Author Topic: 1974 CB550--Project The Screaming Scotsman (Problem) (Read 51875 times)

Mcwilliams570 · « **on:** January 22, 2012, 11:11:57 AM »

Hello all I picked this bike up late this summer for a winter project. A little background on how I got into this. I was searching around on ebay for a part for the wifes vmax and came across a 74 550 in that beautiful orange color and was like how the hell didnt I know about these bikes. I am 42 so the bikes that I always liked was the early to mid 80's bikes sportbikes.

It took a couple of months to find one but finally did and picked it up and so the adventure begins.
The bike was in so so condition it had a title and it ran. I had it stripped down in a few days and have been working on it since then. I will put some pictures up to get this post up to date to where I am at now and contiune with the postings.

This is a great forum and the guys/girls on here are an amazing source of info. I would like to give a special thanks to forum member Photolar (Larry) for helping me. I ran into him when I saw out in the parking lot there was a old Honda silverwing so I went around my store looking for who owned it and found him. He has been doing Honda CB forever and has a ton of bikes and works on them for people. What was more important to me is that I could bring a part over and he would show me how to do it. I didnt want to send my parts out to someone and get them back in a few weeks all shiney and new. I wanted to learn how to work on these old bikes. So thanks Larry for teaching me..

I will being doing this bike on a budget (cough cough the budget the wife) gives me around 100-150$ a month. Having said that my goal was to get it done by this summer but we will see.

Matt

Mcwilliams570 · « **Reply #1 on:** January 22, 2012, 11:14:34 AM »

Got the engine done. Put a 650 cam in went in with no problem. Honed the walls new rings, rocker arm, gaskets and the valves.

Mcwilliams570 · « **Reply #2 on:** January 22, 2012, 11:21:46 AM »

Picked up a cb500t tank in a junkyard beat to crap but rust free on the inside. Had the old nasty handle bars that came with it and played around with them as the rear hoop. Had to put the tires and tank on for some measurements so took a picture.

Funny story with the bondo on the tank. Wife wanted to help so I showed her how to put a thin layer of bondo on so it could be sanded and I walked away to work on something else.When I came back I had to laugh at what she had done the bondo was like icing on a freaking cake took like 8 sanding disc to get it all off

So as of right now I am finishing up the frame I was able to use the old handlebars for the hoop. I have some sanding left to do and should have the frame painted in the next few weeks. I am going to use the por15 frame paint will let you all know how it works out. Will updated with more pics when I get back from vacation..

Matt

andy750 · « **Reply #3 on:** January 22, 2012, 12:02:38 PM »

Tell us more about that VMax is the background

they are are really great bikes!

Good luck with the project!
Andy

Killer Canary · « **Reply #4 on:** January 22, 2012, 12:44:14 PM »

If my wife rode a max I would be sure to stay on her good side.

Mcwilliams570 · « **Reply #5 on:** January 22, 2012, 12:49:56 PM »

Quote from: andy750 on January 22, 2012, 12:02:38 PM

Tell us more about that VMax is the background they are are really great bikes!

Good luck with the project!
Andy

Hello Andy the wife drives a 2005 the red one and I have the 2009 Black one. They are fun bikes puts a smile on my face everytime I drive it.

Quote from: Killer Canary on January 22, 2012, 12:44:14 PM

If my wife rode a max I would be sure to stay on her good side.

LOL yeah is nice having her into motorcycles I dont have to hide all that I am buying

Just picked up another 74 cb550 everything but the engine for her to start on her own since she is enjoying them too cool...

Mcwilliams570 · « **Reply #6 on:** January 28, 2012, 10:18:05 AM »

Just got back from vacation visiting dad. Helped him some on a few of his projects he has going on. He is working on this pickup is almost done some interior work and will be done. He is also working on a 31 speedster is going to be very cool when done. The body is being worked on now is being made all out of aluminum will get some better pictures up of it when I can. The 31 means alot to us my grandfather had the 31 and lighting strike burnt down the garage the frame and engine where about the only thing that could be saved from it. So is nice to see them living in another car..

Sorry all car pics today will be starting back on the bike tomorrow hope to get the frame painted by end of next week.

Matt

Mcwilliams570 · « **Reply #7 on:** January 28, 2012, 10:19:48 AM »

one more

Mcwilliams570 · « **Reply #8 on:** January 28, 2012, 03:52:41 PM »

Got back from vacation and the gauges I got came in. They are 1980 CB650 gauges in very nice shape. I just wanted a tach to go with the 650 cam I put in but for the last month or so all the tachs I was looking at were in very rough shape. These came up so I got them not the year I wanted because of the speedo only going up to 85

. So does anyone know where to get cb650 gauge overlays. I saw a member was doing overlays but doesnt look like he has been active latley.

