Author Topic: 1977 CB550F project build (Read 6162 times)

wnyoutlaw · « **on:** September 14, 2013, 04:40:50 PM »

I started this project in August when I found this bike at a garage sale. It ran, but it needed work, so I began the tear down right away.

wnyoutlaw · « **Reply #1 on:** September 14, 2013, 04:45:26 PM »

First thing I did was take the carbs apart and clean them. I am planning on mounting pod filters and a Mac 4 into 1, so I ordered 105 Main jets from Dime City and moved the needle clip to the 3rd position from the top. I also set the floats to 22mm.

wnyoutlaw · « **Reply #2 on:** September 14, 2013, 04:56:19 PM »

Next I tore out the airbox. When I took off the head I put a different cam chain tensioner in it because the original one was nfg. Thanks ATZ for the tensioner!

wnyoutlaw · « **Reply #3 on:** September 14, 2013, 05:01:10 PM »

I put new valve seals in, and added a pair of Emgo rear shocks. The head and carbs will be going back on this week, while I wait for the exhaust system to arrive.

wnyoutlaw · « **Reply #4 on:** September 15, 2013, 04:23:00 AM »

The pod filters have arrived! Dime City Cycles.

wnyoutlaw · « **Reply #5 on:** September 19, 2013, 06:10:17 AM »

My exhaust system arrived yesterday. New sealing rubbers are installed, so I can put the valve cover on. Turned up a fork seal install tool on the lathe, freshening up the front suspension will be my next task.

wnyoutlaw · « **Reply #6 on:** November 10, 2013, 06:23:29 AM »

Well, I've been chipping away at it for the last 6 weeks. Got the motor buttoned up, started and synched the carbs. It runs quite well actually. I took it for a 10 mile ride, (no license plate, no insurance, no registration) my cheeks hurt from smiling the entire time! When I got back I immediately took the wheels off so I wouldn't be tempted to ride it some more. New fork seals and oil installed, along with new steering stem bearings, and front and rear wheel bearings. I have new brake pads and rear sprocket on order. The front brake rotor is discontinued, so I'm going to try turning mine on the lathe to try and save it. If I can't, I'll try ebay.
I picked up a 1978 CB550K a few weeks ago. Found it on Craigslist. It appears to be all stock. I synced the carbs at the same time I was doing my F model, it too seems to run great. It's leaking a little oil somewhere underneath, but other than that, nothing major. The biggest problem with it is I have no title and no registration for it. I'll be doing battle with the NYS DMV this winter, anybody got any tips on getting this thing titled and registered?

rb550four · « **Reply #7 on:** November 10, 2013, 06:11:38 PM »

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=70518.0
Have seen other threads about Vermont DMV, mail in, out of state resident -no prob.....

wnyoutlaw · « **Reply #8 on:** November 11, 2013, 01:32:45 AM »

Thanks for the info!!

Bankerdanny · « **Reply #9 on:** November 11, 2013, 02:16:56 PM »

Why would you replace the beautiful factory 4-1 with a Mac? Even if the factory muffler is shot you are better off replacing that than the whole thing.

wnyoutlaw · « **Reply #10 on:** November 11, 2013, 05:21:38 PM »

The beautiful factory 4-1 is sitting in my shop where I can give it some tlc as time allows. In the mean time, at less than $300.00, I'll run the Mac.

Tews19 · « **Reply #11 on:** November 11, 2013, 08:29:51 PM »

Nice find and you are moving at light speed! Subscribed

wnyoutlaw · « **Reply #12 on:** November 12, 2013, 06:19:10 AM »

Quote from: Tews19 on November 11, 2013, 08:29:51 PM

Nice find and you are moving at light speed! Subscribed

Thank you!!

Bankerdanny · « **Reply #13 on:** November 12, 2013, 08:13:12 AM »

You should have no problem picking up a replacement front rotor. Just throw an add in the wanted thread, given some of the horders that frequent this forum I guaranty someone (several someones I'm sure) has several sitting around and will sell you one for a very fair price. I can point you at an Illinois motorcycle salvage yard with several CB550's in it. Clint the owner is very reasonable in his prices too.

wnyoutlaw · « **Reply #14 on:** November 12, 2013, 09:02:39 AM »

Quote from: Bankerdanny on November 12, 2013, 08:13:12 AM

You should have no problem picking up a replacement front rotor. Just throw an add in the wanted thread, given some of the horders that frequent this forum I guaranty someone (several someones I'm sure) has several sitting around and will sell you one for a very fair price. I can point you at an Illinois motorcycle salvage yard with several CB550's in it. Clint the owner is very reasonable in his prices too.

