"Traveler's" 1977 CB550K Cafe build

[Traveler]

Thanks.

Hell yes it hurts!

~Joe

 

[Basement rat]

Well, you can blast with almost anything like glass, sand^, plastic, CO2 ice pellets, cork, baking soda, and the list goes on. It just depends how deep your pockets are.

 

[Traveler]

Got the electrics panel done today. Some time with a die grinder, file, and black paint, it was ready to be assembled.

Here is the completed deal. May not look like much, but it's almost half the size it was originally. Very narrow now, and will fit in the bum stop with a A123 micro battery.

A couple more parts I was waiting for, arrived today as well

Also got most of the parts for the front end assembled....got too dark and cold to take pics...take some tomorrow and post up.

~Joe

 

[Traveler]

Here are some pics of the work completed yesterday.

You can see the EMGO headlight brackets, and notice how the gauges face upright now...I think the colors are working well against each other

And, my switch covers were sandblasted and the gloss black is drying

~Joe

 

[JRK5892]

I agree Joe that looks good together! i like how tucked in the lamp is

 

[Traveler]

Thanks.

I'm hoping to get the front all wrapped up soon, then move backward.

While waiting on the tank and seat, I can restore little bits at a time, and before you know it, it's time to put all the little restored pieces together. ;D

~Joe

 

[Traveler]

Finished up the speedo, assembled the switches, and installed a new clutch lever (old one was bent)

I will clean up the red switch after assembly. That back speedo plate came clean with some Nevr Dull.

~Joe

 

[JRK5892]

joe on that switch yo may want to look at doing a rubber dip like you use on plier handles, either that or some bed liner, something that will stick really well to that plastic, if not over time it will start to flake off. would be an easy way to clean it up and have it last forever

 

[JRK5892]

to paint it on the unit, just slide index cards under the switch where it meets the housing, then tape it off and shoot, when it dries, you can just move all that crap, then the switch will still move freely just look way better!

 

[Traveler]

Yeah, good idea...thanks!

It was a PAIN to get it off...had to cut the wires, and splice them back together!

~Joe

 

[Traveler]

Got the ignition switch ready to go today. Since it was 14 degrees outside.....I sanded it up, sprayed it outside then brought it in to dry.

All ready to go.

My tailight also arrived today. Even though I bought it through Jireh cycles, it was an expensive piece!

"Lucas style tailight"~goes with the "cafe theme".

And onward the project moves.

~Joe

 

[Big R]

Wow Joe! You're moving along pretty good on this. By the time I get mine done you will be on your 3rd!

 

[Traveler]

Hehe...never know.

I don't see me building another....jsut work on this one. It is my 2nd bike.

If I did another, it would be a cafe. Probably a CB750SOHC, with a DOHC motor transplanted in??


~Joe

 

[Traveler]

Today became another "triangle work day".

Started, and am about 60% there. Since I have no power, no heat no lights in my single stall garage, I had to make due with hammer, chisel, pliers, and a hacksaw. Needless to say it was WORK! Oh well...I'll work on it tomorrow and see if I can't finish the triangle up.

(oh..it was 16 degrees outside! So...long johns, etc. only thing that got cold was the feet...need more than one paitr of socks!!)

Here are some pics:

~Joe

 

[Traveler]

Even thought it was 19 degrees outside today, I went back to work on the bike.

Finished up the "triangle area"

Got 90% of the front end done

Mounted the tailight/license plate setup

Picked up a replacement headlight at WalMart for $12.97

And my brass cable adjuster arrived.

While at WalMart, I found this. Krylon paint made for plastic....so, I refurbed my kill switch

And that was a day's work for me.

~Joe

 

[rockcitycafe]

Nice work man! I have the bottom of your tank tacked up, need to double check a few things before I do the final welding, as I have learned from experience not to rush tanks

 

[jay_kent]

Looking really good

I found that kylon plastic paint a few years ago. It lasts everything is come along really well.

Here's a link to my control build in you ever need to go that far

http://picasaweb.google.com/CafeCB650/Contols_switches?feat=directlink

Jay

 

[Traveler]

Nice work man! I have the bottom of your tank tacked up, need to double check a few things before I do the final welding, as I have learned from experience not to rush tanks

Cool! Did you get my e-mail on the measurement for the spigot?

~Joe

 

[Traveler]

Looking really good

I found that kylon plastic paint a few years ago. It lasts everything is come along really well.

Here's a link to my control build in you ever need to go that far

http://picasaweb.google.com/CafeCB650/Contols_switches?feat=directlink

Jay

Hey! Thanks!

I appreciate it! ;D


~Joe

 

[Traveler]

Got a little bit more done today.

The part of the case under the carbs....the paint was peeling and really looked BAD.

So....I spent some time with some 80 grit sandpaper and brake cleaner. Looks a lot better, I think.

When I bought the bike, only one carb had the fuel line on the bottom of the carb....and fuel liked to drip down on to the case. More than likely.....that is what caused the paint to go bad.

So, I fixed that.

I installed my throttle switch setup. Just waiting on my new throttle cable, which is en-route.

And...the airbox was re-installed. What a pain! Whoever designed this never isntalled it apparently. Anyhow it is on. I used 1 5/16" worm screw clamps and will get a longer bolt tomorrow to hold up the back of the airbox. Yes, I know the crushed filter has to go! I'll work on that.

~Joe