Post by: Orcade-Ian on February 18, 2023, 03:47:08 PM
I would just like to say a very sincere thanks to the wonderful folk on this Forum and especially to Steve D for making it all happen. I wouldn't have become the next custodian of this lovely 550 or almost all of the parts needed to get it up and running had it not been for all the help you've given. You know who you all are - one member wouldn't even let me pay postage, so I've sent a donation on behalf of the two of us. It's not quite finished but very close now, awaiting DVLA giving me a number.
I had my application rejected as I forgot to send a copy of a current Council tax bill to verify my address - yes, my fault entirely. Somehow, they managed to send it back to my house and my address is on the driving licence copy I sent - that THEY issued!
Anyway, thanks again folks, you've made a happy man very old (or summat like that!)
Ian
Post by: Bryanj on February 18, 2023, 03:58:30 PM
Post by: Orcade-Ian on February 18, 2023, 04:13:09 PM
I will admit it was a great machine to start from and we've had a particularly crap Winter when being in the workshop was a good option and very few interruptions. I even refurbished the clocks which I had thought would be next Winters job.
[attach=1]
Still have to fit the 069 carbs and airbox
[attach=2]
Looks like the clock bracket needs a bit of straightening and bar clamps re-finishing sometime.
Ian
Post by: Laverdaroo on February 18, 2023, 04:32:07 PM
I’ve a way to go yet but as soon as I get my pipes back I’m going to try to get the old dog running!!!
Couple of weeks, bet you beat me with the new carbs
Well done pal
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Post by: gary123 on February 18, 2023, 05:07:00 PM
Post by: Orcade-Ian on February 18, 2023, 05:16:49 PM
Thanks for the comment - if you want some bed-time reading - with pics, I have stuck a bit on my web-site but be warned - it's a 7 parter so far!
http://www.stallard-engineering.co.uk/stories/Bikes/Japanese/Honda%20CB550F1.htm
Ian
Post by: gary123 on February 18, 2023, 05:43:20 PM
Same question for the single spar mudguard, mine has two.
Cheers
Gary
Post by: Orcade-Ian on February 18, 2023, 06:11:22 PM
I am no 500/550 expert as others know only too well but certainly the F1 has the separate cover badge, others being all part of the casting. Same with the single stay mudguard - mine is not brilliant and I just might splash out on a DS genuine one which has 2 stays and looks more complete to me - having bolt holes with nothing in doesn't look right somehow. Yes, I know that there is that extra hole in the right leg for the two disc setup but I'm not going down that route. Somewhere back in my earlier posts I included a link to a very low mileage US F1 for sale by Randakk (aka Randall Washington) who is a stickler for originality and GoldWing Guru. Lots of great pics from that link.
Ian
Just found it:
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1976-honda-cb550-f-super-sport/
Post by: Seabeowner on February 18, 2023, 07:13:25 PM
The F2 and K3s only have the Honda cast into the generator cover. Replacement covers for F1s and the like have been a better investment than gold if you bought up a few.
The UK F1s had the twin stay front guard which I agree looks better.
Post by: gary123 on February 18, 2023, 07:24:25 PM
Do you know if this will fit my bike, I dont have one so cant compare.[attachimg=1]
Post by: Oddjob on February 18, 2023, 09:00:10 PM
The 500 one doesn't sweep up as much as the 550 one, this I think was due to the seat being slightly longer on the 550 than the 500 and had a small upsweep on the back as well to accommodate the toolkit.
Post by: McCabe-Thiele (Ted) on February 19, 2023, 12:13:08 PM
I also did some general browsing on other bikes & archived stuff - still hours more reading to do.
One archived item caught my attention - the Mini (ADO15 type) front wheel arch liners.
I was a big mini enthusiast in the 1960's up until the 1990's there used to be adverts in I think it was in Car & Car Conversions Magazine or even the Sunday Mail for front wheel arch liners made out of some sort of moulded plastic type material by a Scandanavian firm iirc. I always fancied a set but at the time they were out of my reach.
Post by: Laverdaroo on February 19, 2023, 12:44:04 PM
If you do get a new exhaust for yours and want to shift your headers on, give us first dibs, I might be interested in those depending on how mine turn out at the coaters. Great build In, well done mate, she looks great. :)
Post by: Orcade-Ian on February 19, 2023, 01:04:34 PM
It will fit Ian but whether the indicator mounts are for the smaller 500 or for the larger 550s isn't that apparent from the pic. Easier to source the 500 type, the 550 ones can be hard to find.
The 500 one doesn't sweep up as much as the 550 one, this I think was due to the seat being slightly longer on the 550 than the 500 and had a small upsweep on the back as well to accommodate the toolkit.
