Topic: 74 cb550 in the frozen tundra....Damn near done!

[Bakeoff]

Since I had the day off, I got a bit done.  Too bad that even with ac in the garage, it was still 80 and humid...  I'm a ball of sweat after 2 hours.  But after a bit of finagling I got the front brakes all worked out and the gauges are now fully mounted.  Some creative drilling and swapping of hardware got them lined up like I assumed they would from the get go.  lol

[Stev-o]

Gauges look great! 

Ah, Brainard. Didn't know they they had a road racing track, better known to me for drag racing.

[Bakeoff]

I went on a spending spree today...

CBR F3 clutch lever to match the F2 brake lever and master cylinder.



But I didn't think that would do...so, dumb as it was to pay for a clutch lever perch and replace the lever right away, I had to have these.



I also ran across these and couldn't say no for $10 shipped from China.



And I'm working on sourcing some CBR switches and I needed a throttle tube for the RR, so I bought two, knowing I'd get the switches at some point.  Anywho...that's about it for now.  If I get my lazy ass out to the garage tonight, I'll have more pics or recent progress.

[Bakeoff]

Just ordered brake lines!  My roommate said I should go through Tehna-fit since he's a retailer for them, but I couldn't find what I needed for sizing, so I gave them a call.  They referred me to their sister shop, Fluid Transfer Products.  They do most of Tehna-Fit's motorcycle orders.  Michael runs the place and was really knowledgeable.  After two calls, some measurements, and a credit card, I have both lines on the way for $65 plus shipping.  I'm going straight from the master cylinder, down to each caliper.  Black lines, silver fittings. Not bad considering every other shop wanted at least $90 for the same setup, not including the fittings this guy included.  Hell yes! He said they would ship out tomorrow!  I'll let you know how they turn out, but if anyone wants the number, its 317-892-4850.

[Bakeoff]

Since my wiring was so #$%*ed, I was looking for other options.  Aladinsane07 offered up a parts bike for $200.  Two of my buddies and I went and picked it up today.  The wiring looks perfect, at least in the fuse box, where I need it, so she came home with us. A 76 cb550.  This should take care of a few other needs as well, so I'm stoked! 

The bad: seized engine, seized rear brake, broken parts, rusted out pipes, etc. 
The good: it has everything I need, and I can part it out for a profit.

[Bakeoff]

Progress without pictures.

Tonight I swapped the kick starter over from the parts bike and installed the shifter arm.  I also got the tail light and license plate lights soldered in and loomed.  The new fuse block is in.  I got the wiring harness on the frame.  Horn is in.  I also played around with some of the gauge wiring...  I think that's it.

[Aladinsane07]

Good meeting you guys the other day. Glad to see that bike is coming in handy already!

[Lostboy Steve]

Sweet!

[Bakeoff]

Good meeting you guys the other day. Glad to see that bike is coming in handy already!

Yeah, really nice to meet you, man!  Did you ever pull the tank off that thing?  It looked really decent, but....I'll just take pictures of the holes.  You're going to laugh at how deceptive that old hunk of steel was!  Oh, and I got the rear brake freed up enough to roll it without much issue.  The drum is just full of corrosion.  I've affectionately been calling it a magnificent pile of f***.  lol 

Once I get the real project finished, we'll have to go riding.

[Bunicula]

So I'm curious if you have given any thought to the wiring for the new gauges? Mine should be here on Friday and I have been wondering if I'll need to do anything diff due to the LED dummies in the speedo.. You plan on using any sort of resistor or anything?

[Bakeoff]

I was playing around with it the other day.  If you're getting the same speedo I have....keep in mind the speedo is all 12v LED and the tach is a normal bulb.  White light and the natural amber glow of a clear bulb...  I'm not the happiest about that, but I'm looking for options to throw an LED in the tach.

As for the dummie lights; they're all 12v LEDs.  No worries about resistors.  The weird thing is, each dummy light has its own ground.  Durrr, why not use a common ground for each circuit within the gauge?  Someone designed that like an idiot.  So, I'll be correcting that within the headlight bucket.  No biggie. 

And I might as well give a small update.  I worked on carbs all night...  Disassembling, painting, reassembling, losing parts, stealing parts from the parts bike, polishing bowls, etc.  Nothing to show for it.  But in a few days I should have shots of a very nice looking set of carbs. 

[Aladinsane07]

Good meeting you guys the other day. Glad to see that bike is coming in handy already!

