Author Topic: 1976 CB550F - making it good, one step at a time (Read 119621 times)

flatlander · « **Reply #125 on:** December 11, 2014, 11:23:48 PM »

... a good time to get a megacycle 126-00

knottedknickers · « **Reply #126 on:** December 12, 2014, 07:26:46 AM »

... sure would be nice to be able to see flatlander's pictures in this thread. As it is, I can only see pictures included as attachments.

Anyone know why this is?

strynboen · « **Reply #127 on:** December 12, 2014, 07:28:27 AM »

i have all photoes right on..must be yours pc

flatlander · « **Reply #128 on:** December 12, 2014, 08:06:44 AM »

Quote from: knottedknickers on December 12, 2014, 07:26:46 AM

... sure would be nice to be able to see flatlander's pictures in this thread. As it is, I can only see pictures included as attachments. Anyone know why this is?

strange... they are linked, not attachments.
you're not on a work computer that blocks them, maybe?

knottedknickers · « **Reply #129 on:** December 12, 2014, 09:45:36 AM »

Quote from: flatlander on December 12, 2014, 08:06:44 AM

Quote from: knottedknickers on December 12, 2014, 07:26:46 AM
... sure would be nice to be able to see flatlander's pictures in this thread. As it is, I can only see pictures included as attachments. Anyone know why this is?

strange... they are linked, not attachments.
you're not on a work computer that blocks them, maybe?

Problem identified--blocking software on my machine... Strange, because linked photos show up in some other threads (though not all); must depend on where they're hosted. Anyway, good to know a solution!

flatlander · « **Reply #130 on:** December 12, 2014, 10:20:07 AM »

yeah maybe it was not such a good idea when i put them on the porn server, after all...

flatlander · « **Reply #131 on:** December 13, 2014, 12:45:02 PM »

small progress today: cleaned off the jugs and removed the gasket bits.

came out quite ok although i'm not gonna get obsessive about it now. the surfaces are nice and smooth, no PO damage.
bores are still the original 58.5mm and looking how smooth and mirror-like they are, probably never were honed. i take this all as a good sign for the engine not having been tinkered with in the past.

flatlander · « **Reply #132 on:** December 14, 2014, 08:54:50 AM »

next item to clean and inspect is the cylinder head.

from the top things look good enough to me.

on the bottom side the surface is scratched from some PO removing the gasket. i'm not too impressed with that kind of handling but should be ok.

i removed a little bit of the carbon deposits but didn't bother too much as the head is going to mrieck anyway. i'm already getting excited about receiving it back, before i've even sent it off

strynboen · « **Reply #133 on:** December 14, 2014, 10:32:53 AM »

i just glass blasted mine...and send it off for a valve job..they thanged only one valve...rest vas fine

i vasked it before mounting valves...and pumped oil in the cast oil lines..let it sit for one day..and vashed the lines aut...and still dirt came aut..så pumped new oil inn..let it sit again..and flushed it the day after..and then it vas klean..it can not be vashed klean vith just one flush of gas/fuel..it need some time

thek the pistons for defekts,,specily heat deforms..and rings vearing..

flatlander · « **Reply #134 on:** December 14, 2014, 12:08:36 PM »

strynboen, i'm going to send the head off to mike rieck who is going to bead blast it, do the valves etc. together with the porting. so i'm not going to stress out about it now, just getting it decent enough so he won't have a heart attack when opening the package.

you're right, it does not seem quick and easy to get the oil lines clean!
pictures are small but your head looks in good shape there, from what i can tell.

strynboen · « **Reply #135 on:** December 14, 2014, 12:51:02 PM »

you can still do a after kontroll of the oil lines..vith the valvets mounted..the oil lines can be still flushed..just have the cam aut...so no problem..

just dont bay a vashra(think it vas the name) gasket set...mine leaked after a fev days

flatlander · « **Reply #136 on:** December 14, 2014, 01:04:57 PM »

vesrah, you mean? the problem with gaskets is that it seems like there are good and bad experiences with every brand. seems like a bit of a gamble. what did you use in the end, that stayed dry?

that's a good point about the oil lines, i'll keep that in mind.

calj737 · « **Reply #137 on:** December 14, 2014, 03:42:27 PM »

Some of the "extras" Mike includes but doesn't mention, are things like chamfering the oil passages under the cam, etc. As for the surface scratching, don't bother, he will likely mill the head a few thousandths anyone to perfect the surface.

