"Traveler's" 1977 CB550K Cafe build

Sean sent me some updates. In his words he "will be jealous when he sends it out to me". :-\

Anyhow, here are 2 pics.

0205001711.jpg


0205001838.jpg


I wonder if the tins are going to be overkill on the bike. The bike is being done pretty "budget"...but these tins are really "top flight".

P.S. I ordered some RAASK rearsets....why? Because I like them.

~Joe
 
Very nice. Expect when ever you leave it anywhere be it a show or parking lot to have tons of finger prints all over it when you come back.
 
I did the same thing with my airbox. It has a 2-1/2 inch opening, and is 4 inches long. I had to baffle the opening to about hlaf the size to get the CV carbs to work.

Just sayin' I think you are okay with your set up.


000_0004-1.jpg
 
Makr said:
I did the same thing with my airbox. It has a 2-1/2 inch opening, and is 4 inches long. I had to baffle the opening to about hlaf the size to get the CV carbs to work.

Just sayin' I think you are okay with your set up.


000_0004-1.jpg
Click to expand...

Well....that's good news for me!

Thanks,

~Joe
 
I had a couple of hours to spare today, so I started working on the motor a bit more. I have been using 80 grit sandpaper on the motor to remove the old paint, and today, I decided to try stepping the sanded areas from 80 grit to 150 grit, and then 220 grit. This takes the scratches out and makes any scratches finer and finer. I then quickly rubbed on these areas with some wadding polish (Nevr Dull). Here is a quick start. I also went over the fins and top of head. Of course, this is just a start. I will be doing the whole motor this way.

before I started

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afterward

004-21.jpg



004-21.jpg


here is some of the head and cyl. on one side

005-17.jpg



008-15.jpg


007-14.jpg


006-18.jpg


Once the entire motor has been sanded down with 220 grit, I will be then go over it with a green scrubbing pad and WD-40. This brings the whole area up to a shiny, yet finely brushed texture.

~Joe
 
Joe, you have to be the most patient person on earth. I polish something for 15 minutes and I wanna give up and use power tools.

Looks great!
 
Big R said:
Joe, you have to be the most patient person on earth. I polish something for 15 minutes and I wanna give up and use power tools.

Looks great!
Click to expand...

I know, I feel the same way. No patience for this stuff. I'm trying to find a way to do it quick that gives a nice even sheen. I actually prefer the low luster look. So far its wire wheel then a few grits of sand paper starting at 400 then the buffing compounds. still takes a while. Hell, Herrdeacon is hand sanding for hours and then polishing for hours. Great results though. Patience is a virtue!
 
More progress on the engine today. Worked on the case and followed the head and cylinders around the corner to the front a bit. I also started on the valve cover.

Here are a few pics.


005-18.jpg



006-19.jpg


007-15.jpg


008-16.jpg


Coarse steel wool (#3) and a screwdriver helps in the corners. I also found that for some reason brake cleaner and an old toothbrush, is softening up the paint.

Granted the surface looks scratched....but this will be smoothed out with finer and finer grades of sandpaper, and then buffed with a green scotch pad and WD-40.

~Joe
 
Traveler said:
Coarse steel wool (#3) and a screwdriver helps in the corners.
~Joe
Click to expand...

nice work Joe. You are indeed a patient man. FWIW, I use a 'chiseled' paintbrush handle to wrap my paper/steelwool:

pigStick.jpg


The wood is a lot softer and if it happens to contact your metal, it won't gouge it the way a screwdriver might. I used this technique first on a cb900 valve cover with great effect. If you're familiar with the part, you'll know what a nightmare of a casting *that* is to clean up.

Anyway, just thought I'd throw it out there for you ;)

Love watching your progress dude. Great work

cheers
ian
 
Thanks.

I have a wood chopstick that will fit that bill.

You're right about the gouging....every gouge means more sanding steps to remove.

CB900 cover...that is DOHC....lots of little "pockets"....sore finger tips! :'(

~Joe
 
hell ya joe i would just pull the cases, would be so much easier, or get in there with a dremil and go to town... that way is going to take you forever. it does look good though!
 
Oh...that's okay.....I'm in no hurry. If I pull the motor out of the frame, I hit the point of no return, and then the bike will be completely stripped and alot more money spent. :(
Not in any shape to do that, so I'll just make progress as I can, and know that EVENTUALLY it will be where I want it.

I do know that my wheels will get the same treatment.....so I know what I want to do, and now have something to keep my idle hands going, so I'm happy.

The last few days, it has been REALLY cold here, so I could use a little more warmth outside.

Thinking about some 14.5" shocks in the rear.....get me some more room below my electrics, and sharpen the steering up a tad. I guess I need to start looking at stabilizers too.

Hmm, any ideas, guys?

~Joe
 
Well, my battery came in today. Here it is in comparison to an average size battery:

005-19.jpg


Where am I gonna hide this??? :-\

~Joe
 
Hehe...thanks for chiming in....I was thinking somewhere in there..

I'm really stoked about this setup.....I really think this is the way to go for a Cafe battery....even though it is damn expensive...this is worth it.

How's that 'ol DOHC gal coming along?? ;D

~Joe
 
builder said:
wow .. what battery is that? is it expensive?
Click to expand...

Here ya go....check it out

http://www.orientexpress.com/Universal+Parts+%252526+Accessories/Battery/SpeedCell+-+Supersport+2.3+-+120+Amp+Battery%25252FSuper+Lightweight%25252FExtremely+Compact%25252FIncludes+Quick+Disconnect+Terminals+%252526+Harness%25252FSee+Details+Inside.html?osCsid=3febfdc1e1903f2b2a63c304cc093810

~Joe
 
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