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Author Topic: cafe build '75 cb550f ...trying  (Read 15294 times)

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Offline moosh

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cafe build '75 cb550f ...trying
« on: January 01, 2012, 05:55:28 PM »
So this is my first build. I use to have an fj600 then I got rid of it and moved around a lot, but I've settled down some and now I need a bike.  I've been looking for the right cb for close to a year, ya know just looking for the right bike.  Anyways a friend of my dad's sold me his 1975 cb550f.  He had a 77 frame with a 75 engine in it, and a 75 frame with nothing in it. I bought the bike we took the engine out and took the 1975 frame.  Thats was just over a month ago.  Since then I've been scavaging and workin on it as much as I can.
« Last Edit: June 08, 2014, 12:20:30 PM by moosh »
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Offline moosh

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Re: my first build a 550f
« Reply #1 on: January 01, 2012, 06:13:18 PM »
So i got the bike home cleaned up the frame and got to polishing pieces and putting stuff together and taking other things off.  Im gonna cafe it.  but im not chopping up the frame and stuff, just taking pieces off and changing out a few things.  Anything i do i want to be able to undo.  So i cleaned i got a lot cleaned and polished and got the engine in the frame.  Sorry some of the pictures are so crappy a lot of it is camera phone.
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Offline moosh

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Re: my first build a 550f
« Reply #2 on: January 01, 2012, 06:18:06 PM »
polished engine
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Offline moosh

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Re: my first build a 550f
« Reply #3 on: January 01, 2012, 06:30:43 PM »
Little things im doing are getting clip ons.  Until i get the clip ons ive got these busted superbike bars upside down.  I know its bad but its temporary.  I cleaned the back end up, got a nice new chain on and worked on getting the rear brake set up.  it was locked up. just from sitting so long.  i got it apart and just worked it loosened up that joint in there with a little pb blaster without getting it on the shoes.  got it together and on and it seems to work nice now.  one pic just shows the ugly bars on it now and one shows a before i cleaned the rear wheel with a little spot i started and one shows the wheel cleaned.
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Offline moosh

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Re: my first build a 550f
« Reply #4 on: January 01, 2012, 06:51:37 PM »
So this is kinda where Im at now.  The other day i went scavaging through a buddies barn. He owns a shop and is in the process of moving shops and i got a chance to go through his barn and see if there were any parts i could use.  Im in upstate new york and we have had a wicked mild winter so far.. like no snow so going through the barn wasn't to cold at all and a pretty fun day.  I got a gas tank! i also got a new headlight bucket which was cool because before i had this vetter thing and the bucket was super shallow.  also got a clutch pod.  all the wires on the stock bars go through the inside of the actual bar and i dont wana ruin anything stock so i got another couple different ones to work with.  another one for a 75 550 that ill prolly modify so the wires dont need to go through the bars and one that i think might be for a 78? its already got the wires going out(not through the bars) but its a little rough looking. so i dont know which ill do yet. 

Also worked on the front brake.  its got a rear drum brake and a front disk brake. i got it going but the front caliper locked up.  the two pads wont release now. Any one else dealt with this? i was planning on taking the caliper apart and giving it a good cleaning over and seeing if that all it is, like all the rear brake seemed to need.  Probably should have done this before i got the fluid and everything in. 

Like i said its my first build and im definitely learning tons as i go.  So this pic is just kinda a rough idea of where im at now.  the seat isn't original and my plans for it are to take it apart and build my own fiberglass seat/tail from it.  The chrome front fender is gona go back on it later after the front end is done.  I cleaned the exhaust still need to give it another go before its ready, its just set there to give me and idea of looks for now. 
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Offline moosh

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Re: my first build a 550f
« Reply #5 on: January 08, 2012, 03:54:56 PM »
few little updates.. nothing exciting to most probably anyone else, but its exciting to me anyways... got the front brake working right.  took the caliper apart cleaned it worked it back and forth it seems nice now.
got a few new parts. new rear tire! and a matching new to me still good shape front tire.  got the tires on, theyre pirelli sport demons, got an amazing deal on them. 
the gas cap cover i got off another bike wasnt sitting nice and flush so cut and drilled and got it sitting very good now. 
oh and i got a new battery but havent done anything with that yet. still waiting for a warmish day to finish painting the battery box. 
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Online Stev-o

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Re: my first build a 550f
« Reply #6 on: January 08, 2012, 04:21:29 PM »
Congrats on your first CB! My first was a 550F too, good bikes. You are making good progress, do you know when the engine was last run? A good carb cleaning may be in order. Also need to check the inside of your fuel tank. Good luck.
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Offline Killer Canary

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Re: my first build a 550f
« Reply #7 on: January 08, 2012, 04:47:43 PM »
My first street bike was a '75 F. Many years later I've come full circle. The fancy bikes sit in the garage, the 550 gets 9,000 miles a season. You have a lot to look forward to!
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If it's worth doing at all it's worth over-doing.
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Offline moosh

