Author Topic: Reviving Shenanigans CB550 Cafe: Phase longest build possible? (Read 48499 times)

Shenanigans · « **on:** October 26, 2009, 12:35:13 PM »

I tried to start on this bike a while back but other bikes, life and a lack of workspace got in the way. Now I have the workspace and almost all the parts.

As I got it, The finished bike, then how it stands now, ready for round 2.

After I built the bike I then promptly ran the bike into the ground, see: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=41994.0

And my new workspace.

More to come soon...

j-conn · « **Reply #1 on:** October 26, 2009, 01:02:40 PM »

Cant WAIT!

moham · « **Reply #2 on:** October 26, 2009, 01:05:02 PM »

Dude, those pistons look janky! Better get to it, always fun to set up a new space...

Shenanigans · « **Reply #3 on:** October 26, 2009, 06:23:26 PM »

I picked up this parts bike for the motor. Got the motor out, cleaned and painted it. Its just waiting to go back in my bike. Ports look awfully smooth compared to my other 550 head. Maybe I got lucky. Intake valves have a bit of grime on them, anyway to clean them with the motor assembled? Took the pan off and everything looks ok, oil pump screen was pretty clean. The sprocket that came on the parts bike was, uh, WELL used.

Shenanigans · « **Reply #4 on:** October 26, 2009, 09:08:25 PM »

Got a set of clip-ons, headlight ears and the Cycle-x fork boots that attached directly to the fork. Since I have clip-ons I am working on grinding down the handle bar mounts on the triple tree.

bzr · « **Reply #5 on:** October 26, 2009, 10:54:06 PM »

So you back home in AZ, huh?

Shenanigans · « **Reply #6 on:** October 28, 2009, 01:06:12 PM »

Quote from: bzr on October 26, 2009, 10:54:06 PM

So you back home in AZ, huh?

Yup, been for a while.

How did everything on this bike get so filthy? Bike is down to the frame. I got the bearing retainters? in the neck out. Got my old wiring harness off. I will probably just make a new one when the time comes, less work than cleaning my old one. I am going to have a buddy reweld all my #$%*ty welds and add a steering damper mount, Which is why I am leaving my oil cooler on so I can make sure it clears. Right now I am looking for a place to either nickle plate or powder coat my frame. Anyone know of a good shop in AZ?

Sam Green Racing · « **Reply #7 on:** October 28, 2009, 03:39:12 PM »

I like how every other tooth has been removed from the gearbox sprocket, that's taking lightening to the extreme.

Sam.

Shenanigans · « **Reply #8 on:** November 03, 2009, 12:41:22 PM »

Looking into powder coating and found the guy that did a bunch of stuff for my friends bike. 75 bucks for the frame

around 100 for the frame, triple tree and swing arm. All the work on my buddies bike is very good, so we shall see...

The top of my fork tubes are a bit dirty and I cant get this crud off. Its not rust and its not pitted. Its some sort of gunk. I have tried steel wool, brake cleaner and CLR. Any one got any tips? Last picture is of where the steering damper is going to go, I am going to have to drop the oil cooler down a bit since there is not enough room to mount it between the tank and cooler. Welds should be done in the next few days.

bzr · « **Reply #9 on:** November 04, 2009, 10:56:39 PM »

Quote from: Shenanigans on November 03, 2009, 12:41:22 PM

Looking into powder coating and found the guy that did a bunch of stuff for my friends bike. 75 bucks for the frame around 100 for the frame, triple tree and swing arm. All the work on my buddies bike is very good, so we shall see...

Damn, that's a much better deal than what I got: 240 for the frame, swingarm, center stand, and brake stop arm. And hey, you could always rattle can it...

noahspop · « **Reply #10 on:** November 06, 2009, 03:01:34 PM »

i posted this the other day, but i doubt it's still there.
i kinda like the price my self.
http://fresno.craigslist.org/mcy/1451079068.html

Shenanigans · « **Reply #11 on:** November 08, 2009, 07:05:11 PM »

Links dead, what was it?

I walked out today and saw the area of the fork tube I had try to clean with CLR had a dark rust (?) like coating. I think from the CLR. I hit it with some really rough emery cloth and it all came off. It scratched up the fork tube but I dont really care as it is too far up to wear on the fork seals. Found a place that has the 8 x 110 HT bolts so I go to pick them up tomorrow. Dug out my extra 550 caliper, disk and hanger so a dual disk conversion is set for tomorrow...

noahspop · « **Reply #12 on:** November 09, 2009, 09:34:38 AM »

huh?
works for me.
here ya go:

Honda cb550 in good running condition has some rust through spots on the muffler asking 650$ firm I owe 130$ at the DMV for the tag.... I will take 500$ firm if u want to take care of the DMV fees... Has rebuilt carbs new front tire

c91x · « **Reply #13 on:** November 09, 2009, 09:00:58 PM »

where at in arizona are ya

BeSeeingYou · « **Reply #14 on:** November 09, 2009, 09:23:10 PM »

Quote from: Shenanigans on November 08, 2009, 07:05:11 PM

Links dead, what was it?

