Green Hornet CB 550/650 Hybrid #2014 Footage Compilation

[Oette]

Re: CB 550 K Cafe Racer Conversion #Update#

Getting head gaskets for a 600 kit is not as difficult as getting a 600 kit for less than 600 $ here :S... I will need a cylinder/piston rebuild by no later than 2 riding seasons... I'm really undecided in getting a cheap piston kit or spend more than the double amount of money in modified 750's original Honda pistons for a 600cc conversion..

 

[Oette]

Re: CB 550 K Cafe Racer Conversion #Update#

Had my 5th bike driving lesson today and that almost kicked me out of the bike business. Really nice when someone changes onto your lane to overtake in oncoming traffic like he didn't see you.
Made it to the side stripe but it had been a close call!

 

[Bert Jan]

Re: CB 550 K Cafe Racer Conversion #Dangerous driving lessons#

Nice you came out unharmed. Bikes are dangerous.

 

[jwarriner]

Re: CB 550 K Cafe Racer Conversion #Dangerous driving lessons#

I saw a guy in front of me on a CM400 yesterday almost get killed THREE TIMES by aggressive ghetto drivers trying to change lanes into him so they could go 60mph in a 35mph. I hope they all eventually wrap their SUVs around trees and then catch on fire.

 

[Oette]

Re: CB 550 K Cafe Racer Conversion #Dangerous driving lessons#

Nice you came out unharmed. Bikes are dangerous.

... but a part of my life. Dad brought me there, I'll stay there

 

[Oette]

Re: CB 550 K Cafe Racer Conversion #Dangerous driving lessons#

I saw a guy in front of me on a CM400 yesterday almost get killed THREE TIMES by aggressive ghetto drivers trying to change lanes into him so they could go 60mph in a 35mph. I hope they all eventually wrap their SUVs around trees and then catch on fire.

There are people who never think of something they are doing in there lifes. These were official members in such a club like "Oh man, just do it!". What's that strange thing called consequences? Umm...

 

[ScrapMetal]

Re: CB 550 K Cafe Racer Conversion #Dangerous driving lessons#

People can be selfish. Glad you were prepared to allow them their moment

 

[Oette]

Re: CB 550 K Cafe Racer Conversion #Dangerous driving lessons#

People can be selfish. Glad you were prepared to allow them their moment

 

[Oette]

Re: CB 550 K Cafe Racer Conversion #Dangerous driving lessons#

Spend some time today on minor things.

Replaced the sidestand with space for the exhaust and also trimmed the frame with regard to useless brackets I won't use at all.
See yourself!

There she stands waiting for her journey to a glassbeadblasted engine and powdercoat of all necessary parts.
I finally decided to use the boxed swingarm to improve handling and last but not least it's a neat tidbit which got rare over here on classic bikes.

 

[Oette]

Re: CB 550 K Cafe Racer Conversion #prepared for powdercoating

Today I had some thoughts about the brakes of the bike, after talking to another sohc owner.

I read about using the GL 1000's frontend but I focused on doing something with dual caliper CB 750/900 brakes.
After a quick search, I found out that these had also 35mm forks, so it will be a "drop in" fit.
The main problem is, that the rotors have 5 mounting holes in contrast to the 550's 6 holes.
I heard, that some of the Cb 750 rc01 had spoked wheels before Honda introduced the comstar wheels. A hub of one of these bikes would offer me everything needed to mount the well working brakes of the CB 900 on my Cb 550.

What do you think? Any remarks on that topic?

 

[Oette]

Re: CB 550 K Cafe Racer Conversion #Some thoughts about Brakes!

Made a big step forward to ride the bike next season: Today I got my bike driving license! ;D

 

[Oette]

Re: CB 550 K Cafe Racer Conversion #got my driving license!

It's been a long time, but finally the parts made their way back home from powdercoating and glassbeadblasting. They are looking like new ones.

Check the pics out!

The car in the background is a intermediate purchase, my "new" old '99 Audi TT. Was an offer I could not deny and a good investment in driving fun

 

[MatthiasSalzburg]

Re: CB 550 K Cafe Racer Conversion #back from powdercoating/glassbeadblasting

Wow what a great finish on the engine.

 

[Oette]

Re: CB 550 K Cafe Racer Conversion #back from powdercoating/glassbeadblasting

Some pics of the latest progress on the engine:

Stripped and cleaned engine case

Cleaned valves

Cleaned head

Looks better than new, eh?

Lower case assembled

Sealing the cases

After having spend no time for the bike the last weeks, I'm back with a little tidbit. For some reason someone has sent my tacho and speedo into trash.
Since I am not willing to spend much money for new ones I decided to go with the stock tacho.
In my opinion a single instrument in the bike's cockpit is far better looking than two stock ones.

After checking the box with bicycle spares i found an old Sigma Bike Speedo with just the needed functions. I did some research and found out it serves up to 300 km/h.
And here the work of a rainy sunday afternoon begins... a hybrid tachometer/speedometer.

Collecting all the necessary parts, open the tachometer, some 12V LED-light stripe (which actually provides a VERY nice and clear tachometer backlight) and the bicycle speedo.

Disassembled the speedo down to the display and chip. Fits quite well into the tachos lower area.

Assembling chip and display to a useable unit for my tacho. Function test shows, that it is working well.

Next steps are integrating it into the tachos surface and connecting the necessary functions to buttons outside the tachos' case with 3 tacticle switches to access the functions easily.

Moreover I ordered 4 LEDs for the control lights which will be fitted into the upper area of the gauge. Let's see what it is going to look like when it's finished. I'm also planning to restore the tachos' case.

regards

 

[Oette]

Re: CB 550 K Cafe Racer Conversion #Selfmade HYBRID Tachometer/Speedometer

And this is the current state after the last one and a half hour milling and filing to fit the digital speedo into the gauge face...

In my opinion this first result looks brilliant! I am really curious what it will look like when it's completely rebuild and painted.

 

[Tetter]

Re: CB 550 K Cafe Racer Conversion #fitted digital speedo into stock tachometer

Great minds think alike

I was planning the same thing, just thinking of fitting a complete speedo in..... your idea is already 1 step further, I like it.

I was also thinking about adding the oil and neutral light as a small LED in there......


About lighting, here's my CB500 Tacho, had Sonreir on DTT here make me the gauge face, and mounted 2 blue LED,s direct under the faceplate.

and at night

 

[Sonreir]

Re: CB 550 K Cafe Racer Conversion #fitted digital speedo into stock tachometer

That's a cool idea, Oette. I think you may need some decals to make it stand out though.

 

[Rich Ard]

Re: CB 550 K Cafe Racer Conversion #fitted digital speedo into stock tachometer

How will you access the battery for replacement?

 

[Oette]

Re: CB 550 K Cafe Racer Conversion #fitted digital speedo into stock tachometer

The battery will be substituted by a voltage stabilizer (adjustable between 1,2 and 33 Volts) which is permanently connected to the bikes battery. I never need to change the battery then.

And here are the first lighting results. Don't get irritated by the dirty glass and the bright lights in the pictures. The camera catched them much brighter than they really are.

Inner lighting

Upper lighting

An old printer Parallel cable provides enough cords for all the functions of the speedo.

 

[Tetter]

Re: CB 550 K Cafe Racer Conversion #fitted speedo lighting

Makes me think about Gremlins......

Bright light !

Wouldn't it be enough to use only the ones under the plate ?
I guess it will shine on the speedo as good as any