Topic: 77 CB550F Upgrade Project "Tighten Up" First Bike and Build

[Sledgehammer]

I havent purchased new bars yet so I am definitely interested in this outcome 

[Michael Wilson]

Since there have been a few questions about the bars...these are the ones I picked up. http://www.fastfromthepast.com/servlet/the-725/Clip-dsh-on-Low-Rise-Handlebars/Detail

I don't have any pictures of them installed just yet (I forgot to bring my camera to the garage this weekend.) But they look awesome.

I finished my front and back brakes. Reinstalled the rear wheel and chain. Closed up the crankcase and reattached the shifter and brake levers.

I am ready to move on to the electrical system. I am thinking of replacing the old battery with a Lithium Ion batter and building a little box for the battery and fuses to live under my seat, thus cleaning up the aesthetic of the bike a little more. No more side panels. No more bulky heavy batter. Anyone have any experience in this department?

[chronic_rider_550]

those are some killer clip-ons. I dig them a lot man. I imagine they look just drop dead gorgeous on your bike. I'm excited to see the updated pictures of it.

[Sledgehammer]

Since there have been a few questions about the bars...these are the ones I picked up. http://www.fastfromthepast.com/servlet/the-725/Clip-dsh-on-Low-Rise-Handlebars/Detail

I don't have any pictures of them installed just yet (I forgot to bring my camera to the garage this weekend.) But they look awesome.

I finished my front and back brakes. Reinstalled the rear wheel and chain. Closed up the crankcase and reattached the shifter and brake levers.

I am ready to move on to the electrical system. I am thinking of replacing the old battery with a Lithium Ion batter and building a little box for the battery and fuses to live under my seat, thus cleaning up the aesthetic of the bike a little more. No more side panels. No more bulky heavy batter. Anyone have any experience in this department?

ffj bought a battery from shorai that is real small, it was a LFX14A2 BS12 i believe.

http://www.shoraipower.com/p-152-lfx14a2-bs12.aspx

hope you don´t mind ffj i used you as a reference

[CafeDawg]

Hey like the progress on the bike and your willingness to go for it and do it yourself.  Looks like you got shocks but I noticed in your thread you we're looking.  I've got some off my 78F3.  There in good/serviceable shape, I went with shorter ones to lower the bike and let me reach flat footed. Let me know if your interested.
Respect
C

[Stev-o]

Do a little research on the battery before you buy, some are not compatable with these charging systems (there's a thread on here where one exploded!)

Bike looks great!!

[Michael Wilson]

As is the case with so many of these projects, I ran out of money and time. I am trying my darndest to get back to it. I moved to a new, better garage with some really talented bike builders. In the process I lost my keys. Does anyone know how to get duplicate keys made? I could buy a new ignition, but I wouldn't be able to unlock my seat or tank. In the meantime, I picked up a Ballastic battery (http://www.amazon.com/BALLISTIC-PERFORMANCE-LITHIUM-MOTORCYCLE-BATTERY/dp/B005KLOYO2/ref=pd_sim_sbs_auto_8). It is very small and very cool. I did my research and I found that this battery should work fine. Once I figure out where all my electronics will go I can start rewiring. Looking for some new controls and a new master cylinder too.

Its good to be thinking about this again after WAY too long. I hope to post some interesting stuff in the very near future.

[Nortstudio]

Hey!  Glad to see you are getting back to the bike. I've been MIA on my 550 (and this forum as well) for a while. Nice surprise to have this update in the email this morning.

Where did you end up with work space?  Are you still in the neighborhood?  It's amazing how many cool builds are happening within this Williamsburg/Brooklyn  community.

I'm not sure that you can get a key made from the VIN, you might be needing a new ignition, unfortunately.

You should stop by the garage sometime. Some really cool people, and stuffed with too many bikes!

Congratulations on getting back to the rebuild. I'm sure you'll have it squared away by riding season.

[Sheik Yerbouti]

Is this bike a tribute to Archie Bell and the Drells?

Archie Bell & The Drells - Tighten up (1968)

[Tews19]

I think if you take of the ignition housing there is a serial number or code stamped on them. Bring it to a locksmith and they can look up the code. A locksmith may also be able to drill out a part and the internals will slip out and they can rekey it for you.

[wedoo2]

I think if you take of the ignition housing there is a serial number or code stamped on them. Bring it to a locksmith and they can look up the code. A locksmith may also be able to drill out a part and the internals will slip out and they can rekey it for you.

Agree with Tews19.  Took mine to the locksmith and he matched things up with no problem.  $23,  had a couple extras made.  I'm going to chop off my rear fender as well and I was wondering what you plan on using for a brake light.  One early pic shows what I thought was the light, but that was gone in a later pic.

[seanbarney41]

also try Honda dealership, the dealership in my area can get a new key from the code on the cylinder...they even had used keys in stock...apparently there was not a huge number of different keys used by Honda in the '70's

[Scott S]

Anyways, I've got no fingernails left and I truly hope I put it all back together properly. Especially the cam shaft. The Haynes manual was a bit confusing about how the notch in the cam shaft and the cylinder head plane should line up. The picture in the book has the notch to the right and the knobs on the cam shaft in the upward position. However, when I lined up the notch to the right, the knobs where in the downward position.

So I decided to line the notch up on the other side so the knobs where in the correct position. Does that seam right?



PS thats at TDC on pistons 1 and 4.

I am going to need to find out about that for sure otherwise my timing will be off and thats the whole reason I opened my engine in the first place. Otherwise, everything else went smoothly.

Here are some photos of what I mean.

The two diagrams I was consulting:





How I decided to set it up.

 I would REALLY want to find out if this was done correctly before firing up the engine. I'm especially curious since I'll be doing the same work on my CB550 soon. I think I'll line it up at TDC on 1 and 4 and take some pics before I remove it so I can compare it to the manuals.
 At the very least, if yours is wrong it will run like crap (if at all). Worse case: destruction ensues.