Author Topic: Assembling my '74 CB550 - Putting it all back together (Read 147054 times)

Greggo · « **Reply #75 on:** November 13, 2011, 11:55:41 AM »

Talk to Shaun with Slingshot Cycles (a forum member) about that brake hose. He gives a discount to other members (15% I think), and he does custom sizes for little or no charge. I got stock rubber replacement hoses for my 750 for $40 shipped.

SohRon · « **Reply #76 on:** November 13, 2011, 01:15:45 PM »

Thanks for the tip; I'll give him a try. Hard to believe what they want for some of this stuff, these days.

Stev-o · « **Reply #77 on:** November 14, 2011, 07:34:36 PM »

Hey Ron....thanks for the update on the lack of an update! Totally understand how real life gets in the way of these project bikes, if not, I'd have 3 running CB's.
Have a wonderful Holiday, we'll be here waiting for your next update no matter how long.

JimM68 · « **Reply #78 on:** January 01, 2012, 03:18:45 PM »

Ron, I took me four days to read and absorbe every word and picture of this fantastic build.
It is giving me a roadmap as I embark on my cb750 stock resto.

One thing I'm wondering, you make often reference to a previous thread that is gone...
Also, while the assembly tips are obviously what this thread is about, where can I find out "how these assemblies got to be so gorgeous?"

SohRon · « **Reply #79 on:** January 07, 2012, 01:25:11 PM »

Ron, I took me four days to read and absorbe every word and picture of this fantastic build.
It is giving me a roadmap as I embark on my cb750 stock resto.

One thing I'm wondering, you make often reference to a previous thread that is gone...
Also, while the assembly tips are obviously what this thread is about, where can I find out "how these assemblies got to be so gorgeous?"

Jim, first of all, I apologize for not responding earlier... I don't often get a chance to peruse the threads, so there's sometimes quite a while between times I log on. Secondly, welcome to the site and thanks for the kind words (4 days? Man, you gotta get out more!). I started this project long before I found SOHC/4, and did most of the restoration work without taking any photos, so there are not many before and after shots of the bike available. When I started this build I had no idea that I would eventually get this involved... and although my goal all along has been to get that "new" bike I've been looking for for years, documentation just wasn't a priority. I regret that, now.

The original thread was set up pretty much the same as the current project; that is, it was strictly assembly steps as opposed to any real restoration procedures (that's the name of the thread; "Assembling My '74 CB550"). It had major problems, and somehow a couple of sections rather mysteriously disappeared. Instead of going to all the work it would have taken to correct and restore it, and due to the fact that that particular build was no longer valid (I rejected the frame) I just abandoned it and started afresh. Besides. I've deleted all the pics. Portions of it still exist in the "Tricks & Tips' section in the electrical and exhaust daughter boards. I mention it occasionally in deference to those who participated in it and may be following this new thread.

Cheffish · « **Reply #80 on:** January 07, 2012, 05:49:00 PM »

I've been following this for a while now. Just wanted to say thanks! Your pictures and words are very helpful and extremely detailed. This is truly a ground up restoration, I wish I could see it in person someday.

Nortstudio · « **Reply #81 on:** January 07, 2012, 05:52:47 PM »

Maybe we will get to see it next year during the Rally? If there was ever a bike that Godzilla should ride on, this would certainly be it!

Great words and photos. Much appreciated by those of us that strive to have the patience to do things right..... I'm still trying

SohRon · « **Reply #82 on:** January 07, 2012, 09:35:24 PM »

This is truly a ground up restoration

Well, there was certainly plenty of ground on those carbs, that's for sure

Maybe we will get to see it next year during the Rally?

Now, that would be good but, knowing myself, I would put it in the realm of a miracle

Thanks for the comments, guys. Appreciate it.

JimM68 · « **Reply #83 on:** January 08, 2012, 05:38:35 AM »

Thanks Ron, great stuff, and I sure do appreciate the "how to make it shiny again tips!"

I've been a fan of por15 for a long long time, but wasn't aware chassis black came in spray cans now, and never heard of black cote. Time to go shopping.

