Author Topic: New project for a first timer CB550 build - Slowly getting back to it!  (Read 141690 times)

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Offline illrational

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Re: New project for a first timer CB550 build
« Reply #75 on: September 19, 2011, 11:49:00 AM »
first off, looking good! I checked the racetec site because im considering getting new springs and i saw a emulator kit and a spring kit. Does the spring come with the emulator for 170?

Offline bambuhiphop

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Re: New project for a first timer CB550 build
« Reply #76 on: June 23, 2013, 09:51:48 PM »
Well hello again everyone. I have been away for a year and 9 months. Had a lot of good things go down in life that took attention away from the bike. I bought a house, got married, new job, and had a kid!

So, now after a good break it is time to get this bike done. I started re-researching everything about a month ago and at the moment the plan is to have it on the road for next season (still a lot to do).

Some plans have changed and others are just picking up where they left off. i have had to fix some stuff that broke as well. few updates to share right now and i hope to have refular ones again as i move forward. On to the build!
75' CB550K -- Still in pieces but it rolls again!!!!

Offline bambuhiphop

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Re: New project for a first timer CB550 build
« Reply #77 on: June 23, 2013, 09:54:36 PM »
So first up is I got the engine on a stand finally!

Garage is a little messy but that is being cleaned as we speak.

« Last Edit: August 12, 2015, 10:02:03 PM by bambuhiphop »
75' CB550K -- Still in pieces but it rolls again!!!!

Offline bambuhiphop

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Re: New project for a first timer CB550 build
« Reply #78 on: June 23, 2013, 10:01:04 PM »
I took the hubs to a local Honda shop back in 2011 to have the retainers removed so I could put the new bearings in. Well they didn't know about the stakes in them. Needless to say both the retainers and threads on the hubs were nearly destroyed  >:(

So, recently I picked up a 1.0 tap for the rear and a 1.5 for the front. These pics are as far down as I could get the retainers before I started. I have new retainers on the way and have worked on the hub threads a bit and made some food progress on threading the old ones down more. Once the new ones get here I will finish up the repairs and then off to the machine shop to be anodized.


« Last Edit: August 12, 2015, 10:02:53 PM by bambuhiphop »
75' CB550K -- Still in pieces but it rolls again!!!!

Offline bambuhiphop

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Re: New project for a first timer CB550 build
« Reply #79 on: June 23, 2013, 10:10:15 PM »
What was never part of my original plans back when was an engine rebuild. I was going to go as is for awhile and rebuild later. Well, it's later now so I am starting into the engine. Just by the little I have gleamed in the start of this I can safely say I was nuts to think the original plan would have worked! (As you will see) Most everything else with the bike I understand and I'm cool with but the engine will be a new adventure and I am looking forward to it.

Most of the tappets came off with no issues. One rounded a little but I got it off. This last one is resisting something fierce and is soaking in PB Blaster as we speak.



The Breather looks to be ok


Head Cover and Rockers have wear but I don't think it is to bad


Same for the Cam (so far)


« Last Edit: August 12, 2015, 10:04:13 PM by bambuhiphop »
75' CB550K -- Still in pieces but it rolls again!!!!

Offline bambuhiphop

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Re: New project for a first timer CB550 build
« Reply #80 on: June 23, 2013, 10:13:12 PM »
In taking the left side apart I found some real goodies. I think it is safe to say water was involved in this  :o

The Rotor (needs to be blasted obviously)


The Stator and Coil (not sure what to do here just yet)

« Last Edit: August 12, 2015, 10:05:03 PM by bambuhiphop »
75' CB550K -- Still in pieces but it rolls again!!!!

Offline Gman

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Re: New project for a first timer CB550 build
« Reply #81 on: June 24, 2013, 12:03:20 AM »
Bhop,
Congrats on all the good things that delayed the build and it's good to see you back at it.  It does look like a good thing you started to dig into the motor - there's some nastiness in that stator.   :(  However, if you do half as well on the motor as the rest of the bike, you'll be in great shape.  Good luck!

Cheers,
G
'76 CB550K
Stock airbox, MotoGPWerks 4-1, HondaMan ignition, Lesters

Offline MoMo

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Re: New project for a first timer CB550 build
« Reply #82 on: June 24, 2013, 03:17:34 AM »
Welcome back and congrats on all the positive life events...Larry

Offline bambuhiphop

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Re: New project for a first timer CB550 build
« Reply #83 on: June 24, 2013, 09:59:08 PM »
Was able to get out into the garage for 45 minutes this evening. I am waiting on some parts at the moment so I continued taking the motor down.

