dean owens
Pittsboro, NC
i'm interested to see how this turns out.
The Electric CB750 Project
- Thread starter JPanichella
- Start date
JPanichella
Been Around the Block
Okay guys. I'm interning at Crown Equipment right now.
http://www.crown.com
I told them I was working on this bike and they got kind of excited. I've been granted access to their shop on weeknights and during the weekends, and they have a lot of really good stuff. Since they specialize in electric fork trucks, they're very savvy when it comes to electric propulsion, and are going to be a massive help. They told me to bring the bike up from Cincinnati, which is 100 miles away. So that was my Saturday.
This project is officially getting kicked into overdrive!
http://www.crown.com
I told them I was working on this bike and they got kind of excited. I've been granted access to their shop on weeknights and during the weekends, and they have a lot of really good stuff. Since they specialize in electric fork trucks, they're very savvy when it comes to electric propulsion, and are going to be a massive help. They told me to bring the bike up from Cincinnati, which is 100 miles away. So that was my Saturday.
This project is officially getting kicked into overdrive!
Juggernaut
Been Around the Block
That sounds promising! Good luck, with the new job. Maybe they will sponsor you to some extent.
JPanichella
Been Around the Block
Okay guys, made mockups of my battery packs to check the clearance, and all looks good. The paint can is the same diameter as the motor, and is a cheap way to make sure everything fits. I'm going to move forward with this configuration, I'm happy with it. Another pack goes where the carbs would go, and are about the same size.
JPanichella
Been Around the Block
New sprocket and degreased shocks. I'm still going to tear them down and see how nice I can make them look. The rubber bushing that fits onto the frame is pretty mangled. Can I get that bushing anywhere or do I have to order it through Honda?
Moved all the stuff to a nice big shop.
Bead blasted triple tree
Proto-Track on the mill used for the motor mount.
Blasted lower triple, conditioned with oxysolv, which puts a thin zinc phosphate coating to prevent rust and promote good paint adhesion.
Made a wooden mount to test our toothpaths.
The aluminum one getting milled. Cooled with denatured alcohol.
Bead blasted swingarm, with zinc phosphate coating. Still need to think more about replacing the bushings....more money.
Final motor mount, cleaned up with a file and hit with the wire brush.
Moved all the stuff to a nice big shop.
Bead blasted triple tree
Proto-Track on the mill used for the motor mount.
Blasted lower triple, conditioned with oxysolv, which puts a thin zinc phosphate coating to prevent rust and promote good paint adhesion.
Made a wooden mount to test our toothpaths.
The aluminum one getting milled. Cooled with denatured alcohol.
Bead blasted swingarm, with zinc phosphate coating. Still need to think more about replacing the bushings....more money.
Final motor mount, cleaned up with a file and hit with the wire brush.
Barnburner
Coast to Coast
I just found this thread and I am hooked! The details are very appreciated - I can see many others (myself included) wanting to follow in your footsteps.
JPanichella
Been Around the Block
Barnburner said:
Thanks! Things are starting to move along at a reasonable clip now. The second motor mount, which is more of a clamp that supports the back-end of the motor, is going to be tomorrow night's project. I also have some goodies coming in the mail, including some motor sprockets, 10 feet of chain, and some Eastwood Chassis paint.
Juggernaut
Been Around the Block
Finally. some progress! Everything looks perfect. I'm jealous.
donald branscom
Active Member
I was looking at your thread and was thinking that one of the main drawbacks to the batteries is that they are a box. It just looks so ugly. It is too bad that some battery cases cannot be made with rounded edges on them. That would help with the ugly factor.
Is anyone working on some better looking battery cases?
Is anyone working on some better looking battery cases?
JPanichella
Been Around the Block
Just a quick mockup to for swingarm clearance. Got room for days. Also laid some primer and started cutting the next piece. It's actually done getting milled, but needs to be drilled and tapped. The primer I used is Eastwood Chassis Black primer, it's serious stuff. It takes about a day to cure before you can topcoat it, but it feels really tough. The paint is Extreme Chassis Black in a satin finish.
JPanichella
Been Around the Block
Did some more work tonight. Blasted my one fork lower after taping it up really well. And gave it a coat of primer.
Went to go tackle the other fork and noticed a lot of oil around the chrome. Looks like a bad fork seal huh?