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Re: my first build a 550f
« Reply #8 on: January 08, 2012, 05:38:42 PM »
Thanks! im looking forward to riding it huge! We got the engine to start before i took it out of the old frame, but yea cleanin the carbs real good is definitley up there on the to do list.  and the tank needs some loving too.  Im hoping to get it running by the end of the month.
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Offline moosh

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Re: my first build a 550f
« Reply #9 on: January 24, 2012, 03:22:32 PM »
small update. still haven't gotten to the carbs. started making a mold to make the seat and tail.  took an old seat ripped it apart planned on building off the seat pan.  ended up being way wider and bigger than i was goin for.  starting over with that, chopped it up and used a couple pieces of it.  hopefully have pics of that soon. 
went to the swap meet in york over the weekend. planned on selling some stuff there, had a little to much fun the night before so no one i was with got up in time to set our stuff up...  soooo we ended up just going to look for some parts.  didn't find to much, got a real good deal on some clip ons.  that was the big buy of my weekend.  checked em they fit good. might be an inch long but thats easy.  no pics cause i got to do fork seals and clean em up make em look good. then ill start assembling it back together.
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Offline moosh

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Re: First build '75 cb550f
« Reply #10 on: February 01, 2012, 06:45:43 PM »
update. still working on building the mold for the seat. hopefully pics of that soon. i keep tearing it down and starting over though.  im not cutting the frame and i want a short tail so getting the two ideas to get along and look right has been tough.

other parts being worked on at the same time... got the triple clamp done! well its needs another paint job, but thas not the cool part for right now. took the stock one cut off all the tabs and the handlebar mounts. then filed the top nice and smooth and im very pleased with how its turned out.
also did fork seals and cleaned up the forks.  still need to reassemble and once thats done ill have more pics.  for now i just got one pic of the triple clamp just sitting up top.
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Offline moosh

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Re: First build '75 cb550f
« Reply #11 on: February 05, 2012, 06:52:02 PM »
update. got the seat mold done.  i think there has got to be easier ways to build it than the way i did it but whatever cant wait to make the fiberglass piece.
also did knee dents. very nervous about ruining my tank when i did it, ive never tried it before. but i think it turned out real good. 
money is tight so ill probably being mostly cleaning parts for the next couple weeks, which is probably good because ive been putting off doing that. 
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Offline cb550smike

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Re: First build '75 cb550f cafe
« Reply #12 on: February 05, 2012, 09:42:04 PM »
Quote from: moosh on February 01, 2012, 06:45:43 PM
update. still working on building the mold for the seat. hopefully pics of that soon. i keep tearing it down and starting over though.  im not cutting the frame and i want a short tail so getting the two ideas to get along and look right has been tough.

other parts being worked on at the same time... got the triple clamp done! well its needs another paint job, but thas not the cool part for right now. took the stock one cut off all the tabs and the handlebar mounts. then filed the top nice and smooth and im very pleased with how its turned out.
also did fork seals and cleaned up the forks.  still need to reassemble and once thats done ill have more pics.  for now i just got one pic of the triple clamp just sitting up top.
different I really like the idea. something i will definitely consider on future build. thumbs up
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Offline moosh

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Re: First build '75 cb550f cafe
« Reply #13 on: February 20, 2012, 05:55:14 PM »
thanks mike.
update. havent done much the last couple weeks, i got the flu pretty bad.  today i modified the left switch pod.  took out that pin and cut and filed a little space for the wires to come out.  gotta clean em up but it looks good.  the right switch pods are gone.  im gona do just a killswitch no electric start just kick start is the plan. trying to work out the electrics and see what i need and dont want.  no gages just gona get a little mini speedo and get single cable throttle assembly and new fork gaiters.  waiting for new steering bearings to get here.  trying to get the front end takin care of, money is always an issue as it is always tight, but isnt it for everyone? still cleaning more parts nothing to exciting.
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Offline moosh

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Re: First build '75 cb550f cafe
« Reply #14 on: February 29, 2012, 04:31:48 PM »
update. painted a few parts. nothing major battery box, lower triple, headlight bucket. cleaned front wheel. workin on the headlight brackets. 
Started making the seat with fiberglass.  good start need to add some fixtures do a another coat and smooth it out.  ill have pics when its done. 
replaced the steering bearings.  used all balls tappered rollers.  didn't come with instructions found someone on here who had documented it... sorry i don't remember who but thank you to those who have. also replaced the fork gaiters got from dime city. i like them they look nice. 
as i was putting the front back together the pistons in the caliper locked up.  kinda annoyed about it.  didn't finish front assembly needed to step away for a minute.  i'll be back at it tonight probably.  no new pics ill probably wait til  i get the front straightened out.
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Offline moosh

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Re: First build '75 cb550f cafe
« Reply #15 on: March 03, 2012, 03:28:52 PM »
got the front brake working right again.  i cant wait to ride it to get some of the little bugs out.  also working on the seat some more.  grinding cutting and getting ready to strengthin some spots  and get the shape smoothed out. 
my dad has had two old british cars in a one car garage so far for the entire build. he finally got one of em out and now the garage seems huge.  can actually move the bike around a little bit. 
got a couple quick pics for kinda where im at.
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Offline apex_seeking

