So here is the long and short of it…
Last year, after 28 long years of waiting, I picked up my first bike. It was an '05 XVS650 I snagged for $2500, 19,000 miles and a few lessons learned about wrenching I laid it down in a storm.
(the day I got my first bike)
(the day before I totaled my first bike)
The folks at State Farm are some damn fine people, they took care of me so I had a fat check… I also had the bull#$%* opportunity to be an adult and pay off all our debt. I did the right thing but was left with less than it'd take to get what I wanted. (I ride in all weather, about 50 miles one way to work on the interstate so I have to have something decently powered and reliable) I did however have enough to pick up an old Honda, something to keep my mind at bay and my hands busy. I also happen to be into aesthetics so the ever-so-popular cafe style of the moment is a perfect fit. I'm not however building a cafe racer, the champion deluxe tires alone will prevent me from any high level of performance so Im going for the lines, the beauty of design married with functionality of a dependable daily driver, not headed to bonneville anytime soon.
Anyway, here I stand now with a 1974 CB550 four that is in decent shape, the things that are wrong with it are the things Im changing out anyway. I chose the 550 over the 750 for several reason, the main one of which being that dry vs wet sump build will make it easy for me to wrench on, that along with the weight difference and hp ratio seem a bit swayed in the 550's favor.
(my new project)
The last little bit is the fact that I have no clue what Im doing, couple that with limited tools and my workspace is actually out on a flagstone patio in the back yard of the house Im renting in Decatur… in other words this #$%* aint ideal. I say that though because I love this stuff as Im sure you do as well (if you are actually reading this far in) so if you have anything to offer in the ways of wisdom please hit me up, and if you are in GA and want to roll sometime lemme know, Id love to see a more unified community here.
Here are some progress pics:
(strip down)
(new tires Chanpion Deluxe 18-400 and 19-450, clipons, tank)
(trying desperately to figure out a new wiring harness)
(soon to be new electrics pan)
(it'd be nice to have a garage)