1983 CB550SC... rebuild or custom....

[pvtace]

all that for an overnight stay, you must have been an eagle scout 

[pvtace]

I am looking more for a grab rail / sissy with a detachable rack...i.e.....

[pvtace]

*****Saddle Bag Mod*****

First off what I used:
2 x large plexi cutting boards from walmart - $12.00
8 x  washers - $2.88
8 x washer ended bolts - free, found in my garage :)
1 x hacksaw

I traced the basic outline of the saddlebags onto the plexi, cut with a bandsaw, sanded the edges, and painted them black



Then I drilled holes in the four courners, about 1.5 " from the outside edge



Then I laid the plexi on top of the saddle bags and drilled corresponding holes into the saddlebags


(dont know if you can see the holes in the leather or not)

I then used the hacksaw to reduce the size of the bolts



Then I tightened the plexi to the leather, order: bolt, saddlebag, washer...important (I melted the plastic wrenching on the nuts / sawing without them  ), then bolt



end result:




To mount to the bike I am going to try this for when it is unmounted:



And this mounted:



Whatcha all think?

[fishmeister]

Gotta see them on the bike to know....good so far.

[pvtace]

cleaned out the air cleaning element this morning.... finally got her past 110 mph!  Had a little bit of a front end wiggle problem around there, so I gotta tighten up the front end, check the spacing... I think the right fork seal is probably going to need replacing soon, looks like it might be original....

[pvtace]

The bags are attached, I think they look decent.  Right now they are on temporary bolts until my chrome springs/spacers come in...I'll post picks tonight or tomorrow.

[scoathy]

I like this idea for the bags. Cannot wait to see them on the bike!

[pvtace]

ok, here are pics so far.  once my spacers / springs get in, they should be sticking out about an inch, with some heavy duty springs applying preassure to the plastic backing for easy slip on/off.




It clears the turn signals


It clears the shocks


and they are evenly attached....and yes I take the bunny with me on linger rides lol... she loves the smell of leather   

Anyway, I will repost with how attached to the grab rail sides when i get the new parts (easier to see)

[pvtace]

and yes, i know my rear right turn signal is about to fall off, waiting for some new (old) ones to "pop up" on ebay...

[pvtace]

SOOOOOO.......I rode out to fill up on gas... and pushed my bike 5 miles back home...

I drove up to the pump.  put the bike in neutral.   turned the bike off.  filled up fuel.
Payed.
Turned bike on. pulled clutch in. put bike into 1st.
Bike lurched forward.  bike died.

I returned gear to neutral and tried a few more times.  I got her started by keeping in first, starting, and giving throttle right away.  clutch would not disengage from first, so I drove home in 1st until i got to the first stoplight.... cant lurch forward very well in traffic, so i walked her home.

Once I cool off, I am going to check the clutch line, rod, and fluid level.... any other ideas?  I have never pulled a clutch apart before, so I don't want to do that unless i really really have to... same with tranny...

[Laminar]

When's the last time you flushed the old clutch fluid?

If little pieces of garbage get stuck in the master cylinder's small passageways, it can mess up your clutch action.

[pvtace]

about 3 1/2 weeks ago, when I got the bike.  But I am not sure when the last owner did.... it was pretty gnarly.

[pvtace]

 
I cracked the rotted out fluid level window on the master cylinder...
guess no riding till i can get a replacement...
I ordered two replacement windows on ebay... This bike is becoming a hassle.....I may break it down while i am waiting for my part.... thank God for this forum... ima need a lot of help with a full break down...

[pvtace]

So, while waiting for my fluid level windows to come in, I am taking this time to take apart the bike as much as I can to clean it up and make sure that everything that can be prevented is.  

I took out the carbs a couple days ago and soaked them in a Pine-sol solution for 2 days....they needed it bad.  4 of the 4x14 screws stripped on me (rusted) and 2 of the 4x8 or 4x10 also (have to go back and look at the diagram again).    Have to go down to the hardware store later today to get some more.  That Pine-sol resolution really works too lol.  Surprisingly, they weren't THAT bad to breakdown (minus stripping the rusted out screws)...  I am changing the oil again, and the clutch line fluid once the windows come in.  Rear brake shoes need replaced... probably need some help with that one.  Air cleaning element will be replaced in the near future.  anything else that anyonce can think of while I have the bike partially broken down?

[gammer]

Rear brake shoes on a bike is not too hard to replace at all. In fact, its even easier on a shaftie. Put it up on the center stand, disconnect the brake arm, take the axle nut and axle off. Remove the spacer and then the outer brake drum comes off. Then the wheel can slide off the rear drive spline.

[pvtace]

Thanks for everyone's replies, I am going to change this post over to the project log...since that is pretty much what this thread has turned into. 
http://nighthawk-forums.com/index.php/topic,6907.new.html here