Topic: TEWS' 1975 550F build *****UPDATED 04/23/2012***** SHE RUNS! VIDEO

[hsr]

Here are some upclose pictures of the rust...  I hope I can remove it all... Besides the steel wool I have been using any other suggestions?

Look at reply #2 here  to see my $2 solution from Dollar Tree and the results.

[Tews19]

So i can't stand a project that I intended to do and not get it done.. I went and bought a 22 MM socket for the forks off and the triple tree..

Bearings werent to bad but some missing on the bottom.......

[Stev-o]

Are you going with tapered bearings? (highly recommend) Did the trip tree I sent you match??

[Tews19]

yes to tapered... I am not sure what kind and made a few posts in other threads about type to go with, Any suggestions?... I put them up to one another and it looks good.. Thanks once again.. Also, the rear bearings in the hub look good I guess.... The rubber gasket is solid and orange still.. Should I change out the hub bearings since I am this far? Since I am this far into it would you suggest a specific type of bearings to use for the wheel hubs? God the rear wheel is heavy as #$%*... How can I lose some weight to it?



My new Lossa exhaust is in... Looks good but it doesnt fit.. It 2 1/4" and it is to small... Kinda weird cuz I thought the 750 has a 2.5 " outlet from the header.... Anyways I will have to bring it to a custom muffler shop to get it mounted...

[Stev-o]

All Balls has a pretty good rep, look here:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=sr_nr_n_0?rh=n%3A15684181%2Cp_4%3AAll+Balls%2Cn%3A%2115690151%2Cn%3A346333011&bbn=15690151&ie=UTF8&qid=1316817724&rnid=15690151#/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=node%3D346333011&field-keywords=Honda+550+all+balls+bearing&rh=n%3A15684181%2Cn%3A%2115690151%2Cn%3A346333011%2Ck%3AHonda+550+all+balls+bearing

Would not be a bad idea to change rear wheel bearings and will give piece of mind. I would remove them and go to my local bearing store (Purvis Bearing) for a matched replacement.

Muffler looks good, hope you can make it work.

[Tews19]

Last night I was able to remove the engine from the frame...


Back of the engine is full of grease. Thought it was the engine leaking but the engine has no signs of a leak...


Do I need to replace anything with the sway bar? Full of grease but it does have te grease nozel...




How can I determine if the chain needs to be replaced? It is rusty but there isnt much play in it yet and the sprocket is in really good shape...

[Stev-o]

Sway bar?! C'mon Man, you know that's a swing arm!! Was there a lot of play in it before you removed it? [trying to movr it side to side]. And does there appear to be wear on the bushing and/or bolt?
Hondaman does a nice upgrade on the 750 swing arm, not sure about the 550.

If you got the dough, it's a good time to spring for a new chain and sprockets. always a good idea to replace all at the same time.

[Tews19]

Sway bar?! C'mon Man, you know that's a swing arm!! Was there a lot of play in it before you removed it? [trying to movr it side to side]. And does there appear to be wear on the bushing and/or bolt?
Hondaman does a nice upgrade on the 750 swing arm, not sure about the 550.

If you got the dough, it's a good time to spring for a new chain and sprockets. always a good idea to replace all at the same time.

Err meant swing arm... There was no play in it and thats why I was wondering if I should even replace it..The swing arm was the hardest and last bolt and thing I removed from the frame. I had to have a buddy come over to help with it... He did laugh at the site of my bike in pieces in the basement..

[crazypj]

You probably need a better set of pipes.
 They hang down too low and drag badly.
 When you get some ground clearance for cornering, the bottom of the brake pedal gets ground away
 It flexes enough not to cause problems though

[Tews19]

You probably need a better set of pipes.
 They hang down too low and drag badly.
 When you get some ground clearance for cornering, the bottom of the brake pedal gets ground away
 It flexes enough not to cause problems though

You mean headers? Damn I actually got them really cleaned up. I bought the Lossa reverse megaphone.. Wouldnt that help with the clearance?

[crazypj]

Noe, it drags from the bend at front of pipe all the way back
 You can just make out where bottom of brake pedal touches down on mine, this is after I fitted 750 fork tubes and rear shocks (over an inch longer than stock 550 parts)
If you take a 'line through ales' and compare it to crank center line you can see how much it's raised up

[Greggo]

How'd I miss this one!?  Subscribed!

[Tews19]

I haven't posted for a while as I have hit a stand still. Been busy trying to find a job and found out we expecting another lil one... Anyways, I followed HSR lead and bought some of his cleaner at the store and I think I made a lot of progress on the headers. I mocked up the lossa muffler to the pipes and I am pleased. I also got in the mail my tapered bearings for both 550's... Tomorrow I will hopefully be sending off my side covers to Johnny5 to match up with the tank. BTW, Johnny sent me pics of the tank and it looks great. I will post later as I want to have advanced more with the build before posting...





the bearing cost 33 bucks. a few bucks cheaper then others I have seen.

[Tews19]

Now I am learning why some people take their time to complete their builds. I have'nt been able to do much as I was waiting for the frame to be dropped off at the powder coater. Finally did that and today made some progress on cleaning up a few parts.

First time ever polishing.. Thanks for the step by step Luke000.




I do not remember ever reading that polishing parts gets messy...

[seanbarney41]

I do not remember ever reading that polishing parts gets messy...

awsome pic!

[Coyote13]

You want to post that step by step up here? I've got a couple things that could use some help.....

[Killer Canary]

Are you sure you don't want to remount that fairing? It's bootiful!

[Tews19]

I bought a Ryobi 8" bench grinder. http://www.homedepot.com/Tools-Hardware-Power-Tools-Grinders-Bench-Grinders/h_d1/N-as7rZ5yc1v/R-100497935/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

Bought 2 6" http://www.menards.com/main/tools-hardware/power-tool-accessories/abrasives/6-buffing-wheel/p-1461006-c-10154.htm

1- 8" wheel, same as above.

First I used the wire wheel to clean off the parts.

Then I used 1- 6" wheel with a black compound that Luke000suggested. I bought 3 different cleaners from this company..http://www.metalfinishingsupply.biz/html/buff___polish.html   FORMAX was the brand.

The I changed out wheels, used the white compound

Changed out wheel and used this blue compound which made the parts have a mirror like reflection. My pictures do not show it well as the gloss and shine are absolutely great.

Really easy actually and not that time consuming. The product the company sold me didnt come in the usual little chalk stick that looked liek chap stick containter. They gave me a brick roughly 10 inches long. I even did the tappet covers on the engine and will most likely be doing the engine

[Stev-o]

Nice job, I think you found your calling!  Can I send you ome parts?!

[crazypj]

Use a dust mask, breathing that stuff ain't good for ya

[tweakin]

+1, it is toxic...linked to alzhemeirs and dementia.

Use a dust mask, breathing that stuff ain't good for ya

[Tews19]

Well the news keeps getting better. Got the frame, swing arm, battery box and other parts back from the powdercoater.

[Stev-o]

Looks good, is the motor ready to be slapped back in?

[Mcwilliams570]

Looking good man.....

Matt

[Tews19]

Motor is ready to go back in... I am not going to do anything to it besides clean it up. I polished a few bits on it and will try to do the last two... May have it back in this week..