Author Topic: the barn find 1976 cb550 (Read 4588 times)

dragon15130 · « **on:** March 15, 2012, 08:18:23 PM »

Well I found this old bike out at my dads automotive shop hidden in one of the barns on the property. The registration in the seat said it was last registered in 2002. My dad said he had it running about 5 or 6 years ago.

I have cleaned the bike up, polished the chrome as best I can, fixed the wiring, and searched the barn for some missing parts. I found the headlight, gauges, and the ignition but no key. I still need to find or buy a clutch cable, battery, do a oil change, change the exhaust to a 4 to 1, the right side cover, and tires.

My plan for this bike is to ride it this year as my first road bike. Then during the winter restore it or make it into a cafe. My dad had a 1973 cb750 that was a dark green with a metal flake. I'm planning on painting it the same color. I could use a little help finding parts. I plan on going to a swap meet in April.

LesterPiglet · « **Reply #1 on:** March 15, 2012, 08:31:19 PM »

Pics please. Make me jealous.

Tews19 · « **Reply #2 on:** March 15, 2012, 08:45:16 PM »

Yep pics or it didn't happen!

Welcome to the club. You can take the ignition to a locksmith and the locksmith can make you a key.

dragon15130 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 15, 2012, 09:12:32 PM »

im sorry i seem to be having problems posting pics to this site. any ideas???

LesterPiglet · « **Reply #4 on:** March 15, 2012, 09:15:22 PM »

I use www.photobucket.com

dragon15130 · « **Reply #5 on:** March 15, 2012, 11:43:42 PM »

thanks that was a big help. i posted the pics in the original post at the top.

Tews19 · « **Reply #6 on:** March 16, 2012, 03:08:45 AM »

Damn the chrome came out really nice. Now head tO the locksmith with ignition On hand. There should be a bunch of numbers on it. Locksmith will create proper key from the numbers.

LesterPiglet · « **Reply #7 on:** March 16, 2012, 04:51:12 AM »

That looks nice.

SHELLFISH · « **Reply #8 on:** March 16, 2012, 05:24:58 PM »

Great find and good luck with it!
I got a 1976 Garnet brown 550k a few years ago very similar. See avatar.
If you are going to a Mac 4 to 1 system what are your plans for the stock exhaust?
It looks like your exhaust is in better shape than mine. Please let me know. Thanks!

dragon15130 · « **Reply #9 on:** March 16, 2012, 09:45:08 PM »

So I took the ignition to the locksmith and got a key. I also bought a battery, oil, and an oil filter. I plugged the ignition in the 4 prong plug. It was a no go. I found out I have the wrong ignition. The one I have is a 2 position and I need a 3 position ignition. So now I need to buy an ignition.

I think the ignition I have is from the 1972 Honda XL250 that we had.

dragon15130 · « **Reply #10 on:** March 16, 2012, 09:48:54 PM »

The exhaust is not in good condition. The mufflers have holes in them. But the front part from the motor to the mufflers r in good condition

goldarrow · « **Reply #11 on:** March 17, 2012, 01:00:32 AM »

If you were going to cafe the bike, i might be interested in the seat if its in good shape.

Thanks

harisuluv · « **Reply #12 on:** March 17, 2012, 03:21:56 AM »

That bike looks to be in better condition than most, good find!

kerryb · « **Reply #13 on:** March 17, 2012, 07:04:20 AM »

I would be interested in those exhausts even with the holes. My 550 project doesn't have any pipes at all.

dragon15130 · « **Reply #14 on:** March 22, 2012, 08:35:27 PM »

Since the last time I posted I have changed the oil and bought a ignition. After 2 hours trying to figure out why I had no running lights ( missed reinstalling the little jumper wire) I finally got to see everything work. I have not yet tried to start it. Going to send my tank out to have the inside coated ( I just don't feel like doing it myself).

Still need to buy a clutch cable, tires, rebuild the master cylinder, and find the right side cover.

Thanks everyone who have given suggestions and tech help.

dragon15130 · « **Reply #15 on:** September 02, 2012, 10:47:25 PM »

So I got the bike running and have been enjoying riding it almost everyday. There are only a few things i dislike about the bike.
1: is the position of the pegs. I'm 6'3" tall and make the bike look small. I did find out that the passenger pegs are comfortable for me because they allow my knees and legs to tuck in. So i need to make a rear set that would allow me to use them or slightly lower as my pegs.
2: is that I seem to problems with one gear. Its not all the time but sometimes when I'm winding her out and go and hit 4th she skips it and don't into gear. I can hit the gear again and it goes into it. Not sure whats up but I'm also not that concerned.

So I have decided to do a cafe bike. FunJimmy's bike is an inspiration for me wanting to go in this direction. My major problem being money. I work a lot and im not afraid to wrench on it myself. I could use all the help I can get. Ideas, Parts locations, and tech are all welcomed.

