Author Topic: FFJMOORE CB550 the red one (Read 8617 times)

Flying J · « **on:** August 03, 2012, 10:14:47 AM »

Well i picked up another cb550. Im starting to feel like twotired.

Anyway. I think its vin says its 12 of 74 so i guess that makes it a 75. What year had the red tank? Its missing a side cover, does not have the stock exhaust, has a 16 rear wheel, an oil cooler and what looks like a 550f seat. It did start and run. Sounded good, no real oil leaks. Carbs on the other hand leaked like a sieve so they need a good cleaning. 28xxx miles Any thoughts?

Greggo · « **Reply #1 on:** August 03, 2012, 11:41:44 AM »

Red was never stock in the U.S. Thoughts...good find! I'm sure you got it for a decent price, and it does look like there's probably some money to be made. The finned stator cover, and oil cooler alone are worth some good coinage. Is that a 16" Harley rim in the back?

Flying J · « **Reply #2 on:** August 03, 2012, 01:24:42 PM »

Yeah, its running a 16 harley rear. Im going to take off the finned parts and the oil cooler. Im going to try and return it back to stock best i can and then Im sure you will see it for sale in your neck of the woods. The red paint is in good shape and looking at the 2 small chips in it it looks like they may have painted over the same jade green i have now.

Maybe if it runs great ill just swap over my tank, seat and exhaust and sell the green bike with the red tank on it.

Flying J · « **Reply #3 on:** September 21, 2012, 06:54:21 PM »

Dropped the carbs to clean them. I think it may have just had crap stuck under the float needles. I was going to drop all the emulsion tubes but after i popped one out it was so shiny and clean i think there is no reason to do the rest. Im just going to drop them in a ultrasonic bath and then put them back together and see how it runs.

Flying J · « **Reply #4 on:** November 26, 2012, 09:55:10 PM »

Well I got around to putting the carbs back on the bike. Its over at a friends house so i swapped on his tank and battery hit the start button and it started. Im mean it started as soon as i hit the button. I have never had a bike start that easy ever. It has a little tick/rattle from what sounds like the top right side. I rode it up and down the street. Its a little slow but who know where the timing is at or if the advancer is free. ANyway i was very excited at how easy that thing started. Hopefully good sing for things to come. Next is to put new fuel in its tank, put on the correct seat and then do the timing valves and sync the carbs. We shall see how it runs then. Sorry no pictures.

luap · « **Reply #5 on:** November 27, 2012, 07:40:00 AM »

Man i wish there were bikes like that in AZ. project bike not running an all it takes is a carb clean.
whats your plans for that F seat if interested in selling lemme know
paul

Flying J · « **Reply #6 on:** November 27, 2012, 09:33:37 AM »

Yeah i was going to sell the seat to help pay for the correct one i bought for it. SHoot me an offer if you want it.

Flying J · « **Reply #7 on:** December 08, 2012, 04:20:24 PM »

Brought the RED one home today. Going to put on the right seat, fresh gas and then over the next few days do a tune up. Points, Valves, timing and sync the carbs. Also start cleaning things up a bit. Here are the before shoots.

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #8 on:** December 08, 2012, 04:25:05 PM »

Gday FFJ, id that red a stock color on the 550.? looks good, you don't see many stock looking red ones....

Flying J · « **Reply #9 on:** December 08, 2012, 04:51:34 PM »

No, I think the stock color on this one was green but somebody did a good job painting it red.

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #10 on:** December 08, 2012, 04:53:28 PM »

You going to leave it red..? I like it....

Flying J · « **Reply #11 on:** December 08, 2012, 05:54:08 PM »

Yeah, I like the red. Its in pretty good shape. Just missing the right side cover. So ill have to find one and try to match the red. Im just going to clean this one up and then sell it. It will make a great bike for someone. I have to many projects, well not TO many just more projects then money. So this one will go to pay for others.

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #12 on:** December 08, 2012, 05:57:46 PM »

Quote from: ffJMoore on December 08, 2012, 05:54:08 PM

I have to many projects, well not TO many just more projects then money. So this one will go to pay for others.

I'm hearing you...

Flying J · « **Reply #13 on:** December 10, 2012, 11:10:55 PM »

Today, Checked the timing and points, adjusted the valves, and then synced the carbs. Bike starts and runs good. It bogs at half to full throttle. I checked and the air filter is gone so i sure its running lean when i open it up as well as not having that extra vacuum that these bikes require to run well. I also polished up a bunch of the rusty chrome. Bike is looking much better. I still need a right side cover and an air filter. Some new boots would be nice too but im not sure i want to dump the money into since im just going to sell it. The last bike i dumped a bunch of time and money into and sold went to a guy who was going to cafe the bike. Thats fine but i dont want to waste my money on new boots if they are just going to rip them off and slap on some pod filters. Any way here is a pic, ill try and get a video of it running. I want to change the oil and take off the oil filter and then i will list it for sale.

Flying J · « **Reply #14 on:** December 12, 2012, 11:28:59 PM »

Ditched the oil cooler (it leaked from the hoses), changed the oil and filter. Its a pretty nice bike. Has the aftermarket pipes, a set of Koni shocks, the oil cooler and a decent pain job. Wish i knew if one of the POs messed with the motor at all. Just out of curiosity i did a compression test on the #1 cylinder and it came in at 170.
Here is a video
1975 CB550

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #15 on:** December 13, 2012, 12:09:05 AM »

That turned out great ...

dave500 · « **Reply #16 on:** December 13, 2012, 12:28:03 AM »

seems to start and run well,itll probably have enough carbon on the pistons and combustion chamber to raise the compression?

Flying J · « **Reply #17 on:** December 13, 2012, 12:29:23 PM »

Listed it for sale today. Asking 2k. We'll see how that goes.

jneuf · « **Reply #18 on:** December 13, 2012, 12:40:07 PM »

I apologize in advance for hi-jacking the thread, but can you elaborate on that contraption on the back of your vehicle that is holding the bike?

Thanks!

flybox1 · « **Reply #19 on:** December 13, 2012, 01:42:09 PM »

Quote from: ffJMoore on December 13, 2012, 12:29:23 PM

Listed it for sale today. Asking 2k. We'll see how that goes.

nice find. great color. it would go fast up here @ $2k.

jneuf - http://www.discountramps.com/hitch-mounted-motorcycle-carrier.htm

Flying J · « **Reply #20 on:** December 13, 2012, 02:25:43 PM »

Quote from: jneuf on December 13, 2012, 12:40:07 PM

I apologize in advance for hi-jacking the thread, but can you elaborate on that contraption on the back of your vehicle that is holding the bike?

Thanks!

It's a versahaul. It has 2 rails and a ramp. I'm only using 1 rail right now. Holds 600lbs.

I put in an air filter today and it runs so much better.

Flying J · « **Reply #21 on:** December 19, 2012, 03:44:35 PM »

SOLD! to a nice young lady in SF. She should be joining the forum shortly.

News:

Author Topic: FFJMOORE CB550 the red one (Read 8617 times)