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

[bambuhiphop]

Just because they are on the oil pan facing the pavement doesn't mean Cal isn't watching!

Maybe Cal parks his nice bikes in the house with a mirror beneath it to enjoy it.
I have heard of several people who collect and rebuild bikes have parked them in the house.
There was a fellow on the C70 Yahoo group that had one of Honda's 90cc DOHC race bikes that he parked in his living room. Guy I know in NY who rebuilds them and has several in the house after being restored.

I think I saw on one of Franken's threads (think it was him) that had a really nice tank but in a glass box for display. Looked real slick. Part of me wanted to just use the lower half and transmission as a display piece but 1. I want to finish this bike and 2. Pretty sure the wife wouldn't much like it She already puts up with parts in the house while I am working on things.

[bambuhiphop]

Got the Cylinder back from mrieck this last week. Turned out great and a huge thanks to him. I had already had it blasted and I had previously primed it. Got some color down on it and then a little Glyptal in the cam chain channel. Put the rings on the pistons, mounted on the rods, and set my gaps. After baking the cylinder I went ahead and got it mounted on the case. Looks a bit more like an engine now!! Head is out getting worked on so that will take a little time before I have it back to get on the engine.

[bambuhiphop]

So, I have been in a parts collecting/sending parts out mode lately. Got some stuff that I can share.

Recently got a new headlight. This the JW Speaker Evolution 8700 2 LED headlight:



More importantly I got my tank back today 

I had an idea a few years ago to modify a stock tank in order to have a modern fuel cap and a fuel sensor. I started my search trying to find a sensor that would fit in the stock tank. After quite a bit of research I landed on a 2001 R6. I procured the sensor and found a damaged tank on ebay.

Now, to actually do this was above my skill set. Enter Godffery. I cannot stress how awesome this guys is. Just stellar all the way around!!!! I sent him the two tanks and parts and after some back and forth on ideas came up with the idea to put the top of the R6 tank on the base of the 550 tank. Well it turned out f**cking awesome!!!

Please take a look at his photo gallery of the tank and his other stuff. Never hesitate to send him something. True craftsman through and through.

http://www.vinmoto.org/gallery/v/VinMoto-Garage/album03/Godfferys-Garage-123/Parts+and+service/Fuel+Tank+Mods/Bobs+CB550-R6+Mod/

And here are the pics I took tonight. My garage is a little crowded at the moment so pics were a little difficult. Tank is obviously still only primered. My feeling is this is a unique tank now. I am super thrilled how it turned out 







Fuel Sensor Gauge:


Vapor/Overflow tubes:

[calj737]

Looks great. I can't tell, maybe its an odd angle of the picture, but is there a "low" spot at the front of the tank where gas will pool and not flow to the petcock?

I did a similar modification (no sensor) to my BMW tank. I like the modern caps a lot more than the protruding necks of the vintage styles. Makes our bikes look much cleaner!

[Godffery]

Looks great. I can't tell, maybe its an odd angle of the picture, but is there a "low" spot at the front of the tank where gas will pool and not flow to the petcock?

No, if you look at the Tank build album, you will see that most of the bottom is still the stock CB550 shape.

BTW; thanks for the kind words bambuhiphop...!!!

[Zaipai]

Looks great. I can't tell, maybe its an odd angle of the picture, but is there a "low" spot at the front of the tank where gas will pool and not flow to the petcock?

No, if you look at the Tank build album, you will see that most of the bottom is still the stock CB550 shape.

BTW; thanks for the kind words bambuhiphop...!!!

That must be the tank I saw in your shop Godffery it turned out awsome.

.: Scott :.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

THAT is a serious amount of work on that gas tank.

THAT JW Speaker Evolution 8700 2 LED headlight is nice but WHOA PRICEY! $250 PLUS!

[calj737]

No, if you look at the Tank build album, you will see that most of the bottom is still the stock CB550 shape.
[/quote]
I was referring to how it "sits" on the bike, not the tank itself. Theres a picture from the front right, that makes it look like the tank sitting has a droop from front to rear. May just be the angle of the picture?

[Restoration Fan]

THAT is a serious amount of work on that gas tank.

THAT JW Speaker Evolution 8700 2 LED headlight is nice but WHOA PRICEY! $250 PLUS!

That tank is beautiful and I love the headlight.  I had been looking for something like this but the only ones I had found were very cheap, Chinese made pieces of junk and had received bad reviews.

Just for clarification to make sure what I'm seeing...this headlight has the 2 separate LED bulbs for high and low but those smaller, rectangular lights on the right and left side are for turn signals, right?

By the way, bambu, I'm loving this build and Godffery, your work is incredible, dude....just simply fantastic.

