Author Topic: My CB550 K3 Restore Project  (Read 13353 times)

Offline heli_madken

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Re: My CB550 K3 Restore Project
« Reply #90 on: December 16, 2020, 04:04:28 PM »
Hi Everyone,

Able to get some more time on the bike. The front and rear mudguards, grab rail and headlamp mounts have gone off to be re-chromed.

I am hoping to get the rims early next week, I hadn't realised Central Wheel build to order so its taken over 4 weeks for them to be ready.

In the meantime I am getting everything ready for lacing, the rear hub was very badly pitted and took a lot of work to get it reasonable -
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Next up is the rear brake shoe mount, doesn't look too bad so shouldn't take that long -
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I have ordered most of the electrical components I need including a new loom and reg/rectifier from Electrexworld, hopefully in a couple of weeks I will have the bike on its wheels and can start installing the electrics.

Offline heli_madken

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Re: My CB550 K3 Restore Project
« Reply #91 on: December 21, 2020, 02:49:23 PM »
Managed to get the front wheel laced. I was kind of dreading it but it went together much easier than I thought it would, perhaps it was beginners luck! -
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Once the first spoke is in place it becomes pretty obvious where the rest go due to the angle of the holes drilled into the rim. Truing was ok and I have managed to get it well within the Honda specs.

Next up is to get the front fork lowers polished, yokes in place and tyre fitted so I can get the bike on the centre stand.

Offline Kelly E

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Re: My CB550 K3 Restore Project
« Reply #92 on: December 21, 2020, 03:34:05 PM »
I use a scissors jack and a square piece of 2x4 under the front of the motor until I get the front end done.
The Rust Brothers Garage Collection
1974 Honda CB550 K0
1975 Honda CB400F Super Sport
1979 Honda CB750F Super Sport
1980 Suzuki GS1100E
1982 Honda CB900F Super Sport
1983 Honda CB1100F
1984 Honda VF700S Sabre
1984 Honda VF1000F Interceptor
1990 Moto Guzzi 1000 Le Mans
1994 Kawasaki Concours ZG1000
2006 Harley Davidson Fat Boy

Offline heli_madken

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Re: My CB550 K3 Restore Project
« Reply #93 on: December 28, 2020, 04:53:10 PM »
Thanks Kelly E thats exactly what I did -
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Hope everyone had a good Christmas!

So I got the front tyre on without scratching the rim, polished the fork legs and speedo drive, sprayed the centre of the disc to tidy it up, fitted new taper roller headstock bearings then temporarily assembled the front end -
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Next up is to build the rear wheel, just a little more work on the hub to do but its coming out ok -
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Starting to look like a motorcycle again!

Offline Laverda Dave

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Re: My CB550 K3 Restore Project
« Reply #94 on: December 28, 2020, 08:13:11 PM »
Great progress. What polishing set-up do you have? After 11 months I've just about given up with my polisher/chromer and looking to do the polishing myself. Do you use a custom polisher, what HP motor? What size mops as I imagine getting into the ribs of the brake plate and hub requires a small mop?
1976 Honda 400/4
1977 Rickman Honda CR750
1999 Honda VFR 800FX
1955 750 Dresda Triton
1978 Moto Morini 350 Sport
1978 Honda CB400/4 'Rat' bike
1982 Laverda 120 Jota

Offline Nurse Julie

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Re: My CB550 K3 Restore Project
« Reply #95 on: December 28, 2020, 10:35:38 PM »
You’ve put the forks on back to front, left is on the right and vice versa
Well spotted Ken.
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Offline heli_madken

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Re: My CB550 K3 Restore Project
« Reply #96 on: December 28, 2020, 11:00:05 PM »
DOH! They are only temporarily in place and it was too damn cold in the garage today!

Offline heli_madken

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Re: My CB550 K3 Restore Project
« Reply #97 on: December 30, 2020, 04:21:36 PM »
What polishing set-up do you have? After 11 months I've just about given up with my polisher/chromer and looking to do the polishing myself. Do you use a custom polisher, what HP motor? What size mops as I imagine getting into the ribs of the brake plate and hub requires a small mop?

