Well, I've finally bought a bike that I think I can caffeinate. A '78 CB550K partially dismantled. Paid almost nothing for it (Hurrah!) but am now faced with the problem of getting it to run and look halfway decent.
The guy I bought it from said he rode it this summer, noticed a flat spot in the popwer band and so he took off the carbs to clean and adjust them. He then threw his back out and the bike sat for a few months. It's missing one intake manifold O ring and the nuts to hold the manifold onto the cylinder. I've ordered these from my local Honda dealer although I hate to spend money with him as he has the attitude that says "we don't care, you've got to get it from us." What a wanker!
I'm thinking that the first thing to do is to put the carbs back on, get it running and then worry about cosmetics, tank, shocks, etc. If anyone has any thoughts on what or how to do this I'd appreciate hearing them.
The engine has lots of nasty stuff on it, it may even have been black at one time. What's the best way to clean it up. I imagine there are several ways to clean engines (on Carpy's site he talks about sanding aluminum and then polishing it) and I'm wondering what the consensus is about how to get that sought after shine.
Stattz
The guy I bought it from said he rode it this summer, noticed a flat spot in the popwer band and so he took off the carbs to clean and adjust them. He then threw his back out and the bike sat for a few months. It's missing one intake manifold O ring and the nuts to hold the manifold onto the cylinder. I've ordered these from my local Honda dealer although I hate to spend money with him as he has the attitude that says "we don't care, you've got to get it from us." What a wanker!
I'm thinking that the first thing to do is to put the carbs back on, get it running and then worry about cosmetics, tank, shocks, etc. If anyone has any thoughts on what or how to do this I'd appreciate hearing them.
The engine has lots of nasty stuff on it, it may even have been black at one time. What's the best way to clean it up. I imagine there are several ways to clean engines (on Carpy's site he talks about sanding aluminum and then polishing it) and I'm wondering what the consensus is about how to get that sought after shine.
Stattz