Author Topic: My new chopper. A real "back in the day" survivor.  (Read 55821 times)

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Offline jaguar

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My new chopper. A real "back in the day" survivor.
« on: April 14, 2013, 02:59:03 pm »
A friend has owned this bike for years.
Now I finally own it.
Was built in LA in '74 out of a crated brand new bike.
This is a cb550.

Wiring is shot and a rats net so that's the first job.
Carbs were just rebuilt, soda blasted an polished.
Has new tires.
Needs front brake hooked up and shoes replaced.

Silver tank now though


Offline Stev-o

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Re: My new chopper. A real "back in the day" survivor.
« Reply #1 on: April 14, 2013, 03:14:13 pm »
Looks awesome Jag.  I'd like one too
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'71 Honda 750K project.....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline 754

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Re: My new chopper. A real "back in the day" survivor.
« Reply #2 on: April 14, 2013, 03:27:25 pm »
Amen that one.. I sort of wonder if its deraked, or all the 500 frames were like that..? Looks like fun..
Maker of the WELDLESS 750 Frame Kit
dodogas99@gmail.com
Kelowna B.C.       Canada

My next bike will be a ..ANFOB.....

It's All part of the ADVENTURE...

73 836cc.. Green, had it for 3 decades!!
Lost quite a few CB 750's along the way

Offline jaguar

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Re: My new chopper. A real "back in the day" survivor.
« Reply #3 on: April 15, 2013, 07:01:59 am »
Thanks stevo, wanted this bike for a few years.
754, not sure about that.  Might just be the picture.








Last picture with the red tank




Offline Stev-o

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Re: My new chopper. A real "back in the day" survivor.
« Reply #4 on: April 15, 2013, 07:11:33 am »
So is the wiring so hacked that you'll just build a new harness?  May be easier...
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'71 Honda 750K project.....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline Greggo

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Re: My new chopper. A real "back in the day" survivor.
« Reply #5 on: April 15, 2013, 07:15:30 am »
What are you planning for it?

Offline jaguar

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Re: My new chopper. A real "back in the day" survivor.
« Reply #6 on: April 15, 2013, 09:24:05 am »
Yes needs new harness.
I have to check the rec/reg and see if they are good.

Plan is to ride as is.
Would like to change the tail lit and have dual head light

Offline Mugen_Stumpo

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Re: My new chopper. A real "back in the day" survivor.
« Reply #7 on: April 15, 2013, 12:26:57 pm »
love it already! 8)

Offline jaguar

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Re: My new chopper. A real "back in the day" survivor.
« Reply #8 on: April 15, 2013, 07:17:29 pm »
love it already! 8)

Thanks.
I kinda like it too

Offline y2kc0wb0y

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Re: My new chopper. A real "back in the day" survivor.
« Reply #9 on: April 15, 2013, 07:53:30 pm »
I like it a lot. Definitely has old school flare
CB750K3 890cc| 2004 VFR800A| 76 CB550F| 77 CB750F| 73 CB350G| 79 XLH| 2007 BMW R1200GS| CB750K2

Offline Garystratos201

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Re: My new chopper. A real "back in the day" survivor.
« Reply #10 on: April 16, 2013, 06:12:15 am »
Love the old school look. Are you gonna change color on the tank?.........Gary
Visit my build project;
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=111620.0

Current ride; Bass boat.... 2005 Ranger 521VX,250 hp Mercury Verado, super charged and direct fuel injected. Not a bass on the lake can out run me !!!

Offline jaguar

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Re: My new chopper. A real "back in the day" survivor.
« Reply #11 on: April 16, 2013, 09:37:25 am »
Love the old school look. Are you gonna change color on the tank?.........Gary

I like the silver a lot better then the red.
Not married to the tank color, what do you think?

Offline SOHC Digger

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Re: My new chopper. A real "back in the day" survivor.
« Reply #12 on: April 16, 2013, 09:41:48 am »
Amen that one.. I sort of wonder if its deraked, or all the 500 frames were like that..? Looks like fun..

I think the Amens actually had a pretty conservative rake if you kept the bottom frame rail parallel to the ground.  I have a 750 Amen frame and it has considerably less rake than my AEE frame.

Lower link on the springer looks upside down.  754, what do you think?

Overall, I love the bike!  Needs a prism tank though ;D

Offline toytuff

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Re: My new chopper. A real "back in the day" survivor.
« Reply #13 on: April 16, 2013, 09:47:11 am »
Very nice Jag.

