New to forum, 550 cafe project and first bike (UPDATED 4/7)
- Thread starter dminner
- Start date
locOleoN
Is that the best you got? OK.. now my TURN...
Re: New to forum, 550 cafe project and first bike (UPDATED 5/3)
Hey Dan,
You have to take it into a bike shop. I believe that its cut and the knobby thing at the top is rewelded.
Apparently its done all the time. I'm getting a new clutch cable from Bryan that Im going to have shortened. I'll post some pics when I get them
dminner said:
Hey Dan,
You have to take it into a bike shop. I believe that its cut and the knobby thing at the top is rewelded.
Apparently its done all the time. I'm getting a new clutch cable from Bryan that Im going to have shortened. I'll post some pics when I get them
Fear My Twin
Chicks hate my bike.
Re: New to forum, 550 cafe project and first bike (UPDATED 5/3)
Simply amazing.
Im tearing into my bike tonight
Simply amazing.
Im tearing into my bike tonight
Re: New to forum, 550 cafe project and first bike (UPDATED 5/3)
Wow. Your bike is an inspiration to me, as I don't know anything about bikes and have a hell of a project ahead of me in my rust-plagued 1968 Honda CL350. But, unlike you, I really don't know anything.
I was also thinking Gold/Bronze frame, but with a blue tank and cafe seat.
Seriously, the bike is one of the nicest looking I've seen. I love it.
Wow. Your bike is an inspiration to me, as I don't know anything about bikes and have a hell of a project ahead of me in my rust-plagued 1968 Honda CL350. But, unlike you, I really don't know anything.
I was also thinking Gold/Bronze frame, but with a blue tank and cafe seat.
Seriously, the bike is one of the nicest looking I've seen. I love it.
Re: New to forum, 550 cafe project and first bike (UPDATED 5/3)
Thanks, a lot guys. I really need to get back to work on it. I have been back home now for amonth and havent hardly touched it. All that really needs to be done is the wiring. But, I just dont know what I am doing. I have 3 wiring harness and electircal panels now (from different years) and all of them are different. So I just work on it for an hour, get frustrated, curse a little, throw a couple wrenchs and then call it quits for the day. I am just going to have to completely rewire it from scratch, but im just scared to do this by myself, I have a buddy coming in from out ot town this weekend who might help me.
CBHandle, you will be fine. No one seems to believe me but I really dont know what im doing. I am just good and taking stuff apart and putting it back together, anyone could do what I did. Hell, I rode a motorcycle for the first time a couple months ago. When I get mine wired, it will be the 2nd time I have ever riden one ;D.
Thanks, a lot guys. I really need to get back to work on it. I have been back home now for amonth and havent hardly touched it. All that really needs to be done is the wiring. But, I just dont know what I am doing. I have 3 wiring harness and electircal panels now (from different years) and all of them are different. So I just work on it for an hour, get frustrated, curse a little, throw a couple wrenchs and then call it quits for the day. I am just going to have to completely rewire it from scratch, but im just scared to do this by myself, I have a buddy coming in from out ot town this weekend who might help me.
CBHandle, you will be fine. No one seems to believe me but I really dont know what im doing
. I am just good and taking stuff apart and putting it back together, anyone could do what I did. Hell, I rode a motorcycle for the first time a couple months ago. When I get mine wired, it will be the 2nd time I have ever riden one ;D.
Shooter
Been Around the Block
Re: New to forum, 550 cafe project and first bike (UPDATED 5/3)
Hey dminner
I am real close to puting the electrix back on my CB550 and I have a few trepidations about it like you.
I have only one wiring harness but what I have done is stretch it out and cleanup the entire thing using degreaser, WD40 and simple green. I also polished up all the connectors (wire wheel) and the sleeves. Used WD40 then the air gun on the sleeves.
The thing cleaned up really well and was in much better sahpe than I anticipated.
Only had tp replace the two nuts with wires that hold the headlight in (electrolysis rusted)
I had marked up some of the connections with labels when I stripped it off the bike and that will be some help but mainly once the thing was all cleaned up...the color coding was very obvious. I think that the male / female thing combined with the color coding and the labels will make it relatively easy.
I am a bit concerned about getting good grounding since I powder coated the frame
Hey dminner
I am real close to puting the electrix back on my CB550 and I have a few trepidations about it like you.
I have only one wiring harness but what I have done is stretch it out and cleanup the entire thing using degreaser, WD40 and simple green. I also polished up all the connectors (wire wheel) and the sleeves. Used WD40 then the air gun on the sleeves.
The thing cleaned up really well and was in much better sahpe than I anticipated.
Only had tp replace the two nuts with wires that hold the headlight in (electrolysis rusted)
I had marked up some of the connections with labels when I stripped it off the bike and that will be some help but mainly once the thing was all cleaned up...the color coding was very obvious. I think that the male / female thing combined with the color coding and the labels will make it relatively easy.
