Topic: 76 cb550f lowbuck build "done"

[Seabass]

Installed the cb650 cam today.Went pretty smooth.looking forward to see how it runs with it.


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[Seabass]

Freezing cold here in Reno so collecting some parts.I just received a polished hex bolt kit to replace all the mangled originals for $29.I also got a set if Bridgestone sipitfires for $123 .working on cleaning up the inside of the rims.There is some serious rust. I found a shop in town called ace cycle that specializes in vintage Brit, American, Japanese bikes that going to mount and balance for $10 a wheel once I remove the rust.


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[Seabass]

$140 left and  still need wheel bearings and tubes plus labor to mount and balance.


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[sniper1]

Seabass,

My wheels aren't quite as rusty as yours but still has quite a bit of rust. What are you doing to remove the rust? I used WD-40 and a brass brush on a drill. It worked pretty good, but was not able to get rid of it all. How will the rust effect truing of the spokes and balancing of the tires?

Thanks,

[grcamna2]

Real nice Looking CB550 Seabass ,I'm enjoying the progress;what did you do with all the other motorcycles that you got with your deal ? are you saving them for future rebuilds or selling them off for the $ ? How's you're right knee doing ??

[Seabass]

The rust in the pic is about the worst of it more than likely its from were it was siting and the moisture pooled up on the bottom.I started removing it by letting them soak in rust remover bath and then using a stripping wheel on a grinder and wire wheel.hopefully I will be able to salvage most of the spokes and replace the bad ones.

[Seabass]

Real nice Looking CB550 Seabass ,I'm enjoying the progress;what did you do with all the other motorcycles that you got with your deal ? are you saving them for future rebuilds or selling them off for the $ ? How's you're right knee doing ??

I have been parting them out to fund my project so anyone needs parts let me know.I am keeping the 77 cb750 k for a future chopper project and the 74 cb550 motor to do a performance rebuild next winter so I have a fresh spare.My knee is hundred times better but still hurts in the cold or after work, but I would recommend to anyone living with the pain  like i was to get the surgery done.Still kickstarting will be my worst enemy.


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[Seabass]

Started polishing up the side covers .A little more in the hard to reach places and should turn out pretty good.


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[Seabass]

Finished cleaning up the rust from the rims.Left some pitting in the areas that were real bad.I don't think that the pitting should cause any problems and the corroded spokes will be replaced but I'll get a pros opinion when I go to have tires mounted/balanced/true.Hopefully I can salvage them and in the future look for some replacements. Here's some before and after pics.


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[grcamna2]

Do you have a spoke wrench ? if so I think you "may" be able to get those spoke moving/turning again with some patient persistence.You can soak them down daily w/ PBBlaster from both sides and use the tight fitting spoke wrench to slowly try turning them back & forth a small bit at a time until you hear them start to loosen up slightly...slower is better;it'll save you a few 100 $ and once you get them loose they'll be able to move enough to true you're wheels and do the final torque. It"d be good to do that and them bring them to you're wheelbuilder...he'll probably give you a thumbs up on em. 

[lucky]

Seabass,

My wheels aren't quite as rusty as yours but still has quite a bit of rust. What are you doing to remove the rust? I used WD-40 and a brass brush on a drill. It worked pretty good, but was not able to get rid of it all. How will the rust effect truing of the spokes and balancing of the tires?

Thanks,

Stop the rusting process with phosphoric acid. Just sponge it on leave for about an hour and rinse with water then WD40.

So your knee is healing, and the bike is being healed too.

[Seabass]

Great suggestion.That would save me some time and money.I would not have to remove all the spokes and attempt to relace the rim and salvage some of the old spokes.Thanks guys

[paulmac]

Great clean up of the wheel, I had the same problem with mine so when I cleaned them up I painted the inside of the rim with KILL RUST. After two years I had to replace my back Tyre and when I pulled the Tyre off the rim there was no rust at all.

[Seabass]

It's been awhile so here's a update.i have been polishing like crazy.The side covers are done but still need some final hand polishing.I still working in the tappet covers kind of a pain especially when my buffing wheel is launching them across the garage.here is a pic of the motor as it is today.My next step is going to put the motor in the frame.I am going to attempt the lay  the motor on it side technique.I am going use some cheap insulating foam to protect the frame" pic2 " Hopefully everything will go smooth.


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[grcamna2]

Seabass,
      How did it work out with your spokes...Did most of them loosen up w/o having to replace them ? Did you fill a small "tub" with that Evapo-Rust stuff and do a bit of the wheel at a time? how big of a "tub" did you use ? I want to give that a try 

[Seabass]

I did soak em in evaporust for weeks.I would rotate them every couple of days.I used a large plastic storage tub and filled it up about 8" or so.I did not want the hub to soak because the evaporust does real weird stuff to aluminum. I also used some navel jelly on the real bad ones.After that some pb blaster and the spokes seem  to free up nicely.I now sprayed the rims with rust preventer.I do plan on someday changing the rims for something lighter and new spokes but to stay within my $1000 budget I think that will have to wait.


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[Seabass]

Word to the wise.Do not use a five gallon bucket of oil as a step stool or you will have to explain why you are missing a shoe and your leg is black from old nasty oil.


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[Seabass]

 Today I rebuilt the master cylinder.Pretty easy but a nasty mess from moisture and god knows how long of sitting.I used a piece of rolled up 1500 sand paper to clean up the inside.The new kit I got from dime city cycles and came with everything I needed.The retaining ring is a pain to get out but used a couple of picks to get it out.Tested for leaks and everything looks good.Next ill start polishing it up.


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[Seabass]

Today starting to clean up the tank.Im using some vinegar and some plated roofing nails.I ll let it soak and shake it around for the next couple days.


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[Seabass]

Finally got up the courage to put the motor in. Technically real easy, the motor on it side is a excellent way I managed it by myself and played the game operation to get it lowered over the motor.I threw a couple bolts in to hold it then flipped her over.The hardest part was the weight if the frame and then lifting it back on to the stand.I highly recommend having a extra set of hands because my arms are still shaking.Luckily no hernia that I know of.Temporarily Got the bolts in and I will start getting the pegs ,battery box etc on.


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[grcamna2]

Everything is still shining like a freshly polished jewel  .

[Seabass]

I disassembled the 77 cb750 forks today to hopefully use the tubes in my 550 lowers.Looks like the two will work fine.Any advice or knowledge would help since I have never tried this before.The overall length will be maybe a 1 1/2" longer but i can lower it in the triple trees to level it out .There is also a spacer on the 750 fork (pic 1)that I'm unsure if I should use it or remove it any help with this would be also greatly appreciated too.I also wet sanded and polished them up.In (pic2) I'm showing how I like to pop fork seals out.I put a piece of fuel line,old brake line etc to rest the screwdriver on to avoid damage.

[grcamna2]

Seabass,
    That round aluminum cylinder at the bottom of the fork damper rod(pic 1)is the oil lock piece and I recommend that you swap it over into your original fork lowers along with those fork tubes.

[Seabass]

Thanks for the info I'll leave it in.Am I crazy for thinking this will work or is this a pretty common swap.


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[grcamna2]

No problem..I think it's good swap and it'll work good.