On the master and caliper (as well as the handlebar switches) these were all originally black anodized. That finish seems unique, particularly as it ages. Is this process available to the home restorer? I've seen DIY kits, do they work?

What about zinc and/or cad plating? The brake rod, stay, da metal peice that holds the centerstand spring, buncha other things, and most hardware were originally zinc plated and shiny, and are now no longer shiny but kinda gray.
I'd normally just lay em on a wire wheel to take the gray off, then polish them up a bit, but that shine doesn't last.
Again, seen DIY kits, Eastwood has one for $79 that looks cheesy, Caswell plating has lots of DIY stuff that does not look cheesy. Anyone ever take the time to do this, or just shoot some silver paint on the brake stay and call it good?

Stev-o · « **Reply #84 on:** January 08, 2012, 11:02:27 AM »

Another good installment, Ron. Very inspiring, thanks.

SohRon · « **Reply #85 on:** January 08, 2012, 11:27:25 AM »

Another good installment, Ron. Very inspiring, thanks.

Thanks, Stev-o. Good to hear from you!

Jim, one nice thing about this site is that it contains a lot of knowledge, and the search function is your friend!

As far as re-zincking your parts (or cad plating... very dangerous... you go first), a lot of people do that either themselves or send it in to a professional plater. Here are a couple of links just to get you started. Some are a little old, but I believe what they have to say is still pertinent. Each contains links to other sites that cover this subject as well:

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=43239.0

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=43265.0

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=94313.0

Another thing is that Honda still sells quite a few of the nuts and bolts as they've been used for many other applications over the years. The prices are actually pretty reasonable and you've got new zinc-plated fasteners for your bike; in addition (if it's important to you), they all carry the "8" grade mark on the top. All of the fasteners for the electrical panel a couple of pics up are new from BikeBandit. Just FYi.

And the ebay "Box-o-Bolts" auctions can get you some pretty good deals if you're patient.

Anodizing is something else folks around here do occasionally, but after reading up on how difficult is is to get an acceptable finish I decided to give it a pass. If I were creating a show bike or something it might be worth it; in which case I'd probably turn to a professional anodizing shop to do the work rather than fiddling around with the acid and what-not that's involved in the process. Lots of people do it and are relatively successful at it, it just doesn't interest me.

Here are a couple of threads that are pretty informative:

This thread from Mycb750k6, in particular, covers the process very well
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=75004.0

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=23772.msg243971#msg243971

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=56656.0

I don't have a problem with paint, and the Chassis Coat comes in pretty close to original finish, so I'm satisfied. Another good paint is Rustoleum Painter's Touch 2X Semi-gloss. The nice thing about paint is that it's fairly easy to fix if it gets damaged; just strip it down and try again.

Good luck, and thanks for participating!

lucky · « **Reply #86 on:** January 08, 2012, 12:01:15 PM »

Quote from: SohRon on April 02, 2011, 01:11:45 AM

I bought a new ball bearing steering set from David Silver Spares (yes, they are still available), which actually turned out to be more expensive than the tapered bearing kit. The ball bearing "kit" consists of top and bottom inner and outer races, a new rubber dust seal and steel washer, and 37 steel balls; that is to say, thirty-seven individual 3X5 plastic baggies, each containing one small steel ball

Anything from David Silver or the UK is going to be expensive.
I buy in the USA, and USA products when possible.

Post edited for space and clarity

lucky · « **Reply #87 on:** January 08, 2012, 12:06:15 PM »

Much of the corrosion is when copper is near or in contact with steel.
That is more than a 30pt. difference on the galvanic scale. A bad combo.

JimM68 · « **Reply #88 on:** January 08, 2012, 06:53:58 PM »

I have searched til I'm blue in the face, and done a lot of reading.

Gotta get me some of that por15 spray cans, test it out.

I've used the rustuleom stuff, it looks nice, but it really don't hold up. My test is laquer thinner. It will wipe about anything in a spray can right off. Now por15, it wob't touch por15. It won't touch the catylized base coat clear coat I sprayed on my Camaro either...

Thanks Ron!

orange550 · « **Reply #89 on:** February 08, 2012, 08:53:16 AM »

Did you paint the parts with the 415 rust preventative first?