Thanks for your comment. I use a combination of several power tools and hand sanding. I have an old Clarke bench grinder which is only 210W so only just up to the job of running 6" polishing mops (should be over 300W) so I take it easy. I also use 3" mops for smaller items or hard to get to bits as well. The mops are just from ebay together with various compounds nothing special.

I also use a dremel with a flexi-drive and small polishing bits like these https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/120PCS-FELT-POLISHING-BUFFING-PADS-WHEEL-WOOL-PLASTIC-DREMEL-ROTARY-TOOL-KIT-SET/313191575497?hash=item48ebac2fc9:g:a0QAAOSwrk5fP5aB which are great used with Solvol Autosol to get into the ribs on the hubs.

I use one of these which is a great piece of kit - https://www.hobbies.co.uk/tools/power-tools/proxxon-angle-polisher-wpe?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaignid=6727975578&utm_campaign=Shopping-Research_Campaign&utm_term=&adid=388174523725&addisttype=gpla&matchtype=&gclid=CjwKCAiA57D_BRAZEiwAZcfCxVkDmPh6TMMk9kFwAJ1mRBgTVWGEfrsukRa5JnzKuvlM8PwmPv-kpBoC5A8QAvD_BwE not tremendously powerful but great for getting into tight places.

To be fair to your polisher not all bits polish up too well even after a lot of work, not too sure why perhaps the quality of the casting or the aluminium.

For badly damaged parts I start with 240 grit wet and dry used wet in soapy water, I use Mirka abrasives which are great to use and last well. I then go through 400 to 800 grit before starting to polish with a sisal wheel and the brown polishing compound. Follow up with a hard stitched wheel and blue compound then a loose fold wheel and Autosol. No real trick or science to it just perseverance!

Offline heli_madken

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Re: My CB550 K3 Restore Project
« Reply #98 on: January 10, 2021, 03:29:59 PM »
Have you tried the Dremel Speed clic system, great stuff and the polishing wheel stays intact for quite a while if you don't press too hard.

Yes I have they do work really well although the last 'flap' wheel I bought utilising the system lasted about 5 minutes, not good. Whilst I am having a go at Dremel up until last Christmas I had been using an old rotary tool I bought from 'Woolworths' around 1998 until it failed. So my wife bought me a new Dremel equivalent for my Christmas present, a lot more expensive than my Woolies special. It lasted a year before it emitted some magic smoke last week and stopped working. So 23 years versus 1 thats a victory for Woolies I think.

Anyway on with some more progress. I have laced the rear wheel, new tyre, fitted new bearings and seals, new brake shoes and a new sprocket and put everything in place.

Looking more like a bike every day and the pile of pits on the shelves is getting smaller -
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Really pleased with how all the polishing has turned out -
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Just waiting on some fastenings, tongued washers etc to arrive, most of the guys in the local Royal Mail sorting office are off ill with Covid so I havent had a delivery since before New Years, hope they all get better soon.

Next up is trying to finish off bits of painting if only the weather would co-operate and then looking at installing the electrics

Offline Johnwebley

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Re: My CB550 K3 Restore Project
« Reply #99 on: January 10, 2021, 03:35:34 PM »
That's looking good.

Wish mine looked as good.





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Offline heli_madken

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Re: My CB550 K3 Restore Project
« Reply #100 on: January 14, 2021, 04:21:55 PM »
Thanks Johnwebley, I must admit I am pleased with how its coming together quite a transformation from how the bike was last February.

Concentrated on the electrics over the past couple of days, painted and fitted the clocks -
[ Guests cannot view attachments ]

Then worked on the main electrics distribution board. I fitted an Electrex World Reg/Rec, also used their sub loom which was well worth having together with a main loom from DSS. With a newly painted mounting plate it looks quite neat -
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A far cry from how it looked originally -
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So the big moment came and I turned the key. Surprisingly I got a neutral and oil light and everything that is fitted worked first time! could not believe it.

