Austin Cafe Racer » cb

What was the previous owner thinking?

admin — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 16:02:49 +0000

Like an archaeologist digging through layers of sediment and finding signs of earlier civilizations, I’ve discovered several locations on my bike that have had previous work done. Example: The oil filter bolt.

I presume the bolt was stripped and the previous owner used a cutting disc or angle grinder to fashion some sort of primitive rectangular knob to be able to turn it and get it out. What I can’t understand is why the bolt was put back in. A new bolt can easily be purchased for around $10 bucks.

I used some vice grips to try turn the bolt… after a short battle, I was the victor. It came loose and I drained the thick, dirty, black oil.

• I wiped down the oil filter housing
• Installed a new oil filter
• New rubber gasket
• New shiny oil filter bolt
• Poured in a few quarts of fresh SAE 10W-40

Leftovers

admin — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 01:50:53 +0000

This is my ebay pile. I hope to make a few bucks off this stuff.

Removing the inner plastic mud guard

admin — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 00:36:01 +0000

This thing essentially keeps water and mud from getting all over your battery and electronics. Kinda dumb to remove it but it just looks awful. Plus, I plan on fabricating a custom battery harness and relocating the battery under the seat. The only thing that held this thing on were two tabs on each side. I just pushed the plastic in a little and it fell through the tabs.

Now you can see right to the battery and air filter.

Removing the rear turn signals

admin — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 00:21:01 +0000

I guess I could have taken the grab rail off with the turn signals still attached but I was thinking that I had a better chance at selling the pieces separately on eBay.

I’m not sure if the turn signals were supposed to be held on by bolts or screws. I encountered a screw on on the right turn signal and a bolt on the left signal. Weird, but easy to take off. The last thing I had to do was string the wires through the bolt hole.

Removing the Rear Fender

admin — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 00:11:01 +0000

Removing the seat wasn’t necessary. I just popped open the seat and knocked out the two overhead bolts.

Before I removed the two side bolts I had to disconnect the brake light and turn signal wires from the main wiring harness.

easy

The Honda CB 550

admin — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0000

This bike will be the basis for the cafe racer. It is a 1976 Honda CB 550 with only 8000 miles on the engine. The transmission is rock solid and it came with a new set of tires, a new battery, and an inspection sticker valid until 09.

I initially wanted to take the whole thing apart and then put it back together again, but I want to be able to ride it and not have it sit in a thousand pieces for the next two months. So I decided that I’m going to disassemble and reassemble one section at a time.