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  1. C

    Found a $300 CB550

    I had some parts powder coated so I can assemble the front end. I also wanted to see if this powder coat guy does good work before I send him more stuff. Next I will install fork, swingarm and wheels so I can check the lines of the seat mount and check fit everything before I powder coat the frame.
  2. C

    Found a $300 CB550

    I tend to wonder how many of those swaps work. Geometry changes, different lengths and spring rates. I'm not a suspension expert but I can install cartridges and set up modern motorcycles. Unless somebody gave me detailed instructions and exact part numbers to use, I don't think I could figure...
  3. C

    Found a $300 CB550

    On to the forks. Every part is new except for the lower tubes and the damping rods. The brass thingies are Racetech cartridge emulators. They just sit on top of the damping rods and flow oil like modern cartridge forks. The only modification required is to drill a few additional holes in the...
  4. C

    Found a $300 CB550

    I'm finally in to building the forks. There are a lot of companies selling suspension for vintage motorcycles but most are junk. Then there is the problem of 1 size fits all. It takes a little more digging to find companies that offer the correct stuff. Fortunately Racetech is an excellent...
  5. C

    Found a $300 CB550

    I've attacked the things that seemed like they'd be the most difficult. The motor is done, the wheels are polished out and built. I pulled the forks apart to start building. They are so simple compared to the Ohlins cartridges on my MT10. I have to sand and polish the lower tubes but that's...
  6. C

    Found a $300 CB550

    I picked up a second rotor. The existing caliper was nasty so I bought 2 new ones and an extra bracket. I sent my rotors out to Truedisc spoke to the owner. They grind them rather then cut them and claim that it's a much better surface. I'm having them ground from 7 mm to 6. He also drills...
  7. C

    Found a $300 CB550

    I'm finishing up the rear wheel and starting the front. I'm wondering about those tongued washers on the rear sprocket. What is the point of them? Are they some kind of lock washer. Can I put flat washers on with some thread locker?
  8. C

    Found a $300 CB550

    Thanks. I've never done them before. with all of the years of working on motorcycles, there's still lots to learn.
  9. C

    Found a $300 CB550

    So tonight after work, I put the wheel on the truing stand and watched some YouTube videos and I actually figured it out and trued my first wheel. It was very satisfying as I originally planned on paying someone to do it.
  10. C

    Found a $300 CB550

    I put a preservative finish on the wheels, hub & spokes. I installed the new wheel bearings and laced up the wheel. I have to say that the time spent polishing the hub now seems worth it. I bought a truing stand and now have to teach myself how to true a wheel. It looks pretty cool to me. It's...
  11. C

    Found a $300 CB550

    After 3 weekends, I got the brake plate polished and am done with the rear hub. It sure is a lot of work polishing out aluminum parts. Some how I lost the new wheel bearings and had to buy another new set. The brake shoes & sprocket are new. They came in and I also bought a truing stand. I've...
  12. C

    Found a $300 CB550

    Thanks. The special tool worked well after I struggled for an hour with no success. THEN, I decided to look at the shop manual to see if it was a left hand thread. It makes it a lot easier. I got it from common Motor. Carpy is a cool guy but IMO his shipping costs are insane. I'm not paying...
  13. C

    Found a $300 CB550

    3 Saturdays and 2 Sundays of work to get the rear hub sanded and polished. Most of the cafe racer builds I see have the hubs painted black. If I was willing to paint it black I could have finished it in a couple of hours. I still have to do the plate with the brake in it but it's just 1 surface...
  14. C

    Found a $300 CB550

    I was a little embarrassed to stop working on this project but I did have some big home projects that I had to prioritize. I've been on other forums and some are good and some suck. This one is turning out to be very cool. A lot of interaction and support and a lot of very knowledgeable people...
  15. C

    Found a $300 CB550

    My seat got delivered today. I thought it was a British company but it actually was from Greece. It's a nice piece. I've bought a lot of motorcycle stuff from Europe and it's always been successful. I think I've officially moved on from a cafe racer build to a tracker.
  16. C

    Found a $300 CB550

    You don't have to sync them. It is done by Murry and he is very explicit about that. The point is that the 2 Mikuni set up makes more power and torque.
  17. C

    Found a $300 CB550

    Thanks
  18. C

    Found a $300 CB550

    I decided to attack what I consider to be the worst next part which I consider polishing out the rear hub. This motorcycle came to me un-assembled but in great condition. The hub kind of gets sand blasted on the road and it is a major undertaking to clean one up and polish it out. So now I have...
  19. C

    Found a $300 CB550

    I finished the motor over a year ago, wrapped it up in plastic and took a break as I had so many house projects that needed to be done or completed. I also finally got a 20 Amp service run out to the garage. Now I got a heater and am able to run heavy tools without blowing a breaker. I got back...
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