Author Topic: Mike's CB550 Project  (Read 686 times)

Offline Mike_Berkshire

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Re: Mike's CB550 Project
« Reply #15 on: May 16, 2024, 05:52:31 PM »
A great tip Ted; thanks. I used the handle of our patio broom, banged 2 panel pins into it about 5mm apart, cut the heads off and dropped it down the tube. With one nail either side of the roll pin in the damper, the fork leg in the vise and the head of the broom stopping rotation I got it out no trouble. I have discovered that ancient fork oil smells not unlike sewage too. Onwards to the next challenge.

Offline McCabe-Thiele (Ted)

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Re: Mike's CB550 Project
« Reply #16 on: May 16, 2024, 06:27:07 PM »
The worst oil smell I've experienced has been with car diff oil.
Honda CB500 K1 (new pit dug out ready)
Honda CB400 four super sport (first money pit)
Link to my full restoration http://www.sohc.co.uk/index.php/topic,23291.0.html
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,151576.msg1731556.html#msg1731556

Offline Bryanj

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Re: Mike's CB550 Project
« Reply #17 on: May 16, 2024, 08:06:28 PM »
You wana smell the stuff that comes out of a Leyland lock up flywheel on a coach, its burn the ovies if you splash it

Offline andy120t

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Re: Mike's CB550 Project
« Reply #18 on: May 17, 2024, 08:08:33 AM »
Fork oil is revolting. At least there was some in there!
andy120t

CB550f/k
Zephyr 550
ZX6R G1
GSXR 7/11 - I need to sell it
Triumph 5TA - and this..

Offline Mike_Berkshire

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Re: Mike's CB550 Project
« Reply #19 on: May 17, 2024, 07:20:00 PM »
Having recovered from the stink of old fork oil I have been doing some work on the forks. Im looking forward to polishing the aluminium lower legs but before I treat myself to that task I thought I would give the top tubes a going over. After removing the rust on the top ends of the tubes (Scotchbrite) there is some fairly heavy pitting. The pitting is where I would expect it: mostly in the headlamp ears area but also some about an inch or so beneath the lower triple tree. The lower part of the tubes is pit-free and pretty good, there were no obvious signs of oil leaking from the oil seals when I took the forks apart so Im assuming at the business end the tubes are good. Now I need to work out what to do. Im not intending for a full restoration, I want a safe, sound bike to ride when finished. Ive read other posts about getting the hard chrome specialists in Luton to rechrome the legs but I could use the £200+ on so many other things. Also, I dont know if the pitting is something they could deal with? I would be really grateful for any suggestions from those that have gone before. Thanks, Mike

Offline Nurse Julie

  • 1977 CB550/4 Mongrel Brat. 1974 UK 500/4 K1. Honda CD250u.
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Re: Mike's CB550 Project
« Reply #20 on: May 17, 2024, 07:35:26 PM »
Yes, pitting is something Philpots in Luton are very used to dealing with, the companies other name is Pitted Forks 😂😂😂. Why not see how they are when you've finished your restoration, you could always send them off to them over the winter to be done.
LINK TO MY EBAY PAGE. As many of you know already, I give 10% discount and do post at cost to forum members if you PM me direct.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/julies9731/m.html?item=165142672569&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.m3561.l2562

LINK TO MY CB400/4 ENGINE STRIP / ASSESSMENT AND REBUILD...NOW COMPLETE
http://www.sohc.co.uk/index.php/topic,14049.msg112691/topicseen.html#new

Offline Bryanj

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Re: Mike's CB550 Project
« Reply #21 on: May 17, 2024, 08:01:53 PM »
Seals will never get that far up the tubes, i can give you a "dirty" fix that will last a while if you pm me

Offline Mike_Berkshire

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Re: Mike's CB550 Project
« Reply #22 on: May 17, 2024, 09:32:15 PM »
Thanks Julie and Bryan. Bryan I will PM you.

Offline Mike_Berkshire

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Re: Mike's CB550 Project
« Reply #23 on: May 17, 2024, 09:37:12 PM »
This is the pitting:

Offline DomP

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Re: Mike's CB550 Project
« Reply #24 on: May 17, 2024, 09:51:31 PM »
That's exactly like mine Mike, pitted below the lower triple by around an inch or so, I think Julie has a good plan there, use it now but send them off during those miserable winter months
1975 XS650B
1976 CB550F1 current project
2012 Triumph Daytona 675

 

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