resto of a cb550 k3

[retrobiker]

hi all

thought i would share this with you... getting back into biking, just took my cbt and preparing for my big bike test

this was the same bike my old man had so thought it would make a nice link

https://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t6/mike070868/side1.jpg

bike when i started

https://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t6/mike070868/side2.jpg

[retrobiker]

will be stripped down and cleaned and sprayed and powdercoated where needed



https://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t6/mike070868/Picture062.jpg

https://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t6/mike070868/Picture067.jpg

https://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t6/mike070868/Picture033-1.jpg

[retrobiker]

frame powdercoated in silver... not going to be original just a very nice version of it

https://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t6/mike070868/caseygoingtoparty030-1.jpg

yokes , caliper etc

https://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t6/mike070868/caseygoingtoparty028.jpg

[retrobiker]

guards rechromed in look a like chrome , not to bad a finish but not real chrome as such

https://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t6/mike070868/HPIM1761.jpg

https://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t6/mike070868/HPIM1763.jpg

[retrobiker]

headset and bearings back in

https://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t6/mike070868/HPIM1805.jpg

https://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t6/mike070868/HPIM1767.jpg

[retrobiker]

engine was stripped to base , pistons and rings were pretty good and ok to go back in ... had this checked by an ex 70's honda mechanic and gave me the green light

https://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t6/mike070868/cylinderhead001.jpg

https://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t6/mike070868/cylinderhead003.jpg

https://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t6/mike070868/gasket2.jpg

[retrobiker]

paint this time.. high temp paint

https://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t6/mike070868/engine016.jpg

https://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t6/mike070868/engine017.jpg

top cover back on

https://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t6/mike070868/camc1.jpg

[retrobiker]

pesky carb cleaning

https://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t6/mike070868/tachodrive004.jpg

[retrobiker]

wheels.. both wheels got new bearings

https://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t6/mike070868/rearhubemptyhub.jpg

[retrobiker]

engine is back in frame, done the frame over engine trick

front wheel has just had a new rim and spokes

off to get some new tyres soon

will continue to post if any interest

cheers guys

[fiveus]

looking good buddy
will be following this one.Can't wait to see the finished result

[The Shaggy D.A.]

Looking good, but I would have taken the dipstick out before spraying the engine, that's going to flake when you undo it
____________________
Chances are quite high you are not in my Monkeysphere, and I don't care about you. Don't take it personally.
Currently : Royal Enfield 350 Meteor
Previously : CB100N > CB250RS > XJ900F > GT550 > GPZ750R/1000RX > AJS M16 > R100RT > Bullet 500 > CB500 > LS650P > Bullet Electra X & YBR125 > Bullet 350 "Superstar" & YBR125 Custom > Royal Enfield Classic 500 Despatch Limited Edition (28 of 200) & CB Two-Fifty Nighthawk > ER5

[retrobiker]

yeah your probably right about dipstick .. i will find out later

could always do it in black

nearly at the stage now a rolling chassis

i am not a mechanic , its all been done from books, forums like this and an ex honda mechanic i bumped into

more pics later in week when i get these tyres back

[Tim..]

Keep posting, look like a good build so far

Did you put new headstock bearings in? Its something I normally do on a full build.
____________________
Project builds: My VFR400 nc30 build thread + Honda Britain Rep VFR + What? Another VFR +Project 'cos I want one' + V8 coffee table
www.marshallracing.co.uk
OCD - Helping to bring the standard of my bikes up and make me slowly go mad since 1999

[retrobiker]

yes mate i did... david silvers is loving me at the moment

if i recall bearings were loose.. now got the new tapered roller bearings.. feels much better

trying to keep it looking original as i can but if there are better safer items i am going to use them

learning as i go and you get to know the bike better as well

[Gazdaman]

Moar photos needed.

And I assume it's a mistake in your post where you said the ex-Honda mechanic gave you the "red light" on your engine.

