Author Topic: Green Hornet CB 550/650 # Some pics of my trip to Scotland with SOHC4 Honda  (Read 80408 times)

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Offline Syscrush

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Re: Cafe Racer CB 550 #fitted digital speedo into stock tachometer
« Reply #175 on: February 04, 2013, 07:33:43 AM »
Looks great, I have 2 questions:

1. Will you wire it into the bike's electrical system somehow?  If you do, be careful, this thing probably needs a very steady voltage to work correctly.
2. What are you doing about lighting it?
Life is precious: wear your f'n helmet!
There's nothing more expensive than a free bike...
FWIW, I'm not a shill for Race Tech - I've just got a thing for good suspension and the RTCE's are the most cost-effective mod for these old damping rod front ends.

Offline Oette

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Re: Cafe Racer CB 550 #fitted digital speedo into stock tachometer
« Reply #176 on: February 04, 2013, 07:45:48 AM »
Looks great, I have 2 questions:

1. Will you wire it into the bike's electrical system somehow?  If you do, be careful, this thing probably needs a very steady voltage to work correctly.
2. What are you doing about lighting it?

to 1)

Yes it will be connected to the battery via a adjustable voltage stabilizer (1,2-33V) which stays connected even if ignition is turned off. All the necessary parts will arrive tomorrow I think, except the stabilizer, but I'll connect it with extra plugs outside the speedo in my electronic's box under the seat. The speed sensor also needs to be placed at the swingarm.

to 2)

First, I hope that the backlight will reach out. If not, i'll provide a single, not too bright led in front of the gauge face.

Offline Syscrush

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Re: Cafe Racer CB 550 #fitted digital speedo into stock tachometer
« Reply #177 on: February 04, 2013, 08:05:22 AM »
Cool - good luck!  I've thought about doing something like this as a much cheaper alternative to something like Koso or Motogadget gauges, really looking forward to seeing how it works out for you.
Life is precious: wear your f'n helmet!
There's nothing more expensive than a free bike...
FWIW, I'm not a shill for Race Tech - I've just got a thing for good suspension and the RTCE's are the most cost-effective mod for these old damping rod front ends.

Offline Oette

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Re: Cafe Racer CB 550 #fitted digital speedo into stock tachometer
« Reply #178 on: February 04, 2013, 01:30:26 PM »
And here are the first lighting results. Don't get irritated by the dirty glass the bright lights in the pictures. The camera catched them much brighter than they really are.

Inner lighting



Upper lighting



An old printer Parallel cable provides enough cords for all the functions of the speedo.








Offline laminaytrap

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Re: Cafe Racer CB 550 #fitted speedo lighting
« Reply #179 on: February 04, 2013, 08:04:12 PM »
Love this setup, I might end up doing something like that on my bike. So clean with a single gauge too!!!

I'm using lights like those as my turn signals on the headlight right now, they are white normally giving a halo effect, and when the turn signal comes on they flash orange.

Keep up the good works!

Jon

Offline Oette

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Re: Cafe Racer CB 550 #fitted speedo lighting
« Reply #180 on: February 05, 2013, 07:58:18 AM »
Love this setup, I might end up doing something like that on my bike. So clean with a single gauge too!!!

I'm using lights like those as my turn signals on the headlight right now, they are white normally giving a halo effect, and when the turn signal comes on they flash orange.

Keep up the good works!

Jon

Thank you. Unfortunately, the last parts won't arrive today. I'm so curious about the finished speedo unit...

Offline Syscrush

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Re: Cafe Racer CB 550 #fitted speedo lighting
« Reply #181 on: February 05, 2013, 09:01:39 AM »
The speedo itself should work no problem.  I know a few people who have used them on bikes with modified gearing, changed tire sizes, or inaccurate stock OEM speedos.  From my experience using them on bicycles, the only advice I'd give is to mount the sensor as close to the magnet as possible.  There should be no more than 1mm of clearance.  You might be able to give yourself a bit more room if you use a strong rare-earth magnet instead.
Life is precious: wear your f'n helmet!
There's nothing more expensive than a free bike...
FWIW, I'm not a shill for Race Tech - I've just got a thing for good suspension and the RTCE's are the most cost-effective mod for these old damping rod front ends.