 8) 8) 8) 8) Get's the four cool.

tt

Offline jaguar

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Re: My new chopper. A real "back in the day" survivor.
« Reply #14 on: April 16, 2013, 10:26:22 am »
I need to fab a brake stay so I didnt get into questions about the springer yet.
BUT, the bike really only wants to go straight or flop to one side.  I have never really ridden a bike like this, so didnt know if that was part of the whole death trap chopper thing or not.
Now that someone mentioned it, kinda does look like that link is upside down.  Wonder if thats the issue.....

Offline JimJamerino

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Re: My new chopper. A real "back in the day" survivor.
« Reply #15 on: April 16, 2013, 11:30:30 am »
If you haven't already, go check out www.hondachopper.com.   Tons of good info, including The Honda Chopper Bible.  This is what I used to figure my trail and rake for my chop.
~ Jim

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There are old bikers.  There are dumb bikers.  There are no old, dumb bikers.

My CB650C rebuild http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=74212.0

Offline jaguar

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Re: My new chopper. A real "back in the day" survivor.
« Reply #16 on: April 16, 2013, 11:46:06 am »
I was over there, they will not let me post anything about the bike, because its a 550 and not a 750.....
Rules are rules.
I lurk, and use the FS section a bit.

Offline JimJamerino

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Re: My new chopper. A real "back in the day" survivor.
« Reply #17 on: April 16, 2013, 12:05:37 pm »
Lame.  At least you (we) can access most of the info, though.
~ Jim

formerly "emperorspartacus"

There are old bikers.  There are dumb bikers.  There are no old, dumb bikers.

My CB650C rebuild http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=74212.0

Offline I Zombie

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Re: My new chopper. A real "back in the day" survivor.
« Reply #18 on: April 16, 2013, 01:10:02 pm »
Lower link on the springer looks upside down.

I'd have to agree it does look upside down. After checkin online, looks like it could go either way depending on what trail you need.
78 CB750K

Offline jaguar

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Re: My new chopper. A real "back in the day" survivor.
« Reply #19 on: April 16, 2013, 01:24:04 pm »
Could it cause the handling issue I was talking about?
Im kinda new to this whole "rake and trail" thing.

Offline 754

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Re: My new chopper. A real "back in the day" survivor.
« Reply #20 on: April 16, 2013, 02:12:12 pm »
Yeah they look turned around ..maybe cus bike was too low.

Look at the line formed by the front tubes between motor and neck, usually a straight line ( is on 750,s). If it has had a rake change, and you put it back it may handle better.  Lower tunnel in tank looks nicer.

 I have run stock front end with stand relocated and high pipes..
« Last Edit: April 16, 2013, 02:15:30 pm by 754 »
Maker of the WELDLESS 750 Frame Kit
dodogas99@gmail.com
Kelowna B.C.       Canada

My next bike will be a ..ANFOB.....

It's All part of the ADVENTURE...

73 836cc.. Green, had it for 3 decades!!
Lost quite a few CB 750's along the way

Offline jaguar

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Re: My new chopper. A real "back in the day" survivor.
« Reply #21 on: April 16, 2013, 02:24:24 pm »
I dont want to think about anything that will make the bike lower.....
Its already a bit much....lol

Offline 754

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Re: My new chopper. A real "back in the day" survivor.
« Reply #22 on: April 16, 2013, 02:30:42 pm »
If the frame has been pulled back, moving it. Forward will increase clearance.
Maker of the WELDLESS 750 Frame Kit
dodogas99@gmail.com
Kelowna B.C.       Canada

My next bike will be a ..ANFOB.....

It's All part of the ADVENTURE...

73 836cc.. Green, had it for 3 decades!!
Lost quite a few CB 750's along the way

Offline SOHC Digger

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Re: My new chopper. A real "back in the day" survivor.
« Reply #23 on: April 16, 2013, 10:20:00 pm »
Is that a 19" or 21" front wheel?  If it's a 19", relacing the hub to a 21" will raise the axle up an inch, allowing you to fix your lower link.

Offline jaguar

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Re: My new chopper. A real "back in the day" survivor.
« Reply #24 on: April 17, 2013, 04:39:48 am »
It's a 21 now.
This weekend I need to pop the front wheel off any way, so ill try and flip the link and sew