Author Topic: Assembling my '74 CB550 - Putting it all back together (Read 149305 times)

SohRon · « **Reply #300 on:** June 30, 2015, 07:44:28 PM »

Well, thanks for the replies, guys. All of you are quite familiar to me and have been solid champs over the years we've been going through this bike together. Your condolences mean a lot.

RE: the tank. You know, I could take the bastard to court, make his life miserable, etc, etc, but to be honest I just want to put the whole sordid ordeal behind me. I've been through enough lately and, frankly, just don't need any more grief. Maybe at another time I'd be going for his throat, but not right now...

I did talk to the manager at Honda who recommended the place and he was properly chagrined by my tale of woe and swore never to use them again. He said it had been a few years since anyone had asked for a referral, and that the shop had been competent at one time but, obviously, things change.

Mick, that's an interesting site. A couple of things you might be interested in are the movie "Unbroken", if you haven't seen it. Also, do a Google search for "Ploesti" to get an eyeful of mass destruction of our bomber forces. 53 B-24s and crew lost on just one mission. Incredible.

Thanks, again, to all of you. Couldn't ask for better Internet friends.

MickB · « **Reply #301 on:** July 01, 2015, 02:55:20 PM »

SR thanks for your reply, just a comment on the movie which I found very light weight, read the book, no comparison. Laura Hildebrand has left behind an amazing biography of Lou Zamperini for us.

Also Outlaw Platoon by Sean Parnell (there's talk he maybe a future President) and the tour in Afghanistan, Bravo 2 Zero by Andy McNab the SAS in Iraq, dropped 1000 kms behind enemy lines. Both are brilliant.

SohRon · « **Reply #302 on:** July 28, 2015, 09:10:26 AM »

Thanks, Cal. Good to see progress and really appreciate the help. Don't worry about how long it takes - I know you have better things to do than fix my problems! Have a great summer!

Moosey · « **Reply #303 on:** July 28, 2015, 12:00:39 PM »

I purchased a 71 cb500 about a year ago and have been restoring it. This thread has been most helpful and is my goto thread upon reassembling the bike. I would like to thank you so much for taking the time and posting this thread!
Thanks, Lisa

SohRon · « **Reply #304 on:** July 28, 2015, 05:33:06 PM »

Well, thanks, Lisa. Glad the thread has been helpful. Unfortunately, this tank business looks to delay the final post for some time to come, so I'm not exactly sure when I'll be finishing it up. Could be next spring, actually.

Cal - pm sent and it seems par for the course that the tank will need repaint. It's been a PITA since the word go, so nothing surprises me anymore.

I appreciate all of your efforts... thanks again!

Stev-o · « **Reply #305 on:** August 08, 2015, 07:51:03 AM »

Redcote?

SohRon · « **Reply #306 on:** August 09, 2015, 09:56:44 AM »

NASTY! But no surprise. Thank you, thank you, thank you for all you've done, Cal! Now that I'm over the initial shock, I'm looking forward to getting the tank back and finishing up the project. Man, when I eff something up I do it to the max, don't I?

I think what happened with the Dragon's Blood was that, after I cleaned the rust out of the tank, on suggestion from a post on the site I added some two-stroke motor oil to keep it from further rusting and, in retrospect, that may not have been such a good idea. I suspect that when I cleaned the oil out prior to lining the tank I must not have done as thorough a job as I had hoped. I've since heard that Dragon's Blood doesn't do well with ethanol, as well, so I guess it got a one - two punch...

Live and learn, I guess.

When this is all over I'm starting a "Cal is DA man!" thread...

RAFster122s · « **Reply #307 on:** August 09, 2015, 04:40:50 PM »

It can be linked to the thread about Cal stealing Eigen's calipers.

Glad you are making progress on the tank. I have a CX500 tank a PO lined and it was failing. They let a huge chunk set in the top. It broke free as I started removing the old liner and is quite thick.
POs!

David

RAFster122s · « **Reply #308 on:** August 09, 2015, 08:03:56 PM »

Cal, I have a pair of CX500 tanks, one I had ask about was another. It is pristine condition inside but had suffered in a wreck denting the back right corner.
Get your son's bike done, family stuff should take precedence anytime.

RAFster122s · « **Reply #309 on:** August 09, 2015, 08:28:50 PM »

Ron, I appreciate your thread greatly. It is a great resource.

Refinishing the tank I would imagine is likely given the amount of material and number of soaks it has had to endure. It would be difficult to keep it from wicking its way under the wrap despite precautions taken. Not criticizing Cal's work but odds are against him being able to pull off 4-5 times of soaks and draining the material. I hope that he can, but I guess I would not be too hopeful about it. Guess I am too pessimistic.

How is the Corvair coming along?

David

RAFster122s · « **Reply #310 on:** August 10, 2015, 04:54:42 PM »

I was afraid of that, let's not post pics, like you said and no pics and it never happened

wish it were that simple sometimes.
Acetone is powerful and nasty solvent, most adhesive tape doesn't have a prayer against it and it is thin and easy to wick its way wherever it wants to go.
Xylene is some nasty nasty stuff. Causes all kinds of havoc in the human body and is transdermal as well, meaning it wicks through your skin to cause harm. If you are smelling it it is being absorbed as well.
MEK and Xylene are cancer causing chemicals, so be careful around them Cal.

My liver enzymes were way out of kilter and they were running tests to see if I had non-alcoholic cirrhosis and did liver biopsy expecting fatty liver, etc. Scan of liver etc.
It didn't occur to me that the Xylene might have been to blame as I was soaking some rubber intakes and had spilled some on my jeans pant leg at the thigh. So, I got a bad exposure/dose from that as I didn't change pants..
Took a long time for the enzymes to return to normal.

