Author Topic: 78 CB550K From Rust to Riches (Read 7527 times)

CrashBar · « **Reply #25 on:** March 03, 2020, 12:12:02 PM »

Thanks, I've dropped him a line.

CrashBar · « **Reply #26 on:** March 09, 2020, 07:51:49 AM »

It is amazing what 30 minutes on the wire wheel / buffing wheel can do. One fork tube is disassembled, drained (looks like 10W-30 was in there), new seal goes in next and then re-assemble. Then the other leg. New tire / tube is on the wheel, brake disk is at True Disk for grind and drill. Once both legs are done I have the caliper all rebuilt and ready to mount. I need to install the master cylinder rebuild kit (all the old bits are out and it is cleaned up) and bleed.

RAFster122s · « **Reply #27 on:** March 09, 2020, 09:17:41 AM »

Looks good. Congrats on the nice progress.

Personally I prefer to use sanding sponges or sandpaper to remove oxidation and smooth any light scars out rather than wire brush wheels.
I have been told to avoid wire brushing aluminum in buffer or grinder. Wire brushes can sometimes break tiny bits off and embed themselves in the aluminum and later they can rust causing a real mess/eyesore with all that messy work buffing having been in vain as a result.

CrashBar · « **Reply #28 on:** March 11, 2020, 03:49:49 PM »

New fork seals, everything cleaned up. New front tire and tube, balanced and the wheel / hub cleaned up as well. Fender cleaned up too. Waiting for fork oil to button the fork up, my disk back from true disk to finish the wheel, then I can mount everything back up. Then the plan is to do the same to the back wheel, new tire and a general clean and polish of all the parts.

CrashBar · « **Reply #29 on:** March 11, 2020, 03:52:49 PM »

All the brake parts are cleaned up. Still need to put the rebuild kit in the master cylinder and then mount it and the caliper. SS brake lines are already on the bike.

Broke down and bought 1 exhaust pipe to replace the one with the hole in it, $125 bucks, needed a little cleanup but otherwise good to go.

I've seen pictures of some special folding tab lock washers (each one does a pair of nuts) for the front brake rotor nuts but can't find them on the parts fiche. Any ideas of a part #? FOUND THEM - 1 x Genuine Honda A8 Tongued Washer - part # 94108-18000.

CrashBar · « **Reply #30 on:** March 14, 2020, 02:25:18 PM »

The roll of dimes trick really does work. New spring and some paint

CrashBar · « **Reply #31 on:** March 14, 2020, 02:28:11 PM »

Forks are back together with new seals and oil. Those little rubber donuts on the fork ears are a pain when installing the tubes, and the top and bottom are different (and work go together if you swap them).

CrashBar · « **Reply #32 on:** March 17, 2020, 05:17:58 AM »

Disk is back from TrueDisk, nice work and fast too. Now to get it mounted up.

CrashBar · « **Reply #33 on:** March 21, 2020, 01:56:33 PM »

Front end is all back together.

CrashBar · « **Reply #34 on:** March 21, 2020, 02:00:30 PM »

Mixing in the bigger jobs with some general clean up. Pulled the engine cover on the sprocket side, geez what a mess inside. Cleaned up the cover. Waiting for a warmer day to hit the sprocket area with gunk.

CrashBar · « **Reply #35 on:** March 21, 2020, 02:01:57 PM »

New-to-me starter cover too.

CrashBar · « **Reply #36 on:** March 25, 2020, 12:50:17 PM »

Before and after

CrashBar · « **Reply #37 on:** March 25, 2020, 12:53:02 PM »

Reinstalled. And cleaned up some more

CrashBar · « **Reply #38 on:** March 25, 2020, 12:56:27 PM »

Pipes back on. Rear wheel off to get cleaned up and a new tire.

CrashBar · « **Reply #39 on:** March 29, 2020, 12:14:18 PM »

The right side clean up continues. Pulled the brake, kick start, clutch cover, etc. Wire cheek to all the rust and a first pass as polishing the clutch cover and points cover. New clutch cable installed.

CrashBar · « **Reply #40 on:** March 29, 2020, 12:16:51 PM »

Rear wheel is off getting a new tire to match the front. Cleaned up all the hardware. Started the process of polishing the rear brake drum. Going to need a few more hours.

MauiK3 · « **Reply #41 on:** March 29, 2020, 04:54:47 PM »

Keep the photos coming!

CrashBar · « **Reply #42 on:** April 04, 2020, 03:09:03 PM »

Rear wheel with new tire is ready for pick-up tomorrow. Made some more progress cleaning up all the rear wheel hardware. Still need to pull and clean the swing arm, 23mm socket seems to be what I need (nut is on there solid, amazon says it will be here Monday. Slowly replacing all the rusty nuts and bolts. Pulled the plugs and poured some mystery old in and let it soak. Also put fresh oil in. Felt frozen at first but eventually a few reluctant kicks and it was turning over some. Going to give it a few more shots of mystery oil and kickstarting it a few times for now.

HondaMan · « **Reply #43 on:** April 09, 2020, 06:36:06 PM »

Man, it's like the sun is rising over there! That looks GREAT!
About putting those forks back into the donuts: silicone spray. I still have a can of it I bought in 1973, half gone...

XC204 · « **Reply #44 on:** April 11, 2020, 03:58:38 PM »

Quote from: CrashBar on March 11, 2020, 03:52:49 PM

All the brake parts are cleaned up. Still need to put the rebuild kit in the master cylinder and then mount it and the caliper. SS brake lines are already on the bike.

Broke down and bought 1 exhaust pipe to replace the one with the hole in it, $125 bucks, needed a little cleanup but otherwise good to go.

I've seen pictures of some special folding tab lock washers (each one does a pair of nuts) for the front brake rotor nuts but can't find them on the parts fiche. Any ideas of a part #? FOUND THEM - 1 x Genuine Honda A8 Tongued Washer - part # 94108-18000.

4 into 1 has them just bought some https://4into1.com/genuine-honda-a8-tongued-washer-94108-18000-cb450-cb500-cb550-cb750/
Gary

CrashBar · « **Reply #45 on:** April 12, 2020, 11:05:42 AM »

All the rear end parts are cleaned and polished/painted. Need everything to dry and then I’ll reassemble. Pulled the plugs again and gave it a little mystery oil, with the plugs out it spin freely (and mystery oil shot 10 feet down the driveway!).

CrashBar · « **Reply #46 on:** April 12, 2020, 04:02:43 PM »

Swing arm, shocks, and brake arms back in

CrashBar · « **Reply #47 on:** August 23, 2020, 06:08:57 AM »

Busy summer Of work and riding the GS has kept me busy, but the Rust to Riches story continues

Next up is putting the new chain on and finishing the front master cylinder rebuild.

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Author Topic: 78 CB550K From Rust to Riches (Read 7527 times)