Author Topic: Stilltime's CB550 Project (Read 26003 times)

Stilltime · « **on:** May 31, 2013, 11:19:38 AM »

I suppose it is time I start my own project thread...I continue to start little projects on my CB550 and am hesitant to start a new thread for each one so I will share them all here.

Found this '78 CB550 in mid-April on Craigslist about two hours north. At this point I had been searching for a while and the wife and I decided to go check it out. Long story short, it ran but could have been better. The PO had only ridden it twice since he purchased it ~8 months prior.

The "seat" was just a bent sheet of steel with some fake leather wrapped and basically tied together underneath. A bit ugly and uncomfortable to say the least! A few odds and ends that looked half-baked and incomplete. The bike definitely looked like someone had fun tearing it apart and McGyvering it back together. He was asking $1,300, and I came right in at $800 and basically he just flat out accepted, no discussing a higher price at all! So we loaded her up and got it home for closer inspection.

Here she is the day we made the purchase. By the way, this is our first bike! I have always worked on cars, and always wanted a bike but didn't think I could talk my wife into the idea!

Stilltime · « **Reply #1 on:** May 31, 2013, 11:19:52 AM »

First thing first, I dug into her for some maintenance! Drained the tank and carbs, changed the oil and filter, plugs, air filter, adjusted the valves, cam chain, and throttle cables. Filled it up with 91 non-ethanol and it fired right up and purred very nice out of the Mac 4-1 with missing baffle.

After digging around the bike and inspecting a few things I realized that instead of paint, the PO decided to use brush on truck bed liner for the tank and side panels! I hate it haha. Started cleaning up some bits, polished an engine side cover, the wheels and cleaned up the frame.

Stilltime · « **Reply #2 on:** May 31, 2013, 11:32:53 AM »

First thing I wanted to address was the front and and controls. I had my eye on the billet upper triples from DCC, but couldn't justify spending that. Just my luck, someone was selling a brand new one on eBay and I picked it up for less than 1/2 what DCC is asking! Ordered a set of billet adjustable clip-ons, a new Nissan brake lever/master cylinder, Slingshot SS brake line, pads, caliper seal and speed bleeder and freshened up the front of the bike. For everything adjusted how I like and I am comfortable with the position with stock pegs.

I will have to update this with pictures this evening, it isn't allowing uploads from my phone right now!

Stilltime · « **Reply #3 on:** June 21, 2013, 08:21:27 AM »

Stilltime · « **Reply #4 on:** June 21, 2013, 08:23:01 AM »

Mocking up the dash

Checking out placement of peg plates. The angle is weird so they look out of proportion.

Stilltime · « **Reply #5 on:** June 21, 2013, 08:24:02 AM »

Wired resistors and extension wire to indicator LEDs, these little guys are BRIGHT!

Stilltime · « **Reply #6 on:** June 21, 2013, 08:26:56 AM »

Frame hacked away...

And rear loop welded in with a couple braces for the new seat. Wife will be riding along frequently so I wanted to keep it 2-up

Stilltime · « **Reply #7 on:** June 21, 2013, 08:32:22 AM »

Designed an adapter to mount a K&N filter to the stock airbox

New Avons front and rear

Stilltime · « **Reply #8 on:** June 21, 2013, 08:35:26 AM »

Painted the dash plate, still need to wire the speedometer/tach in.

KennyRedman · « **Reply #9 on:** June 21, 2013, 08:56:01 AM »

Looks awesome.

FunJimmy · « **Reply #10 on:** June 21, 2013, 09:44:26 AM »

Some very creative thinking going on in here.
I like it.

harisuluv · « **Reply #11 on:** June 21, 2013, 12:47:26 PM »

Nice work!

Nycepop · « **Reply #12 on:** June 21, 2013, 01:32:06 PM »

Great work

Stilltime · « **Reply #13 on:** June 21, 2013, 05:49:18 PM »

Thanks guys! A lot of inspiration from this forum

Got around to begin wiring the dash stuff, everything works! Off to dinner with the wife, I'll try to get it wrapped up later tonight.

db22 · « **Reply #14 on:** June 22, 2013, 04:59:18 AM »

Creative, beautiful work. An inspiration for me -- will be following.