flatlander · « **Reply #138 on:** December 15, 2014, 10:50:38 AM »

awesome cal, that's good to hear.
i'm not worried about the scratches, just hurts me to see something treated this way. was probly the same guy who over-tightened some 6mm bolts and forgot a few washers. luckily it looks like he just changed the gasket and didn't go any further.

flatlander · « **Reply #139 on:** January 04, 2015, 01:51:33 PM »

not too much progress lately - apart from packaging some parts and sending them off to mike.
and had a look at the carbs.

they do seem fine to me, and also didn't give me any problems (only in the very beginning when floats got stuck but that's resolved). so i let them be and only cleaned them on the outside to remove the dust from 40 years on the road.

flatlander · « **Reply #140 on:** January 18, 2015, 08:55:12 AM »

while waiting to get the head back i keep fiddling with other stuff, and cleaning things. while inspecting the clutch, i pulled out the lever - adjustment screw looks like this:

left side is the one that sticks out of the crankcase cover, right side pushes the clutch.
i don't think it came out of the factorey looking bunched up like this - but i have no comparison. what do you think: replace, or ok to use?

seems like if i have to replace it, i need to get a whole new lever as i don't think you can get only the screw.

strynboen · « **Reply #141 on:** January 18, 2015, 09:19:00 AM »

i can proberly made one for you..have all machinery for tool making..but have not a spare part to exame...can you make a print of it..just cut it in parts to get it apart

flatlander · « **Reply #142 on:** January 18, 2015, 09:34:43 AM »

that's a very generous offer!
i'll try to get it out, either in one piece or two. then i could send it to you in an envelope.
what would it approximately cost to make one? the whole lever including the screw is about 30 euros.

strynboen · « **Reply #143 on:** January 18, 2015, 10:16:06 AM »

is the treds left/right..i can have problems cut 6 mm left threding..its the only thing i think can be a problem..but a cutting clup for links/recks can be bayed most places..

il do it for free..its fun to make parts

today i have fixed a elan vood grinder..it broke the end of..made a new end piece

flatlander · « **Reply #144 on:** January 18, 2015, 10:19:41 AM »

here 2 pictures that show it a bit better

the thicker ring is part of the screw, it's all machined from one piece.

length of the screw in its current state is 34.7mm
thread is right-handed.

you're the man, srynboen! if we pull this off i owe you a couple of beers!

strynboen · « **Reply #145 on:** January 18, 2015, 10:21:34 AM »

is it 8 mm threds?///no it must be 6mm...

flatlander · « **Reply #146 on:** January 18, 2015, 10:53:10 AM »

flatlander · « **Reply #147 on:** February 27, 2015, 04:55:19 AM »

it's been a while since i posted here. had to travel for my work on short notice which put a bit of a dent in my progress with the bike. so i won't make it by end of february which was the original idea. but also mike is not done yet with the head so actually we're better in sync now than otherwise

i received that clutch adjust screw from strynboen that he fabricated. it's a perfect fit as you can see here:

great work strynboen, i'm very happy!

in the meantime i also managed to score a rocker cover from a k3. this is the one with the fixed rocker shafts. it will go on instead of my old one wich was worn.
here it is after i cleanded it up a bit. it's all complete and seems in good enough nick although the paint does not look great. that's something i'll fix shortly.

strynboen · « **Reply #148 on:** February 27, 2015, 11:43:21 AM »

nice cover you got there..then all problems are gone...in one kick..

flatlander · « **Reply #149 on:** March 01, 2015, 09:52:31 AM »

yes, no more wandering rocker shafts!
polished the thing up a bit today. the painted surface was really rough, you could feel bumps running a finger over it. i buffed it to be smooth and more shiney which left bits of bare aluminium in some places.

i'm not going to making it look like new, blasting and repainting it or whatever. this is a bike that survived about 40 years in pretty much original state and it won't be a showroom model. i think a bit of patina and even some battle scars add character so don't mind if a bike shows its age, as long as it's obviously well cared for.

moving on to the rest of the engine covers, giving them the same treatment of light buffing and polishing. here's a before/after of the breather cover:

and the clutch cover

so yeah, more preservation than restoration

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Author Topic: 1976 CB550F - making it good, one step at a time (Read 119621 times)