The other question I have is the 500t tank I am going to put on I am going to have a gap between the seat and tank. Can the lip on the tank be grinded down at all. Just trying to come up with ideas so thought I would ask. I know the seam is there but not sure where it starts.

Thanks Matt

Tews19 · « **Reply #9 on:** January 28, 2012, 08:43:50 PM »

Keep up the work. The engine looks great. I was going to to the same paint scheme but decided now that I have my 750, all the attention and work will go to her. The 550 will be reassmbled and most likely moved. How did you paint the engine? Assemble it then paint? or tape off?

WhyNot2 · « **Reply #10 on:** January 29, 2012, 05:36:28 AM »

Wilmington...huh?

What part? I used to live there.

Still have an uncle there, somewheres near Prices Corner, which was our mall hangout back in the late 60s early 70s.

BTW, nice build, keep it up.

Nice rod too, my dad wanted to do something like that also, but didn't live long enough. passed in 1971.

MoMo · « **Reply #11 on:** January 29, 2012, 05:47:41 AM »

Matt, that is an awesome street rod your Dad is doing

See you soon...Larry

Mcwilliams570 · « **Reply #12 on:** January 29, 2012, 06:32:56 AM »

Quote from: Tews19 on January 28, 2012, 08:43:50 PM

Keep up the work. The engine looks great. I was going to to the same paint scheme but decided now that I have my 750, all the attention and work will go to her. The 550 will be reassmbled and most likely moved. How did you paint the engine? Assemble it then paint? or tape off?

Heya Tews forgot to say grats on the 750 you finally got.. Some of the parts were off and painted most of it was taped off then painted.

Quote from: budlite282 on January 29, 2012, 05:36:28 AM

Wilmington...huh?

What part? I used to live there.

Still have an uncle there, somewheres near Prices Corner, which was our mall hangout back in the late 60s early 70s.

BTW, nice build, keep it up.

Nice rod too, my dad wanted to do something like that also, but didn't live long enough. passed in 1971.

Thanks budlite I live about 1 mile from Prices corner

Quote from: photolar on January 29, 2012, 05:47:41 AM

Matt, that is an awesome street rod your Dad is doing See you soon...Larry

Larry just ordered the frame paint hope to get it end of this week and get the frame done. Here is a pic of the 31 he is working on his wont look like this but give ya an idea of what he is going for.

Mcwilliams570 · « **Reply #13 on:** January 30, 2012, 11:57:39 AM »

Front brake done a bit of polishing left just threw it together to see how it looked...

Matt

Tews19 · « **Reply #14 on:** January 30, 2012, 12:54:06 PM »

Looks great. Funny I stripped my caliper today of all the paint. I won't be polishing it though.

Mcwilliams570 · « **Reply #15 on:** January 31, 2012, 03:13:48 PM »

The engine bolt kit came in and it seems like most recomend anti sieze for them. Any idea where I can get that at..

Thanks Matt

Cheffish · « **Reply #16 on:** January 31, 2012, 04:24:52 PM »

Quote from: Mcwilliams570 on January 31, 2012, 03:13:48 PM

The engine bolt kit came in and it seems like most recomend anti sieze for them. Any idea where I can get that at..

Thanks Matt

Any auto parts store should have the anti seize. Where'd you get the bolt kit?

Mcwilliams570 · « **Reply #17 on:** January 31, 2012, 05:49:15 PM »

Alloyboltz.com is where I got them from think it was like 27$ plus shipping..

Matt

MoMo · « **Reply #18 on:** February 01, 2012, 03:56:58 AM »

Matt, I have a couple containers of anti-seize. But any auto parts will have it. See you soon....Larry

Mcwilliams570 · « **Reply #19 on:** February 01, 2012, 02:44:55 PM »

Thanks Larry see you on Saturday coffee is on me

Tews19 · « **Reply #20 on:** February 01, 2012, 02:52:42 PM »

Dang I wish I had friends who get me coffee and talk bikes

Mcwilliams570 · « **Reply #21 on:** February 01, 2012, 02:59:01 PM »

For you wouldnt it be eat cheese and talk bikes..

Tews19 · « **Reply #22 on:** February 01, 2012, 03:35:31 PM »

Haha Starbucks around the corner and we do beer.

Mcwilliams570 · « **Reply #23 on:** February 04, 2012, 12:08:19 PM »

Got the frame primered today hope to get it painted in the next week or so then can get it back to a roller WOOT..

Front disc came in after forum member elcheapo drilled it nice guy...

Got the carbs cleaned up ,all new orings and such.. one of my fuel drain bolt on one of the right side carbs is stripped tried redoing it not going to work will need to find a new bowl I guess..

Well back to sanding

Matt

Mcwilliams570 · « **Reply #24 on:** February 04, 2012, 12:09:17 PM »

and the carbs..

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Author Topic: 1974 CB550--Project The Screaming Scotsman (Problem) (Read 51875 times)