My seat didn’t arrive this weekend. That’s okay. I had wanted to install the seat and start figuring out what I was going to do with the battery. Since it didn’t arrive, I reinstalled the battery box in its original location. I wanted to make sure my fooling about with the new jets, filters, and wiring harness didn’t effect the bikes ability to to run. So, I decided to temporarily put it back on.

Here is the link to the post of the removal.
http://www.austincaferacer.com/2008/07/removing-the-battery-and-battery-box/#comment-17

The old thing was pretty distressed, but after some sanding with 320 grit sandpaper and a few coats of some rattle can enamel it was looking fairly decent.

Here is a shot of my clever use of the abundance of bamboo in the yard.

Before shot.

After shot.

The battery back in place. Lets test it out!

Honda 1976 CB550 from Austin CafeRacer on Vimeo.

Sounds good. Idles fine. I won’t know for sure if its fully functional until I get it on the road. Can’t wait for my seat.

Comes from benjie’s site.
http://www.benjiescaferacer.com/home.html

There are three reasons why I like this style.

1. Its slim and follows the lines of the frame. (may reduce some weight)

2. Integrated brake light and license plate holder.

3. Comes primed and ready for paint and its already upholstered.

I can get it in alloy or fiberglass.

The Clymer manual calls for NGK D7ES plugs, but NGK doesn’t make that model anymore. Luckily we can use the NGK D7EA. I picked up four from Old Bike Barn.
http://www.oldbikebarn.com/NGK-D7EA-Standard-Projected-Insulator-Spark-Plug

Old Bike Barn also sells the Honda OEM Oil Filter. I’m going to change the oil the same day I replace the air filters and screw in the new plugs. Can’t wait to get my hands dirty.

I picked up a set of Clubman Ace bars. They wont be as comfortable as the high stock bars but they are going to look cool as shit.

I also ordered a set of new 39mm racing pod filters so I can remove the old chunky stock filter that probably hasn’t been changed out in 30+ years. Evidently the pod filters let in more air to the carburetors. Depending on who you talk to using pod filters will require a re-jetting of the carbs. I won’t know until after I install them.

Every thing already shipped out and should be here by next weekend. I also ordered a new throttle pull cable and new clutch cable.

I picked up a set of teeny tiny rear turn signals to replace the gargantuan ones I removed earlier. The casings are aluminum and the lenses are a smoke amber color. The small signals won’t pass inspection but at least the traffic behind me will know which way I’m turning.

It will look much cleaner as soon as I get a new exhaust for the bike.