I talked to the POR 15 rep in Canada and he said I should do this first... but maybe that's just the corporate line...

dagersh · « **Reply #90 on:** February 08, 2012, 12:57:31 PM »

Ron,

Your work, photography and narrative are superb!

Gersh

SohRon · « **Reply #91 on:** February 10, 2012, 11:56:15 AM »

Did you paint the parts with the 415 rust preventative first?

No, I just sandblasted and painted. POR-15 and its related menage act as rust-preventatives anyway; I've been using it for quite a while with consistantly excellent results. Some suggest sanding the metal after blasting to cut down on the "tooth" (air/moisture has the potential to get trapped under the paint), but I've never found that to be a problem; it may have more to do with how aggressive the blasting medium is than just sandblasting alone.

Of course, I live at right around 5000 feet in what some consider to be the high desert, so that could have some bearing on it, I suppose...

Your work, photography and narrative are superb!

Thanks, dagersh! It's always nice to have your work appreciated.

sixthwisconsin · « **Reply #92 on:** February 10, 2012, 04:57:16 PM »

That Canon Powershot SX110 IS does a nice job!
You go out of your way to set up your shots and it really helps make a really nice experience here.
Thanks!

Great build btw...

SohRon · « **Reply #93 on:** February 11, 2012, 08:02:51 PM »

That Canon Powershot SX110 IS does a nice job!
You go out of your way to set up your shots and it really helps make a really nice experience here.
Thanks!

Great build btw...

I've since picked up the SX130 IS, which is 14 megapixels rather than nine. In fact, I've been going back and forth between the two cameras lately; it's hard to say which I like the most. And the Powershot SX150 IS is now available, I see...

Of course my wife thinks six cameras are four or five too many, so it may be a while before I can ~~sneak~~ purchase another one.

Thanks for your kind comments and I'm glad you're enjoying the thread!

Cvalero · « **Reply #94 on:** April 22, 2012, 07:33:46 AM »

Just want to let you know how much I appreciate this thread. I am in the process of my first restoration project and this has become my new clymer, Haynes, and Honda shop manual all rolled into one. As luck would have it I have a 1974 cb550. I'm still in the tear down phase but your meticulous documentation will be even more appreciated when I start putting it back together. Right now I'm trying to remove those pesky swing arm bushings, and though I've searched the site I have yet to achieve success. There is just no easy way. Going to try grinding a washer flat on two sides next so hopefully that does it. I just wanted to show some appreciation for the awesome work you're doing.

SohRon · « **Reply #95 on:** April 22, 2012, 09:26:13 AM »

Thanks for the encouragement and good luck with your project, Cvalero (which, I assume, will be appearing soon on the projects forum?? With lots of pics, of course!

).

I used a steel pipe to remove my bushings. I just kept tapping back and forth from side to side and they eventually worked their way out. It's worked for me on three swingarms, but I may have just lucked out; I know some are rustier than others. It's possible to use a hacksaw blade to cut the bushing apart, but I'd only use that as a last resort. Here's a fairly detailed discussion I found using the search function (use the "Google Custom Search" box): http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=86931.0

Even though I haven't posted yet, there's been a lot going on behind the curtain; and I hope to get some new material up in the next couple of weeks, so stay tuned!

OneWheelDrive · « **Reply #96 on:** April 22, 2012, 11:01:44 AM »

Subscribed! Some great input in this thread!

Ecosse · « **Reply #97 on:** May 23, 2012, 12:03:10 PM »

Quote from: dagersh on February 08, 2012, 12:57:31 PM

Ron,

Your work, photography and narrative are superb!

you said it!

because of this, and that his and my bike are the same model/year it may be the single greatest inspiration for me on this forum.

way to heap on the pressure, huh?

fishslayeryo · « **Reply #98 on:** May 23, 2012, 12:17:11 PM »

Very nice work Ron, agree with these gents, work and photography is top shelf!

SohRon · « **Reply #99 on:** May 23, 2012, 12:26:31 PM »

Thanks, guys! I can always use some encouragement! Should be posting soon!

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Author Topic: Assembling my '74 CB550 - Putting it all back together (Read 147054 times)

orange550