Topic: Mono's '75 CB550 Restore

[Flying J]

Mine has a switch for the headlight. Off is all off. And in the on position the taillight is on but i dont think the blinkers are on.

[mono]

Mine has a switch for the headlight. Off is all off. And in the on position the taillight is on but i dont think the blinkers are on.

yep - got that worked out.  just needed to switch a couple wires for the turn signals, and they work now. the brake was actually just adjusted a tiny bit wrong and so it was constantly triggering the brake light. 

now i've gotta work out the erratic idle.  opened up the points cover and i can see right off that they are out of adjustment.  also pipes 2+3 are running much hotter than 1+4.  almost melted my fingers testing that.  i think i'll be using the infrared thermometer to check pipe temps from now on haha

[Flying J]

I use spit.

[mono]

well, after going to Auto Zone to get a feeler guage, i sat down to adjust the points and -- oh yes -- all the screws have stripped.  2+3 have almost no gap at all, and 1+4 are a little bit off.  but it runs, so i guess i'll just order that Dyna ignition like i wanted anyways.  dear payday:  can you come early? 

[mono]

Polished up a spare set of valve caps today and put them on the bike - its the little details that make the difference

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[cmeirs]

really didn't do much to her over the colder winter months (no heat in the garage), but i've been working on her pretty steadily for the past few weeks.

finally got an impact driver to remove the side covers on the engine - here's some pics of the refinishing process:

Hey mono,

How did you get that crap off of your side covers and the rest of the engine? Just 0000 steel wool??

[mono]

The aluminum side covers on the engine I removed and sanded/polished in multiple stages.   On the engine I used green brillo pad, then cleaned it with alcohol and actually repainted it with high-temp paint

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[Flying J]

I use this stuff.


I burns your skin if you get it on you. Thats how you know its working.

Dont get this stuff, not the same, total junk.

[cmeirs]

cant see the photo.. can you send again

[Flying J]

does this in like 2 minutes. It will also eat through powdercoating.

[mono]

nice!  yeah i use the Rust-O-Leum aircraft stripper but it *is* pretty lame - you really need to drench the part with it in order for any really tough paint to lift.  I'll check out the stuff you've shown for future use.    but yes, the burning means it's working!   

I didn't use it on my aluminum cases because they were all so oxidized that there was really not much clearcoat left on them to strip.  also i started with 220-grit sandpaper, which makes quick work of paint.

[davidtime]

does this in like 2 minutes. It will also eat through powdercoating.

Of course now I run across this, after buying Rustoleum (which sucks). Thanks for the post!

[mono]

Bought these off of a forum member the other day.  Can't wait to get them mounted! 

Great replacements for my imperfect ones.
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[davidtime]

Nice