Author Topic: Sunrise CB550F cafe (Read 6095 times)

Godffery · « **Reply #25 on:** December 15, 2025, 02:34:46 PM »

Quote from: BenelliSEI on December 15, 2025, 01:39:30 PM

Why not just eliminate it entirely?

I suspect that is so the starter cover can still be installed to cover the hole...?

MisterKnife · « **Reply #26 on:** December 15, 2025, 09:32:58 PM »

Exact, otherwise there is a hole there. I’m also planning on altering this adapter so it holds an gps tracker

Godffery · « **Reply #27 on:** December 16, 2025, 07:25:39 AM »

Quote from: MisterKnife on December 15, 2025, 09:32:58 PM

Exact, otherwise there is a hole there. I’m also planning on altering this adapter so it holds an gps tracker

Hey, That's Another Groovy Idea!

MisterKnife · « **Reply #28 on:** December 16, 2025, 09:30:54 AM »

Probably need to make a plastic cover so it's not a farraday cage.

Update:
Got my cylinder head back on... god that was kind of a pain to do...

Godffery · « **Reply #29 on:** December 16, 2025, 02:12:07 PM »

Quote from: MisterKnife on December 16, 2025, 09:30:54 AM

Probably need to make a plastic cover so it's not a farraday cage.
Ah good point. I had installed a GPS linked Speedo, and it required direct line of sight to the sky.

MisterKnife · « **Reply #30 on:** December 19, 2025, 01:14:37 AM »

Small steps.
- NOS 650 cam and NOS rockers installed.
- Tappets adjusted and ignition timing corrected.
- Carbs on and connected.

So Ive use permatex assembly lube to lube everything up. Hondaman suggested non-detergent oil with zink ( or add zddp ) to break in the NOS cam. My local shop says with the permatex and the belray 10w40 it should be good.

I'm just not sure what exactly to buy to get this running as good as possible. Like brand/ product.

Can I use belray 10w40 and add a zink additive? if so which one? I'm a bit out of my depth on this one.

I'm in europe

seanbarney41 · « **Reply #31 on:** December 19, 2025, 07:37:59 PM »

anything will do...just make sure oil is actually getting to the cam. Car guys with flat tappet cams and their break in horror stories are not relevant here as these do not have rotating lifters that need to establish the correct wear pattern immediately. Just as soon as you get oil pressure, take a peek behind a valve inspection cap and confirm there is plenty of whatever oil you end up using.

MisterKnife · « **Reply #32 on:** December 19, 2025, 11:34:27 PM »

Quote from: seanbarney41 on December 19, 2025, 07:37:59 PM

anything will do...just make sure oil is actually getting to the cam. Car guys with flat tappet cams and their break in horror stories are not relevant here as these do not have rotating lifters that need to establish the correct wear pattern immediately. Just as soon as you get oil pressure, take a peek behind a valve inspection cap and confirm there is plenty of whatever oil you end up using.

thanks, that's what I wanted to hear!

BenelliSEI · « **Reply #33 on:** December 20, 2025, 06:59:45 AM »

I usually do an oil change pretty soon after a successful start up and very few miles. Gets out any crap you may have “loosened up” and allows you to check deep in the paper folds of the oil filter and make sure all is well. Save yourself a few bucks and just use Shell Rotella for that….. save the expensive oil for later.

Godffery · « **Reply #34 on:** December 20, 2025, 08:42:56 AM »

I'm also a fan of Shell Rotella. It's non-detergent and compatible with wet Clutch system (no fancy slip additives)

To help prim the oil system, I assemble the Pump slathered in oil, fill the filter as much as possible before installing, put about 1/2 a quart of the oil in from the intake valve inspection caps, then crank the motor over with the spark plugs out till flow is visible up top.