Offline CROMOLY

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Re: Cafe Racer CB 550 #fitted speedo lighting
« Reply #182 on: February 05, 2013, 09:40:30 AM »
Verry good work on your Bicycle speedo/ tach combo, i will keep in mind for my next project.
Thanks
Cromoly
Wish it was made out of Lego

Offline strynboen

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Re: Cafe Racer CB 550 #fitted speedo lighting
« Reply #183 on: February 05, 2013, 09:50:47 AM »
is there a clock funktion on that digital spedometer?
i kan not speak english/but trying!!
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Offline Syscrush

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Re: Cafe Racer CB 550 #fitted speedo lighting
« Reply #184 on: February 05, 2013, 10:17:32 AM »
is there a clock funktion on that digital spedometer?
Yes.  And odo, trip odo, trip time, average and max speed, etc.
Life is precious: wear your f'n helmet!
There's nothing more expensive than a free bike...
FWIW, I'm not a shill for Race Tech - I've just got a thing for good suspension and the RTCE's are the most cost-effective mod for these old damping rod front ends.

Offline Oette

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Re: Cafe Racer CB 550 #fitted speedo lighting
« Reply #185 on: February 05, 2013, 02:07:49 PM »
The sensor's position is the step to think about when the bike is nearly finished. It's tricky but I think the bike provides enough places for a working sensor. I will use a strong rare earth magnet because of its size and not having any other magnets here.

The functions are useful and the odometer is also adjustable in the main setup of the speedo. (Just in case that the battery is disconnected too long. For short powerless intervals I'm using a goldcap to extend the time the speedo can work without being connected to the battery.)

Offline Oette

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Re: Cafe Racer CB 550 #fitted speedo lighting
« Reply #186 on: February 18, 2013, 01:50:56 PM »
ok, some movement over here.

Tacho-Unit was accidentally destroyed by my little sister. I have a replacement unit now, but the scale is broken. I'm waiting for a decal to cover the recently glued scale and its crappy look.

DAMMIT! I won't ever place a work like this on my desk without appropiate surveillance...

Since the bike speedo is not available, I have to go for another solution which does not look as clean as the first one. But MAYBE I'll try something else to get a good looking gauge.

So far, I've distracted myself from this dilemma by giving the swingarm the final attention. Unfortunately the next problem appeared, but what is a bike build without a neverending chain of new problems?

see yourself:

I turned some new bushings for the rear shocks by myself out of polyurethane, because the old ones were not useable anymore.



And placed some units on the naked frame again, just to get a view on the lines of the bike in future. In particular, I do that frequently to motivate myself finally not to give up that build since the finish line is already in sight.



The swingarm's tapered roller bearings were in a bad condition, so I ordered new ones. Let's see when they'll arrive.


Offline rb550four

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Re: Cafe Racer CB 550 #speedo destroyed :O // new PU shock bushings
« Reply #187 on: February 18, 2013, 05:40:56 PM »
The Fun is over coming the obstacles that are holding you back. The alterations ,the engineering, the  hands-on of building a machine that will ultimately be a part of you. And when you finish,the pride when you park it where ever you go and folks show an interest in your machine....Which is part of you because of the engineering, quality of workmanship ,and pride in a job well done. It all goes round and comes around.
  Give up on this...is like giving up on yourself.  It's all fun and games you know. You're in the game , so find the fun. There are only excuses for failure, success will be had by those willing to work for it .You can do it!
   So, go back to your workspace, get a handle on it , and make that machine your own! No excuses.



Sounded like self motivating skills were weak, Pep talk needed


 
A few Honda 500's, a few Honda 550's, a few Honda 650's, '72 cb 450, a couple 500/550/650 hybrids, and 2001 750. 
  550 Snowbike -Somebody had to do it.
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http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,137317.msg1550907.html#msg1550907

Offline Oette

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Re: Cafe Racer CB 550 #speedo destroyed :O // new PU shock bushings
« Reply #188 on: February 19, 2013, 09:27:57 AM »
So here is my compromise for the speedo.

I managed to rebuild it, but still a small broken piece is left. That piece ís hidden under the speedo case's edge.
I'll get some decals to make it look like new.

So here is the comparison between the two layouts:

First one, was cracked by my sister:



The current state (4 bores for full beam, neutral, indicators and oilstand-LEDs):



I'm convinced it will look like new when the decal is applied and the screen's frame is painted black.#

So far...


