Just want to say hi to everyone on the forum.
I have been searching for a CB550 for some time now and finally found one!
I was hoping to get it in better condition but these bikes don't turn up very often in South Africa, and when they do they're normally sold off really quickly.
I had to drive 4 hours out of Johannesburg to Bloemfontien just to get a look at the bike.
It had some pretty had sun damage and had been involved in a crash.
The owner had simply slid out on a corner.
No serious damage because it had crash bars but the front headlight and ignition were smashed.
I picked the bike up for R5000 which, for lack of me wanting to find the actual exchange rate, is about $500.
The bike was running just needed some love.
Here is a list of what I have done to the bike since I bought it:
- Taken the tank in to have the serious rust problem cleaned up
- Cleaned the carbs out
- Fitted new fuel lines
- Fitted some clubman bars and starter rerouting cables
- Replaced the clutch cable
- In the process of sorting out the stock air filter but of course, the bike didn't come with boots to connect the carb to the air filter
I'm not looking to cafe racer the bike but I do like the styling, hence the clubman bars. I will probably change the tail light too, partly because it is MASSIVE and doesn't really fit with the lines of the bike, well to my mind at least, and partly because it was damaged in the crash.
This forum has already provided me with a lot of great advice so I thought it best to sign up as I am new to bikes.
I need all the experienced help I can get!