Yeah, really nice to meet you, man!  Did you ever pull the tank off that thing?  It looked really decent, but....I'll just take pictures of the holes.  You're going to laugh at how deceptive that old hunk of steel was!  Oh, and I got the rear brake freed up enough to roll it without much issue.  The drum is just full of corrosion.  I've affectionately been calling it a magnificent pile of f***.  lol 

Once I get the real project finished, we'll have to go riding.

Dude, that's awful.  I never did pull the tank off.  I feel bad now 

Looking forward to you finishing the project and going for a ride 

[Bakeoff]

Dude, that's awful.  I never did pull the tank off.  I feel bad now 

Looking forward to you finishing the project and going for a ride 

Evan, don't even worry about it!  The wiring was damn near perfect.  I literally hosed it down, swapped one part over that was different, and then put the fuse block on the bike.  I was looking at $70 for that part alone.  The few other salvageable parts should make up the difference.  Plus, I still want to put ATF down the cylinders to see if I can free up the motor.  There's hope for her yet!

[bluesmoke69]

Nice work on the bike.

[dagersh]

Plus, I still want to put ATF down the cylinders to see if I can free up the motor.

Bake,

Try mixing the ATF with Acetone, this mix is supposed to free stuff up pretty good.

Gersh

[Bakeoff]

Plus, I still want to put ATF down the cylinders to see if I can free up the motor.

Bake,

Try mixing the ATF with Acetone, this mix is supposed to free stuff up pretty good.

Gersh

I suppose, I have both...  Thanks for the reminder!

[Jon]

As for the dummie lights; they're all 12v LEDs.  No worries about resistors.  The weird thing is, each dummy light has its own ground.  Durrr, why not use a common ground for each circuit within the gauge?

LEDs will only work with the current running in the correct direction, Honda system is switched on earth for neutral & oil pressure lights so they will need to be hooked to common power & earth to switch, high beam & turn will need to be common earthed & hooked to power from their respective circuits.

If only 1 turn warning light you will have to put diodes on power feed wire so that it flashes for both but allows turn lights to work properly.


Cheers
jon

[Bakeoff]

The turn signal indicator, I'm fine as I'm using the stock wiring harness that already has one light for both signals.  The others I was unaware of.  Thanks!

[Bakeoff]

Between polishing and paint, the carbs are almost done...




I'm carbed out!  lol

[Stev-o]

Nice work on the carbs!

I "unstuck" the motor on my K7 with ATF/acetone. pour some in the cylinders and let it set a day or two, then rock the bike back and forth in 3rd gear.

Good Luck...

[Aladinsane07]

What kind of paint did you use on the carb bodies?  They came out really nice.

[Bakeoff]

Nice work on the carbs!

I "unstuck" the motor on my K7 with ATF/acetone. pour some in the cylinders and let it set a day or two, then rock the bike back and forth in 3rd gear.

Good Luck...

That was the plan! 

What kind of paint did you use on the carb bodies?  They came out really nice.

Its just Duplicolor...I want to say semi gloss or low gloss...  I mixed up which one I was using, so some of my parts are one.  Some are the other. Oops!

[sangyo soichiro]

Looking really nice so far.  I can't wait to see it done.   

[Bankerdanny]

Since my wiring was so #$%*ed, I was looking for other options.  Aladinsane07 offered up a parts bike for $200.  Two of my buddies and I went and picked it up today.  The wiring looks perfect, at least in the fuse box, where I need it, so she came home with us. A 76 cb550.  This should take care of a few other needs as well, so I'm stoked! 

The bad: seized engine, seized rear brake, broken parts, rusted out pipes, etc. 
The good: it has everything I need, and I can part it out for a profit.

I like the little pile of rust under it. Kind of the motorcycle equivalent of Mater.

[Bakeoff]

My favorite Asian told me I needed to update pics.  So, here she is.





As you can see, the headlight is still puking wiring and the rear shock has the lower link disconnected since my buddy, Jeff, will be making bushings for me to fit them correctly.  The Dyna ignition is installed along with the coils, but I still have to cut the spark plug wires and install them.  The front brake lines worked out great.  I still need to paint the lever perch, so that's coming back off before final install.  Same with the clutch lever perch.  A ton of wiring needs to be done.  Seat.  And I'm still waiting on the new levers and grips.  I also have the wiring all figured out for the SV650 switches and need to wire those up.  Then fluids (oil and brake fluid).  There are a handful of other little things, but I'm hoping to test fire her by the end of the week.  Thanks to Jeff and Harry for the help this weekend.