these little grommets which I though were stock but I can't find them in the parts diagram



So I have no idea which parts I need to mount. I think I need number 17 (qty. 4) and number 66 (qty. 2) yes?

[bambuhiphop]

Yes, but double check your qtys for both sides.

Diagram really isn't that clear to me. What quantity's do I have off? I am assuming 2 (17 or 17247-303-000) per side for the top mounts (total 4) and 1 (66 or 83551-300-000) per side for bottom mount (total 2).

[jason405]

@bambuhiphop

Read through the whole thread. Bike is turning out great! I'm just beginning a 550 project. My first.

I'm curious about the paint you have used on the parts that you didn't have powder coated. I saw you mention the dupli caliber paint, but did you use that on EVERYTHING you didn't have powder coated? No por15?

What general process did you follow when painting all those parts?

Planning on painting most parts myself, so just looking for advise. Love how your parts came out!

Thanks,
Jason


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[bambuhiphop]

Jason, thanks for reading my thread! Nice to know someone can get something from my learning curve, ha!

I did in fact originally use the caliper paint on a lot of parts. But in all honesty only a few parts still have that paint on it. Those would be the caliper, the rear brake lever, and battery case. I decided to go with a newer style brake master so that is out of the picture. I also got a new rear sprocket. The front brake arm and rear drum cover I ended up having powder coated.

A few parts I did a crap prep job on the paint started chipping. That was the main reason for replacing or powder coating. But my process was to clean the parts, remove excess paint, spray 2 light layers, and then a heavy layer.

I did just recently read a great thread over on the ton about painting with rattle cans. Some great info in it. I will be adopting some of those practices when I paint my engine.

http://www.dotheton.com/forum/index.php?topic=10993.0

[jason405]

Thanks for the reply! Keep up the great work!


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[lynnepearce661]

hi
being a collector of 550's and parts, i am loving your rebuild.
where did you get the new sidecovers please?

[bambuhiphop]

The side covers came from fellow member FrankenFrankenstuff

Here is his website: http://www.fb-stuff.com/fb-stuff-store.html

I also have a points cover from him and the seat mounts are also his. Super easy guy to work with who makes great products!

[lynnepearce661]

Thank you for your reply.   In NZ there are not alot of fours on the road now,  so its nice to know that they are out there.   Cheers and keep up the good work 

[stuartni]

great work so far bike looks ace

[bambuhiphop]

Worked on some detail type items the past few days here and there. Been getting thread locker on all the bolts on the front end and cut the spacers for the preload in the forks.

I had ordered a 110/90-18 AM26 tire that was going to go on the back but it felt to skinny to me so I thought about putting it up front. Turned out to be a little wide so it is on its way back and a 100/90-18 is headed my way. This is it mocked up.



My start switch came in last week. Was planning on mounting it under the tank but it was smaller than I expected (pleasantly) and it turned out to fit very nicely up on the triple.





Did a little work on the rear hub and brake. Got the cotter pins in and some thread locker down on a few bolts




Wanted to also share my approach to making sure all parts are put back in the right order. I have so many new parts so this method has helped a great deal. I have printed out the microfilms and I mark the part when it goes on. Pretty simple but as I said has helped me.



And lastly I ordered a front rim last week. Got a 2.15 Sun rim from Buchanan's. Should see it next week with the new tire. Of course I will be away on business but something to play with when I get home. In preparation for that I got the bearing retainer completely on. Gave me a little scare with the threads on the hub but got it cleaned up and it threaded well. Then laid out the inner spokes.



Looking forward to getting the rim and the remainder of the spokes on there. I think the color combo is working out nicely

[DustyRags]

Wow. Found this thread this morning, and I gotta say, you've got talent and perseverance! Excellent work!

In for the follow! Love the 550s

[bambuhiphop]

Wow. Found this thread this morning, and I gotta say, you've got talent and perseverance! Excellent work!

In for the follow! Love the 550s

Thanks Much! It will be done one day. In the words of Dori, "Just keep Swimming"

[bambuhiphop]

So when I got home from the business trip this week I had my new front tire and rim waiting for me! Tire is a Roadrider 100-90/18. Rim is a Sun 2.15 18".

Started lacing it up. Not the easiest thing to do in the world. Took me a few try's but after looking at an old picture I was able to get it all laced up. Next up is to true it and seal it so I can get the tire mounted.

Inner spokes on:



One side of outers added:



And all of them on hand tightened:

[bambuhiphop]

I love the finish on that rim. Is it their standard anodized or a satin?

I know right! Standard finish. Perfect fit for the look I am going for.

