Author Topic: New to us '74 550 (Read 2922 times)

wally550k0 · « **on:** July 12, 2013, 05:54:36 PM »

Picked this little gem up in Austin, TX a couple of weeks ago. This is a true survivor bike, the only non original part is the right switch assembly. It was found in a barn (literally) about a year ago having been there for more than 30 years. The buyer took it home and did nothing more than steam clean, gave it a tuneup and rebuilt/powder coated the carbs. It even still has what appears to be the factory tires. The only nonfunctioning thing is the front brake - and the reason I think it was parked to begin with. That and the exhaust and its expected rot are the only things wrong.

This is her on the way home. Note that the paint, albeit dull, still retains most of its original color.

Side shot after detailing. Yes, that's my reflection in 38 year old paint. Unreal.

Original seat:

And one the best parts:

She's not perfect, there are some nicks and scratches. But they're only original once, so those character marks are staying for the time being. My wife is really going to enjoy this, I think.

Dimitri13 · « **Reply #1 on:** July 12, 2013, 05:58:24 PM »

...

So jealous.

reddyvv · « **Reply #2 on:** July 12, 2013, 09:09:21 PM »

With a bike in such good original shape, the first thing I would do is take the carbs off and soda blast that ugly black paint off!! Nice bike!!

Tews19 · « **Reply #3 on:** July 12, 2013, 09:27:31 PM »

Great find and welcome to the community

AMT · « **Reply #4 on:** July 12, 2013, 09:37:42 PM »

The hours and hours I've spent cleaning my engine feel like a complete waste of time after seeing this.

wally550k0 · « **Reply #5 on:** July 12, 2013, 10:13:34 PM »

Quote from: reddyvv on July 12, 2013, 09:09:21 PM

With a bike in such good original shape, the first thing I would do is take the carbs off and soda blast that ugly black paint off!! Nice bike!!

It'll take more than soda I'm afraid. It's actually some really nice PC, but it is out of place on an original. Bigger fish to fry, I'll get to those later. Thanks for the compliment!

wally550k0 · « **Reply #6 on:** July 12, 2013, 10:15:17 PM »

Quote from: Dimitri13 on July 12, 2013, 05:58:24 PM

...

So jealous.

Please don't be. I think this was the one great find of a lifetime.

wally550k0 · « **Reply #7 on:** July 12, 2013, 10:16:01 PM »

Quote from: Tews19 on July 12, 2013, 09:27:31 PM

Great find and welcome to the community

Thanks!

wally550k0 · « **Reply #8 on:** July 12, 2013, 10:19:38 PM »

Quote from: AMT on July 12, 2013, 09:37:42 PM

The hours and hours I've spent cleaning my engine feel like a complete waste of time after seeing this.

That's what I was thinking halfway through the process when the aluminum blackened from the cleaner. It's all good in the end.

Stev-o · « **Reply #9 on:** July 12, 2013, 10:23:48 PM »

You got it from my buddy Carl, right? Believe it came out of a barn in N Texas.

Are you going to get a bonded title?

Gordon · « **Reply #10 on:** July 12, 2013, 10:41:14 PM »

That's the Chevron at Brodie and Wm. Cannon! I filled up there many times. It's amazing how well you remember seemingly insignificant places even years after you've moved away.

Very nice find and I wish you the best of luck with it!

Stev-o · « **Reply #11 on:** July 12, 2013, 10:55:47 PM »

Quote from: Gordon on July 12, 2013, 10:41:14 PM

That's the Chevron at Brodie and Wm. Cannon!

Close to Lowes? That is amazing you remember that.

Wally - did you pick the bike up in Dripping Springs at his shop?

Gordon · « **Reply #12 on:** July 12, 2013, 11:08:39 PM »

Quote from: Stev-o on July 12, 2013, 10:55:47 PM

Quote from: Gordon on July 12, 2013, 10:41:14 PM
That's the Chevron at Brodie and Wm. Cannon!

Close to Lowes? That is amazing you remember that.

That's the one! I spent almost all of my 20's in Austin, and apparently I have pretty much the entire city (or at least the parts I frequented) burned into my memory because this isn't the first time I've seen some random picture and been able to pick out exactly where it was taken. No matter where I am, Austin will always be home.

K3Owner · « **Reply #13 on:** July 13, 2013, 05:38:31 AM »

That's a fantastic find. Mine was similar - in an AC garage under a tarp with 2200 miles and the owner placed no value in it - $400 took it - but that was in 93 and she's a 78. That exhaust is a thing of beauty! Congratulations!

wally550k0 · « **Reply #14 on:** July 13, 2013, 05:59:18 AM »

Quote from: Stev-o on July 12, 2013, 10:23:48 PM

You got it from my buddy Carl, right? Believe it came out of a barn in N Texas.

Are you going to get a bonded title?

