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Author Topic: And so it begins  (Read 2545 times)

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Offline Ryan66

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And so it begins
« on: June 10, 2011, 04:35:02 AM »
So ive had the itch to do a cafe project for awhile now. Been doing my research before findning a bike. After all that i knew i wanted to find a cb550. Yesterday i did. Got a complete bike for $250. Motor turns over needs a carb rebuild. Not a speck of rust in the tank. No dents. Only rust on the bike is the rear spokes. Original title also.


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1976 CB550k (cafe project)

pat english

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Re: And so it begins
« Reply #1 on: June 10, 2011, 04:40:45 AM »
that's pretty cool...deals like that don't pop over here very often...the prices on Japanese bikes got crazy these last few years...
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Offline Ryan66

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Re: And so it begins
« Reply #2 on: June 10, 2011, 06:39:45 AM »
He wanted $300 for it but he said since i made the hour drive as promised he'd knock it down to $250. SOLD!
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1976 CB550k (cafe project)

Offline hoodellyhoo

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Re: And so it begins
« Reply #3 on: June 10, 2011, 07:25:42 AM »
Any idea what that seat is from? Looks to me like it fits the shape of a kawasaki triple seat, which probably makes it worth $$$$$.
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Offline Tugboat

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Re: And so it begins
« Reply #4 on: June 10, 2011, 07:40:05 AM »
Sweet find!!!
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Offline Trav-i

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Re: And so it begins
« Reply #5 on: June 10, 2011, 07:47:31 AM »
Awesome find!!
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Offline Ryan66

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Re: And so it begins
« Reply #6 on: June 10, 2011, 08:02:51 AM »
Ive been told by one person its off of a gs550. Any way to verify what the seat is off? markings or numbers on the seat? it has one small rip at the very back
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1976 CB550k (cafe project)

pat english

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Re: And so it begins
« Reply #7 on: June 10, 2011, 12:48:16 PM »
Quote from: Ryan66 on June 10, 2011, 06:39:45 AM
He wanted $300 for it but he said since i made the hour drive as promised he'd knock it down to $250. SOLD!

thats cool...what are youre plans for it?
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Offline bikerbart

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Re: And so it begins
« Reply #8 on: June 10, 2011, 12:55:15 PM »
Lucky SOB!Good for you.I miss my cb550,a lot lighter than the 750,better to cafe in my opinion.
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Offline Really?

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Re: And so it begins
« Reply #9 on: June 10, 2011, 12:57:31 PM »
Lotta quiet hatin' going on in here!   ;D ;D ;D
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Offline singedebile

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Re: And so it begins
« Reply #10 on: June 10, 2011, 01:14:11 PM »
those pipes look interesting
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Offline Bankerdanny

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Re: And so it begins
« Reply #11 on: June 10, 2011, 01:49:00 PM »
Now THAT is what a cafe candidate should look like. COngratulations on the great pickup.
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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 Ryan66

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Re: And so it begins
« Reply #12 on: June 10, 2011, 04:25:57 PM »
Quote from: pat english on June 10, 2011, 12:48:16 PM
Quote from: Ryan66 on June 10, 2011, 06:39:45 AM
He wanted $300 for it but he said since i made the hour drive as promised he'd knock it down to $250. SOLD!

thats cool...what are youre plans for it?
Cafe. Making my own seat. fab my own tank. black wheels. clean and simple.
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1976 CB550k (cafe project)

Offline Ryan66

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Re: And so it begins
« Reply #13 on: June 10, 2011, 04:27:02 PM »
Ive got the seat off tank off and looking at the wiring. EVerything is connected but damn im imtimidated. I know nothing about wiring. Like i said one blinker worked and the brake light worked. the headlight has no bulb. Guess i should replace bulbs first? the battery is toast but the guy i got it from had it hooked up on the charger and got enough juice for lights. all the dash lights worked also. When you put the left blinker on i think the right blinker came on. Right blinker switch made a noise almost like a horn noise but the horn button worked but sounded different. any ideas?
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1976 CB550k (cafe project)

Offline WarwickE36

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Re: And so it begins
« Reply #14 on: June 10, 2011, 05:19:43 PM »
My bike was in similar condition when I bought it.  Wiring was totally screwed. The grounds are shared by a bulk bullet connector, that's a good place to start.  Find the connector that has 4 slots, this is your ground.  from there your tail light has a parking light positive (check it with your headlight switch on) and a stop light (check with foot on brake and or hand brake lever) using a multimeter with black attached to ground...or you can use a test light with the alligator clip clipped to ground (fyi frame is ground so long as you put it on something NOT coated in paint...battery is better though.  good luck its not as bad as it looks
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" Why does anyone get offended by what someone does to their own bike? I dont get it. "

You made me think about it after I cheered knowing someone else would like to know what these control freaks are up to.
 Every time any owner strips whatever precious Honda part the horrified purists parts go up in value. That's not the part that bothers them.
 What bothers them is they sat up late at night, their breast full of wonder and estrogen, unable to sleep, dreaming about their lovely darling and all her glory... and next thing you know someone else doesn't share their emotional deluge and their reaction is they must spread their mind museum as far as they possibly can, taking over as much of the real world as possible.

