Author Topic: 74 CB550 Cafe le'Indiana (Read 14935 times)

wedoo2 · « **on:** November 04, 2011, 10:33:05 am »

I've decided, after reading a thousand posts here on the project section that I wanted to do a cafe bike project. I've never really liked the cafe bikes, nor the early Hondas. Hmmph But I got a very nice deal on this 74 and instead of parting it out I decided to do the thing. Some of the colored frames and other cool things have me going.

I have done refurbs for the past 5 years and maybe I'll show some pics sometimes, A 82 CB750C, 80 CB750C, 85 VF 500 and 83 GoldWing but no major motor work. So if this motor does not need rebuilt then I'll see what I can do, or someone will get some parts.

Here it is:

Other side

Electrics

Great Tank and Side Covers

Questions:

1. Oil Filter bolt is locked tight. CoachDoc suggested no torch but a hair dryer to heat it up. Hasn't worked yet but I am getting a bit for my impact driver later today and see how that works. Any suggestions?

2. The seat is locked and the PM is still looking (

) for the key. It is loose on the hinge side. If I broke it off what will I mess up? I intend to get another seat.

onepieceatatime · « **Reply #1 on:** November 04, 2011, 12:15:14 pm »

Quote from: wedoo2 on November 04, 2011, 10:33:05 am

Questions:

1. Oil Filter bolt is locked tight. CoachDoc suggested no torch but a hair dryer to heat it up. Hasn't worked yet but I am getting a bit for my impact driver later today and see how that works. Any suggestions?

2. The seat is locked and the PM is still looking () for the key. It is loose on the hinge side. If I broke it off what will I mess up? I intend to get another seat.

My parts engine (CB650) had the oil filter bolt locked tight and I stripped the 10mm head. My solution was to weld a 17mm nut onto it allowing me to use a larger wrench. That broke the bolt loose and problem solved.

I don't remember enough about the 550s to tell you much about the seat mounting.

hapakev · « **Reply #2 on:** November 04, 2011, 01:00:41 pm »

Whats with the J box under the seat?

wedoo2 · « **Reply #3 on:** November 04, 2011, 02:35:21 pm »

That box is for my new electrical system. I'm going AC for this build http://forums.sohc4.net/Smileys/default/grin.gif Actually I had it there to expose the hinge. I was able to get the seat off with the two little nuts besides the lock. Kinda tight but I got them off. Seat's off.

As far as the oil filter bolt, it is not stripped yet. If I drilled the head of it would that be a hard thing to replace?

Steve_K · « **Reply #4 on:** November 04, 2011, 03:19:36 pm »

I think I removed a 76 or 77 550 seat by unbolting the lock. If I remember correctly, it was not too hard to do.
Steve

wedoo2 · « **Reply #5 on:** November 04, 2011, 03:28:27 pm »

Would that be the bolt underneath?

onepieceatatime · « **Reply #6 on:** November 04, 2011, 04:27:59 pm »

Quote from: wedoo2 on November 04, 2011, 02:35:21 pm

As far as the oil filter bolt, it is not stripped yet. If I drilled the head of it would that be a hard thing to replace?

There are some on eBay, but they wont let me post a link. $10 -$20 just dis a search for "oil filter bolt" on eBay motors then narrowed it by Honda then CB550.

tango911 · « **Reply #7 on:** November 04, 2011, 05:14:43 pm »

i have a few 550 parts hanging around and im in indy, if you need anything let me know.

wedoo2 · « **Reply #8 on:** November 05, 2011, 06:46:52 am »

Thanks guys. I am going to try the bolt underneath the oil filter to see what that loosens up. If no luck there I'll put a little more serious heat to it. And if all of that fails I'll drill it out and buy a new bolt or find a new oil housing.

Tango, nice to know some one close by. Ever get over to Cycle Recycle? Probably a dumb question after looking at all the old bikes you have had. Don't own the place do you?

wedoo2 · « **Reply #9 on:** November 05, 2011, 11:28:30 am »

Got the carbs out. I hate doing that.

Bowls off no problem or screw stripping. Not bad for a bike that has sat for maybe 15 years.

I seen worse bowls. The screws on the floats and the drains screws are too tight. PB Blaster for a couple of days.

tango911 · « **Reply #10 on:** November 07, 2011, 12:21:15 pm »

i dont go to cycle recycle much, i pretty much find the stuff i need on here or i just buy a parts bike and part it out to make some extra dough. build looking good. keep the pics rolling.

wedoo2 · « **Reply #11 on:** November 08, 2011, 02:26:54 pm »

I have the carbs apart and thought I would get kind of a vote on cleaning them. I can take them to the local Honda Stealer and sink them in the ultrasonic thingy they have. Soak them in some carb cleaner, or soak them in Pine Sol which is a trick a guy on the 900C site uses.

Ideas?

tango911 · « **Reply #12 on:** November 09, 2011, 04:14:39 am »

I wouldnt waste the money at the honda dealer thats for sure.

wedoo2 · « **Reply #13 on:** November 09, 2011, 03:08:08 pm »

Bowls are cleaned up. You know that stuff that collects around the top of ketsup bottles? Yuck

Carbs mostly apart. Pretty non-eventful. Three of the slides are stuck tight, Got some PB on it and will try to get them off tomorrow.

tango911 · « **Reply #14 on:** November 10, 2011, 06:02:37 am »

you'll be glad you did them yourself.