Offline Syscrush

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Re: Cafe Racer CB 550 #speedo v2
« Reply #189 on: February 19, 2013, 10:43:22 AM »
I'm convinced it will look like new when the decal is applied and the screen's frame is painted black.#
Maybe patch it from the back with a bit of fiberglass & epoxy, then fill the crack on the frontwith spot putty and sand it smooth before applying the new decal.
Life is precious: wear your f'n helmet!
There's nothing more expensive than a free bike...
FWIW, I'm not a shill for Race Tech - I've just got a thing for good suspension and the RTCE's are the most cost-effective mod for these old damping rod front ends.

Offline Oette

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Re: Cafe Racer CB 550 #speedo v2
« Reply #190 on: March 10, 2013, 01:29:19 PM »
So here I am again with a finished speedo.
It has been quite a plenty of work to get here. Before you remind me of that crack in the gauge face, I have to tell you that I'll leave it as it is or fix it later.
But at the moment I think it adds some character to the bike, so not everything is perfect when it's finished.
Enough of words, here are the results:




MUUUUUCH brighter photo than it really is...





The 3 switches to adjust the speedo in the backcase.







Video will follow in some minutes!

Tell me about your thoughts on this project ;-) !



Offline Oette

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Re: CB 550 K Cafe Racer Conversion #Custom digital speedo finished+++Video
« Reply #191 on: March 10, 2013, 03:25:40 PM »
Here's the video of some adjustment:
 <p><a href="Not a valid vimeo URL">20130310 204457[/url]
« Last Edit: March 10, 2013, 03:30:00 PM by Oette »

Offline Oette

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Re: CB 550 K Cafe Racer Conversion #Custom digital speedo finished+++Video
« Reply #192 on: March 24, 2013, 10:12:50 AM »
Today I turned these 5mm alloy profiles into the following:










Filed an polished





The result is a quite flat profile of the whole bike. That's the way to go.


There is enough space to adjust the speedo and connect the tacho's cable.


In my opinion this view straight over the tank is absolutely beautiful. It just looks so clean with just a single instrument....

Offline chris mcshifty

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Re: CB 550 K Cafe Racer Conversion # manufactured my own instrument-brackets
« Reply #193 on: March 24, 2013, 11:00:01 AM »
Looks good

Offline Bankerdanny

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Re: CB 550 K Cafe Racer Conversion # manufactured my own instrument-brackets
« Reply #194 on: March 24, 2013, 05:17:15 PM »
Excellent work!
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Current: '76 CB750F. Previous:  '75 CB550F, 2007 Yamaha Vino 125 Scooter, '75 Harley FXE Superglide, '77 GL1000, '77 CB550k, '68 Suzuki K10 80, '68 Yamaha YR2, '69 BMW R69S, '71 Honda SL175, '02 Royal Enfield Bullet 500, '89 Yamaha FJ1200

Offline Gregorymoto

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Re: CB 550 K Cafe Racer Conversion # manufactured my own instrument-brackets
« Reply #195 on: March 24, 2013, 06:27:48 PM »
Good for you...
Yep, i have issues with this sort of stuff.

Offline Tews19

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Re: CB 550 K Cafe Racer Conversion # manufactured my own instrument-brackets
« Reply #196 on: March 25, 2013, 07:48:38 AM »
Great work again! Keep it up. Interested in a video of the gauge working on a ride when she is completed
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Offline Garystratos201

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Re: CB 550 K Cafe Racer Conversion # manufactured my own instrument-brackets
« Reply #197 on: March 25, 2013, 08:42:55 AM »
Very unique design. I like it !!!.........Gary
Visit my build project;
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=111620.0

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Offline 70CB750

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Re: CB 550 K Cafe Racer Conversion # manufactured my own instrument-brackets
« Reply #198 on: March 25, 2013, 09:27:41 AM »
That is bloody beautiful work!
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Offline Oette

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Re: CB 550 K Cafe Racer Conversion # manufactured my own instrument-brackets
« Reply #199 on: March 25, 2013, 11:48:52 AM »
Hey, thanks for all your comments. I'll make a video while riding when it comes to me riding it  :D.

Today I got rid of my old chrome plated D.I.D rims and cutted both hubs out.
Since I have some new bearings here, I wanted to get those in before I give the hubs away for respoking with the new alloy rims.

Unfortunately I got stuck at the rear hub. The cap nut holding the jerk dampers does not come off the hub. I read that it has a left oriented thread, has it?
Do you have any tips to get this bloody nut off the rear hub?