Drink fast, drive slow, but ride it like you stole it

1974 Cb550 with style
2004 SV650s

Offline Ryan66

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Re: And so it begins
« Reply #15 on: June 10, 2011, 05:25:38 PM »
Pretty much you just talked chinese. Wiring scares me lol. Im a good mechanic built alot of dirt motors i can fab basic stuff but wiring jesus!. Im new to these bikes and motors so all is gonna be a learning experience. Bike 8 years older then me
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1976 CB550k (cafe project)

pat english

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Re: And so it begins
« Reply #16 on: June 10, 2011, 05:31:46 PM »
i don't wana give bad advise,but when #$%* wasn't working on my bike i just plugged #$%* in to different spots till it worked the way i wanted it to...i don't think you can rune anything...i could be wrong though.(and i could be very lucky)
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Offline WarwickE36

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Re: And so it begins
« Reply #17 on: June 10, 2011, 05:34:28 PM »
pretty harmless, worst that can happen is you blow fuses. and that what fuses are for...
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" Why does anyone get offended by what someone does to their own bike? I dont get it. "

You made me think about it after I cheered knowing someone else would like to know what these control freaks are up to.
 Every time any owner strips whatever precious Honda part the horrified purists parts go up in value. That's not the part that bothers them.
 What bothers them is they sat up late at night, their breast full of wonder and estrogen, unable to sleep, dreaming about their lovely darling and all her glory... and next thing you know someone else doesn't share their emotional deluge and their reaction is they must spread their mind museum as far as they possibly can, taking over as much of the real world as possible.

Drink fast, drive slow, but ride it like you stole it

1974 Cb550 with style
2004 SV650s

Offline Ryan66

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Re: And so it begins
« Reply #18 on: June 11, 2011, 11:38:08 AM »
It looks to be all wrapped still from the factory. Im gonna replace all the bulbs first and see if that fixes it. Hopefully it does! Actually might hook up led blinkers front and rear. more cleaner look
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1976 CB550k (cafe project)

Offline mrbreeze

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Re: And so it begins
« Reply #19 on: June 11, 2011, 03:14:01 PM »
Quote from: pat english on June 10, 2011, 05:31:46 PM
i don't wana give bad advise,but when #$%* wasn't working on my bike i just plugged #$%* in to different spots till it worked the way i wanted it to...i don't think you can rune anything...i could be wrong though.(and i could be very lucky)
I'd have to go with very lucky!!!
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Offline mrbreeze

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Re: And so it begins
« Reply #20 on: June 11, 2011, 03:20:26 PM »
Quote from: Ryan66 on June 10, 2011, 04:27:02 PM
Ive got the seat off tank off and looking at the wiring. EVerything is connected but damn im imtimidated. I know nothing about wiring. Like i said one blinker worked and the brake light worked. the headlight has no bulb. Guess i should replace bulbs first? the battery is toast but the guy i got it from had it hooked up on the charger and got enough juice for lights. all the dash lights worked also. When you put the left blinker on i think the right blinker came on. Right blinker switch made a noise almost like a horn noise but the horn button worked but sounded different. any ideas?
Don't let the wiring intimidate you!!! Its really a simple set up. Its not like its a 2011 Cadillac with all the bells & whistles!!! Get yourself a good (preferably shop) manual with a good wiring diagram. Once you are armed with that ,a test light, and a decent DVM....you can figure it out easily. Even if you do run into problems....there are plenty of people here that can walk you through it.........You're in good hands with Allstate!!!!
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Offline mrbreeze

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Re: And so it begins
« Reply #21 on: June 11, 2011, 03:24:28 PM »
One more thing.......start with a well charged battery and don't leave the key on for very long at a time while you are testing. A Battery Tender is a good investment.
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Offline Ryan66

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Re: And so it begins
« Reply #22 on: June 11, 2011, 03:55:32 PM »
I just went out and took the rear blinkers and headlight off to expose the wires. Everything has at least 6 volts or amps lol going to it on the tester. So all my lighting wriring is good to go just need bulbs. When i turn the left blink on it makes a screech noise then blinks. Is that some kind of warning sound or what? the right blinker is burned out. But when i hit the starter button it popped the short 9 amp fuse. The starter being froze do that or wiring? i have a clymer manual in the mail already.
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1976 CB550k (cafe project)

