CB550 refurb

[Johnny4428]

Hi Jonny 4428

I am a little behind you in doing the same thing with my engine I managed to strip the top half down and separated the head and bores, Then lower part of the upper engine casing, Can I just confirm the thread size is 16mm diameter x 1.5 thread that is required to remove the rotor? Unfortunate y compressor is not got enough power to undo the nut so will have to source anther way to crack the bolt off.

I look fwd to reading your progress I am a bit worried that this looks ever so complicated once you lift the upper engine casing off there's loads of moving parts that need carful stripping down and cleaning. 

Can anyone suggest  a good economical way for cleaning these parts I though of a cut open plastic drum and some petrol and just wash them in that .

Sorry I can seem to get pictures to load up on here even with steves help so annoying

Nige

Yes M16 x 1.5 any length about 75mm upwards. Didn’t have any problems getting the bolt from the end on mine. Just a couple of rattles with the impact gun.

[Johnny4428]

Looking good Johnny. You've noticed the trap set by a bike that requires a 'bit of a cosmetic refresh' ends up as restoration 😉. It's always difficult when replacing an old dog eared part with a new one and not to continue to replace other parts whilst you are there and winter is coming anyway etc, etc.......

You’re right Dave! I have gone from a top end strip to a complete strip. But nice to get a right look inside. The good news is I haven’t found anything that desperately needs replacing apart from chains and primary rubbers.

[Johnny4428]

Like the idea of the tray underneath Ted! I was chasing around pools of oil off the top of the bike lift.

[Johnny4428]

Decided yesterday and the day to tackle one of the tedious jobs of removing paint. I revealed the original decals which were hidden under a badly applied coat of black paint. So took some measurements of decal positions. I’ve been using a mixture of heat and crappy nitro mors and steel wool.





Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Orcade-Ian]

Bit late now but Macgregors have proper nasty stuff that works like shiteromors used to Johnny.  Not cheap but it's the best I've found here. It's Langlow and in a 5 litre tin

Ian

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

That looks like it was hard work Johnny - well done - is that bare steel or an old primer base coat?

[Johnny4428]

Bit late now but Macgregors have proper nasty stuff that works like shiteromors used to Johnny.  Not cheap but it's the best I've found here. It's Langlow and in a 5 litre tin

Ian

O shit! Forgot about that stuff Ian! Might get some yet, still underneath to finish off.

[Johnny4428]

That looks like it was hard work Johnny - well done - is that bare steel or an old primer base coat?

Bare metal Ted.

[DomP]

Just done mine Johnny so I can understand how much work it takes to strip all the layers of paint off, especially in the nooks and cranies.  Good progress mate!

[Johnny4428]

Yes Dom I have a bit of work to do on it yet but I thought if I started it now I could just do a bit now and again and hopefully it will be ready for painting in the spring or early summer next year.😜

[Johnny4428]

After a bit of thought about the cost of plating, I had to remind myself that I was wanting to retain a bit of patina on this 50y old bike right from the get go. There is always a temptation to try and disguise every blemish or age related mark. After another look at everything I have decided to try and source some reasonable looking bits and pieces and keep the plating as a last resort. I have cleaned up the rear indicators and am quite happy with them but the front ones have suffered quite a bit of the old metallic acne! So anybody by chance have a couple of these indicator shells? I have seen a few on flea bay but I’d try here first.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Bryanj]

Need to see the lens, dont recognise those rears

[Orcade-Ian]

There are some here Johnny, in much better condition than those - from the James bike.  Fronts were twin filament bulbs and I did some mix and match from new DS ones.  Have a look next time you are in the Wild West - even got some of Steve's Coffee!  Sorry, no caramel latte machiata or whatever it was that got me started!

Ian

[Johnny4428]

Need to see the lens, dont recognise those rears

They look exactly the same as the ones on the K3 Bryan.

[Johnny4428]

There are some here Johnny, in much better condition than those - from the James bike.  Fronts were twin filament bulbs and I did some mix and match from new DS ones.  Have a look next time you are in the Wild West - even got some of Steve's Coffee!  Sorry, no caramel latte machiata or whatever it was that got me started!

Ian

Thanks Ian. Was looking at some new ones too, but I would rather have ones with a little age to them if possible. I will come out and have a look. I keep waiting for a chance to pop out on a bike but I think I’m going to have to start thinking 4 wheels this time of year. Winterisation for the bikes bar 1 is next.
Thanks Ian.