My idea is to paint the frame orange and do a black and orange tank. I like the conversion to a r6 front end but its kinda pricy right now for me. I'm planning on doing some work on it this winter. Mostly new tires (need ideas), brake work, find a right side cover, 4 into 1 exhaust, fix the oil leak, new chain and maybe sprockets, carbs cleaned, and lastly change the ignition to a digital one. Any and all ideas welcomed.

dhall57 · « **Reply #16 on:** September 03, 2012, 03:49:27 AM »

Just like my 76 550 I bought back in 1977. Wish I hadn't sold it. These 550's are much harder to find than there bigger brother the CB750. Great find! But I can't agree with you on the cafe idea. Keep it in it's original condition. Find a bike in a whole lot worse shape to do that type of project. Just my opinion. I think the pipes are still available from Honda.

Tews19 · « **Reply #17 on:** September 03, 2012, 05:26:59 AM »

Carpy has his 4-1 on sale ebAy for only 260. Really good price but you need to get it powder coated.

Rebuild the forks. If you haven't already it will make a world of difference. Look ino progressive springs for the front. Much stiffer and better response.
Also tapered bearings from all balls. Do this when you rebuild the forks. Easy and a noticeable difference.

I would sell the parts you plan Tobit to use on the bike. Clean them up and post in. The for sale section here.

If you like funJimmys build check out Olivia. That thread I've been watching over a year plus. If you YouTube Olivia you can see the bike prior to breakdown.

Remebrt this very important thing, PICS OR IT DIDNT HAPPEN!

lucky · « **Reply #18 on:** September 03, 2012, 05:43:03 AM »

Quote from: dragon15130 on September 02, 2012, 10:47:25 PM

So I got the bike running and have been enjoying riding it almost everyday. There are only a few things i dislike about the bike.
1: is the position of the pegs. I'm 6'3" tall and make the bike look small. I did find out that the passenger pegs are comfortable for me because they allow my knees and legs to tuck in. So i need to make a rear set that would allow me to use them or slightly lower as my pegs.
2: is that I seem to problems with one gear. Its not all the time but sometimes when I'm winding her out and go and hit 4th she skips it and don't into gear. I can hit the gear again and it goes into it. Not sure whats up but I'm also not that concerned.

So I have decided to do a cafe bike. FunJimmy's bike is an inspiration for me wanting to go in this direction. My major problem being money. I work a lot and im not afraid to wrench on it myself. I could use all the help I can get. Ideas, Parts locations, and tech are all welcomed.

My idea is to paint the frame orange and do a black and orange tank. I like the conversion to a r6 front end but its kinda pricy right now for me. I'm planning on doing some work on it this winter. Mostly new tires (need ideas), brake work, find a right side cover, 4 into 1 exhaust, fix the oil leak, new chain and maybe sprockets, carbs cleaned, and lastly change the ignition to a digital one. Any and all ideas welcomed.

6'3" is always problamatic.
Many younger men now days are very tall too.

dragon15130 · « **Reply #19 on:** September 03, 2012, 08:05:40 AM »

I'm pretty young at 23 years old. The reason I chose to go cafe is because first I'm not a big fan of Chrome and since all mine has rust on it. I just felt that it would allow me to change it so that it is more comfortable for me. I completely love the bike. Everytime I look at it I see it in a new light. I love when filling up or at a light someone asks about the bike. Just neat.

dragon15130 · « **Reply #20 on:** November 11, 2012, 09:30:57 PM »

Well I have notice a Clunk in the Trans mostly at take off. Also during hard riding through the gears i sometimes get a false neutral. Any ideas of what can cause this??? I put about 4k on the bike this summer with minimal work to it other than oil changes and chain adjustments since its 10 year hibernation. Hope someone can send me in the right direction.

bjatwood · « **Reply #21 on:** November 12, 2012, 05:45:31 AM »

Quote from: dragon15130 on September 03, 2012, 08:09:40 AM

Plus beating people on newer bikes is a lot of fun too.

You'll have fun listening to the exhaust on those new bikes as they pull away from you!

Tews19 · « **Reply #22 on:** November 12, 2012, 06:20:37 AM »

False neutral is common. But it will happen. Try driving her a lil easier. Slamming into gear on launch will give you a clunk... Play with the clutch adjustment.. This could help a little...... Remember how you are diriving it currently and think about how others may have driven it...... Also, remember these bikes are 35 years and older....

dragon15130 · « **Reply #23 on:** November 12, 2012, 06:39:01 AM »

Sometimes I get the clunk when I'm slowing down.

Tews19 · « **Reply #24 on:** November 12, 2012, 07:54:22 AM »

Try adjusting the clutch

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Author Topic: the barn find 1976 cb550 (Read 4588 times)