I am a bit concerned about getting good grounding since I powder coated the frame
Re: New to forum, 550 cafe project and first bike (UPDATED 5/3)
My problem is that I cant use the same wiring components that I took off the bike. When I got the bike the wiring had been messed with an I didnt realize it. Someone actually made a new ground cable with a red wire. Who does that ???. Anyway, with out thinking or tracing the wires I immediately hooked the red wire to the positive terminal. Needless to say, that fired most of the electrical components. I was hoping that the wiring for most 550s would be identical, but it doesnt seem like this is the case. I just need to suck it up, be patient, and wire it from scratch with the wiring diagram. It sucks, my brother is an electrician, but is a work-o-holic and works pretty much 7 days a week every week.
How is you bike coming by the way? I havent been on the forum for awhile.
My problem is that I cant use the same wiring components that I took off the bike. When I got the bike the wiring had been messed with an I didnt realize it. Someone actually made a new ground cable with a red wire. Who does that
???. Anyway, with out thinking or tracing the wires I immediately hooked the red wire to the positive terminal. Needless to say, that fired most of the electrical components. I was hoping that the wiring for most 550s would be identical, but it doesnt seem like this is the case. I just need to suck it up, be patient, and wire it from scratch with the wiring diagram. It sucks, my brother is an electrician, but is a work-o-holic and works pretty much 7 days a week every week.How is you bike coming by the way? I havent been on the forum for awhile.
Fear My Twin
Chicks hate my bike.
Re: New to forum, 550 cafe project and first bike (UPDATED 5/3)
One thing I learned real quick was that there are some wires on the bikes which do not appear on the wiring diagrams. ???
That was a pain in the ass for a few weeks. Once I went to the junkyard and took about a dozen pics of a intact electrical system I was off. It helped alot.
FYI, if you find yourself with a red/black wire it needs to be ran to a switch 12v power source. Its the power for the Head light circuit.
Then I went on vacation and have a little wiring to sort out and Ill be ready to ride.
I two have only ridden a handful of times. On my last bike, a 98 ZX7R I was rear ended 3 days after getting my permit. That was 2 years ago.
Then I found my 76 CB500T and snatched it up. Rode it around the block once, stalling a few times and then the clutch cable promtly snapped.
One thing I learned real quick was that there are some wires on the bikes which do not appear on the wiring diagrams. ???
That was a pain in the ass for a few weeks. Once I went to the junkyard and took about a dozen pics of a intact electrical system I was off. It helped alot.
FYI, if you find yourself with a red/black wire it needs to be ran to a switch 12v power source. Its the power for the Head light circuit.
Then I went on vacation and have a little wiring to sort out and Ill be ready to ride.
I two have only ridden a handful of times. On my last bike, a 98 ZX7R I was rear ended 3 days after getting my permit. That was 2 years ago.
Then I found my 76 CB500T and snatched it up. Rode it around the block once, stalling a few times
and then the clutch cable promtly snapped.
Shooter
Been Around the Block
Re: New to forum, 550 cafe project and first bike (UPDATED 5/3)
That would be an electrical nightmare but I am sure you will sort it.
I am well into re assembly and basically as the parts come back from various out sources ...I bolt them back on. Every bolt and fitting is clean and shiny. Should have engine back in a couple of weeks. Tank getting painted...all chrome and most polishing work is done, new SS spokes getting done and hubs will be polished.
That leaves the seat, the tail light assembly and the dreaded wiring.
Currently its a frame with forks, suspension, bars and gauages but it looks great. Will post pics up soon.
I am on target to safely complete in October.
dminner said:My problem is that I cant use the same wiring components that I took off the bike. When I got the bike the wiring had been messed with an I didnt realize it. Someone actually made a new ground cable with a red wire. Who does that
How is you bike coming by the way? I havent been on the forum for awhile.
That would be an electrical nightmare but I am sure you will sort it.
I am well into re assembly and basically as the parts come back from various out sources ...I bolt them back on. Every bolt and fitting is clean and shiny. Should have engine back in a couple of weeks. Tank getting painted...all chrome and most polishing work is done, new SS spokes getting done and hubs will be polished.
That leaves the seat, the tail light assembly and the dreaded wiring.
Currently its a frame with forks, suspension, bars and gauages but it looks great. Will post pics up soon.
I am on target to safely complete in October.
Re: New to forum, 550 cafe project and first bike (UPDATED 5/3)
Unfortunately no :-[. All that is left is the wiring, but I am no good at this part of the build. Hopefully I can get it all sorted out this winter. I have like 3 different wiring hanesses and electrical panels, but all are slighty different so nothing is just plug and play. My brother is an electrician, he is just always busy :-[. I wish one of you guys lived in indianapolis.
CBHandle said:
Unfortunately no :-[. All that is left is the wiring, but I am no good at this part of the build. Hopefully I can get it all sorted out this winter. I have like 3 different wiring hanesses and electrical panels, but all are slighty different so nothing is just plug and play. My brother is an electrician, he is just always busy :-[. I wish one of you guys lived in indianapolis.
Re: New to forum, 550 cafe project and first bike (UPDATED 5/3)
Dude you live in the "Racing Capital of the World". Surely there is someone close by that can help?
There are a few Ton Up members(they have a chapter there) that live in and around Indy also that may be able to help.
