Recent content by sweet_baby_james

I know, the bike will only run as designed if I use a stock airbox. However, the PO dumped the airbox and rejetted for pods so I figure I'll run with it for the time being. The old pods are Uni filters but on the 550 they are a little long and hit the frame which annoys me incredibly from and...

For the entire motor, how many 12oz cans should I expect to use? its a cb550.

good to know. maybe duplicolor is the way to go then?

I'm painting silver, as close to stock colour as possible. Except the block, that will be black. The aluminium is oxidized in places so leaving it bare wouldn't be a great look. Anyone have paint codes for colours that are close to stock?

Scruffy, what solvent are you using?

I have all my motor cases and covers back from being soda blasted (didnt want to take the risk with glass or sand blasting) and am now ready to start painting. Since the soda blasting doesnt leave a keyed surface I assume that I will have to etch the surface? I've done research on the forums...

I have all my motor cases and covers back from being soda blasted (didnt want to take the risk with glass or sand blasting) and am now ready to start painting. Since the soda blasting doesnt leave a keyed surface I assume that I will have to etch the surface? I've done research on the forums...

Great, thanks for the input. Would it be ok to blast the piston and valves to remove carbon deposits? And is anyone familiar with dry ice blasting?

I have an air compressor and a soda blasting kit that I use at home for cleaning up small components, carb parts etc. Whilst it is very effective, it is a little messy and I don't think I have the capacity to do large components such as the crankcase, block cylinder head etc. So I am going to...

I have a 78 cb550k which has a donor tank (without petcock) from a 76 cb550k. From the research I have done it seems that the stock petcock for the 76 has two outlet that feeds the carbs in two place. However, the 78 feeds the PD46C carbs in only one place (i believe) and hence has only one...

Thanks for the response. Im not familiar with soda blasting; how diligent do I have to be in cover all tapped holes and threads etc? Is it aggressive enough to damage these? In the case of the block, can soda blasting damage to bores? Since I would most likely be having a paint shop do the...

Good call, there does seem to be a little bulge at the tip. Is it sufficient to clean them up, or should they be replaced once I get them out?

Hi guys, I'm at the final stages of preparing all the engines parts of my 78 CB550k for soda blasting, so I am removing the valves. After battling with the valve spring compressor I finally have all the valve springs off. The exhaust valves all came out with no problem at all, however the...

Hi guys, I have all but finished stripping down my 78 cb550k motor (due to a broken came chain guide) and I am wondering what the best way to have all the paint stripped off the motor. The previous owner rattle canned it black but I would like to bring it back to the stock bare aluminum. The...

Hi guys, I have all but finished stripping down my 78 cb550k motor (due to a broken came chain guide) and I am wondering what the best way to have all the paint stripped off the motor. The previous owner rattle canned it black but I would like to bring it back to the stock bare aluminum. The...