CB550k1 US Import - UK registration

[Laverdaroo]

Interseting, I only do the brakes, like you Bryan, when the twist grip and all other gubbins are on the bars, usually one of the last jobs before taking out the workshop.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

When I was dismantling my 500 I kept the front brake in place after engine removal. It made moving the bike to turn it round on the ramp for eventual front wheel removal easier to control. I've limited space between car & bike ramp so not keen to break the rear light etc. With the rear wheel at the wheel clamp end I can remove the floor panel to drop wheel forks etc. With a double screw jack I can sucure the frame then pull the rear wheel out whilst it's on the center stand.

[juitz]

Well, free and clear of Covid and have a couple of days off.

Now to start rebuilding the engine.

I'm going to start with the crankshaft and Conrod bearings, check the clearances and order new shells as required.

Also going to get the cases vapour blasted but looking ahead to painting, it is better paint the cases and assemble, or assemble them paint once all together?

I would like to go with aluminium VHT spray, and will aTRY to cure it with a running engine.

[Oddjob]

Always paint the cases whilst part, if together, they can pull paint off the joins when you go to disassemble them at some point. Plus the cases lie flat when apart so easier to paint. Just make sure you get them really clean and clean with brake cleaner just before spraying.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

When I painted my 400 all the covers were oven baked whereas I was worried about distortion on main casing & cam cover
so air dried them then relying on engine heat.

I found that the unbaked items seemed to mark easily on assembly including from petrol stains.

[Johnny4428]

First time I painted 550 cases the paint was coming off in my hand when assembling/handling. I would thoroughly recommend baking the cases after painting if you can. Had to clean all the paint off and start again.

[juitz]

Thanks all.

Will have to figure out how to bake the cases as 100% certainty that the wife will not let me do it in our oven.

[Bryanj]

Buy a cheap used electric oven which frequently plug into a 13amp socket

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

The only restriction I have on oven baking in our kitchen is that Wendy has to be at work or out.

[Laverdaroo]

The only restriction I have on oven baking in our kitchen is that Wendy has to be at work or out.

I draw the line at baking stuff in the oven, it stinks and covers the oven in a load of gack. The Long Haired Generali s dead tolerant tobe fair, I came home  early on in the year to find a 'sooper dooper' new dishwasher installed with the plastic on the front, all lit up like a flying saucer. Apparently the other one that although was shagged out was hanging on in there but decided that it was tine to die that morning.  There it was, looked good, all shiney all silent, only two buttons (great for an uninterested Northerner with a slither of an attention span to learn), stainless steel this n that, self cleaning (oh aye!) and all the value of the £500 WE'd been decidedly robbed for it.

Prior to this a few weeks previously a small picture of this appliance was poked over the screen of the laptop whilst in the kitchen one day and comments were made on its fantasticness and buildquality, yer know all that guff to justify spending more than you really need to but fancy a splurge..........I had said it was too expensive, she disagreed so we talked, a very clear comprimise was made.......and she bought it. All sorted then.  I love her, she's ace!!

Anyhow, I digress; I came home to find 'said', new dishwasher, doing a cycle, and upon asking how come we have a washer full of stuff going on when there was none the night before as i had under sufference done the pots, was informed that it was stuffed to the gunnals with CB400 cases , barrels and head front wheel hub and some other tranclements of her 400. 


"well, you said you wanted to de grease them before you took them to the vapour blasters"...............I knew then, I'd got a keeper.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

I agree there is the telltale aroma after using the oven but never had any issues with a load of gack or any residues.

[Laverdaroo]

I have, I got a right bollocking. I reckon there was something else in there but thought it best to shut up

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

I have, I got a right bollocking. I reckon there was something else in there but thought it best to shut up

Well done Roo - I've not learnt that trick yet I get all defensive so it can end up a full blown row.

[juitz]

Good shout with the used electric oven.

My wife is very patient, but baking bike parts in the oven will definitely get me a night in the spare room 😂

[Bryanj]

Only a night! She must be very forgiving