CB550 Project Scruffy Racer

[Sderbyshire]

The way to ease stand spring installation is upon removal adjust the stand until the sping is at maximum extension, then jamb the space between coils with pennies (or washers). Use a slip jojnt plier the press them in good and tight. Then you can swing the stand to the least extension and the spring will almost fall off. Reinstallation is the reverse, might require pliers and side cutters to remove the final coins.

Excellent idea!
not knowing this i used a three foot breaker bar and a loop of strong but thin rope to lever the spring back on!

I’m really pleased with progress today, pistons in and ready for head install

pistons went into the bores ok, although the lack of much of an entry chamfer ( due to the +3mm overbore) makes it harder

hpwever i’m awaiting a new chain tensioner, old one looks ok but while the motor is apart i thought it best to replace.

here is where we are tonight

 

[Sderbyshire]

Small scale progress today.

reinstalled alternator, points, clutch cover, chain

decided to tale apart the speedo and tacho for new faces, all went well and they look good i think

Tomorrow i’ll fit the needles, am going plain white, rebuild and reinstall.

then i’ll twiddle my thumbs awaiting the cam tensioner .....

when that arrives it’s head back on and almost finished Phase 3 - Scruffy Goes Big

steve

 

[Sderbyshire]

i wasnt happy with the interior/exterior paint on the gauges, there were some spots of white dust floating about, so am repainting

 

[Sderbyshire]

Guages looking good, althought the cases are a bit rough.
also experimenting with some bar wnd mirrors, painted matching black

 

[Sderbyshire]

Expecting a delivery, chain tensioner, so getting ready to refit head

 

[Jimbonaut]

Moving right along, great work. Those gauges came out aces

 

[Sderbyshire]

Chain Tensioner blade arrived so i reinstalled the head.
coildnt get the cam chain over the sprocket, which was because i had installed the cam chain guide backwards......
once that was corrected all was well !
cam is in and timed

Tomorrow i’ll check things over, add oil, refit the cam cover and set balve clearances.

then i’m getting very close to firing up the bored out motor

 

[Maritime]

Nice, what style break in are you planning?

 

[Sderbyshire]

Nice, what style break in are you planning?

I’m planning to go with a BMEP approach, ie building up the torque / overrun to bed the rings in.
probably firm acceleration up to 40/50/60/70 intersperced with deceleration off throttle
perhaps 3 runs at each speed or so

comments welcome ....

 

[Sderbyshire]

In the workshop early today to check on yesterdays work and move forwards

i wasn’t 100% happy that the chain tensioner had seated correctly, so removed the head and lifter the barrels 1”, then the tensioner seated nicely so was worth doing.

put barrels back down and head back on, cam in and timed, oil baths filled, cover on and set valves, exhaust and carb manifolds on too. Oil in.

next i’ll check all the boxes and bags for anything i’ve missed.....

then its spin the motor to circulate some oil and carbs on for a test fire ...... excited !

 

[Jimbonaut]

Oh yes mate, not long now until you (and your neighbours) will hear that beauty come alive

 

[Maritime]

I like that method.

I’m planning to go with a BMEP approach, ie building up the torque / overrun to bed the rings in.
probably firm acceleration up to 40/50/60/70 intersperced with deceleration off throttle
perhaps 3 runs at each speed or so

comments welcome ....

 

[Sderbyshire]

You are so right James......

i couldnt resist having a ‘Test Fire’ earlier.

wheeled Scruffy out of the workshop and rigged up a temp fuel supply.
span the motor for 30 secs without ignition/plugs to circulate some oil
added new ngk plugs and he fired straight up !

soon idling nicely and motor sounds like a sewing machine
remember this bike was derelict for more than 20 years, so although i got it running well it was a bit rattly and rough running before

really chuffed with the rebuild !

 

[Jimbonaut]

Mazeltov!

Sounds great, no kidding you're chuffed. Doing this bike proud fella

 

[canyoncarver]

Right on!

 

[pidjones]

Solid hard work paying off!

 

[ridesolo]

YES sir! Great job, the beast is getting less and less Scruffy all the time!

 

[Sderbyshire]

Thanks guys!

i’m experiencing some idle issues , idle raising on its own/wont always return to or run well at idle.

i’m thinking its an air leak but the manifolds have new o rings and the carb attachment rubbers are new and tight too

any suggestions ?

 

[Maritime]

cable routing issue?

 

[Sderbyshire]

Cables nice and slack at rest, good thought though !