[minimo]

Great looking wheel! Good idea on keeping track of wheel parts.

[2strokeTrush]

Are those carbon fiber look signals from DCC? and Are they Led?

[bambuhiphop]

Are those carbon fiber look signals from DCC? and Are they Led?

Yes and yes. I will more than likely be changing them out though. Style isn't quite turning out how I planned.

[2strokeTrush]

Are those carbon fiber look signals from DCC? and Are they Led?

Yes and yes. I will more than likely be changing them out though. Style isn't quite turning out how I planned.

Thanks, DCC told me they weren't LED though so i guess now i have to buy a LED relay like you did.  How does that hook up? And is that all I will need to make them work.  Im no electrician I don't want to blow something up!

[bambuhiphop]

Thanks, DCC told me they weren't LED though so i guess now i have to buy a LED relay like you did.  How does that hook up? And is that all I will need to make them work.  Im no electrician I don't want to blow something up!

So I double checked and sure enough that is a filament bulb in there. The led flasher will let you flash a led bulb directly. It wires in place of the existing flasher. If you were to run leds with the stock flasher you would need to either have a blinker that has a load resistor already or buy and install a separate inline load resistor so the LED bulb will flash correctly.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Thanks, DCC told me they weren't LED though so i guess now i have to buy a LED relay like you did.  How does that hook up? And is that all I will need to make them work.  Im no electrician I don't want to blow something up!

So I double checked and sure enough that is a filament bulb in there. The led flasher will let you flash a led bulb directly. It wires in place of the existing flasher. If you were to run leds with the stock flasher you would need to either have a blinker that has a load resistor already or buy and install a separate inline load resistor so the LED bulb will flash correctly.

You won't blow anything up, but when you activate your flashers, they will only turn on solid.  You just need to replace the mechanical existing flasher with an digital LED flasher.  It's a plug and play fix.

[2strokeTrush]

Thanks, DCC told me they weren't LED though so i guess now i have to buy a LED relay like you did.  How does that hook up? And is that all I will need to make them work.  Im no electrician I don't want to blow something up!

So I double checked and sure enough that is a filament bulb in there. The led flasher will let you flash a led bulb directly. It wires in place of the existing flasher. If you were to run leds with the stock flasher you would need to either have a blinker that has a load resistor already or buy and install a separate inline load resistor so the LED bulb will flash correctly.

Thanks man, Glad i didn't order the relay yet!

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

So when I got home from the business trip this week I had my new front tire and rim waiting for me! Tire is a Roadrider 100-90/18. Rim is a Sun 2.15 18".

Started lacing it up. Not the easiest thing to do in the world. Took me a few try's but after looking at an old picture I was able to get it all laced up. Next up is to true it and seal it so I can get the tire mounted.

Inner spokes on:



One side of outers added:



And all of them on hand tightened:

What Cal said.  The brushed satin finish of the Sun rims looks great.

[bambuhiphop]

I keep coming back to this thread just to admire those darn rims :-(

I'm so taken with their finish I may order a set to replace my factory BMW rims on my R90. And they're already alloy! Just love the look of your work, Bambu. My checkbook is haunted by your name...

You are very kind sir. My checkbook is haunted cause its constantly empty 

Its funny, I keep a spreadsheet to help myself navigate what parts I need to get when. It currently has 170 parts listed. To date I have purchased 71% of those parts but only spent 44% of the projected budget 

[bambuhiphop]

Playing with some Rearset bracket ideas



Opinions and thoughts more than welcome. Not sure I'm totally sold on what I have so far.

[bambuhiphop]

The reason I started playing with rearset bracket ideas is that I picked up a set from CognitoMoto. The quality is great. They do however require some cutting of the frame. Not really a big deal unless you have an already powder coated frame, say like me 

So after a few days of research and soul searching I decided to cut! So nerve racking



I didn't fully remove the stock rear brake setup. My plan is to reuse it as a mount point for an exhaust hanger.

I masked up everything up and painted with a ceramic that matches almost perfectly.







Now, I could have trimmed more done and smoothed out bu the brackets as is really cover 95% of the cuts. If I design my own then they will be 100% covered. I also really did not want to have the frame redone.

Bracket on the left side. Haven't decided on color yet. Think I am going to wait until the engine is in.



Also got some other parts in.

Caliper pipe from Slingshot.


Spring for the side stand. Not installed yet because man, is that thing a bear! Think I need to get the wheels on the bike so I can apply more force before it is on.


A slew of headlight parts


Couldn't resist trying the trim on the bike. It is a little too shinny so it will be going off to the chrome shop to have a new brushed finish applied.


And finally go more of the front wheel together.