Got the starter motor out


Left side broken down a little more


Took the cover off the points. They look decent


Then I started working on the head. All the bolts came off without a hitch! Very glad for that. Gave the head a slight pry and popped right off! Overall not to bad. Quite a bit of build up but a good base to move forward on I think.





From here I got the cylinder portion out. Basically came right off. Caught a little at the end but also not to bad I think.



And a shot of the pistons. Some nice carbon on top but mostly smooth. Only one has its rings locked up. Flashed a light into the bottom half and liked what I see down there so I thin, knock on wood, that this is the worst.

« Last Edit: August 12, 2015, 10:06:54 PM by bambuhiphop »
75' CB550K -- Still in pieces but it rolls again!!!!

Offline RAFster122s

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Re: New project for a first timer CB550 build
« Reply #84 on: June 25, 2013, 11:24:03 AM »
Glad it wasn't a mess further inside. The chain are for sprocket looks good. I feared the bike had sat in water with rotor like that.  Probably not a bad idea to replace the stator. How do you determine if the rotor is good?
David- back in the desert SW!

Offline bambuhiphop

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Re: New project for a first timer CB550 build
« Reply #85 on: June 26, 2013, 09:03:35 AM »
Not sure how to determine but my understanding at the moment is a good blasting and it is good to go.
75' CB550K -- Still in pieces but it rolls again!!!!

Offline trephoto

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Re: New project for a first timer CB550 build
« Reply #86 on: June 26, 2013, 01:48:14 PM »
great build. subscribed.

Offline bambuhiphop

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Re: New project for a first timer CB550 build
« Reply #87 on: June 26, 2013, 09:39:59 PM »
One Tappet is still giving me grief. Top nut is totally sheerd  >:( gonna pick up a left handed bolt, pinch it with a nut a hopefully that will pop it.

Just so I felt like I got something accomplished tonight I took the clutch cover off. I had hit each screw with PB but all but one still resisted. Used a pair of vice grips and gave a quarter turn to loosen them and then finished backing them out with the screwdriver.

Happy with how the clutch looks. I see nothing wrong with it. Still going to replace with new clutch kit but pretty happy with its current state  8) overall the bottom half is looking really good. Looks like it will just need a refresh and I can concentrate on the top end!

Other items in motion at the moment
- Tank is at the painters getting some prep done.
- Seat is getting trimmed and cleaned up.
- New hub retainers should be here tomorrow.
- Swing arm should get in the mail this weekend out to Hondaman
- From brake disc is out being cleaned up and cross drilled


« Last Edit: August 12, 2015, 10:07:57 PM by bambuhiphop »
75' CB550K -- Still in pieces but it rolls again!!!!

Offline SF

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Re: New project for a first timer CB550 build
« Reply #88 on: June 27, 2013, 06:18:56 AM »
what clutch kit you going with?
92 wr250 sold
98 zx6r sold
04 zx10r
73 cb350 twin
75 cb550f
75 cb550f
72 r5c
rgid springer bobber project

Offline bambuhiphop

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Re: New project for a first timer CB550 build
« Reply #89 on: June 27, 2013, 08:50:31 AM »
what clutch kit you going with?

Mulling between the EBC clutch kit and springs from Dime City or ponying up for the Barnett extra plate Kit from Dynoman. Originally I was just going to go with the EBC but I seem to be leaning towards hopping the bike up a bit more than planned so I am starting to think the Barnett would be a good idea. Not sure yet though.
75' CB550K -- Still in pieces but it rolls again!!!!

Offline SF

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Re: New project for a first timer CB550 build
« Reply #90 on: June 27, 2013, 10:56:53 AM »
Im looking at Barnett because of the extra ponys. great start btw
92 wr250 sold
98 zx6r sold
04 zx10r
73 cb350 twin
75 cb550f
75 cb550f
72 r5c
rgid springer bobber project

Offline bambuhiphop

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Re: New project for a first timer CB550 build
« Reply #91 on: June 27, 2013, 09:25:03 PM »
New retainers came in the mail today. They are the beez neez  ;D ;D

Rear threaded perfectly :)

Front needs a little more work on the hub side threads but I should be able get that buttoned soon. These were totally worth the dollars! Really glad I got em. Especially the rear one. Can't even tell its a reproduction.