Raef · « **Reply #15 on:** November 10, 2011, 05:45:19 pm »

i have a good bit of 550 stuff, I may have an extra oil filter bolt if you need it.

I'm in east central Indiana.

if the PB don't work, I sometimes soak problem carbs in "the works" for a few minutes rinse and oil right away.

Mark

HAIRHEAD · « **Reply #16 on:** November 10, 2011, 07:43:08 pm »

Pick up an ultrasonic cleaner @ harbor freight for 40-60 bucks ,would be ALOT cheaper then a dealer or shop. just presoak the disassembled carbs in 100 percent simple green for a little while and then pop em in the ultrasonic for 25 minutes in water and 2 cups of S.G.

Cheers

wedoo2 · « **Reply #17 on:** November 11, 2011, 04:05:15 am »

I put them in Pine Sol last night. A little trick I got from the 900C guys and we'll see if that loosens and cleans them up. I've done that before with mixed results. I'm going to set up the homemade soda blaster after that and finish the job. I think I will go ahead and order the rebuild kits from Old Bike Barn unless anyone has a better idea. Although none of the jets, etc look bad to me.

I like the idea of an US cleaner of my own, but I doubt I would use it on a consistent basis and I would have to store it somewhere. But I'm not going to pay Honda to do it.

Raef, I know right where Selma is. Have an aunt and uncle in Anderson and good friends from Daleville and have visited the place with them several times. You're not too far from Metamora and I love to ride in that area. Come to think of it I have another friend in Connersville.

Raef · « **Reply #18 on:** November 11, 2011, 04:33:02 am »

We ride around brookville res, madison, nashville area a couple times a year. If you stick with the cafe route and would like to go with somthing I little different or custom, look me up. I've been dabbling in forming some aluminum parts lately. I have seat made, as soon as I get some time I want to make an aluminum tank to match.

Mark

wedoo2 · « **Reply #19 on:** November 11, 2011, 05:00:31 pm »

Quote from: Raef on November 11, 2011, 04:33:02 am

We ride around brookville res, madison, nashville area a couple times a year. If you stick with the cafe route and would like to go with somthing I little different or custom, look me up. I've been dabbling in forming some aluminum parts lately. I have seat made, as soon as I get some time I want to make an aluminum tank to match.

Mark

I just read through your build. You're OC freakin Chopper Man! That is one cool motorcycle. As I move along I may see about a seat build. I'm kind of leaning towards a Corbin I seen. For now. As you say, the bike will tell me.

I did get the oil filter bolt off and changed the oil and new filter. Still on the carbs. Can't get three of the sliders out of it. Overnight Pine Sol doesn't work. PB hasn't. They are pretty clean, but the needles need to come out. Uuggh

wedoo2 · « **Reply #20 on:** November 12, 2011, 07:16:31 pm »

This is kind of what I am thinking right now. Blue frame and blue rims. From a BMW I saw once and kept a picture of.

Thoughts??

Raef · « **Reply #21 on:** November 12, 2011, 07:26:16 pm »

I like it, I love the vintage dirt tracker look, needs a low profile seat of some sort

wedoo2 · « **Reply #22 on:** November 14, 2011, 12:35:17 pm »

I'm waiting on PartsNmore for carb kits so I decided to get some cleaning done. Took off the stater cover and man does it look clean. I didn't touch either side with anything to clean them. I can only dream that the inside of the motor looks like this. In fact, I will dream that.

Off with the points cover and it was very clean as well.

I've got a layer of crud off the motor but still a long way to go before it can be finished. After I get it running good I'm going to remove the motor and paint it, and the frame.

The points side cover looks good in this picture, along with the kick starter and brake pedal, but it has some rust that I was not able to buff out. You can kind of see it around the edges. Anyone? I don't want to paint it and if I can't get the rust off safely then I'll find another one.

Also the stator needs to come off and the screws are solid. Got some PB and penetrating oil on them and we'll see it I can get them off. Hate to use the impact on them.

On it goes.

Cheffish · « **Reply #23 on:** November 14, 2011, 06:35:05 pm »

Quote from: wedoo2 on November 12, 2011, 07:16:31 pm

This is kind of what I am thinking right now. Blue frame and blue rims. From a BMW I saw once and kept a picture of.

Very cool.
Thoughts??

wedoo2 · « **Reply #24 on:** November 15, 2011, 02:51:19 am »

Thanks Cheffish. Just a first idea but it is growing on me. Depends on the fairing I find. my favorite of all time has always been the paint scheme in the 750 shown here, almost perfect as far as I am concerned. But the plastic is different on this older motorcycle and, besides, I already have a black bike.

See what others think about my idea.

I restored this VF500 a couple winters ago that had blown a motor and was had for $200. Looked nice at the end, but I am past my orangy-red era.

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Author Topic: 74 CB550 Cafe le'Indiana (Read 14935 times)