Offline Ryan66

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Re: And so it begins
« Reply #23 on: June 11, 2011, 04:22:14 PM »
So i went back out to the garage (didnt  want to be defeated on my first day of wrenching) to check why the fuse blew. Jumped a wire from positive on battery to starter wire (red yellow) and a ground off negative and it turned right over. So i must have somehting in the starter switch grounding it out. easy fix. So all in all i think all my wiring is correct and functioning. Now to rebuild carbs buy new intake boots where they go into the filter and fire it up!
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1976 CB550k (cafe project)

Offline Ryan66

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Re: And so it begins
« Reply #24 on: June 13, 2011, 02:04:13 PM »
So over the weekend i got all my wiring checked out. All bulbs and lights have power going to them so thats good. Even hit the starter button for good measure and it turned over. Came home from work today and had an itch so scratched it by removing the carbs. Id say not to shabby for a bike that hasnt been touched in god knows how long. Only got one apart right now. Hell it still had gas in it when i took the bowl off!

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1976 CB550k (cafe project)

Offline Ryan66

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Re: And so it begins
« Reply #25 on: June 13, 2011, 02:06:22 PM »
Im gonna leave the carbs as four for now for ease of re installing. What can i soak them in after i take the jets and everything out? Want to get them somewhat clean. 50/50 simple green?
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1976 CB550k (cafe project)

Offline Bankerdanny

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Re: And so it begins
« Reply #26 on: June 13, 2011, 03:57:32 PM »
That bowl is cleaner than the ones on my carbs when I pulled them.

I bought carb soak from the local AutoZone. It's a one gallon can and comes with a plastic strainer. The can is just large enough to hold one carb body and related parts.

I soaked each carb for about 20 minutes, then used a can of carb cleaner and a tooth brush to clean out any remaining gunk. The hose for the carb cleaner fits neatly in the end of the jet, so I rescrewed it to the needle seat and sprayed cleaner through the jet to make sure the passage was completely clean.
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"The problem with quotes on the Internet is that you never know if they're true" - Abraham Lincoln

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 Ryan66

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Re: And so it begins
« Reply #27 on: June 14, 2011, 10:17:24 AM »
I was told to boil them in lemon juice. What kind of ratio lemon juice to water is needed and for how long?
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1976 CB550k (cafe project)

Offline Bankerdanny

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Re: And so it begins
« Reply #28 on: June 14, 2011, 10:26:58 AM »
Just buy the carb cleaner and don't waste time trying to sort out home brews. It's not like it costs hundreds of dollars.
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"The problem with quotes on the Internet is that you never know if they're true" - Abraham Lincoln

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 Ryan66

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Re: And so it begins
« Reply #29 on: June 14, 2011, 11:20:55 AM »
I think the lemon juice bowl is for the carb bodies to get the 30 year old crud off of them. As for the jets and bowls im gonna soak them in simple green for awhile and then over night in carb cleaner
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1976 CB550k (cafe project)

Offline Ryan66

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Re: And so it begins
« Reply #30 on: June 15, 2011, 10:26:06 AM »
So inspecting my carbs my number 1 carb the slide doesnt move. The arm that pulls the slide barely moves. any ideas on that? i pull on the throttle wheel and the slides go halfway up. Arent the slides supposed to go all the way up?
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1976 CB550k (cafe project)

Offline 70CB750

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Re: And so it begins
« Reply #31 on: June 15, 2011, 10:33:02 AM »
My slides were stuck too.  He!! I had to cut 3 out of 4 throttle cables to get carburetors out.  Took it apart and used extensively carb cleaner.  Also scotchbrite soaked with cleaner. 
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Offline Ryan66

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Re: And so it begins
« Reply #32 on: June 15, 2011, 11:27:44 AM »
I got it unstuck. But now the number 1 slide sits a little higher then the rest. If i push down on i think its the big 12mm with the spring inside it pushes the slide down where it should be. The other three i cant push down like that
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1976 CB550k (cafe project)

Offline Ryan66

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Re: And so it begins
« Reply #33 on: June 27, 2011, 03:58:34 PM »
Some updates on here. Ordered some very nice blinkers front and rear from dime city. Awaiting patiently for them. Upon taking the headlight off it seems somebody was into the wiring at least on the blinkers. So now ith new blinkers ill run new wires as well. Gonna cut down the rear fender as well this week. Carbs are awaiting my rebuild, got the kits just been lazy lol. I need the right side control switches and wires if anyone knows of any. Then ill check the timing, oil and filter change and hopefully start it up. Then its tank dents, clubmans, and a seat fab
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1976 CB550k (cafe project)
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