Author Topic: Sweep The Floor Bike #4: The Hippy Bike (Read 8421 times)

Scott S · « **on:** March 15, 2020, 02:00:18 PM »

Been sitting on and collecting these parts for at least two or three years. I guess it's time to start putting it together.
The frame is a 1973 CB500 that I picked up somewhere and got a title for. I've painted it, re-greased the swing arm and steering bearings and it's awaiting the engine. The shocks are an unknown brand that I've used a few times before. They're an eBay find and they perform surprisingly well. I cleaned them up and detailed them, too. Don't worry, there will be a certain amount of patina to this bike, as I'm going back to the true roots of "sweep the floor" and using parts that I have on hand.

Scott S · « **Reply #1 on:** March 15, 2020, 02:03:13 PM »

The forks are from my '73 CB500 "Glutton for Punishment" bike (the one that got the R6 fork swap).
Here's what they looked like before:

And here's after a full rebuild, including new seals and oil and polishing the lowers (new fork boots not shown).

Scott S · « **Reply #2 on:** March 15, 2020, 02:06:55 PM »

Cleaned up the top triple. Installed new LED bulbs and routed the wires through a set of CB400F bars. The controls are also from the old '73. Grips are new and will go along with the bodywork.

Scott S · « **Reply #3 on:** March 15, 2020, 02:13:58 PM »

The engine was a freebie. It's a 1978 CB550, so it has the upgraded rocker cover.

Did some cleaning and painted it up.

The head had two broken exhaust studs and a very bad attempt at repair.

But, luckily, I had a good head that came in some parts that CalJ dropped off. I started taking it apart to clean and lap the valves and was pleasantly surprised to find out that it had already been rebuilt, new stem seals and all.

I just cleaned it up and painted it.

Scott S · « **Reply #4 on:** March 15, 2020, 02:16:25 PM »

Pulled the head off today and I think someone has been inside this engine, too. The cam gear bolts were replaced, the gasket seemed new and had some gasket spray on it (not dry) and the pistons had almost no carbon on them.
I'm gonna take a chance and just replace the head, O-rings, pucks and head gasket. I'll put a new gasket in the valve cover and I'll pull the sump to check things out, too.

Scott S · « **Reply #5 on:** March 15, 2020, 02:19:19 PM »

Why Hippy Bike, you ask?
Well, I found this killer OG paint tank on eBay a year or so ago. I had my painter friend touch up a couple of spots, buff it out and clear coat it. But the paint scheme is the real deal old-skool '70's.

There's hand drawn pin striping and some lace work, along with the scales, etc.

Scott S · « **Reply #6 on:** March 15, 2020, 02:21:35 PM »

I needed side covers to match, so I pulled these out of the stash....

... and gave them to Tom E., a local guy who's the real deal. I told him to make them match the tank and this is what he gave me back.

Scott S · « **Reply #7 on:** March 15, 2020, 02:28:19 PM »

Here are the side covers, in storage with new emblems and a set of rebuilt carbs that I had Rick at OldskoolCarbs do probably 3 or 4 years ago. They've been in that drawer ever since.

I also had Tom E. do something special with the headlight bucket.

Scott S · « **Reply #8 on:** March 15, 2020, 02:30:15 PM »

Got a real nice seat from Texavina. Brown with dual gold stitching.

The side covers aren't in the right position, but you get the idea.

Scott S · « **Reply #9 on:** March 15, 2020, 02:34:06 PM »

As soon as I get the head installed, I'll slap on some polished side covers that chewbacca5000 did for me way back in 2018 (has anyone heard from him lately, BTW?).
Once the engine is back together I'll lower the frame down over it (my new fave method of engine installation) and get the rest of the suspension under it. Wheels from the stash, tires already purchased.

Greaser Greg · « **Reply #10 on:** March 15, 2020, 07:52:35 PM »

Dang, that's nice!
Do you mind posting a link for the shocks?

Scott S · « **Reply #11 on:** March 16, 2020, 03:17:25 AM »

Quote from: Greaser Greg on March 15, 2020, 07:52:35 PM

Dang, that's nice!
Do you mind posting a link for the shocks?