I walked out today and saw the area of the fork tube I had try to clean with CLR had a dark rust (?) like coating. I think from the CLR. I hit it with some really rough emery cloth and it all came off. It scratched up the fork tube but I dont really care as it is too far up to wear on the fork seals. Found a place that has the 8 x 110 HT bolts so I go to pick them up tomorrow. Dug out my extra 550 caliper, disk and hanger so a dual disk conversion is set for tomorrow...

Anytime you use an acid like CLR rinse it with baking soda and water to neutralize it and it won't flash rust. Just water does not do the trick.

Shenanigans · « **Reply #15 on:** November 09, 2009, 11:12:17 PM »

Did not get to much done today as I had a buddies bike over because it was running rough. Air leaks in the boots and a main jet in the bowl. He is pretty much over the bike and wants to sell it. Anyone want a 1976 CB550K in good shape with stock pipes?

I figured the rust was something like that. I worked on the forks some more today and the tint is STILL not gone.

That 550 you linked is a pretty dang good deal. Too bad its so far.

Im in Tempe.

BeSeeingYou · « **Reply #16 on:** November 10, 2009, 10:15:09 AM »

Try the CLR again and then do the rinse. I think the acid leaves a residue that only the rinse will remove so even sanding or rubbing it is not effective.

Shenanigans · « **Reply #17 on:** November 11, 2009, 12:12:56 PM »

Not another dual disk question.

Modifying the speedo plate is no big deal, per instruction on this site. But I dont get what the two tabs do to keep it from spinning. I see some people have slotted the disk and those slots would hold the speedo plate on via the tabs, but how does that work if you dont slot the disk itself? Are there supposed to be slots in my hub?

Shenanigans · « **Reply #18 on:** November 12, 2009, 10:31:21 PM »

Guess I will find out one way or the other.

Got the other caliper on and had a shot at modifying the speedo plate. Still have to take off some of the tabs to make it sit flush.

Fork oil was nasty, cant get the seals off so I will buy a seal puller.

And MCRider, I am stealing your photo update format.

Shenanigans · « **Reply #19 on:** November 14, 2009, 04:46:17 PM »

New question, I got the first fork tube out with no problem. However the second tube will not pull out. I cracked loose the hex bolt at the bottom of the fork leg but all it does now is spin. It wont come out and I cant pull the tube or the bolt out. When I look down the top of the tube and unscrew the hex bolt I can see the "oil lock tube"? spin. What am I doing wrong?

BeSeeingYou · « **Reply #20 on:** November 15, 2009, 04:23:14 PM »

Is there a bolt head that you can see down inside the tube? I don't know the particulars of your bike but I had a similar issue with my 75 XS650. It had a bolt head on the fork damper deep inside that nothing would fit so I made a tool using the one I had out. If that's the case check my thread in the "other bikes" section for making the tool. It's cheap and easy. Otherwise I have heard talk of sticking a broom stick down there to try and stop the damper from spinning. I am sure someone has a trick for that particular bike. The nice thing about having a proper tool even homemade is that you need to hold it from spinning when you put it back together too.

Shenanigans · « **Reply #21 on:** November 15, 2009, 06:04:06 PM »

Quote from: srust58 on November 15, 2009, 04:23:14 PM

Is there a bolt head that you can see down inside the tube? I don't know the particulars of your bike but I had a similar issue with my 75 XS650. It had a bolt head on the fork damper deep inside that nothing would fit so I made a tool using the one I had out. If that's the case check my thread in the "other bikes" section for making the tool. It's cheap and easy. Otherwise I have heard talk of sticking a broom stick down there to try and stop the damper from spinning. I am sure someone has a trick for that particular bike. The nice thing about having a proper tool even homemade is that you need to hold it from spinning when you put it back together too.

I think the correct way was to loosen the bolt before taking the spring and fork cap off. I got it off by just holding the spring against it in the tube. I have a set of after market seals and they look inferior to the Honda set. I would not be surprised if I have to replace them again within the year.

I have the seals in and the front end is pretty much done. The only problem is that one of my cycle-x fork boots ripped, for some reason that boot seemed to be poorly made. The other one was fine but some of the corner of the one were starting to separate? Anyone got one of the cycle-X fork boots laying around?

Until I get my frame back all I can really do is clean up all the other parts. He needs to hurry!

onesickrace · « **Reply #22 on:** November 16, 2009, 02:36:32 PM »

Powdertech‎ 901 W 1st Ave # 3, Mesa, AZ‎ - (480) 964-6787‎

Sporkfly · « **Reply #23 on:** November 16, 2009, 02:47:07 PM »

I suppose you'll be using that supersport exhaust?

You just beat that engine to hell on your little tour, yeah?

Shenanigans · « **Reply #24 on:** November 16, 2009, 04:24:17 PM »

Thanks lee, I will head over there when I get a chance. see you friday. As far as the exhaust goes, I am still leaning towards the stock pipes, they are so damn cool. I am keeping the super sport header just to see... I wish I could gut the stock 550 pipes and put in my own baffles tho... rear sets will be harder to make but how can you not love the stock pipes.

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Author Topic: Reviving Shenanigans CB550 Cafe: Phase longest build possible? (Read 48499 times)

onesickrace