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First build '75 cb550f cafe
« Reply #16 on: March 03, 2012, 04:14:37 PM »
Subscribed. It's coming along nicely.
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Offline moosh

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Re: First build '75 cb550f cafe
« Reply #17 on: March 04, 2012, 07:26:20 PM »
Thanks Apex

got a little more done today.  started some of the wiring.  looks like i'm gona need new ignition coils. also finally got to the carbs!!! the inside looks goooood.  the outside needs some cleaning, hopefully get that done this week.
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Offline Mcwilliams570

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Re: First build '75 cb550f cafe
« Reply #18 on: March 05, 2012, 05:39:01 AM »
Looking good so far. I am getting ready to start on my seat tail section and was wondering where did you get the fiberglass at.I havent started to shop around yet but getting ready to.

Thanks Matt
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Offline Lostboy Steve

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Re: First build '75 cb550f cafe
« Reply #19 on: March 05, 2012, 07:44:36 AM »
Quote from: Mcwilliams570 on March 05, 2012, 05:39:01 AM
Looking good so far. I am getting ready to start on my seat tail section and was wondering where did you get the fiberglass at. I haven't started to shop around yet but getting ready to.

Thanks Matt

I get mine from the parts store. Advanced Auto, Pepboys, Napa. Anyone who sells body filler usually has it.
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Offline moosh

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Re: First build '75 cb550f cafe
« Reply #20 on: March 05, 2012, 04:35:45 PM »
Quote from: twistedengineering on March 05, 2012, 07:44:36 AM
Quote from: Mcwilliams570 on March 05, 2012, 05:39:01 AM
Looking good so far. I am getting ready to start on my seat tail section and was wondering where did you get the fiberglass at. I haven't started to shop around yet but getting ready to.

Thanks Matt

I get mine from the parts store. Advanced Auto, Pepboys, Napa. Anyone who sells body filler usually has it.

Yea I bought all the stuff from walmart the resin and hardner was a little under $14 i needed 2 containers, but I dont think I was as efficient as I could have been either. I dont remember how much the cloth was, but not bad. Still got one more coat to go, but I still have enough stuff left over to get it done.
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Offline moosh

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Re: First build '75 cb550f cafe
« Reply #21 on: March 11, 2012, 05:28:11 PM »
Done a bit this week.  went to a friends barn again got ignition coils, petcock, and a single cable throttle assembly, got it all hooked up.  cleaned the outside of the carbs, not great but good, hooked them up.  ordered a muffler should be here this week. 
-so the throttle assembly is on, cut the bars down about inch and half, put grips on. 
-also put new fuel lines on the carbs.  tried to start the motor...didnt happen. im not even getting a pop, it doesnt seem like its getting spark.  gona recheck all the wires make sure everything is hooked up right. 
-finished the headlight brackets.  they were just some cheap ones that were on the bike when i got it.  i really dont like them so i cut, grinded, and filed them down. now i really like them. 
-worked on the seat tail some more. i think one more coat and smooth it out and its good.  the sides of the seat are turning into the worst hardest part, its getting there...   
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Offline moosh

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Re: First build '75 cb550f cafe
« Reply #22 on: March 17, 2012, 07:39:02 PM »
Update.  added a little more rubber mounts to sit tank back about 1/2inch to get clearance for clip ons.  did last layer im pretty sure for the seat. gota smooth and make it nice nice.  ordered some more parts.. still waiting on muffler. 
Exciting news!! got engine started! relooked all my wires got it figured out.  i need a new fuse box.  but once i got all the wires straightened out it started up first kick and it ran goooood.  need some small adjusting but sounded and ran way better than i was expecting.
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Offline moosh

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Re: First build '75 cb550f cafe
« Reply #23 on: March 23, 2012, 08:50:23 PM »
Update. got a lot done on te seat. got the shape lookin right smoothing it out tying to get it finished.  still got lots to go.  threw a quick coat of primer on to help see all the depressions and shape a little better.  not nearly ready for paint but getting the right shape. 

Got a lot of parts.  got stainless steel braided brake hoses, gona install soon, cant wait.  also got a megaphone reverse cone.  more parts to come ill update when they get here.  gota do some mods to get the muffler to fit at the angle i want.  the pic has the right angle but its just a mock up not at all secured yet. 
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Offline moosh

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Re: First build '75 cb550f cafe
« Reply #24 on: March 25, 2012, 04:54:05 PM »
Update.  sanded the tank and gave it a quick coat of primer.  not even close to be ready for paint but getting there.  just trying to smooth and clean things up.  sanded the seat a little too. 
the collector pipe on the exhaust was rusting and cracking so i chopped it back grinded it nice then got a pipe and cut it down with an angle and welded it on.  now its got the right angle for the muffler and i think it looks pretty good.  i wanted to hear what it sounded like so rigged together to get it goin.  the tank in the video i used was an xr75 cause my tank isnt ready yet. click on the link to hear it run for a quick bit... http://youtu.be/ATuvxvp41FU
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