77 CB550 cafe racer just painted... watcha think?

[swapdip]

So I just finished the cosmetics on my cafe racer (first time painting a bike), still need to tinker with the jetting but its almost complete.

What do you guys think about the seat? I really like the thin look when it comes to cafe seats, so that painted seat just has a strip of vinyl for cushion, looks pretty slick I think but not at all comfortable.

Anyways here's the process, skip to 13:17 if you just want to see the finished product: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIpgWlBR-hA

 

[Bert Jan]

Looks cool! Was wondering why you chose not to detach the fuel-cap-hinge-thing with the lock and the 2 6mm nuts?

 

[swapdip]

I dunno really, I thought about it, and then just didnt

 

[gr650tempted]

im diggin that push button...nice touch! Paint looks awesome as well

 

[wleonard]

Looks good. The paint is nice and clean. As for the seat I feel bad for yer balls but it sure looks slick. ;D

 

[javialquim]

Looks great and great tutorial...!

Last time a tried painting something myself I had to have a friend sandblast and repaint!

 

[swapdip]

Thanks guys, there were some things I would do differently next time for sure, but I think for a first shot at painting it turned out pretty good. Now I need to get the jetting sorted out, its a 77 cb550 with single exhaust and pod filters, I was running 100 mains and the needle in the middle position, still kinda boggy and low on power from what I would like. Today I am going to drop the needle one click and see how that does, does anyone have a similar setup? And how is your bike jetted?

Thanks

 

[MotorbikeBruno]

Whoa, 100 mains! Go up to 105s or 110s for sure. I Had pod filters and the "stock" 4-4 system but it had tons of holes in it at the time, so it was like having an open exhaust really. I used the 110's and noticed a "slight" hesitation when giving it gas, but it pulled super hard to the top of the revs, so I know it wasn't lean and I figured better be fat than lean. I also didn't change needle heights, which could have caused that slight hesitation. OH, and nice bike sir! haha

 

[swapdip]

Whoa, 100 mains! Go up to 105s or 110s for sure. I Had pod filters and the "stock" 4-4 system but it had tons of holes in it at the time, so it was like having an open exhaust really. I used the 110's and noticed a "slight" hesitation when giving it gas, but it pulled super hard to the top of the revs, so I know it wasn't lean and I figured better be fat than lean. I also didn't change needle heights, which could have caused that slight hesitation. OH, and nice bike sir! haha

Well, the bike came with 110's and it was really boggy. I got the advice to use 100's from a fellow on sohc forum, and he said he had great success with needles in the middle. I don't think its lean now because it runs like crap with the choke on, can barely get it to rev up. With the choke off tho it will rev up just fine, only a little underpowered and with a lopey idle, which makes me think it is just a tad rich still.

 

[MotorbikeBruno]

Very interesting. Mine came with 100's! (you sure you didn't buy my bike from me?) haha.

 

[swapdip]

Haha well I dont know what it was stock, but I got it from the guy who put on the pods and we was running 110's, pretty rich. I got an opportunity to work on it today, replaced a couple of the filters which were pretty nasty, and a couple plugs, and now it absolutely screams, idles low and steady. Didnt have to adjust the needles at all. Im pretty happy with it!

 

[MotorbikeBruno]

NICE! Glad to hear it. (it wasn't mine since mine was running awesome when I sold it!! hahah) Very cool man. Enjoy that scoot, as it has been one of my favorites of the 30 or so bikes I've owned and ridden.

 

[QWERTYMage]

Paint looks great. Killer Scheme. Love the player one button. Never seen that before.

 

[Red Devil]

Nice job Brother! looks slick!

 

[Modgod1]

Paint looks great! I just watched your 4 ways for removing a tank dent video, also great stuff! Have you ever tried the fill the tank with water and freeze it method or know of someone who's tried it?

 

[swapdip]

Paint looks great! I just watched your 4 ways for removing a tank dent video, also great stuff! Have you ever tried the fill the tank with water and freeze it method or know of someone who's tried it?

Haha its funny you should mention that, the video was originally 5 ways to pop a dent, unfortunately the tank I tried it on (not the black one in the video) ended up similar to a beer can left in the freezer overnight... exploded. It happened in the span of 15 minutes! One moment I checked and it had not yet popped the dent, next commercial break later it had burst out the seams. So... I didn't recommend that method.

 

[warner6616]

The push button is such a nice touch!!! love it.