Not guilty Ken, it was Gary who asked the grab rail question but as you mentioned the toolkit, this is what I was pleasantly surprised with when I got the bike from James:
[attach=1]
There are no feeler blades in the little pouch at the back and I'm not sure if it would have had that strange slotted piece that could be used to provide more torque to the screwdriver blades. Even the metric pliers look unused 🤓
I was tempted to strip and re-plate it all but think I'll just leave it with its 'patina'
Ian
Just noticed that missing torque multiplier is in the pre-load adjuster!
Post by: Orcade-Ian on February 19, 2023, 01:23:44 PM
I started that web site just over 20 years ago and maintain it myself. I often sit with my iPad to write that shite while Christine is watching the Idiots Lantern - then email it to myself for editing on the PC. I'm still using windows Vista plus a very early version of Photoshop and some totally out of date FTP software for uploading - non of those will run on any platform much newer, so if it goes belly up, I'm stuffed! Too old now to learn new tricks with 'puters.
Ted, my passion for Minis (proper ones!) was started by Clive Trickey (Car and Car Conversions or 'Triple C') when he built a Mini 7 formula car from a written off van and a brand new bodyshell - £80 back in 1967 - over 10 grand now! I had a rusty Minivan but bought a lightly damaged shell for £4 and went on from there - have had 32 Minis in total. Yes, I remember those arch liners - not seen any for years though.
Ian
Post by: McCabe-Thiele (Ted) on February 19, 2023, 01:58:04 PM
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51813419991_f7bc10eccc_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mWzjBr)PICT0319 (https://flic.kr/p/2mWzjBr) by Macabe Thiele (https://www.flickr.com/photos/187487200@N03/), on Flickr
The red Mini photo was taken outside my parents house when I was a student circa 1965/6
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52698456418_4b0fb4ef27_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2ohMn7b)PICT0340 (https://flic.kr/p/2ohMn7b) by Macabe Thiele (https://www.flickr.com/photos/187487200@N03/), on Flickr
The Kingfisher metallic blue S photo was taken at Clowne outside a Police House circa 1972. The red Mini was a 998 Cooper sprayed at great expese by my best mate Jerry in Rolls Royce Regal Red. Not very clear in the photo but both cars sported vinyl roofs - a fashion back then.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52698379190_a45c45d1ed_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2ohLY9E)Trichcolour Cooper (https://flic.kr/p/2ohLY9E) by Macabe Thiele (https://www.flickr.com/photos/187487200@N03/), on Flickr
Photo was taken circa 1980 place forgotten but could have been somewhere in Burton on Trent area.
Post by: Laverdaroo on February 19, 2023, 02:03:25 PM
Love it! 8) ;)
Post by: Orcade-Ian on February 19, 2023, 02:16:27 PM
I lent my 'Tuning a Mini' and 'More Mini Tuning' books to a friend and never got them back but I have since got a copy from ebay of the first one. Apart from the racing guys, no one will be polishing, porting and gas flowing heads now. Not sure any insurance companies are instructing re-shelling cars either. I love the last pic with that Princess too!
Ian
Post by: McCabe-Thiele (Ted) on February 19, 2023, 03:57:46 PM
The Mk1 S DJC 323 E was written off within a few months of ownership by the young lad who lived in Sheffield.
Back in 1976/7 there was a chap in Nottingham who bought a load of BL special tuning parts all new from BL when they closed the Special Tuning Parts division down I think - he was our source for works front negative camber arms & competition displacers etc back in the day.
I know the when & where for first two photos were taken but the one with the Princess in looks like a park in the background just can't place it.
Post by: K2-K6 on February 19, 2023, 04:53:32 PM
Having never owned a mini, but worked on friend's, family cars extensively, seem to have more ore less made a whole one out out welding wire with oxygen acetylene, or damned close to it :) I guess that could be counted as 3D printing in metal nowadays ;D
Post by: B11sey on February 23, 2023, 07:43:50 AM
Thanks Bryan,
I will admit it was a great machine to start from and we've had a particularly crap Winter when being in the workshop was a good option and very few interruptions. I even refurbished the clocks which I had thought would be next Winters job.
(Attachment Link)
Still have to fit the 069 carbs and airbox
(Attachment Link)
Looks like the clock bracket needs a bit of straightening and bar clamps re-finishing sometime.
Ian
I would be really interested in a details of your Speedo/tachometer repairs. Any chance of a picture of the crimping tool you made?