So I guess I better go ahead and get some new ones. My shocks look pretty god awful, so I'll probably get a set of those cheapies from Parts N More, and some new dust covers.
Moving on to the lower triple. How the heck do I get this guy off? I heard people recommend using a cutoff tool on a dremel or something. If I order new tapered bearings I no longer need these pieces right?
Also layed some of the Eastwood Extreme Chassis Satin Black. It's great stuff. Sprays really smooth and almost looks like powdercoat when it dries. It takes about a week to fully cure so I'll let these dangle for awhile.
And finally, the rear motor mount is done. I can't take credit for it's design, a guy named Noah Podolefsky built a GSXR using a similar motor mount. It basically acts as a big clamp, with enough room for me to put in a nice rubber gasket.
Went to go tackle the other fork and noticed a lot of oil around the chrome. Looks like a bad fork seal huh?
So I guess I better go ahead and get some new ones. My shocks look pretty god awful, so I'll probably get a set of those cheapies from Parts N More, and some new dust covers.
Moving on to the lower triple. How the heck do I get this guy off? I heard people recommend using a cutoff tool on a dremel or something. If I order new tapered bearings I no longer need these pieces right?
Also layed some of the Eastwood Extreme Chassis Satin Black. It's great stuff. Sprays really smooth and almost looks like powdercoat when it dries. It takes about a week to fully cure so I'll let these dangle for awhile.
And finally, the rear motor mount is done. I can't take credit for it's design, a guy named Noah Podolefsky built a GSXR using a similar motor mount. It basically acts as a big clamp, with enough room for me to put in a nice rubber gasket.
bikeboy
Over 1,000 Posts
JPanichella said:
dremel will give you more control. Just cut down through the bearing race in one spot and you can open it up a bit to spread it. You should get a dust seal and washer/spacer in the new kit. Try not to nick the stem, but file any burs if you do
For what its
's worth, I woulda pulled those forks apart and changed seals just 'to be sure to be sure' (doesn't work without an irish accent does it?!)
Nice finish on those parts by the way.
cheers
ian
JPanichella
Been Around the Block
I appreciate the kind words. Having good tools and expensive paint helps a lot.
One of the forks is from my friends bike and one is from mine (he got bored and started polishing one of mine instead of tackling his own 78K rolling chassis). He was nice enough to give me his fork with a blown seal.
One of the forks is from my friends bike and one is from mine (he got bored and started polishing one of mine instead of tackling his own 78K rolling chassis). He was nice enough to give me his fork with a blown seal.
JPanichella
Been Around the Block
Got the race off.
Can't say the washer looks good anymore, but the race and the rubber are fine. I tried pounding the washer back flat but it's fairly mangled.
Primed
Blasted
Weird little casting. Looks like a penguin?
Shoes, need to check to see if my pads are in speck.
Degreased
Having hell of a time getting the bearing out. I was using a drift and a hammer, but I hear people are heating the aluminum with a heat gun. I'll try to pull out the rubber gasket first.
Primed
Can't say the washer looks good anymore, but the race and the rubber are fine. I tried pounding the washer back flat but it's fairly mangled.
Primed
Blasted
Weird little casting. Looks like a penguin?
Shoes, need to check to see if my pads are in speck.
Degreased
Having hell of a time getting the bearing out. I was using a drift and a hammer, but I hear people are heating the aluminum with a heat gun. I'll try to pull out the rubber gasket first.
Primed
Big R
Heaven is so far away.
Making some good progress JP. Somebody else was having issues with one of those rear bearings as well (on a cb550 I think?). Can't remember the user name though......maybe sexecafe? And that bird casting is on alot of parts, not just Honda. They are on my Suzuki at random places too. Probably the mold maker or material supplier?
Big R
Heaven is so far away.
JPanichella
Been Around the Block
Oh wow, I didn't know about drilling out those dimples. That should help. Thanks for the link!
You're talking about getting that bearing out - the ring there with the 4 holes is a retainer ring, and there are 2 dimpled spots where it's been locked into place with the hub. You need to remove that to get the bearing out. I've heard you have to drill out the dimpled spot and then the retainer spins out. I mangled the crap out of mine doing it not knowing about the little hammered spots. Luckily you can buy the parts still from Honda.
The Honda hub design is odd, in that there is only a seat for the bearing on one side.
The Honda hub design is odd, in that there is only a seat for the bearing on one side.