Topic: 'Ratspew' the CB550 build up thread. Hello from Aus!

[MSEE]

First of all here's a little bit of an introduction about myself and how I got my hands on this bike.

I've always had an interest in bikes and cars, have owned plenty of both (far too many for my age anyway), tinkered here and there, slight mods etc but nothing too serious. As far as cars go I've owned various old toyota's and datsun's with current count up over 10. I've owned various different bikes aswell, most recent ones being 05 CBR1000 blade, '10 RMZ450, '07 KTM 525, with only the 2012 KTM500exc remaining.

With that ramble out of the road I'll tell you about the bike I intend on building up.

Late last year a mate of mine purchased a CB550 off eBay. To cut a long story short I took it to the bike shop for him where it received a full rebuild and has sat ever since. I talked to the bloke who owned the bike just last week about what ever happened to his CB and he told me he didn't know or really care for that matter. The guy is captain 'unfinished project' and I knew he'd pass it off for a small price, so I jumped on it and offered him $1k for it.

So at this stage the engine is removed from the frame as I picked the bike and motor up seperate. There's a pile of nuts/bolts and a box full of parts to go with it aswell.

Only having one day to actually work on it I have done the following.
- Soaked nuts and bolts to remove grease and grime
- Degreased/desludged between cooling fins on motor, behind covers and on top of tappet covers
- Stripped paint from tank
- Gone through the original owners manual and itemised a list of nuts and bolts needed for nut and bolt restoration. I'll send it off to a mate who works at a nut and bolt shop who can hook me up.

At this current stage my priority is to get the beast running. Then pull it back down, prep it ready for paint etc. I haven't got a firm idea of exactly how I want the bike to end up but I have been trawling through loads of bike picks taking little ideas here and there.

This build doesn't really have a time frame, I just want to do it right. As I've said previously I've never 'built' anything before so I'll be learning as I go.

I look forward to updating here as much as I can as I go through the build process!

Cheers, Matt!

[wedoo2]

Welcome.  There are a lot of Aussies on the site, and plenty of others to help.  So far, you have the fanciest garage floor.     The manuals are available.  Nice pictures so far, keep it up.

[MSEE]

Right, so after not having had time to 'fiddle' with  the old girl, this afternoon I spent a few hours ginning around in the garage.

With a little help from the Mrs (yes the Mrs!  ) I managed to slot the motor in with only removing the carbs; manifold back. As most of you's know these mongrels are quite heavy so it was a bit of an effort lifting it in by hand without the help of mates or any mechanical aids!

It mounted no worries into the rear top and bottom mounts but I did have trouble bolting the bottom frame mount and front hanger mounts. I think it's a matter of loosening each bolt and wriggling them into place until they all fit...with the possibility of fabbing up some new triangular frame hangers.

Things I'll be doing throughout this week

- Replacing all exhaust studs (6x40mm)
- Engine mount brackets
- Flanges for carb/inlet manifold with black exertion rubber to suit (home-made cap+gasket to seal motor)
- Bung for engine breather

While it's rolling in the frame I want to 'seal' the motor so I can degrease/clean it properly

Here it is in it's current state.