Flying J CB550 Atomic #13 DONE! Vote at BOTM
- Thread starter ffjmoore
- Start date
MBS
Live, breath, sleep HONDA!
Re: CB550 alloy sprint
Some of these changes to the site are driving me nuts. Its gonna take some getting used to.
Anyhow I have been following this build for a while and I like a lot of what I am seeing but....and don't shoot me here please. I expect folks on the forum are looking for feedback. The angle of the tank just doesn't seem right. It looks like its sitting on top rather than "on" the bike. It should be level and straight but seems to point up into space and doesn't fit the lines of the frame and fairing. Maybe its a perspective thing without the seat? If it were my bike I would try to level that out more. Not sure what is involved in that, maybe spreading the tank near the tree and lowering it in the front or raising the back? Seems to me dropping the front would be my first attempt. Otherwise I really am digging the rearsets and fairing. Can't wait to see the seat! Just my 2 cents - keep the change. -MBS
Some of these changes to the site are driving me nuts. Its gonna take some getting used to.
Anyhow I have been following this build for a while and I like a lot of what I am seeing but....and don't shoot me here please. I expect folks on the forum are looking for feedback. The angle of the tank just doesn't seem right. It looks like its sitting on top rather than "on" the bike. It should be level and straight but seems to point up into space and doesn't fit the lines of the frame and fairing. Maybe its a perspective thing without the seat? If it were my bike I would try to level that out more. Not sure what is involved in that, maybe spreading the tank near the tree and lowering it in the front or raising the back? Seems to me dropping the front would be my first attempt. Otherwise I really am digging the rearsets and fairing. Can't wait to see the seat! Just my 2 cents - keep the change. -MBS
Re: CB550 alloy sprint
I hear ya on the angle of the tank but it look worse in pictures then it does when your standing next to the bike. It is not how i intended the tank to fit but thats just what happens when you are working with people far away and can not be hands on in the process. Its is growing on me and there is really nothing i can do about it now set aside cutting up the frame or chopping chunks out of the gas tank . As for lowering it, its not as easy as just lowering the mounts. The tank fits so tight. Ill post a few pics. To get it lower you have to move it back and then it looks dumb.
Thats how i feel about that.
I hear ya on the angle of the tank but it look worse in pictures then it does when your standing next to the bike. It is not how i intended the tank to fit but thats just what happens when you are working with people far away and can not be hands on in the process. Its is growing on me and there is really nothing i can do about it now set aside cutting up the frame or chopping chunks out of the gas tank . As for lowering it, its not as easy as just lowering the mounts. The tank fits so tight. Ill post a few pics. To get it lower you have to move it back and then it looks dumb.
Thats how i feel about that.
MBS
Live, breath, sleep HONDA!
Re: CB550 alloy sprint
@ swagger - I think you would be hard pressed to find a carbon copy cafe bike anywhere on this forum. I would like to also point out that the tank on that matchless is level but still gives the bike some curves in combination with the seat. Good combo and nice bike.
@ ffjmoore - The additional pictures say a lot and I see what you mean on the tank position. Lowering the front of it is clearly not an option and your right- moving it back looks dumb. Maybe raise the back when you fab up your seat? - not sure how that would coincide with the frame. The bike looks great and I meant no offense, just some honest feedback. The tank itself is super nice, the fairing is bitchin and I really like the rear sets. I saw the earlier post on the pin solution to the kicker - have you thought about a carriage bolt and hitch pin setup if the ball bearing snap is an issue?
If I didn't think this bike was cool I wouldn't take the time to follow the thread or offer genuine suggestions. Nuf said.
@ swagger - I think you would be hard pressed to find a carbon copy cafe bike anywhere on this forum. I would like to also point out that the tank on that matchless is level but still gives the bike some curves in combination with the seat. Good combo and nice bike.