Post by: Orcade-Ian on February 23, 2023, 10:42:13 AM
I'll take some pics of the bits that I made to do the job - just done one for a mate with a big Yam but he wanted the 'patina' leaving 'as is' - his was just a broken needle so not so much extra work. Might be tomorrow before I get chance. The most important bit is to make sure the ring can't spread outwards when you are teasing back the over-crimp.
Ian
I put a short piece on my web site with a Ducati speedo I did - quite a bit different from Honda as unfortunately the ring (brass on that one) was crimped tight flush against the case - it might give you some ideas though
http://www.stallard-engineering.co.uk/stories/Bikes/European/Ducati%20Making%20parts.htm
Post by: Johnny4428 on February 24, 2023, 10:56:27 AM
Post by: Orcade-Ian on February 24, 2023, 01:13:31 PM
For B11sey,
Here area few pics of some of the tools and fixtures:
[attach=1]
This is the ring I made for the Yam tacho
[attach=2]
And the tacho sitting in the ring - gap is for masking tape
[attach=3]
Using the drill press to re-crimp a bit at a time
[attach=4]
And the finished article
[attach=5]
Home made tool to start uncrimping
I sometimes use an old 1/4 woodchisel to start to lift the crimp
The tool in the drill press (stationary!) is a piece of scrap bar with a domed end and you just keep slowly moving to the next point to press down - steady does it and I might go round 4 or 5 times before it's fully home.
Ian
Post by: taysidedragon on February 25, 2023, 01:03:11 AM
Post by: Orcade-Ian on February 25, 2023, 08:13:56 AM
It's very satisfying doing instruments but I know there are many very professional restorers out there but I like to keep as much 'in house' wherever possible.
I'm very fortunate that I have a decent sized centre lathe - so useful for lots of restoration jobs on the bikes and cars. Also, hailing from Yorkshire I never throw anything out! When I first met Christine in the early 80's, She couldn't understand why I kept rusty lengths of metal - until I stuck one in the lathe and turned the outside to reveal the shiny stuff inside, I honestly think She thought it was rusty right through!
Ian
Post by: Laverdaroo on February 25, 2023, 08:47:03 AM
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Post by: Sesman on February 25, 2023, 09:46:43 AM
Post by: Johnwebley on February 25, 2023, 09:56:55 AM
minis,Angleboxes,Imps
MGBs
fantastic,
around the late 60s,early 70s Tuned Imps appeared in sidecar racers ,
about 120HP from a top Hartwell motor
Post by: McCabe-Thiele (Ted) on February 25, 2023, 10:05:49 AM
Its been changed substantially over the years with different wheels, brakes & gearbox/clutch units - last saw it about 8-10 years ago. I suspect he has sold it as he was no spring chicken when I last saw him.
.(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52310630188_6f7b2004dc_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2nGvDT3)Bettson V8 made in Mickleover (https://flic.kr/p/2nGvDT3) by Macabe Thiele (https://www.flickr.com/photos/187487200@N03/), on Flickr
Post by: Orcade-Ian on February 25, 2023, 10:35:50 AM
I'm only saving up to be a Scotsman - nowhere near yet though 8) Married a Lancashire lass too!
I think I saw that bike Ted - would it have ever been to Elvington near York when they had drag racing there? (No, Roo - nothing to do with dressing up!). We used to go there with Buccaneers for circuits and bumps - we were told that the middle section of the runway where the aircraft landed was 12ft thick concrete.
Ian
Post by: K2-K6 on February 25, 2023, 10:45:05 AM
No mention of Dave Vizard then? We got over 100bhp out of a 1350 motor back in the day using his tuning guides.
A very clever engineer too.
Post by: Orcade-Ian on February 25, 2023, 10:58:01 AM
Ian
Post by: K2-K6 on February 25, 2023, 11:24:43 AM
'How to modify your Mini' was the book we all used - as you say a very clever engineer - still around at 79 too! Quite a lot of You tube stuff if anyone wants to see. 'Tuning for speed' by Phil Irvine was another must have back in the day - still have mine somewhere.
Ian
Ooh ! Now there's a name, of Vincent motorcycle engine design etc. Unusual too in that he was involved with Brabham Repco conversion of Buick 215 ci engine into grand prix winner ultimately by making bespoke heads with ohc cam to race it. Connecting all the way through from championship winning motor and lineage into rover's V8 as they bought that production line from Buick.
My parents were personal friends of Ted Davis a Vincent development engineer, John surtees who also worked there as apprentice and development rider, my father competed with some support on Vincent in TT, gaining a 3rd place finish on a shadow.
