Topic: New guy sayin HI..

[ieism]

Not only am I new to this forum, i'm new to SOHC4's too.
My name is Ivar, i'm  29 years old and live in the Netherlands. I got into motorcycles 2 years ago after my girlfriend got her licence. My first bike was a Suzuki Savage (thumper), but now i needed a faster bike to keep up with my girls Moto Guzzi. 
Just bought my second bike, a 1976 CB550 and can't wait to ride it
I'll try and post some pictures of it as soon as I can get the ridicules aftermarket fairing off it (must be designed in China by a blind woman or something).

I just wanted to take a minute and say hello to everyone here, i'll probably be spending a lot of time here cause I have a lot off things I want to do to the bike. For now I'll just read up on older posts and the faq, so i'll try not too ask all the newbie questions.......My tech skills are pretty low, so bear with me when I do ask.

[Paul]

Hey Ivar,
welcome to the madness.
Ask all the questions you can....there'll always be an answer......Suppliers, tips and opinion at the least 
good luck on the bike.

[Bob Wessner]

I'd like to add my welcome also. Look forward to seeing those pics when you get them.

[mcpuffett]

hello ivar from the uk, hope you enjoy your new bike    mick.

[Sam Green Racing]

Sounds like we have a sensible newbee at last, read the instructions first, then ask if you can't find, or don't understand.

Wecome to the forum Ivar.

Sam.

[ieism]

Not so sure if i'm the sensible newbie you wished for......

So after picking up the bike (it didn't run for 5 years ) it seemed to run ok, and I decided it was time test it out a bit.
I wanted to get new fuel right away, but no gasstation, so i drove it for a while
It didn't sound happy, so I put in new gas, loaded the battery and hoped for the best. (I also planned a 250 mile trip while waiting for the battery to load).

Here's some stuff I learned on the way:

1. Riding old bikes is not just fun, it's an ADVENTURE!
2. Woman often think your adventure is a disaster.
3. You can never bring enough tools on your first ride.
4. Residu from old gas will clog ALL your jets in 10 miles.
5. Fixing a bike with few tools at the side of a highway is an adrenaline rush.
6. You cannot fix a leaking exhaust with a Mc Donalds straw (for long anyway)
7. Once you get past all the breakdowns (4 so far), you forget about them in 5 minutes.

When (if?) I get home i'll start fixing it properly.  I intend to rebuild the carbs, part of the electrical system, get electronic ignition, get the front wheel balanced, maybe get new rear shocks and front springs if budget allows. And get the fairing off and get a normal headlight.
Here's a pic of my new bike if you want to look at it:
http://www.sohc4.us/gallery/v/members/personal/ieism/cb550.JPG

[78 k550]

welcome.

[robbiec]

1. Riding old bikes is not just fun, it's an ADVENTURE!
2. Woman often think your adventure is a disaster.
3. You can never bring enough tools on your first ride.
4. Residu from old gas will clog ALL your jets in 10 miles.
5. Fixing a bike with few tools at the side of a highway is an adrenaline rush.
6. You cannot fix a leaking exhaust with a Mc Donalds straw (for long anyway)
7. Once you get past all the breakdowns (4 so far), you forget about them in 5 minutes.

I'd definately have to agree with you on the tools needed! After a few practice runs down the street (which happens to also be downhill) I now take the honda tool kit, a rag (man those are handy), my leatherman/mag-light/rope belt pouch and a cell phone (in case something horrible should happen, or I need help pushing the bike).

You're also right about the Mc Donalds straw, but I have found that a couple of pop cans with the tops bucked off, a few 1/4" holes in the end, some course steel wool and some hose clamps can keep the neighbors less-than furious about your exhaust while testing, 

Welcome, by the way!

[Orcinus]

Welcome to the forum, If you don't like the fairing, be sure to put it up on Ebay, it appears to be a Vetter Quicksilver which was quite popular in it's day.  They're not bad for sport touring.

[ProTeal55]

Welcome to the boards...
Post a pic of that 550 you gots...

[SteveD CB500F]

Teal - you too lazy to go look at his Gallery??

www.sohc4.us/gallery/v/members/personal/ieism/cb550.JPG

[byidesign]

Welcome from rainy New England...
     Nice machine,

       I always find
         #1  never enough tools brought on the trip.
          #2 the one you{really} need is the one
                 you didn't bring with you..

                 Enjoy
                  Bruce

[Dusthawk]

       I always find
         #1  never enough tools brought on the trip.
          #2 the one you{really} need is the one
                 you didn't bring with you..

Ivar

I wholeheartedly agree, the only problem is to bring al the tools you might need you would have to have a sidecar or trailer.

Sounds like we have a sensible newbee at last, read the instructions first, then ask if you can't find, or don't understand.

Thanks for the vote of confidence Sam!!

Great looking bike. I know you will find any information you could ever need, and a lot you never knew existed , here. Just browsing around the Tech area can provide you with that little gem of inestimable value you were hoping to find. It's almost like finding that lucky Leprechaun and his Tub O' Gold.

Enjoy the Forum and feel free to add any comments you think might help someone else, you never know where inspiration might strike.

Peace and Long Rides,

Jeff

[ieism]

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone. This seems like a nice board.
I've been reading a lot of older posts already, and it seems to be one of those places where people actually try to help out, not just act smart.
I hope in due time i'll be able to help some newbie here with their sohc, right now i have a lot of learning to do.

@ Orcinus: You're right. It says Quicksilver on inside off the fairing. I was thinking of trowing it away, but I could put it in the classifieds here. You reckon some would want it?

[Orcinus]

If I had a bike that I was looking to make a sport tourer out of, I'd want it.  (Wanted one bad when they were new)  But seeing that I'm building mine on a shoestring already and my vision of this bike doesn't include a fairing, I'll have to pass.  However, I would think that you should be able to sell it either here or on Ebay.  It was popular and is long out of production.  Never toss a usable bike part (unless you have some 77/78 Supersport parts you want to send me!   )  as someone, somewhere will most likely pay good money for your castoffs.  Face it, there's not alot on new parts for SOHC's still around and those that are aren't cheap.

[angeldeville]

Welcome to the "F"old, if you need any advise there are plenty here that can enlighten you. I'm not saying I'm one of them, but I'll try.

[74cb750]

Welcome to the information overload board.
Ask away.

[dagersh]

Welcome Ivar,

This forum is awesome, it actually gives me confidence to work on my own bikes.  Your 550 looks great!

Which Guzzi does your girl ride?

Michael G

[ieism]

She ride a V65 Lario. There's a pic of it in my gallery:
http://www.sohc4.us/gallery/v/members/personal/ieism/?g2_navId=x2436927e

You should really see it with her on it, looks like a kid that has stolen dad's bike   She's a little over 5 feet tall. 

[dagersh]

Ivar,

Looks great in black with the red wheels!  I have an '86 in red that I bought for grand ($1,000) three years ago.  I had to put some $$ in to get her running right, but no where near what it is worth today.  Fun bike, like a scalpel on the road. 



Take care!

Michael G