@ ffjmoore - The additional pictures say a lot and I see what you mean on the tank position. Lowering the front of it is clearly not an option and your right- moving it back looks dumb. Maybe raise the back when you fab up your seat? - not sure how that would coincide with the frame. The bike looks great and I meant no offense, just some honest feedback. The tank itself is super nice, the fairing is bitchin and I really like the rear sets. I saw the earlier post on the pin solution to the kicker - have you thought about a carriage bolt and hitch pin setup if the ball bearing snap is an issue?
If I didn't think this bike was cool I wouldn't take the time to follow the thread or offer genuine suggestions. Nuf said.
MotorbikeBruno
Over 1,000 Posts
Re: CB550 alloy sprint
Just a thought on the kickstart---and I may have missed it...but is there a way to shorten the kick lever or does it take away the torque you would need to turn the motor over? I'm enjoying this build, keep it up.
Bruno
Just a thought on the kickstart---and I may have missed it...but is there a way to shorten the kick lever or does it take away the torque you would need to turn the motor over? I'm enjoying this build, keep it up.
Bruno
Swagger
Putting boot to ass since 1967!
Re: CB550 alloy sprint
What 'level' would you like to point out on the Matchless?
My 'carbon copy' comment was more biased toward the misconception that there must be some kind of flat line along to bottom of the tank and seat base. Stupidest BS I've heard (continually) in quite a while pertaining to bike....I've heard dumber stuff but it's usually related to politics or religion.
So...point me to this 'level you speak of....
Perhaps if there was an emblem on that gorgeous alloy tank posted above it would 'look' level? Personally I think it looks pretty damn smooth. I do think you should try to recreate the back of the tank in your seat cowl as per the photochop, so sweet looking!
What 'level' would you like to point out on the Matchless?
My 'carbon copy' comment was more biased toward the misconception that there must be some kind of flat line along to bottom of the tank and seat base. Stupidest BS I've heard (continually) in quite a while pertaining to bike....I've heard dumber stuff but it's usually related to politics or religion.
So...point me to this 'level you speak of....
Perhaps if there was an emblem on that gorgeous alloy tank posted above it would 'look' level? Personally I think it looks pretty damn smooth. I do think you should try to recreate the back of the tank in your seat cowl as per the photochop, so sweet looking!
MotorbikeBruno
Over 1,000 Posts
Re: CB550 alloy sprint
Haha...yeah I guess it would be huh? Well, if the electric will get her going I guess that's all that matters. And if that fails bump starting is always an option right? ;D
ffjmoore said:look at the above picture and see how short it would have to be to miss the brake pedal. It would be a 3" kicker.
Haha...yeah I guess it would be huh? Well, if the electric will get her going I guess that's all that matters. And if that fails bump starting is always an option right? ;D
MBS
Live, breath, sleep HONDA!
Re: CB550 alloy sprint
I don't recall any "rule" of a flat line at the bottom of the tank. To each their own. I was pointing out that the image you chose shows the very flat line you despise. Here is what I am talking about (not sure why the background is green but you get the point):
Sorry for the hijacked thread ffjmoore. You bike is looking good and the seat mock up really cleans up the lines and ads balance.
Swagger said:
I don't recall any "rule" of a flat line at the bottom of the tank. To each their own. I was pointing out that the image you chose shows the very flat line you despise. Here is what I am talking about (not sure why the background is green but you get the point):
Sorry for the hijacked thread ffjmoore. You bike is looking good and the seat mock up really cleans up the lines and ads balance.
Swagger
Putting boot to ass since 1967!
Re: CB550 alloy sprint
Last I'll say here since this is cluttering up the OP's joint, but you can draw a straight line under any shape but that doesn't make it so. Neither the reveal on the tank nor the seat base follow that line in any way. Perhaps you need glasses?
Last I'll say here since this is cluttering up the OP's joint, but you can draw a straight line under any shape but that doesn't make it so. Neither the reveal on the tank nor the seat base follow that line in any way. Perhaps you need glasses?