Topic: Hitting the Ground Running = New Member +'76 CB550 Barn Find + First Ever Build

[MTRD3]

Any of the gurus out there able to confirm whether or not the motor in the Ebay link is a correct 650 donor motor for use in a hybrid build? If it is indeed a different cam that was used to reduce hp output I can circumvent that issue by using a mega cycle cam, but I would want to be able to use the complete head, crank and conn rods at least and not buy a motor in vain lol.

I read in model guide here that the RC03E motor can be from any year of 650 production, but the serial numbers did not correspond at all with the serial number stamped on the motor in the auction. I've chalked it up to a European vs. American thing and assume the model guide here is perhaps only applicable to American models.

As always, T.I.A. for any assistance guys!

[MTRD3]

In the poetic words of the great Mr. Rogers "It's a beautiful day in the neighbourhood" lol

Got really lucky on Thursday evening and found a guy locally who had a number of the parts for the PC40 CBR600 RR front end swap that I need. Prior to that I was on the verge of getting them from California but shipping wasn't going to be cheap, and customs was likely to be even worse, but I just wasn't having any luck sourcing things here in Germany. I'm nowhere near the front end swap stage of my build but had been parts searching regularly b/c I'd rather collect parts when a convenient or opportune deal comes along, which this was, than wait until I'm at that particular stage. These things arrived this morning and will likely be complimented by a few parts from Cognitomoto.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Those will work nicely wth the 550 frame.

[MTRD3]

Interesting topic I'd love to hear some of your thoughts on: What do you guys do to visualize or materialize your design thoughts?

I've got a number of my design cues and fabricating ideas for the frame, seat, etc. in my mind but wish I could see them and go back and forth with different ideas in draft form. Unfortunately I lack the necessary talent with a pencil to sketch anything even close to half decent and wondered what, if anything, some of you guys, who have a few builds behind you, do. I started looking into CAD tutorials, particularly stumbling upon something called Solidworks, but boy am I a long way off from figuring out how to use any design software effectively lol.

T.I.A.

[calj737]

SolidWorks is not for a DIY'er. Its a professional level 3D solid modeling and assembly program. Great if you know it or use it professionally, but way over most people.

Foam, balsa wood, cardboard, pvc are all realistic materials for mocking things up. Doesn't matter for "ideas" so long as you make it fit before spending time or money on "finished metal".

[mrfish2]

Just my 2 cents on SolidWorks: I'm a senior in college and have had 2 previous classes in SolidWorks. It's a great way to model different parts and play around with, but calj737 is right about it being way over people's head that have never seen it before. If you really want to learn more about it I highly suggest taking a class on it.

There are also far more simpler 3D modeling software's out there, such as Google Sketchup, that are free downloads and very user friendly, but then again you'd probably have more luck using foam/cardboard such as what calj737 suggested.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I use old school sketching.  At the inception, I use a grey (not black) printed version of the stock bike -- and print a bunch of them and start hand-drawing over to get an idea of the design aesthetic based on possible parts ideas.  It's just a way to get the creative juices flowing to get some direction.  I try doing rough sketches and cut-and-paste mock-ups as the design evolves.