Stilltime · « **Reply #15 on:** February 28, 2014, 10:05:28 AM »

Wow, I have definitely neglected this thread! A lot has happened with the bike the past few months, not sure where to start! I'll just post pictures from along the way...

Installed new Randakk grips, which I absolutely love! Replaced some incredibly uncomfortable grips from DCC.

Second picture is how it was sitting last summer. I designed and waterjet the peg mounting plates out of 3/8" aluminum, and welded on a couple bosses to mount.

After that, I installed the optical electronic ignition from Cycle-X. Very smooth install and haven't had any more issues with the ignition! Much smoother riding, doesn't stall at stop signs, and it's adjustable.

Stilltime · « **Reply #16 on:** February 28, 2014, 10:10:59 AM »

Next purchase was a set of FrankenStuff 550F side covers, mounted to see if I liked the look. Also, purchased one of his cast points covers with clear cover. Stunning work, spruces up the side of the engine especially with the new ignition behind it.

Purchased a set of billet velocity stacks from Steel Dragon Performance. Can't beat the price and the quality is amazing. Mistakingly cross threaded one of the tiny set screws but was able to mount them without issue.

First time doing a carb sync after doing ALL of the necessary maintenance. The Morgan CarbTune Pro is as nice as everyone says. Very easy to tune with smooth readings from the stainless rods.

Stilltime · « **Reply #17 on:** February 28, 2014, 10:17:48 AM »

Late fall I installed a set of stock-length Progressive shocks, wife and I were tired of the raggedy OEM shocks. These look great, and notch one is perfect for solo, two for when my wife tags along.

After seeing how much of an improvement the rear shocks made, I installed Progressive front springs with All-Balls seals and new fluid. While everything was off I swapped the steering bearings for tapered bearings from All-Balls and got rid of the slop and flattened ball bearings. Install was a breeze thanks to the helpful members on SOHC4!

Onto one of my TOP favorite modifications: MotoGPWerks stainless pipe. This exhaust is very high quality, welds are excellent and the finish is without flaws. Definitely impressed by the sound, and ease of installation.

calj737 · « **Reply #18 on:** February 28, 2014, 10:20:08 AM »

Yummy looking changes to the bike!

Stilltime · « **Reply #19 on:** February 28, 2014, 10:25:13 AM »

Last decent ride of the fall, wife and I went up Grand View Drive in Peoria and stopped for dinner at our favorite hole-in-the-wall on the way home.

Never would have guessed how much of a difference a new chain and sprockets would make for riding! PBI supplied the sprockets, while the chain I ordered from TC Bros. Shifting is exceptionally smoother, and starting off from a stop is night and day. Pretty sure I replaced the original sprockets AND chain!

inv3ctiv3 · « **Reply #20 on:** February 28, 2014, 10:28:17 AM »

Looks great!

Stilltime · « **Reply #21 on:** February 28, 2014, 10:32:47 AM »

Built a new dash plate for my GPS speedometer. Didn't turn out exactly how I hoped but I was happy with the final product. Waterjet a stainless backing plate that I bent, and waterjet a piece of .030" carbon fiber to mount to the face. Edge trim supplied by McMaster.

Second pic is how it was sitting in late October/early November. That was a brisk ride! I need some cold weather gear.

And THEN...she sat. I didn't work on it all winter until late January when I started stripping parts down to get powdercoated.

Maurice · « **Reply #22 on:** February 28, 2014, 10:34:00 AM »

Very nice, wow. Do you still have the K&N airbox adapter? How did you make that?

Thanks

Stilltime · « **Reply #23 on:** February 28, 2014, 10:35:01 AM »

Started stripping all the parts off that I wanted to refinish, ended up with a lot... I think I am a little too obsessed with powdercoat!

Stilltime · « **Reply #24 on:** February 28, 2014, 10:37:02 AM »

Thanks! Maurice - I designed it to mate up to the stock air plenum, replacing the rear section that houses the filter. Had it 3D printed and used it for a few months. Really worked great. Was worried it would crack but when I pulled it off to install the velocity stacks, there were no issues. Not planning on letting go of it yet...

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Author Topic: Stilltime's CB550 Project (Read 26003 times)