Hi Everyone,
This is my first post, my first motorcycle project, and the first vehicle I have ever owned.....should be interesting.
I'll start by telling you about me.
The Bad:
I have never driven a motorcycle, and I do not have a motorcycle license.
My father would break my legs in order to prevent me from riding a motorcycle.
The Good:
I just graduated with a mechanical engineering degree, have been using tools my whole life, and understand the inner workings of a motorcycle.
I just moved in to an apartment with a two car garage and stocked up on all the tools I will need (my stuff is still in boxes, but my new tools are organized neatly in my new tool chest....Priorities).
I live 9 hours from my father, and I can run faster than him, so he will have a hard time breaking my legs.
My father has 30 years of motorcycling experience (probably why he doesn't want me to ride one), so once he comes around, he will be a great resource.
My company will pay for me to take a motorcycle training and safety course, so that I can learn how to ride and get my license.
On to the bike.
1976 Honda cb550 f.
16,900 miles
The Bad:
Not running. To be specific, it hasn't run since 1985.
Front brake caliper is missing.
Seat is shot.
Tank is rusty inside and has a dent on the side.
Rust everywhere.
All chrome is pitted.
Tires are shot.
Side covers are broken.
The Good:
Got the bike for $200.
Clean title.
Stored indoors its whole life.
The engine turns over and has pretty good compression (between 90 and 110 PSI across the four cylinders).
The bike has never been messed with, and is all original.
The gauges and lights are absolutely perfect (besides some surface rust).
Where the project is at:
Right now I am part way through the disassembling process. I have removed the seat, the gas tank, the tail light, the rear fender, the headers, the muffler (completely rotted), the chain guard, and the rear pegs.
The Plan:
I hope to turn the bike into a cafe racer for under $1500. I plan to do all of the work myself, with the exception of powder coating the frame.
Bodywork:
Shorten the front fender.
Remove the dent from the tank, derust and seal the inside.
Delete the rear fender.
Delete the side covers.
Seat:
Using the stock seat pan, carve my own cafe style seat out of foam, with a compartment under the hump for a smaller lithium battery to go. Re-wrap the custom foam in leather.
Drivetrain:
Disassemble, clean, and rebuild the carbs, replacing gaskets and fittings as needed.
individual air filters instead of stock airbox.
Clean and repaint the engine.
New head gasket (my initial diagnosis for the uniform low compression, please tell me if you disagree).
New muffler.
Paint the rusty headers black and wrap them.
Wheels and Tires:
New tires and tubes.
New aluminum wheels.
Powdercoat the spokes to match the frame.
Frame:
Sandblast and derust.
Remove unnecessary mounting tabs.
Reinforce old rusty welds.
Powdercoat.
Hardware:
Replace every rusty nut and bolt with a high grade stainless steel equivalent.
New bearings, seals, and rubber everything.
Paint:
Front fender and tank will be British racing green with white stripes.
Frame and spokes will be powdercoated a dark gray matte.
Misc black pieces of metal (eg brackets, caliper, center stand) will be sandblasted and painted with POR15 chassis coat semigloss black.
Lights and Gauges:
Restore stock headlight and gauges.
Cat's eye taillight mounted under the seat using the rear fender mounting holes.
Small front and rear turn signals.
Misc:
Stock handlebars, controls, and foot pegs for now.
Plus a million other things I'm sure I'm forgetting.
Lots of pictures and many questions coming soon.
Thanks for reading.