That is just too funny. I had that serious gut feeling when I registered that if not Carl himself someone that knows him would recognize it. Yes, I am. Working on that today, in fact.

wally550k0 · « **Reply #15 on:** July 13, 2013, 06:01:30 AM »

Quote from: Stev-o on July 12, 2013, 10:55:47 PM

Quote from: Gordon on July 12, 2013, 10:41:14 PM
That's the Chevron at Brodie and Wm. Cannon!

Close to Lowes? That is amazing you remember that.

Wally - did you pick the bike up in Dripping Springs at his shop?

No, from a home. This station was just up the road towards the Mopac.

wally550k0 · « **Reply #16 on:** July 13, 2013, 06:05:23 AM »

Quote from: K3Owner on July 13, 2013, 05:38:31 AM

That's a fantastic find. Mine was similar - in an AC garage under a tarp with 2200 miles and the owner placed no value in it - $400 took it - but that was in 93 and she's a 78. That exhaust is a thing of beauty! Congratulations!

I think the find of a lifetime. At least mine that is. She cost me a bit more than you paid, but she runs and rides great out of the box.

Unfortunately the exhaust has the dreaded barn rot. I'm not crazy about the Motad that replaced it, but it beats Mac IMO.

RAFster122s · « **Reply #17 on:** July 13, 2013, 10:31:10 AM »

Congrats on having a fabulous condition survivor. Get her sorted out, tuned, new tires and enjoy her. Lots of photos and insure her for a stated appraised value just in case.

David

Kenzo1979 · « **Reply #18 on:** July 13, 2013, 10:52:05 AM »

I got the same one. Beautiful find. 5k miles!!! WOW! Looks like a gem. And as much as I love mine and would never repaint it, I will say the other 2 colors offered that year are so much cooler: Freedom Green and Sunflake Orange...I WANT THE FREEDOM GREEN! Not the purple that they call Maroon for some reason. Oh well, I digress.

Stev-o · « **Reply #19 on:** July 13, 2013, 11:26:58 AM »

Congrats Wally and I agree, no Mac. Please let us know how the bonded title process goes, I have a K7 that I need to title. Thanks.

wally550k0 · « **Reply #20 on:** July 14, 2013, 07:06:43 AM »

Quote from: RAFster122S on July 13, 2013, 10:31:10 AM

Congrats on having a fabulous condition survivor. Get her sorted out, tuned, new tires and enjoy her. Lots of photos and insure her for a stated appraised value just in case.

David

Thanks! Working on sorting, blew a fork seal yesterday so that's the next bug to kill. She's already insured, took care of that promptly.

wally550k0 · « **Reply #21 on:** July 14, 2013, 07:07:53 AM »

Quote from: Stev-o on July 13, 2013, 11:26:58 AM

Congrats Wally and I agree, no Mac. Please let us know how the bonded title process goes, I have a K7 that I need to title. Thanks.

Will do. It's already a pain and I haven't even made my first trip to the tax office.

Stev-o · « **Reply #22 on:** July 14, 2013, 07:15:55 AM »

Quote from: wally550k0 on July 14, 2013, 07:07:53 AM

Quote from: Stev-o on July 13, 2013, 11:26:58 AM
Congrats Wally and I agree, no Mac. Please let us know how the bonded title process goes, I have a K7 that I need to title. Thanks.

Will do. It's already a pain and I haven't even made my first trip to the tax office.

May be better to start at the tax office? They'll tell you exactly what you need, and they will do a VIN check on your bike (I started the process a couple years back on an old Suzuki)

Guessing you've seen this website? Has links to the forms you'll need....

http://txdmv.gov/motorists/buying-or-selling-a-vehicle/bought-a-vehicle-with-no-title

oldbob · « **Reply #23 on:** July 14, 2013, 08:46:47 AM »

Quote from: Kenzo1979 on July 13, 2013, 10:52:05 AM

I will say the other 2 colors offered that year are so much cooler: Freedom Green and Sunflake Orange...I WANT THE FREEDOM GREEN! Not the purple that they call Maroon for some reason. Oh well, I digress.

Although I bought a new (orange) CB550 in May of '74, I have never seen a complete 550 in Freedom Green Metallic. Once, in a salvage yard in the late '70s, I saw a FGM gas tank from a 1974 550. I wonder if the that color was offered in markets other than the U. S. If I ever restore a CB550K0, I will probably have it painted Freedom Green Metallic.

The exhaust presents a challenge. Surprisingly, DSS does not offer a reproduction. But even if a repro were available, I think that I would prefer period-correct 4-1, such as a Jardine, Bassani, or a Kerker.

Back to the OP's find, good for you! That is one sweet bike.

Bob

sohcphreek · « **Reply #24 on:** July 14, 2013, 08:50:25 AM »

Wally ,
thats a really cool original find! congrats!
I just scored a 77 400F!
deals are still out there!
sohcphreek

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Author Topic: New to us '74 550 (Read 2922 times)

oldbob