Author Topic: Project Motorcharge 550 (Read 9863 times)

Motorcharge · « **on:** April 27, 2013, 03:41:01 PM »

Hasn't run since 1983. Motor has good compression according to the previous owner, but I haven't checked the motor out yet. I tried to put a little gas in it to see if it would start today before I pulled the carb out to clean/rebuild it. Looked inside first with a Snap On snake camera but I missed a pinhole on the bottom of the tank so that idea didn't pan out. I'm gonna pull it off and weld up the hole on Monday before I reseal the inside of the tank.

Been building up Jeeps since I was a kid but I've wanted a cheap project bike for the last couple years. Couldn't pass up $100 lol. Lost on what year this thing is. Don't have the VIN off the frame offhand, but here's the VIN off the motor. cb550e1100838

Fritz · « **Reply #1 on:** April 27, 2013, 04:10:44 PM »

For $100 that bike does not look too bad. It's probably a 1975 or 1976 model. Does it have a title?
As far as I can see, the only things missing are the side covers and the muffler. The Motad's a decent replacement (stainless steel headers!). And surely a lot of rusted parts need to be replaced / painted. Could be a $1000 job to get a decent runner.
I really love the 550s, so I would rather spent $3000 to restore it to it's full original beauty

Cheers
Carsten

Steve_K · « **Reply #2 on:** May 05, 2013, 02:07:08 PM »

Nice looking project! What is on the outside for the cylinders. Some kind of aftermarket protection? The thing I am asking about is.... whats on the fins?
Steve

jaguar · « **Reply #3 on:** May 06, 2013, 03:02:03 PM »

Those fin guards are awesome!
I kinda want a set up for my 550 chop.

davidtime · « **Reply #4 on:** May 11, 2013, 02:59:28 PM »

Looks like we did the same thing today. Did you lift the motor out of the frame or lift the rest of the bike off? Mine was down to the bare frame and I lifted the frame off while it was on the right side. Got me a bit worried about putting it in after the new frame is painted.

davidtime · « **Reply #5 on:** May 11, 2013, 03:26:44 PM »

Whats that powder coat gonna run you. I have been thinking about it but have no idea what it runs and haven't asked.

davidtime · « **Reply #6 on:** May 11, 2013, 05:05:19 PM »

I wish I had a bigger oven I would just buy everything and do it myself.

Hey what did you do with the original tank?

davidtime · « **Reply #7 on:** May 11, 2013, 05:22:26 PM »

That's too bad I'm looking for one. What are your plans for the motor? Man mine sure is ugly now that its sitting by itself.

davidtime · « **Reply #8 on:** May 11, 2013, 07:00:30 PM »

Are you taking the whole engine apart? I want to but that is intimidating. I know I need to pull the head to fix a gasket leak. Have you seen anyone paint it while its together?

davidtime · « **Reply #9 on:** May 12, 2013, 04:48:08 PM »

OK so now I feel better because I was thinking of doing that. Keep up the momentum.

Tews19 · « **Reply #10 on:** May 13, 2013, 11:31:58 PM »

You can an fix a pinhole with jb weld. The tank you have looks decent. If you decide not to use csn you send me a few pics. I may be interested

Bankerdanny · « **Reply #11 on:** May 14, 2013, 09:21:17 AM »

That appears to be a 550F, and it's hard to see from your pictures, but that appears to be the stock headers, which are not easy to come by. If they are not full of holes they are fairly valuable, which you should consider before doing anything to them.

If you aren't going to use the airbox it is worth moeny too (although not a lot $20-$30)). Put up an ad in the 'for sale' section, I'm sure somebody who doesn't have one and wants to ditch their pods will happily buy it.

Vinhead1957 · « **Reply #12 on:** May 14, 2013, 01:34:48 PM »

They also have bondo that is not polyester based. You tap in the pinhole area and fill with a fiberglass based bondo. It doesn't finish sand as well as polyester base. Once the hole/dent is filled, then cover with the polyester based for final coat. Sand in between!

Tews19 · « **Reply #13 on:** May 14, 2013, 08:19:42 PM »

Damn! That's a super low vin. Like sandcast for a 550 super sport

Bankerdanny · « **Reply #14 on:** May 16, 2013, 05:29:31 PM »

As Tewes will tell you, a 550F muffler in good condition is worth a few hundred dollars.

Headers don't rust as bad as the mufflers, but for some reason lots of guys replaced them with aftermarket. The '77 F I bought has what I think is a Mac 4-1 in place of the original setup.

It's hard to suggest a value without decent pictures. There are two on eBay right now in the $160 - $200 range, but neither is in very good shape, the more expensive one would need a new collector fabricated. But at least that gives you a frame of reference.

Bankerdanny · « **Reply #15 on:** May 16, 2013, 06:27:59 PM »

Some elbow grease will clean up a lot of that rust, although I don't know how much chrome is left on the back side.

They do look solid though. $150-$175 I would think. Close to enough for a basic black MAC 4-1 setup.

If you decide to see what you can get, go after them with some 000 steel wool and chrome polish. The nicer they look, the more you will get.

calj737 · « **Reply #16 on:** October 31, 2013, 09:00:38 PM »

Motorcharge - I see we are neighbors. I'm close to wrapping up my '74 550 and could probably point you at some suppliers locally or service friends to keep your costs really low. I'm down in chesterfield and have a great deal of spares from my bike as the style and components have all been heavily changed.

For your pipe/tubing, Bobby Creech up in Ashland can handle or fab whatever you need. And BMG by the airport usually has drops for $0 to cheap.

PM me if I can help

calj737 · « **Reply #17 on:** November 01, 2013, 07:02:23 PM »

I may an extra wheel. My bike has a 750 rear on it and the original 550 rear is laying about. Bobby Creech in Ashland builds race cars and can mandrel bend anything with DOM tubing. His shop is off Rte 1 at Lewiston in the industrial park on the west side.

Let me know if a used wheel is of use to you.

calj737 · « **Reply #18 on:** November 07, 2013, 02:48:01 PM »

Just sent you a Personal message.

calj737 · « **Reply #19 on:** May 24, 2014, 07:11:27 PM »

There's a Harley builder on Hull Street or Midlo Tpke, Dragon Customs or something like that. East of Chippenham. Try them. If you want only the tube work, go see Bobby Creech. He can build you anything that has a tube in it. He's up in Ashland, west side of Rte 1 at Lewiston Rd.

Outstanding work, inexpensive and fast.

dusterdude · « **Reply #20 on:** May 25, 2014, 04:44:26 AM »

Departure bike works on hull st and i would like to see that project

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dusterdude · « **Reply #21 on:** May 25, 2014, 09:51:30 AM »

That sucks,if you cant find anyone,i know a guy in colonial heights that should be able to help you

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calj737 · « **Reply #22 on:** May 25, 2014, 11:54:52 AM »

Bobby has a full time shop. He's a professional chassis and frame builder. You can contact me directly for specific directions to his place.

dusterdude · « **Reply #23 on:** May 25, 2014, 04:38:22 PM »

Calj,is bobby a cbr guy?

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calj737 · « **Reply #24 on:** May 25, 2014, 05:52:21 PM »

CBR ?

dusterdude · « **Reply #25 on:** May 26, 2014, 11:02:46 AM »

Honda cbr's

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calj737 · « **Reply #26 on:** May 26, 2014, 11:25:42 AM »

No, he's a race car chasis builder.

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Author Topic: Project Motorcharge 550 (Read 9863 times)