[bambuhiphop]

No, if you look at the Tank build album, you will see that most of the bottom is still the stock CB550 shape.

I was referring to how it "sits" on the bike, not the tank itself. Theres a picture from the front right, that makes it look like the tank sitting has a droop from front to rear. May just be the angle of the picture?
[/quote]

I see what you are talking about. It is just the angle of the picture and that have the back half of the tank resting on the rear rubber mount.

[bambuhiphop]

THAT is a serious amount of work on that gas tank.

THAT JW Speaker Evolution 8700 2 LED headlight is nice but WHOA PRICEY! $250 PLUS!

That tank is beautiful and I love the headlight.  I had been looking for something like this but the only ones I had found were very cheap, Chinese made pieces of junk and had received bad reviews.

Just for clarification to make sure what I'm seeing...this headlight has the 2 separate LED bulbs for high and low but those smaller, rectangular lights on the right and left side are for turn signals, right?

By the way, bambu, I'm loving this build and Godffery, your work is incredible, dude....just simply fantastic.

Here is a great review of the light:

The D shapes on the sides are actually used as part of the low and high beam patterns. No blinkers in the headlight. I picked it up on sale so it made it a little easier to swallow.

Thanks for the kind words and agreed on Godffery!

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

The one thing that gives me pause about the headlight is that they advertise an "anti-flicker" module accessory. 

Let us know how the light performs -- whether it needs the extra module to keep from flickering (that would be annoying) especially since there is limited room in the headlight bucket. 

[bambuhiphop]

The one thing that gives me pause about the headlight is that they advertise an "anti-flicker" module accessory. 

Let us know how the light performs -- whether it needs the extra module to keep from flickering (that would be annoying) especially since there is limited room in the headlight bucket. 

So, the anti flicker device is specifically for Jeeps. Apparently something in the electronics causes it solely on Jeeps. I have seen these on bikes locally and talked to owners. No flicker issues on them.

I actually don't have a stock bucket because of the space concerns. Picked up one from a 2007 Honda 919.

I will definitely report back with light performance when I get it on there. Engine should be going in the frame in Feb. From there I just need to wire everything up, electronics wise.

[minimo]

Lovin' it!

Does the headlight still mate/match/mount with the stock 550 bucket despite space issues?

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

It should fit with ZERO issues. The dimensions are no bigger than the Truck-lite LED, and it fits fine.

[bambuhiphop]

Lovin' it!

Does the headlight still mate/match/mount with the stock 550 bucket despite space issues?

For sure. I am also relocating some more into the bucket. I also wanted a slightly different look.

[budman]

Tank looks great.  Just looked through the entire thread.  Nice work!

[bambuhiphop]

So, not much has happened on the bike recently. My wife and I are expecting baby #2 here in June so I have been doing some work on the house getting ready for that. I did however send my head out to mrieck late last year and it has found its way back to me. I had also picked up intakes from Godffery and included those so they were matched to the head.

Parts:
Kibblewhite valves set and guides
New valve guide o-rings
Spring kit with ti retainers

Work:
Valve Guide R/R
Valve Guide Hone
Stage 3 Porting
Head Milling
Serdi Valve Job
Bore Intake Seats for OS Valves
Backcut Intake Valves

Turned out absolutely beautiful. Next up will be to prime and paint. From there I can drop it on the rest of engine and will then probably stick it in the frame.

[Godffery]

 

[FunJimmy]

Got the bearings in the rods and mounted the rods on the crank after getting it all cleaned up. Still need to fully torque the bolts down but looking good. My step dad let me borrow his digital snap-on torque wrench. Super nice!!

Very curious to hear your ride impressions with the lightened (knife edge) crank.
You did a great job dressing the rods too.

[nikf]

First timer here - Can I ask what socket you used to torque the connecting rods - I am at that stage on a rebuild, original parts and the connecting rod bracket has moulding that gets in the way on a normal socket?

[Camrector]

Nikf  I can answer that. A Snap on socket seems to be the only one I could find that fit. Other guys have grinded off edges of other brand sockets.

[RAFster122s]

Has the baby arrived?

Congrats on the birth if so.  You indicated you expected the baby in June.

David

[bambuhiphop]

Mrieck did the rods for me. He machined a socket that I bought off him. Worked great.

[bambuhiphop]

She did indeed come. She was born last week in fact. Little baby girl on 6/23. 7lb 3 oz and 20 inches.

I haven't been working on the bike because I have been working on the house getting ready for her. Remodeled our sons new room (texture, paint, blinds, baseboards, built in closet, fan, and recessed lights). Also remodeled the guest/kids bathroom. Tore it down to the studs and have just about finished it up. Few more house items to do and then I can get back to the bike. Which I am really wanting to do!

Thanks much for the congrats. Very kind and great memory.