I would but me,wires and electricity don't mix and you would probably utter the words "Holy shit...I'm on fire" if I had anything to do with wiring a bike! ;D The last bike I had that started smelling of burnt wiring I had a local shop repair it and that wasn't cheap.
Dude you live in the "Racing Capital of the World". Surely there is someone close by that can help?
There are a few Ton Up members(they have a chapter there) that live in and around Indy also that may be able to help.
I would but me,wires and electricity don't mix and you would probably utter the words "Holy shit...I'm on fire" if I had anything to do with wiring a bike! ;D The last bike I had that started smelling of burnt wiring I had a local shop repair it and that wasn't cheap.
Fear My Twin
Chicks hate my bike.
Re: New to forum, 550 cafe project and first bike (UPDATED 5/3)
dminner, Just wondering how you redid your gauges. If you just made a new paper face and laid it over can you upload the file pppppplease. I was just about to do the same and then I remembered that I had seen it done before.
dminner, Just wondering how you redid your gauges. If you just made a new paper face and laid it over can you upload the file pppppplease. I was just about to do the same and then I remembered that I had seen it done before.
Re: New to forum, 550 cafe project and first bike (UPDATED 5/3)
Sorry for the late reply. I am not on the forum much anymore, I kinda lost steem with the bike and it pretty much just sits there now.
I bought the guages of of a guy on ebay for like $15. They are just stickers. Then I added the fancy washers and stuff and painted the casings black.
Sorry for the late reply. I am not on the forum much anymore, I kinda lost steem with the bike and it pretty much just sits there now.
I bought the guages of of a guy on ebay for like $15. They are just stickers. Then I added the fancy washers and stuff and painted the casings black.
TonUpSoldier
bad assed, super fast and fully gassed
Re: New to forum, 550 cafe project and first bike (UPDATED 5/3)
Hey man do you have a wiring diagram for your bike?? I just rewired a bit of mine, using a loom from a different GS750, but if you have a diagram its CAKE. Hell the colours between the two looms i used didnt even match, nor did some of the harnesses, but you can easily pull the pins from one spot in a harness and put them where you need to. Look around on ebay for a CB750 wiring loom, even if its not the same year, you can make it work because essentially they all do the same things. The key is to make a key..lol. Write down what did what or goes where, and then with the new loom arrange it to match. Its a bit time consuming, but with a buddy, we had my bike wired in about two hours. We even had to do quite a bit of splicing. It ended up being so easy we tackled stuff i had no intention of fixing, like the GS's gear position indicator on the gauge package. Dont stall it now man!! It looks fantastic!
Hey man do you have a wiring diagram for your bike?? I just rewired a bit of mine, using a loom from a different GS750, but if you have a diagram its CAKE. Hell the colours between the two looms i used didnt even match, nor did some of the harnesses, but you can easily pull the pins from one spot in a harness and put them where you need to. Look around on ebay for a CB750 wiring loom, even if its not the same year, you can make it work because essentially they all do the same things. The key is to make a key..lol. Write down what did what or goes where, and then with the new loom arrange it to match. Its a bit time consuming, but with a buddy, we had my bike wired in about two hours. We even had to do quite a bit of splicing. It ended up being so easy we tackled stuff i had no intention of fixing, like the GS's gear position indicator on the gauge package. Dont stall it now man!! It looks fantastic!
Re: New to forum, 550 cafe project and first bike (UPDATED 5/3)
So FINALLY, after like a year long break, I decided to work on the bike again ;D. All that needs to be done is a seat, the wirings, and I need to replace the throttle cables.
I couldnt find a cafe seat for a 550 (at least not one I liked), plus, I wanted something that would flow with the suzuki tank.
...SO... I am going to attempt to build my own. I have never fiberglassed before, so we'll see how it goes ??? :-\.
I started carving the seat shape today out of some insulation foam. It went pretty well I think. It only took about 1hr to make the hump for the front of the seat.
Hopefully I can finish the rear hump this week, and HOPEFULLY, I can have the bike running in the next month.
So FINALLY, after like a year long break, I decided to work on the bike again ;D. All that needs to be done is a seat, the wirings, and I need to replace the throttle cables.
I couldnt find a cafe seat for a 550 (at least not one I liked), plus, I wanted something that would flow with the suzuki tank.
...SO... I am going to attempt to build my own. I have never fiberglassed before, so we'll see how it goes ??? :-\.
I started carving the seat shape today out of some insulation foam. It went pretty well I think. It only took about 1hr to make the hump for the front of the seat.
Hopefully I can finish the rear hump this week, and HOPEFULLY, I can have the bike running in the next month.
Dude,
I love the bike. I just wired my 550 and it was scary, but luckily it wasn't crazy like yours. I just wanted to say that in my opinion you should NOT put that hump on the front of the seat. I think the shape of your tank is perfect and that hump will change the way it looks. Just my opinion.
Joe
I love the bike. I just wired my 550 and it was scary, but luckily it wasn't crazy like yours. I just wanted to say that in my opinion you should NOT put that hump on the front of the seat. I think the shape of your tank is perfect and that hump will change the way it looks. Just my opinion.
Joe
