Topic: 1977 CB550 K cafe racer build

[Ryan 550k]

Is that good....or bad?

~Joe

Uhm.....I think it's good.  Maybe I'm wrong though.

[traveler]

If you're uncomfortable with the color, you can get them powder coated silver for a reasonable price.
here it's $25 a wheel, but stuff is cheap out here.

they also do a chrome powder coat that looks like polished aluminum.
EXAMPLES:

Yeah, that stuff is really badass looking.....we have 2 powdercoaters here, both are industrial shops.....they don't do chrome powdercoating....has to be basic stuff....no taping off, etc.  I'm jsut going to go with what I have for now.

Wouldn't mind having my Mustang wheels chrome powdered though......

~Joe

[Zaipai]

Are you going to have them powder coat your frame at some point, do they even do that? We have a place around here that would do it but I could not afford it. When I take the motor out for rebuild I plan to have it done then..

.: Scott :.

[traveler]

oh yeah....they did my last bike build, a Sportster rigid bobber.  Cost 200 bucks, and it was gloss black....smooth as glass.  They just don't do any taping off, etc.  If they powder it, everything gets a coat of powder.  So....if they did my wheels, the lip...everything would be under a thick coat of powder.

As it is.....the engine enamel on the spokes is perfect for me.  Cost effective, and does the job.

As of now.....I can't see ever stripping the bike down......I'll just paint and detail the frame as needed.  I can make it look great, without the headache of a full on teardown and rebuild.

Basically, I'm burned out!

Time to finish her up and take a break....go do some riding in the sun.  Perferrably CB and Harley.....but it may be just Harley....This old CB is being difficult about wanting to actually run again.

~Joe

[Zaipai]

I understand.. Also these old gals require a lot of attention however once running correctly they need almost nothing but gas, oil and a shine once and a while.. Take a brake and enjoy the sun, the CB will be there when you get back. As for me I don't have another bike so I have to forge ahead or rent a bike.. so.. I have to keep plugging away..

.: Scott :.

[Feyden]

Hey, so what purpose exactly are you planning for all your toggle switches to serve? I kinda like this idea...

[Joel]

...canned air.  This air gets COLD because of the Psi defferential between outside temp. and the air inside the can!...

Actually, the can gets cold because of the phase change of the liquid inside.  After some of the "air" is expelled from the can after use, some of the liquid evaporates until a pressure equilibrium is reached again.

[traveler]

All I know is the can still has plenty of air inside of it.....but it ain't coming out strong like it did when I first started using it.

The three toggles are 1.Start (momentary switch, push up to engage starter)2. Lights (gauges and headlight) (on/off) 3. High low beam headlight (high-off-low)

One 30A fuse on the starter switch.

That's it!

they all work perfectly!

~Joe

[theofam]

Joe, I came across a very cool bob/chop CB750 riding the highway into Las Vegas on my Laughlin ride last week.  He had a toggle like yours under the seat for his left/right blinker.  At first, it looked like he was running a jockey shift, then I saw the blinker pop on.  I think I read earlier you're not big on blinkers, but this guy's way would keep the switch off your bars (though you'd want it on the left side of the bike so you can keep the throttle pegged while you're using your indicators)!  Just a thought.

Turns out the guy doesn't do time here on sohc4.net - he's over at hondachopper.com - a cool site I didn't know about until I spoke with him at a stoplight.

[traveler]

I have customized blinkers on my Harley...no blinkers on the CB.

~Joe

[traveler]

My rear Lester mag, it turns out, has a 750 hub setup, but my 550 brake plate will work.  I cross referenced part numbers, and all is good.  The cush drive side is 750 specific, yet the wheel is the same width as a 550 wheel, and the axle diameter is the same.  So, I was forced to get a sprocket that would fit.  Since the gearing is completely different, I went through Sprocket Specialists, and ordered an aluminum 37 tooth sprocket.  Well, it arrived today, and here are a couple pics of it.





I also finished up the removal tool I had to make to go ahead and remove the bearing nut on the cush drive. I'll post pics of it later.

Anyway, just a quick update.
 

~Joe

[Zaipai]

That will be killer on the bike with the rest of the stuff..

.: Scott :.

[traveler]

Thanks.  I sure hope so.

~Joe

[shane]

Look what came in the mail today!



4 filters, 35mm in length, bought them from c2c online.

~Joe

do you have a link for where you bought these?

[traveler]

c2c online.  Do a google search.  Remember, they have to be the 35mm ones to clear the 550 frame.

~Joe

[Little_Horse]

I found a few of those emgo's on ebay too. I just searched emgo 35mm and found them.

[shane]

c2c online.  Do a google search.  Remember, they have to be the 35mm ones to clear the 550 frame.

~Joe

No Luck. Googled c2c online and a UK train service comes up.

[Little_Horse]

Here http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-UNIVERSAL-CLAMP-REUSABLE-AIR-FILTER-35MM-CHROME-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem4a9b28a17aQQitemZ320430711162QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

[shane]

thanks, I was able to find the filters, i was just more curious about this c2c online place. Do they carry lots of parts for vintage hondas.


Excuse my newbie-ness

[Zaipai]

thanks, I was able to find the filters, i was just more curious about this c2c online place. Do they carry lots of parts for vintage hondas.


Excuse my newbie-ness

Here you go shane.. I have purchased Air filters, shocks and a lot of other things from this place. Fast shipping and good customer service and and good prices for the most part.

http://www.crc2onlinecatalog.com/

.: Scott :.

[traveler]

Tomorrow I get to dive in again.......I'm going to try and get the front mag on, and investigate the fuel/petcock issue.  I ordered a clear K&N inline fuel filter, and I'm pulling the filter on the petcock off......I am suspecting that is the cause of the problem.

Then I have to clean my other bike.

~joe

[traveler]

Well, I had a fairly productive day today.

I started by pulling the front wheel off, and took it to town to have my new All Balls bearings installed, and install my new tire.  Things went well....but we found that some mods were necessary.  To get the speedo pickup to work, we had to notch 2 flat sides in the mag wheel, and forgo the chrome "beauty ring".  No worries, as we got it to look nice. 






While there I had the cush drive bearing swapped out, using the custom tool I fabbed.  Eric at the shop was BARELY able to get the nut off, and that's with using the air gun!  Nevertheless, he power washed it all for me, and re-installed the nut with anti-sieze.  I will have to tape off the bearing when I clean up the cush drive.





Here are some install pics of everything.













I also installed my air filters (pods).  I love all the extra room it freed up.  Cafe Racers are all about minimalism, and this just added to that!







Now, the rear wheel is next, along with more carb fiddling, to get the bike to run.  After that, i'll have just some touch ups, and the bike will be done.

~Joe

[Zaipai]

Dang that looks spectacular.. Awesome work.. I am drooling.. Can't wait to see the rear rim on it. I can just about picture it. You must be happy that its all most done!

.: Scott :.

[FrankenFrankenstuff]

how about one of these to finish it off?

[traveler]

I looked on eBay for these points covers....no luck.

I might be interested.  Depends on what options are available.

~Joe