Author Topic: 1976 cb550... First build. "dirty gibbons" build (Read 4147 times)

Sschultz242 · « **on:** May 20, 2012, 09:45:24 AM »

Hello fellow cb lovers. So I've started my first build. A rough 1976 cb550k. When I got it, the motor was stuck solid, but thanks to some advise I gained here (pb blaster and seafoam) she's now freed up! The stripping down process has begun as well.

My plan is pretty basic. Kinda of a cafe/slightly modes stock form. I want to keep it a two up rider, maybe get a more modern seat/tail section for it. Clubman bars, new gauges but I don't want to lose too much of the vintage appearance. I really don't have a lot more other then that. I'm in the process of rebuilding carbs and cleaning the tank out as well. I've got a lot to do here and am really a little overwhelmed, but excited.

Ok enough rambling. I'll get some pics posted tonight. Just wanted to say hello and get this build thread started!!

Stev-o · « **Reply #1 on:** May 20, 2012, 10:31:15 AM »

First off, welcome! Looking forward to seeing some pics. My name suggestion is "Slightly Cafe'd".

Sschultz242 · « **Reply #2 on:** May 22, 2012, 06:20:58 AM »

Process has been on hold for a day or two. As I mentioned, I got the engine freed up, but before I did anything I wanted to make sure she fired up. Well it looks like the PO removed the starter relay for done reason and I net it with the bike

. Parts are ordered and now I wait. I've started cleaning the carbs out. That unto itself is going to take forever. They are disgusting to say the least. Any suggestions?!

Operator · « **Reply #3 on:** May 22, 2012, 06:32:22 AM »

Simple Green. 2 parts water, 1 part Simple Green, let it sit for about 45 mins to an hour, scrub it out with a firm toothbrush, rinse well with water, if you leave it sit too long in the simple green, it will discolor the metal.

As for the jets and such, use a guitar string and gently dislodge any residue inside them. I just finished this process on my 400F project, good luck

Operator · « **Reply #4 on:** May 22, 2012, 07:47:47 AM »

Cafe Leger?? (Cafe Light)

goldarrow · « **Reply #5 on:** May 22, 2012, 09:24:49 PM »

nice that your motor turns free with ease. while the carbs are being soaked up for cleaning, may be hook up battery and check for electrical functionality. tank, pet cock and fuel line make sure they're all clean.

xsmooth69x · « **Reply #6 on:** May 24, 2012, 01:14:15 PM »

we want pics, we want pics, we want pics, we want pics, we want pics !!!!

Sschultz242 · « **Reply #7 on:** May 26, 2012, 09:23:07 PM »

ok ok. Heres the first couple pics I took. I'll snap some more as I go, but funds are tight so this is going to be a sloooowww process

The carbs were gross as you can see. Ill try and get a pic of how they are now tomorrow. They aren't great but a hundred times better

Sschultz242 · « **Reply #8 on:** May 29, 2012, 07:41:50 AM »

Thing are moving slow. Waiting on some parts to come in currently so I've been working on stripping the tank, got it bondo'd and stripped the seat and started shaping that too. I'll get some pics of that up tonight.

Spokes · « **Reply #9 on:** May 29, 2012, 11:50:09 AM »

Hey SSchultz242, I recently got my hands on a 78 CB550k which will also be a slow build. Yours looks to be in descent shape. What part of NH are you from, I am right next door in VT. Good luck with your build and I will stay tuned to see how it comes along.

harisuluv · « **Reply #10 on:** May 30, 2012, 07:02:41 PM »

The carbs don't look too bad. I don't see a lot of corrosion of the metal from the picture. The discoloration of the floats probably makes it look worse than they are. Sounds like you're on your way! Will follow.

Sschultz242 · « **Reply #11 on:** June 04, 2012, 07:41:43 PM »

so, its still slow going. Good news is i cleaned her up some more, took a chance and put a lil fuel in the cyclinders and gave her a kick... She wanted to come to LIFE!! Bad news is I was stupid and should have ordered new carb to intake boots cuz the originals will not be going back on. They are way too solid haha so another few days for those to come in. Today however i did get my new steering bearings from all balls and my fork seals, so I guess while I wait, I'll start rebuilding the front end. Got one fork off already and started cleaning and prepping that as well. Got all the carbs freed up too. They are functioning smoothly as far as the mechanical side of things go. Wont know for sure till I actually get them on the bike though, so fingers are crossed

Also I will be stripping and re-bondoing my tank. It looked decent till I got primer on it... I do not see body work as a job change I will be taking any time soon :/

new parts pile

testing paint color on head light bucket. Its a GM dark silver metallic. I like it

