Author Topic: CB550K 76 (Read 2904 times)

wall.ace · « **on:** April 24, 2013, 05:39:46 AM »

project thread.
I picked up this 76 550k in Sydney in October 2012.
2200 miles on the clock. it had been shipped over from the States and first time registered here in oz. It runs brilliantly - there is an issue with the charging system and it blew the main fuse a few times.
I just lost my license for 3 months and its 'winter' here so the plan is to use the time off the bike to get it into my mates garage and get some customization going...
new seat, chop the pipes, new electrics, lights, handlebars, velocity stacks, clip-ons, bates lights and trim all of the fat.. see pictures below
this is my first post, first bike, first build...
cheers,
wal.

goldarrow · « **Reply #1 on:** April 24, 2013, 06:05:13 AM »

Like the drawing of your cafe build, and Very nice looking bike to begin with. But I would be so sad to see those stock pipes get chopped off.

Viktor.J · « **Reply #2 on:** April 24, 2013, 06:55:24 AM »

The bike is very nice and the final picture looks great !

But I would seriously consider selling that bike as a really nice stock bike and then buy a bike with less original parts for a smaller amount and then use the surplus money to buy new parts.

That bike is NICE, and to chop those pipes up, repaint etc. would be nothing but crazy.
At least sell the parts that you want to change and buy aftermarket parts/original parts that's already chopped or destroyed instead.
If not to please the motorcycle god you can please your wallet

Bankerdanny · « **Reply #3 on:** April 24, 2013, 01:48:53 PM »

I'm with Victor. If the bike is even 90% as nice as it looks in the pictures, PLEASE sell it for a nice profit and find a beat up bike to cut up. If nothing else, strip it and sell all the body pieces, seat, and exhaust.

iron_worker · « **Reply #4 on:** April 24, 2013, 02:22:04 PM »

Going to have to jump on the "Don't chop it up!" train as well.

IW

Garystratos201 · « **Reply #5 on:** April 24, 2013, 02:29:56 PM »

x2 dont chop. You can find plenty of header pipes on ebay that have already been chopped. If the exhaust is as good as it looks you may be surprised to find out what its worth. Just sayin..... its your bike to do with as you please. Good luck........Gary

wall.ace · « **Reply #6 on:** April 24, 2013, 03:20:16 PM »

Firstly, sorry guys, buy I've already done it. These first two posts are a mini retrospective of the last couple of months.

I do realize that I am pretty much ruining a perfectly good motorcycle. It would be ideal for restoration, but I'm not into restoration. I was keen to get one which was in sound mechanical condition. I love the shapes, lines and proportions of these bikes and just want to modify a few things to exaggerate the tank and motor and the sweeping curve of the tank/seat. I also realize that this thread may not be for everyone due to the motorcycle vandalism that is occurring.

I did have a look on ebay for some headers but only found aftermarket products in the states which cost loads to ship over to aus. They don't get that beautiful sweeping curve on the header right either. They tend to have those ugly shallow radius bends. I plan on making some brackets to make it possible to bolt the mufflers back onto the pipes.

Next I plan on modifying the fenders - unless anyone wants them to swap? They're in okay condition. Small amount of pitting from rust. Them rims have more rust and I plan on sandblasting and painting them - again unless anyone is keen to trade. I plan on getting a new top triple tree - so thats up for grabs too.

So if anyone needs parts - i've got all the lights, side covers, handlebars, seat (needs to be recovered), speedo/tacho, idiot lights, airbox, etc etc.

Cheers,
Wal

Damage Inc · « **Reply #7 on:** April 24, 2013, 04:42:08 PM »

Hi Wal, good to see another Aussie on the forum. That is a nice bike, I'm subscribed. Also sending a pm.

wall.ace · « **Reply #8 on:** April 24, 2013, 07:49:27 PM »

quick video from last night. hooked up a new little battery to see if it will run the motor. kickstarted it no problems with a $20 battery from jaycar. No lights were connected.
this is the battery - http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=SB2480&form=CAT2&SUBCATID=997#12
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uf0K0ahq55U

wall.ace · « **Reply #9 on:** May 12, 2013, 06:20:31 PM »

Tews19 · « **Reply #10 on:** May 14, 2013, 01:00:17 PM »

Subscribed! You got balls bud for cutting those nice pipes. Your drawing is wicked

wall.ace · « **Reply #11 on:** May 14, 2013, 08:50:45 PM »

cheers tews.

there was a bike show last weekend so I spent the week prior getting it to a ride-able state.
cut up the bars, turned them upside down and made brackets to fit the top triple.
mounted an electrical box under the swing-arm and re-wired the entire bike.
trimmed the front fender and remounted it - however it was too close to the tire so i'll have to extend the bracket.
carved the seat foam and mounted it.
the donkey dick was just a temporary addition,

I'm waiting on some parts from the US. taillight, velocity stacks, clip-ons (although I dig these bars) some hoses, etc

I need to order a speedo, any recommendations?

I removed the electric start and its taking about 10 kicks to get it going -keen to sort that out.

bike show was throttleroll, marrickville sydney.

Tews19 · « **Reply #12 on:** May 14, 2013, 09:05:04 PM »

Great pics. I hope I didn't insult you with the ballsy comment. Didn't mean to if I did.
At you going to use a fork brace? The bike will handle better and be a little safer with one

wall.ace · « **Reply #13 on:** May 14, 2013, 10:03:18 PM »

all good. not insulted.
yeah I'm going to put use the brace from the existing fender and mount a trimmed up little fender on it.
i only took it off because it was too close to the tire.

harisuluv · « **Reply #14 on:** May 14, 2013, 10:28:42 PM »

I'm kind of speechless, sad to see a 2k mile bike hacked

wall.ace · « **Reply #15 on:** May 14, 2013, 11:58:11 PM »

its miles bro.

harisuluv · « **Reply #16 on:** May 15, 2013, 02:21:16 AM »

Yes, 2k = 2000, 2k miles = 2000 miles.

wall.ace · « **Reply #17 on:** May 15, 2013, 02:29:29 AM »

Yeah, I missed the miles bit. I was bamboozled by your constructive comments. Turns out your not sspeechless though. Good on you for working through that.

harisuluv · « **Reply #18 on:** May 15, 2013, 10:59:04 AM »

No offense meant, my word choice of "hacked" I think can be interpreted as sub par workmanship--ie "hack job". I just meant the act of cutting it or irreversibly modifying it.

Did not mean to imply anything about your workmanship or the build, sorry.

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Author Topic: CB550K 76 (Read 2904 times)