You just have to surf eBay. They don't sell them new anymore and I just keep an eye out for when they pop up. From my research, they are Pro-Lift P Series shocks that were once sold by Dennis Kirk. You can tell by the dual springs, with the upper spring being chrome and the lower spring being gold.

flatlander · « **Reply #12 on:** March 16, 2020, 05:55:11 AM »

i'm not sure i like the way this thing is going... swipe the floor - i'd expect something a bit more mis-matched and grungey

Stev-o · « **Reply #13 on:** March 16, 2020, 06:54:11 AM »

Subscribed..nice work Scott! Need to get an engine stand like you have there...

Scott S · « **Reply #14 on:** March 16, 2020, 08:43:07 AM »

Quote from: Stev-o on March 16, 2020, 06:54:11 AM

Subscribed..nice work Scott! Need to get an engine stand like you have there...

Just a regular old engine stand and some scrap angle iron I cut and drilled to mount up motorcycle engines. I use the stock engine bolts and some scrap washers and stuff to make them fit.
You can spin it 360. Helpful when pulling the sump, etc.

newday777 · « **Reply #15 on:** March 16, 2020, 08:55:11 AM »

Nice results for 'sweepin the floor' up.....

I have a tank that needs some touch up at some point on a 70s desert southwest paint tank and sidecovers....

MauiK3 · « **Reply #16 on:** March 16, 2020, 09:17:25 AM »

Wow, great project.

Scott S · « **Reply #17 on:** March 16, 2020, 10:33:16 AM »

Quote from: newday777 on March 16, 2020, 08:55:11 AM

Nice results for 'sweepin the floor' up.....

I have a tank that needs some touch up at some point on a 70s desert southwest paint tank and sidecovers....

Find a GOOD painter who knows what they're doing. Vintage paints and modern paints don't always play well together. My guy told me he was 95% sure he could work with mine, but couldn't guarantee that if wouldn't ruin it. I got lucky.
It just had one fingernail wide spot that was wanting to peel at the edge and a couple of chips. He fixed it, buffed it and clear coated it.

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #18 on:** March 16, 2020, 03:33:03 PM »

Wow!

First of all, hats off to Cal. That guy is chock full of good parts and good will.

The paint on that tank is so 70's cool. I love the fish scales. And your painted did an amazing job of matching the sidecovers.

RAFster122s · « **Reply #19 on:** March 16, 2020, 07:04:37 PM »

Gee Scott, another beauty.

AMD500 · « **Reply #20 on:** March 18, 2020, 11:30:59 AM »

Great build. can't wait to see this progress. Your painter is impressive

Scott S · « **Reply #21 on:** March 22, 2020, 12:51:17 PM »

It's a little overcast today, so the pics aren't the best. I got the rebuilt head swapped. I also replaced the cam chain tensioner (didn't like how the other one moved), pulled and cleaned the sump, installed some guts in the polished clutch and stator covers and adjusted the valves.

Stev-o · « **Reply #22 on:** March 23, 2020, 12:19:38 PM »

Looks great Scott, especially like the polished, aftermarket covers

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #23 on:** March 23, 2020, 01:17:49 PM »

Great period, finned covers.

Scott S · « **Reply #24 on:** March 23, 2020, 03:52:35 PM »

Got the wheels cleaned up. These wheels came in a parts haul from years ago. I paid $150 for an entire pickup load of CB550 parts. I've used some of those parts on two other builds and sold at least $200 worth of parts. I guess you can say I got my money's worth!
The wheels aren't perfect but are very nice and original DID rims. I checked the bearings and they all feel good, so I just stripped off some over spray and polished up the hoops.
I also polished up the backing plate. In true "sweep the floor" fashion, I used some old, genuine Honda brake shoes that I removed to upgrade to EBC shoes on a different build.
Total cost for everything in this pic: zero dollars and about four hours of elbow grease.

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Author Topic: Sweep The Floor Bike #4: The Hippy Bike (Read 8421 times)