BTW; if you have updated the Oil Filter with a modern spin-on, it'll help with the prefill trick.
Here is an example of one from Ken at Cycle X : https://www.cyclexchange.net/Oil%20System%20Comp%20Page.htm (about half way down the page)

HondaMan · « **Reply #35 on:** December 20, 2025, 11:03:50 AM »

I also use the Shell Rotella 15w40 Diesel-rated oil for 350F/400F/500/550 and Honda's twins as the startup oil. It doesn't have detergents and won't foam. I also use it in those smaller Fours under my care when it is Spring or Fall here, as the air temperatures stay below 77 degrees (F) for the most part, and it is 'real' oil, protecting the parts from rust better than some synthetics will in the coming winter.

I also add the ZDDP after the break-in oil is changed. This appears to make the oil last longer, too, which may be due to some modern oils being better than they used to be in the 1970s. For example, I now run the Bel-Ray EXL Mineral 20w50 in my 750 (with 2 ounces added ZDDP Plus) for 2000 miles, twice what I did in the last century. The bike is still happy, all the way to that end.

Stev-o · « **Reply #36 on:** December 22, 2025, 08:47:02 AM »

Quote from: Godffery on December 20, 2025, 08:42:56 AM

I'm also a fan of Shell Rotella.

+1... plus they sell it at Home Depot and Amazon, very convenient.

Kelly E · « **Reply #37 on:** December 24, 2025, 03:49:41 PM »

We use Shell Rotella T4 15w/40 in 10 of our bikes with zero issues. Sometimes it's on sale at the co-op feed store in 5 gallon buckets. Paul likes to run synthetic in the 05' Fatboy and the 90' Moto Guzzi 1000 Le Mans.

Hinksy · « **Reply #38 on:** December 24, 2025, 04:30:16 PM »

Got recommended this by an engine builder down under

MauiK3 · « **Reply #39 on:** December 25, 2025, 07:13:24 AM »

Cerakote, pretty cool, have not seen that used this way.

MisterKnife · « **Reply #40 on:** December 31, 2025, 05:34:11 AM »

Alright. got it running. Had my pump primed and all and I think I got like oil up in like 10-20sec.

After running for a bit I did notice that one of the galleyplug had a hole in it... must have happend during sandblasting before the cerakote. drained the oil and replaced the plug... had some extra from my donor block that I also had painted.

Did already notice that the oil is pretty opague already, so I rinsed it with some new oil.

Hooked up my AF probe and idle is running very rich. 10-10.5. was expected as the CR26 came with some 72 pilot jets ( ordered now some 60s )

BenelliSEI · « **Reply #41 on:** December 31, 2025, 08:25:16 AM »

Nice work. Looks good!

MisterKnife · « **Reply #42 on:** January 21, 2026, 08:10:18 AM »

Made a nice little tool with AI

https://keihin.kle.ist/ shows the relative fuel delivery with the different jets needles etc. handy for tuning.

MisterKnife · « **Reply #43 on:** January 22, 2026, 01:02:27 AM »

Got my fueltank back from the company who rewelded a thread in there so I can get a pingel in there for the clearence. And they added also a super nice liner.

Filled some dents with 2k filler and now it's time for another primer coat.

Then base coat YR26 and a clear coat

MisterKnife · « **Reply #44 on:** January 23, 2026, 09:32:48 AM »

Just one more pass....

MisterKnife · « **Reply #45 on:** January 24, 2026, 03:54:13 AM »

Good enough.

MauiK3 · « **Reply #46 on:** January 24, 2026, 07:48:58 AM »

Great progress!

Mark1976 · « **Reply #47 on:** January 24, 2026, 08:16:44 AM »

Quote from: MisterKnife on January 24, 2026, 03:54:13 AM

Good enough.

You'll find out once ya shoot some color onto it...

MisterKnife · « **Reply #48 on:** January 27, 2026, 07:38:36 AM »

Put 4 layers on and it looked great. just a couple micro solvent pops. was a bit to cold. sanded it with 1200 and tomorrow final layer and clear..

MisterKnife · « **Reply #49 on:** January 28, 2026, 06:18:47 AM »

Got the clear on there. the wait game begins.

Little bit of orange peel so will cut and polish it in a month or so.

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Author Topic: Sunrise CB550F cafe (Read 6095 times)