Gaz

[retrobiker]

yeah good spot , of course i meant green light ,he gave it a good look over

not entirely sure what he was looking for, engines on these seem pretty tough and well built, it had good compression but did have a couple of leaks

stem seals were one of the items he suggested changing, he had a good look at pistons and they seemed fine

main problem was getting out the oil filter bolt

basically all i have done is change all gaskets down to base gasket

cam chain was also fine

not sure how long this is going to take as new to this.. but been fun and learning a lot

[Gazdaman]

Looks like it's well on the way to being finished! Depends if the bodywork needs painting or not.

Gaz

[retrobiker]

i have some questions as well to ask

want to do some upgrades if possible, one being the new headstock bearings and tyres spring to mind

4 into 4 exhaust now unavailable, i have the exhausts but there like dust inside

david silvers only list a motad 4 into 1, £250 good value? any downsides in going 4 into 1 ?

https://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t6/mike070868/taper1-1.jpg

headstock going on

[retrobiker]

cheers , i have been working hard on it


the amount of crud on it though was pretty bad

to give you an idea

https://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t6/mike070868/Picture071.jpg

after

https://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t6/mike070868/HPIM1963.jpg


still got the wiring to do which i am dreading

[Gazdaman]

Mmm, that last photo is porn.

On the tyre front, for a bike like that it would depend on sizes. I would suspect that Bridgestone BT45s would be a good choice, assuming it has similar sizes to the usual commuter bikes.

Head bearings are head bearings pretty much. Fit the new ones, they'll be smooth and not have play in them. Sorted, that's all you need.

Exhaust wise, 4-1 is fine. Although the Motad one I had on my old XJ600 wasn't of the best quality, and didn't look fantastic. £250 is a fair amount of money, but if it's for a full system you won't find a lot cheaper.

Gaz

[Teflon-Mike]

I would try and hunt out replica four pipes.
4-1 was common 'in the day', but now, they are more atractive / desirable, with original four pipes.
Dave Silvers are good, but they are a Super Market for all things Honda, they dont always have the niggly bits a restorer wants.
There are plenty of specialists making replica chrome pipes, and even if you cant get a full system, you almost certainly will be able to get something more 'sympathetic' by way of pattern silencers, some one can bend some headers to, for you to get chromed.
Bit of research needed I reckon.
Given what you must be spending on this bike... its those 'little' things that make the difference between achieving the 'restored' look you want, or merely another tarted old up old bike.
Other wise, keep an eye on the oil seals, particularly the sprocket and gearbox shaft seals, one or other is particularly prone to popping, and I 'think' its the gear selectorshaft seal that can inadvertantly be fitted backwards!
____________________
My Webby'Tef's-tQ, loads of stuff about my bikes, my Land-Rovers, and the stuff I do with them!
Current Bikes:'Honda VF1000F' ;'CB750F2N' ;'CB125TD ( 6 3 of em!)'; 'Montesa Cota 248'. Learner FAQ's:= 'U want to Ride a Motorbike! Where Do U start?'

[CHR15]

id get the exhaust system sand blasted.

see what its like after that, if its good, get it ceramic coated, you keep the 4>4 and it looks nice.
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Turbocharged drag thing / project death weapon / GK73A
Ste: I'm not entirely sure how you'd go about verbally abusing someone with a potato but I'm sure it's possible.

[paddlesat16]

Avon Roadriders for the tyres, most classic hondas etc run em and there pretty grippy and not overly expensive.

https://www.avon-tyres.co.uk/motorcycle/roadrider
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I once saw a bloke shagging a donkey.... in Saudi arabia. Theory Test Passed 26/10/09 Mod 1 Passed 26/4/10, Mod 2 Passed 7/6/10 Current Bikes Suzuki GSX1400 K5, Aprillia Pegaso 650, Suzuki DR350T.

[Frost]

4-1 tends to give more mid range, but less top end power, also looks wise the 4 pipes are very very nice.