Post by: McCabe-Thiele (Ted) on February 25, 2023, 11:32:05 AM
Post by: Sesman on February 25, 2023, 11:48:21 AM
Post by: Orcade-Ian on February 25, 2023, 12:29:15 PM
Ian
Post by: Laverdaroo on February 25, 2023, 12:42:13 PM
https://youtu.be/38euKVQ1alA
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Post by: Orcade-Ian on February 25, 2023, 01:13:27 PM
I've not heard Tony Capstick for years - very funny chap - played one of the policemen in 'Last of the Summer Wine'. Christine reckons I modelled myself on Compo!
Ian
Post by: Laverdaroo on February 25, 2023, 03:08:31 PM
Post by: Orcade-Ian on February 25, 2023, 04:48:48 PM
Ian
Post by: McCabe-Thiele (Ted) on February 25, 2023, 05:54:51 PM
Post by: Laverdaroo on February 25, 2023, 06:18:34 PM
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Post by: heliwilly on March 01, 2023, 08:02:27 AM
Post by: Bryanj on March 01, 2023, 08:04:31 AM
Post by: Sesman on March 01, 2023, 08:29:35 AM
Post by: Johnny4428 on March 01, 2023, 08:55:26 AM
Post by: Sesman on March 01, 2023, 09:49:58 AM
Post by: Laverdaroo on March 01, 2023, 10:46:54 AM
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Post by: Sesman on March 01, 2023, 10:55:42 AM
Post by: McCabe-Thiele (Ted) on March 01, 2023, 11:31:30 AM
Post by: Oddjob on March 01, 2023, 12:13:30 PM
Post by: heliwilly on March 01, 2023, 12:17:43 PM
Post by: Sesman on March 01, 2023, 12:31:06 PM
Post by: Johnny4428 on March 01, 2023, 02:30:34 PM
Post by: Bryanj on March 01, 2023, 03:50:40 PM
Post by: Sesman on March 01, 2023, 04:01:28 PM
Post by: Sesman on March 01, 2023, 04:07:17 PM
Post by: Bryanj on March 01, 2023, 04:22:41 PM
Post by: taysidedragon on March 01, 2023, 05:14:56 PM
Post by: Orcade-Ian on March 01, 2023, 05:17:08 PM
Pan, wing it’s the same thing..😁🫣 I’m a poet and I didn’t know it.
Not coming to your place for a cheese sandwich then - might get fed chalk instead!
By coincidence, I've just ended (on Monday) my 35 year relationship with GoldWings (6 in total) You can say what you like about them but after well over 100,000 miles on them they are great machines.
I added a bit to my site in the 'What's New' link but you'll have to find it yourself if mildly interested.
Ian
Post by: Bryanj on March 01, 2023, 06:09:58 PM
Post by: Orcade-Ian on March 01, 2023, 06:25:55 PM
Yes, the GL1000 eventually went to a chap in the South of Orkney - he has 2 GL1000s The Gold 1500 SE only went on Monday - I'm 74 in June and didn't want to saddle Christine with the problem of selling a 'Wing in Orkney if anything happened to me. She doesn't go on the bike these days so I decided to move it on. Yes, the early Wings did consume tyres quite quickly! My best was the second 1200 Aspencade - often 2 up and got just under 15,000 from a rear Michelin Hi-Tour, I'm no scratcher though!
Ian
Post by: Sesman on March 01, 2023, 08:27:19 PM
No chalk of cheese involved….😳
Post by: Orcade-Ian on March 01, 2023, 08:58:26 PM
I repaired an early 1100 Pan - mostly cosmetics and only rode it about 800 miles so can't really compare the two fairly after so many miles on 'Wings. My feelings back then, I remember that they felt a bit 'wooden' to me with little or no real feedback from the road. Very responsive though and somehow felt heavier than the 1200 'Wing I had back then. A mate in the Police who used them said quite a few had 'run out of road' with the riders citing this lack of feedback as the cause. I'm sure the newer ones are better - but that's only from third parties.
Johnny might have better ideas.
Ian
Post by: Laverdaroo on March 01, 2023, 09:29:54 PM
Wicked handling bikes and a bloody good rider can keep up with most things on one of those...........Love em!
Millyard is superb and like you Phil, even the hedgehogs etc. I love the fact he makes out that the cooking is sheer alchemy by the way he describes how she makes things.......a sly poke on his part I think but one she's aware of I'm sure as I should thing what he does is sheer magic to her and what he can make in that tiny workshop.
Bloody good watching though in whatever form. Has anypne seen ' A day at Allan Millyards house' its about an hour long on PooTube and deffo worth a watch.... ;)
Post by: Johnny4428 on March 02, 2023, 10:45:52 AM
Post by: McCabe-Thiele (Ted) on March 02, 2023, 12:20:11 PM