« Last Edit: August 12, 2015, 10:08:50 PM by bambuhiphop »
75' CB550K -- Still in pieces but it rolls again!!!!

Offline bambuhiphop

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Re: New project for a first timer CB550 build
« Reply #92 on: June 28, 2013, 10:02:27 AM »
Tank back from prepping. Its all naked and stuff. Only 2 dents. Popped one and the other will just be filled. Good looking tank overall. Going to clean out and reseal here soon and then it will be ready for primer and paint.

Also got my seat back but I want to make sure my idea can be done before I share it  ;)

« Last Edit: August 12, 2015, 10:09:12 PM by bambuhiphop »
75' CB550K -- Still in pieces but it rolls again!!!!

Offline bambuhiphop

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Re: New project for a first timer CB550 build
« Reply #93 on: July 01, 2013, 07:01:12 PM »
Mini update of work I didn't do  ???

Got my disc back from being drilled today. Big shout out to Scottly. The disc turned out great. I wasn't in the best shape to begin with but this thing is going to look sweet! I highly recommend him for anyone looking to have a disc drilled. As soon as my swingarm comes back in a few weeks the disc will head out in the last batch of stuff to be powder coated.

Haven't been able to really work on the bike this last week. We have been over 105 the last 5 days making my garage like 120 or so. Just stupid hot! Been doing some polishing on a few parts and little odds and ends to keep the ball rolling.

As soon as it cools down I can get back to breaking the engine down as well as some other items.

« Last Edit: August 12, 2015, 10:09:37 PM by bambuhiphop »
75' CB550K -- Still in pieces but it rolls again!!!!

Offline scottly

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Re: New project for a first timer CB550 build
« Reply #94 on: July 02, 2013, 08:27:29 PM »
Make sure the person doing the powder coating masks off the back side of the rotor hub where it mounts to the wheel hub, as well as the inside diameter. Any build-up of coating in those areas may affect the fitment of the rotor.
Thanks for the shout out! 8)
Don't fix it if it ain't broke!
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Offline bambuhiphop

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Re: New project for a first timer CB550 build
« Reply #95 on: July 02, 2013, 08:42:59 PM »
Thanks for the heads up Scottly!
75' CB550K -- Still in pieces but it rolls again!!!!

Offline bambuhiphop

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Re: New project for a first timer CB550 build
« Reply #96 on: July 05, 2013, 03:27:37 PM »
New 17T sprocket for the 520 conversion!

« Last Edit: August 12, 2015, 10:09:59 PM by bambuhiphop »
75' CB550K -- Still in pieces but it rolls again!!!!

Offline bambuhiphop

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Re: New project for a first timer CB550 build
« Reply #97 on: July 10, 2013, 07:46:27 PM »
Picked up a bolt and some washers and got the speedo test fitted on the triple. Going to go with this for now. I think it will fit in nice with the headlight and balance with the brake master on the other side.

« Last Edit: August 12, 2015, 10:10:27 PM by bambuhiphop »
75' CB550K -- Still in pieces but it rolls again!!!!

Offline bambuhiphop

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Re: New project for a first timer CB550 build
« Reply #98 on: July 13, 2013, 07:58:20 PM »
So I just got this transferred into my name about a month ago from my wife's grandfather. Have had it for about 6 months. He bought it new in 1962. I did some work on it to stop some deterioration and it now has a comfy home in the garage. It is drivable in its current form hence a big reason getting back not the bike. When the CB is done then the C10 will get some love!

As for the bike, waiting for some parts at the moment so no real updates. I just like posting cause it keeps me on track. But just wanted to share the truck  8)

« Last Edit: August 12, 2015, 10:10:56 PM by bambuhiphop »
75' CB550K -- Still in pieces but it rolls again!!!!

Offline Bankerdanny

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Re: New project for a first timer CB550 build
« Reply #99 on: July 15, 2013, 02:48:29 PM »
I love old pickups, particularly the late 50's and early 60's versions.
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Current: '76 CB750F. Previous:  '75 CB550F, 2007 Yamaha Vino 125 Scooter, '75 Harley FXE Superglide, '77 GL1000, '77 CB550k, '68 Suzuki K10 80, '68 Yamaha YR2, '69 BMW R69S, '71 Honda SL175, '02 Royal Enfield Bullet 500, '89 Yamaha FJ1200