Next big moment was hitting the starter (no plugs fitted) and the motor spun over lovely with no nasty noises.

BUT! after around 20 seconds of running on the starter I am not getting an extinguishing oil light. Is this normal?

I have a little more work to do on the rear wheel then I can get the exhausts on and hopefully over the weekend have a go at getting her started, any tips on the initial start sequence?


Offline Nurse Julie

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Re: My CB550 K3 Restore Project
« Reply #101 on: January 14, 2021, 04:26:30 PM »
Looking great. 20 seconds is a very long for an oil light to go out, or not in your case. 🤔
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Offline Johnwebley

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Re: My CB550 K3 Restore Project
« Reply #102 on: January 14, 2021, 04:27:20 PM »
Check the oil level.

It needs to fill the filter and all the feeds.


At least it's spinning over nicely

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Online Johnny4428

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Re: My CB550 K3 Restore Project
« Reply #103 on: January 14, 2021, 06:05:11 PM »
I ended up having to remove oil pressure switch filling pump through oil pressure switch hole, replacing pressure switch and oil pressure came up quickly. Shouldn’t have to but worked for me.
1952 Cymoto on Triumph bicycle.
1961 Matchless G3
1974 Honda CB550K1. Running resto,
1978 Honda CB550K3.
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Offline Laverda Dave

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Re: My CB550 K3 Restore Project
« Reply #104 on: January 15, 2021, 10:33:42 AM »
What polishing set-up do you have? After 11 months I've just about given up with my polisher/chromer and looking to do the polishing myself. Do you use a custom polisher, what HP motor? What size mops as I imagine getting into the ribs of the brake plate and hub requires a small mop?

Thanks for your comment. I use a combination of several power tools and hand sanding. I have an old Clarke bench grinder which is only 210W so only just up to the job of running 6" polishing mops (should be over 300W) so I take it easy. I also use 3" mops for smaller items or hard to get to bits as well. The mops are just from ebay together with various compounds nothing special.

I also use a dremel with a flexi-drive and small polishing bits like these https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/120PCS-FELT-POLISHING-BUFFING-PADS-WHEEL-WOOL-PLASTIC-DREMEL-ROTARY-TOOL-KIT-SET/313191575497?hash=item48ebac2fc9:g:a0QAAOSwrk5fP5aB which are great used with Solvol Autosol to get into the ribs on the hubs.

I use one of these which is a great piece of kit - https://www.hobbies.co.uk/tools/power-tools/proxxon-angle-polisher-wpe?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaignid=6727975578&utm_campaign=Shopping-Research_Campaign&utm_term=&adid=388174523725&addisttype=gpla&matchtype=&gclid=CjwKCAiA57D_BRAZEiwAZcfCxVkDmPh6TMMk9kFwAJ1mRBgTVWGEfrsukRa5JnzKuvlM8PwmPv-kpBoC5A8QAvD_BwE not tremendously powerful but great for getting into tight places.

To be fair to your polisher not all bits polish up too well even after a lot of work, not too sure why perhaps the quality of the casting or the aluminium.

For badly damaged parts I start with 240 grit wet and dry used wet in soapy water, I use Mirka abrasives which are great to use and last well. I then go through 400 to 800 grit before starting to polish with a sisal wheel and the brown polishing compound. Follow up with a hard stitched wheel and blue compound then a loose fold wheel and Autosol. No real trick or science to it just perseverance!

Great, thanks for the advice. It looks like I'm going to be in the garage with some mops for a while  ::). The rims on the Z400J project are pretty rough on the edges, the centre section of the rims are painted and I dont want to take it off if I can help it so likely to go the wet and dry method first and slowly build up to a small dremmel sized polisher.
1976 Honda 400/4
1977 Rickman Honda CR750
1999 Honda VFR 800FX
1955 750 Dresda Triton
1978 Moto Morini 350 Sport
1978 Honda CB400/4 'Rat' bike
1982 Laverda 120 Jota

 

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