David

Scott S · « **Reply #311 on:** August 11, 2015, 02:35:09 AM »

I can't tell you how many times I've referenced this thread for clarification. It really should be a book.

Oddjob · « **Reply #312 on:** August 11, 2015, 06:44:55 AM »

Well been a long while since I trawled this thread and firstly I'd like to say how sorry I was to hear about your mother, lost mine a few years ago and TBH I don't think I've gotten over it yet.

Secondly, an apology. I decided to re-read the thread again from start to finish ( I like looking at good pics

) whilst I was scanning through the pics I noticed a part that your clearly missing, namely it's the small black cap which fits inside the kickstarter shaft which prevents crud/dirt etc from going inside the pivoting mechanism. It's a very easy part to miss TBH as unless you know it's there you think the kickstater is meant to be that way. It's part No. 28305-310-000 described as a kick arm cap, the apology part is that I tend to trawl around the web looking for NOS parts which are sitting neglected in a dealers back room. I recently found a few of these parts and bought them all as they really are like rocking horse droppings, unfortunately I sold them all very quickly, if I'd have noticed you were missing one I'd have let you have one FOC as my contribution to a really nice looking bike.

That said, it's possible that this part is easier to source in the USA than over here, so hopefully you'll be able to find one. I'm presuming of course that the kickstarter is the same one as used on the CB500K as the CB550F used a different one due to the exhaust layout, yours however looks to be the 500 version.

Shame about the tank, not 100% sure why you decided to line it as I didn't read all the posts, was it just a "just in case" scenario? or was the tank holed in some way or looked like it would develop holes at some point?

MickB · « **Reply #313 on:** August 13, 2015, 07:58:39 PM »

SohRon if you still need the kick arm cap you're in luck I have a spare your welcome to, let me know.

Folsoe · « **Reply #314 on:** September 24, 2015, 12:57:53 PM »

Im doing a cb500 75. It is really super to use your build as inspiration. Used several evenings already on this thread and getting things Right. Thanks a lot

I Want mine to be as fine as yours , but its really hard to get it the level of yours cb 550. Will post pictures in another thread

SohRon · « **Reply #315 on:** October 09, 2015, 10:12:14 AM »

Quote from: Folsoe on September 24, 2015, 12:57:53 PM

Im doing a cb500 75. It is really super to use your build as inspiration. Used several evenings already on this thread and getting things Right. Thanks a lot I Want mine to be as fine as yours , but its really hard to get it the level of yours cb 550. Will post pictures in another thread

Glad to hear the thread was helpful with your project! That's what it is all about!

I'd like to announce that, after many requests to do so, I have compiled the thread into what may be a more accessible form. I've basically copied the most pertinent info and divided it up into sections (an index, if you will) that will, hopefully be a little easier to follow. As it is meant only as a reference, the thread will be locked to comments, but feel free to add any insights or questions you may have to this thread (I've included a link), which will continue as it is for the foreseeable future.

Here's the thread location, at least for now: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,151576.0.html . After I've completed the entire project, I'll probably have it moved to a more appropriate forum, but you can find it there for now.

It's doubtful that I'll be returning to the bike until next spring, so you'll just have to keep an eye out for that. Thanks to everyone who has commented and/or added to the project. Couldn't have done it without you!

wowbagger · « **Reply #316 on:** October 09, 2015, 10:17:23 AM »

Thanks for putting so much effort into this. You are a scholar and a gentleman, sir.

Stev-o · « **Reply #317 on:** October 09, 2015, 03:32:02 PM »

Great idea, Ron...thanks.

flatlander · « **Reply #318 on:** October 09, 2015, 11:44:45 PM »

this will be a great help for people, thanks ron!

Restoration Fan · « **Reply #319 on:** October 10, 2015, 05:10:21 AM »

Ron,
Again you have outdone yourself. Well done, sir!

Remember the full service gas stations where a couple of different guys would run up when you parked? One guy would fill up the car but the rest would check the oil, the tires, then wipe down the car windows and even clean the car?

This bike is so perfect that I have always envisioned that something similar happens every time you pull up to a gas station. Throngs of adoring people flock to it to adore it and help wipe off any road dust...just to maintain that pristine state!

Ron

SohRon · « **Reply #320 on:** October 11, 2015, 09:08:56 AM »

No problem-o, dudes! Hopefully this will make the thread a bit more accessible. I've noticed that, on my PC some of the links dump me into the middle of the post, while on my tablet they seem to bring up the topic spot on; all I can say is, if the link dumps you in the wrong spot, just scroll down and you'll find your post. I don't know how to use Anchors in BB code, so at least for now I'll just have to deal with it as it is.

Thanks for participating!

MickB · « **Reply #321 on:** October 11, 2015, 10:19:58 AM »

Quote from: MickB on August 13, 2015, 07:58:39 PM

SohRon if you still need the kick arm cap you're in luck I have a spare your welcome to, let me know.

SR don't forget if you need one of these let me know. Mick

MickB · « **Reply #322 on:** October 11, 2015, 10:47:36 AM »

Does anyone have part 32171323000 wire hanger?

SohRon · « **Reply #323 on:** October 11, 2015, 10:53:36 AM »

Mick, I have one all ready to go. I'll trade it for your kick lever cap!

This is the one you're looking for, right?

MickB · « **Reply #324 on:** October 11, 2015, 03:10:24 PM »

SR you're great, I posted that by mistake on your project.
YES, I'll take it, let me know the cost and I'll Paypal you straight away.
Best
Mick

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Author Topic: Assembling my '74 CB550 - Putting it all back together (Read 149305 times)