Newb 74 CB550 CAFE,

[pirate4pleasure]

Hey Guys So glad to finally find a site for people like me, tired of having my bike called a hack job and other BS. Im trying to get my project finished up and back on the road ASAP. One thing as im sure you will see is that the ass end is up, WAY UP. Im thinking its going to having clearance issues and my chain will be slapping on the swing arm pivot.

What would you suggest to improve drivability on this rig? So far my best idea is using a runner from a GSXR swing arm? maybe I could get a bit of hight using a 40 tooth sprocket instead of the stock 37

Check it and let me know some thoughts.

Cheers

 

[kwazykid]

If I understand the issue you are worried about, it sounds like all you need is a chain tensioner to keep it from slapping the swing arm pivot.

 

[pirate4pleasure]

Yeah I have looked into it and I dont see how I would mount it? I can weld it up but the way the swing arm is situated it seems like that would be a pain in the ass? does anyone else run and tensioner on their cafes' maybe I just need to see some pics to make it work

thanks

 

[kwazykid]

Post a pic of that area, maybe we can all brainstorm with you.

 

[pirate4pleasure]

Post a pic of that area, maybe we can all brainstorm with you.

Sorry dont know how to turn them in the forum

 

[Ringo]

I'm TS250 over on sohc4.net. I stand by what I said about finding a way to take the shock mounts back to stock. That or shorter shocks. The rear end is just too high. If you lower it, you'll solve both your clearance and (future) handling problems.

 

[pirate4pleasure]

I'm TS250 over on sohc4.net. I stand by what I said about finding a way to take the shock mounts back to stock. That or shorter shocks. The rear end is just too high. If you lower it, you'll solve both your clearance and (future) handling problems.

Well a few things, the shocks are 14.5 inches and if I had a bottom clevis shock mount on the shock I would install it back in the original location. I have done a significant weld job on the mounts that eliminated any concern over swing arm weaknesses. I will be working on a front fork conversion which will take care of any handling problems as it will include height, damper, and perhaps a brace. I know there are "purists" who have told me that to modify a bike is an abomination. Im just looking for a supportive community and trying to make a bike that is unique and a fun project where I can learn about these rides.

Does anyone have the exact measurement of the height from the ground to the center of the top rear shock mount? I would like to get an exact number for reference.?

thanks

 

[deepwaterimports]

swing arms are doing my head in. lookforward to the completed project

 

[pirate4pleasure]

Its about the Process... being proud that you took a chance on and what most wouldn't touch means more I think.

Nice project!

 

[teazer]

So far so good. Nice start but the rear end is too high and it is causing the swingarm droop angle to be too steep. You could try shorter shocks or move the mounts back to where they were. I realize it's a pain in the a$$ to do that, but it should improve handling safety and looks.

Newer forks with reduced offset might help to reduce tank slapping slightly, but the back end has got to go back down a bit.

 

[deepwaterimports]

any one have a good site to recomend getting new bushes dust seals etc had to heat the crap out of my swing arm to release the bolt .

 

[pirate4pleasure]

Check out this bike, Which was the original inspiration to the project:
http://www.cafecyclesri.com/Blacks.html

Has to be higher than mine?

 

[marla_do]

rear tail light and rear sets look slick but i agree the bike stance/lines is off (maybe raise the front end of the tank?)

 

[milehighcj360t]

not sure why this is running so rampant these days, but as swivel so eloquently put...you are flirting with disaster. Why people think they know more than the well educated engineers back at honda, is a pure mystery to me. 550 is a cosmetically beautiful bike and doesn't need to be turned into a modern sport bike to be fun and aggressive. what are you going for with your rear shocks mounted to the middle of the swing arm, if you don't mind me asking?

 

[pirate4pleasure]

The bottom mount is not a clevis and to mount them properly I wanted to improve the strength of the swingarm. See images:

 

[swan]

Why people think they know more than the well educated engineers back at honda, is a pure mystery to me. 550 is a cosmetically beautiful bike and doesn't need to be turned into a modern sport bike to be fun and aggressive. what are you going for with your rear shocks mounted to the middle of the swing arm, if you don't mind me asking?

+1 to that.

Why don't you put the correct size and functional shocks on that thing?

 

[pirate4pleasure]

why does anyone change anything? yes I understand it will not look, function or feel exactly like the original. Im ok with that. Im playing around, this is not a touring bike. There are many others who have done the same and love the results.

 

[milehighcj360t]

its not so much a matter of it not functioning exactly like the original, its a matter of it functioning safely. aside from it looking wonky, the spring rates are effected and if you didn't do the math, then you are subjecting yourself to unnecessary danger. you don't mod a bike for appearance and say "i'm only going to go 30mph on it" or "its not a concern because i'm not trying to race the thing" its a matter of preserving integrity on a good motorcycle and ensuring that you, or god forbid, some unsuspecting buyer, takes your bike and dies--thats a lot of risk for what appears to be a cosmetic "improvement." The words we have shared are not meant to be harsh, but rather are out of concern for your safety. good luck with the build, everything else looks nice.

 

[pirate4pleasure]

its not so much a matter of it not functioning exactly like the original, its a matter of it functioning safely. aside from it looking wonky, the spring rates are effected and if you didn't do the math, then you are subjecting yourself to unnecessary danger. you don't mod a bike for appearance and say "i'm only going to go 30mph on it" or "its not a concern because i'm not trying to race the thing" its a matter of preserving integrity on a good motorcycle and ensuring that you, or god forbid, some unsuspecting buyer, takes your bike and dies--thats a lot of risk for what appears to be a cosmetic "improvement." The words we have shared are not meant to be harsh, but rather are out of concern for your safety. good luck with the build, everything else looks nice.

maybe the group can help me find a clevis replacement for my lower shock mounts and I can return it to the original location. That would result in maybe 1" height increase over original.

 

[kwazykid]

I understand you like the look but is it the dropped swing arm that you like or is it the raised tail. If its just a higher tail then adjusting the subframe and tank angle up a few inches would give you that look and make the bike safer. I'm all for customizing it to how you like it. Just don't expect to get away with something unsafe on DDT and have nobody tell you about it.