First fork off and relatively cleaned up. Think Im going to paint the lower forks black

old parts pile. Need to get the MC off the old bars. Thats pretty much all I'll be using out of that pile I think

Im also having second thoughts on the cafe idea. I was searching on line and saw a few pics of 550's that had more of a modern cruiser/slight chopper type look to them. this one in particular I really like
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=37138.0

My heart says buy another 550 and do both, but my wallet says other wise lol

Sschultz242 · « **Reply #12 on:** June 06, 2012, 09:49:13 PM »

No real progress today. STill working on cleaning up the forks and getting those looking pretty. Got some more chemicals (acetone, aircraft stripper, brake clean etc). Going to start working on the master cylinder while i wait for some other parts to come in and replace my steering stem bearings since I got my All Balls tapered ones in. Should be fun

Just posting to help keep motivated. Have I said how slow things go when you have to have a real job and bills to pay so you can't spend all your money on your bike

goldarrow · « **Reply #13 on:** June 06, 2012, 10:25:59 PM »

Your progress is coming along just fine. Much quicker than mine. Keep us posted.

Sschultz242 · « **Reply #14 on:** June 11, 2012, 07:47:13 PM »

One fork rebuilt, got the other one pulled tonight, going to finish that one hopefully tomorrow. Pulled the sprocket cover off the other day. WIsh I has taken a picture cuz that thing was nasty!! 30 years of chain lube and dirt caked in there. Let it soak for about an hour in Dawn dish soap and hot water and she came pretty clean. Going to start polishing that up too. Got my carb intake boots in today so after I get that fork finished the front end is going back together and then the carbs are going on and Im going to focus on getting this thing really running. As I said in an earlier post, did the old gas in the cylinder trick and it has a little life, but I wanna know how much she really got!

Sschultz242 · « **Reply #15 on:** June 18, 2012, 08:24:23 PM »

I need to get some pics posted but things are moving along. Both forks now have new fork seals, have been cleaned up and got two coats of primer on them and will finish prep and get them painted tomorrow. Also started polishing up the sprocket cover. looks pretty good for my first attempt. Need to do a final wet sand with 2000 grit then wax that puppy up and she should be looking great!! I also (after some fighting, cussing and a smashed finger) got the races for my new tapered steering bearings installed. Going to finish cleaning up the triples and hopefully get the front end put all back together in the next few days. I'll need some wheel bearings and a caliper and master cycllinder rebuild kits before the front end is totally done, but progress is being made. Pics tomorrow!!

Sschultz242 · « **Reply #16 on:** June 19, 2012, 07:04:07 AM »

As promised here's a few pics. Doesnt look much like a bike currently and i still have no real idea what Im doing, but at least some little stuff is getting accomplished

finger doesnt look that bad now. I did it on saturday so its had a few days to heal up. Life lesson, move fingers when swinging a 3lb hammer :/

Sschultz242 · « **Reply #17 on:** June 20, 2012, 09:49:24 PM »

16 hour work day and I was still able to get something accomplished tonight. Tried polishing up the upper triple. Looks like the base metal isnt the best so it didnt come out that great. But I kinda like th semi brushed look that came out of it. The project itself is going more towards a rat style cafe so pretty isnt necessary. Also got the lower forks sprayed with the first coat of paint after a quick sanding of the primer. That was it for tonight, but im tired as hell here so I'm going to bed. Hopefully tomorrow will be a bit more promising.

goldarrow · « **Reply #18 on:** June 20, 2012, 10:39:41 PM »

with finger injury, you still able to get some work done. i envy you. i would have take a week off. lol

Sschultz242 · « **Reply #19 on:** June 24, 2012, 07:02:41 PM »

well... Wasn't happy with how the forks came out after I painted them, so I started stripping them tonight and I guess Im going to try and polish them now. See how I like that. I polished the handle bar clamp on the upper triple and kind of liked that. I think this project maybe going more towards the classy rat, if thats possible

Things are slow, but at least somethings are getting done.

Tews19 · « **Reply #20 on:** June 24, 2012, 08:22:55 PM »

I used a bench grinder to take off the factory coat on my cb550 forks. Most do no recommend it but I used a brass wire wheel. Fine thread. Then invest in 3 polishing compounds, red, white blue. Will look as good if not better then factory. Plus I am think it will strip the paint off your forks a lot easier then by hand.

Keep up the work! These bikes constantly change while being worked on.

Subscribed.... If you are in need of nice 550F chrome rear shocks let me know. I have a set. Check my build thread out and you will see their condition.

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Author Topic: 1976 cb550... First build. "dirty gibbons" build (Read 4147 times)