Hey Butch, I'm wanting to upgrade the brakes on the front, to something a little more modern. Do you think I'll have to beef up the frame in certain spots to account for the better braking.
Hey Butch, I'm wanting to upgrade the brakes on the front, to something a little more modern. Do you think I'll have to beef up the frame in certain spots to account for the better braking.
Just about any modern front end will be able to handle enough stress to flex the frame of a 1970's bike. It's just a matter of where the weak link is moved. The original front end on a CB750 is the weak link, but if you put a modern USD fork set on it, then the weak link will be the frame tubes connected to the steering stem.
The question is, How hard do you think you will ride it?
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Dear SpeedTV,
I, for one, will be extremely happy when you finally make the transition to a main line sports channel.
.....it will mark the end of your network pretending to be a motorsports channel.
Thank you for finally realizing what the rest of us already knew.
I bought a CB350 twin for $800 with the same intentions as you. I ended up dumping it a few months later after losing time and space with nothing done except 3 tanks of gas (not even a wash) for $1200. Score!
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Nathan - #425 - 07 Yamaha R6
35 Motorsports, Vortex Racing, Pit Posse Motorsports, Spy Optics, Suomy Helmets, 614 Paintworx, Optimal Racing, GP Tech
Nationwide Children's Hospital/Ohio Motorcyclists for Children
The Retrofit Source
I have had a chance to go through the parts pile and here are a few things that are in it:
-All of the stock parts
-The bike actually ran, but the carbs are pretty messed up, so there is a set of 2mm larger KZ carbs that I plan to re-rack on the GS rack. (Yes I am capable of extensive carburetor work). Other parts that came in the pile:
-Clubman bars
-new Dyna electronic ignition system (with coils)
-KFY Chinese knock-off shocks (cheap I know, but I will see how they work)
-A dual cat-eye tail light assembly
-New Progressive fork springs (already installed)
-All Balls tapered steering stem bearings (I need to do some machining to finish the installation per the instructions)
-GSX-R master cylinder and clutch lever (with new clutch cable)
-New N.O.S. Jardine exhaust, but the collector and muffler are for something else (KZ maybe?), so I may be doing some custom exhaust work. (I actually test fit the system and found that the collector and megaphone aren't actually wrong, but the welded-on hanger is in the wrong position. so all it needs is to be cut off and re-welded in the right place.)
Things that my friend already did include drilling the front rotor, painting the forks, headlight, triple trees, and engine.
__________________
Dear SpeedTV,
I, for one, will be extremely happy when you finally make the transition to a main line sports channel.
.....it will mark the end of your network pretending to be a motorsports channel.
Thank you for finally realizing what the rest of us already knew.
Don't plan on riding it to hard, it's just that the stock setup to me feels so raggedy, if I can get it to brake better than it did when stock, then I'll be happy. A set of USD forks would look great.
I also have to pull the carbs off my bike, the bike runs like crap, which is understandable since it did sit for a little over 3 years. What are you using to sync them up?
Don't plan on riding it to hard, it's just that the stock setup to me feels so raggedy, if I can get it to brake better than it did when stock, then I'll be happy. A set of USD forks would look great.
I also have to pull the carbs off my bike, the bike runs like crap, which is understandable since it did sit for a little over 3 years. What are you using to sync them up?
USD forks will definitely look good. You will need to do something with the rear and put a newer rear wheel to match it up.
A far as carbs, I have a set of syncro gauges. I also have tiny drills and such to clean them. You are welcome to bring them over, or bring the bike over.
My carb adventures will be a bit more ... shall we say, in depth (see next post). I am putting a set of KZ650 carbs on (2mm larger bore). Tuning is gonna be fun!!!
__________________
Dear SpeedTV,
I, for one, will be extremely happy when you finally make the transition to a main line sports channel.
.....it will mark the end of your network pretending to be a motorsports channel.
Thank you for finally realizing what the rest of us already knew.
Today was focused on the two highest priorities - exhaust and carbs
The stock carbs are in HORRIBLE shape, and the previous owner had a set of KZ650 carbs that he put in the parts pile.
GS550 stock carbs:
KZ650 carbs:
The starter plungers (choke) were stuck in both sets of carbs:
So I soaked them am got them cleaned up and freed:
I disassembled both sets and installed the KZ carbs on the GS rack:
I need to find one emulsion tube for the starter jet on the #1 carb 'cuz it was broken. The GS tubes are the same size, but the height of the cross drilled hoes are different, so I will see if I can find a junk carb for the part before trying the GS one. However it would only affect the operation while choked, so it wouldn't be that big of a deal to use one from the GS carb.
And I need to get a gasket set.
Next was the exhaust. My friend said he thought that the collector/muffler that came with the Jardine system he bought were for a different bike. After I test fit the system I don't think that this is the case. It seems to be correct, except that the hanger bracket is welded in the wrong location:
I will just cut it off and weld it in the right place.
__________________
Dear SpeedTV,
I, for one, will be extremely happy when you finally make the transition to a main line sports channel.
.....it will mark the end of your network pretending to be a motorsports channel.
Thank you for finally realizing what the rest of us already knew.
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