Thank you. If I can't save mine, I'll take your advice.

wnyoutlaw · « **Reply #15 on:** November 17, 2013, 10:54:07 AM »

Got the swing arm ready for blast and paint. New bushings are on order. I hope to have it re-assembled sometime next week.

KrautKoffin · « **Reply #16 on:** November 18, 2013, 12:21:11 PM »

Where did you get the swing arm bushings? Looks like a solid build so far!

wnyoutlaw · « **Reply #17 on:** November 22, 2013, 03:02:44 PM »

Thanks, I ordered them from the local Honda dealer.

wnyoutlaw · « **Reply #18 on:** November 22, 2013, 03:21:36 PM »

Got the swing arm bead blasted and ready for paint. I'm going to go shopping for spray bombs this weekend. And I picked up some goodies today, rear sprocket, swing arm bushings and caps, and front brake pads. That'll keep me busy for a little while...

wnyoutlaw · « **Reply #19 on:** November 29, 2013, 05:44:25 PM »

Swing arm is complete, fresh paint and new bushings.

wnyoutlaw · « **Reply #20 on:** December 22, 2013, 07:47:08 AM »

The swing arm is installed. Rear wheel is cleaned up and now has a new sprocket and brake pads. Left side covers are cleaned up (as good as they're going to get) and remounted with new hardware. Right side covers are next.

rb550four · « **Reply #21 on:** December 22, 2013, 09:11:06 AM »

Niiice.

deafcaferacer · « **Reply #22 on:** December 22, 2013, 10:57:10 AM »

Tews19 · « **Reply #23 on:** December 22, 2013, 04:29:10 PM »

It does look good and great progress! I have been itching to get back to my 550 build and continue searching for another to buy....

Zoopants · « **Reply #24 on:** December 22, 2013, 07:19:46 PM »

Sweet!

wnyoutlaw · « **Reply #25 on:** January 26, 2014, 05:08:27 PM »

I've been able to spend a few hours in the shop lately, so I mounted the front turn signals to the new Dime City headlight bracket. Next I wanted to install new plug wires, but wasn't too thrilled about buying new coils. I found a thread in the tech forum about cutting the old wires off, drilling out the coils, and installing new wires. It was easy to do and I think it turned out quite well.
Next up will be the points. I'm not sure if I want to replace the old stuff with oem, or go with a Hondaman set up.

wnyoutlaw · « **Reply #26 on:** April 15, 2014, 05:22:09 PM »

Well, it's been a long cold winter, but I finally have my bike on the road. Titled, registered, and insured. I put 100 miles on it last weekend to shake it down. I'm surprised at how well it starts and runs. Since my last post in December I added new points and condensers, tires, tubes, chain, superbike handlebars and Spider grips. I haven't put a timing light on it yet, but it doesn't seem to need it either. The jetting changes I made to compensate for the Mac exhaust and pod filters seem to be spot on. I've read that the brakes leave something to be desired on the 550's, and I couldn't agree more. The Emgo shocks are extremely stiff too. When I took it out the first time, I found myself trying to shift up at least one more time, but I'm getting used to the engine sound and rpm's so I'm leaning on it more and more and it seems to like it. The more I ride it, the more I trust it. It's definitely a blast to ride. I think I'll take the center stand off next, although it's convenient to have on. It's mechanically sound now and I'm planning on riding it to work a lot when it warms up a little more. I'll be spending the summer making it shine and continuing to add new cables and whatever is next on the list.

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #27 on:** April 15, 2014, 05:42:41 PM »

Quote from: wnyoutlaw on April 15, 2014, 05:22:09 PM

Well, it's been a long cold winter, but I finally have my bike on the road. Titled, registered, and insured. I put 100 miles on it last weekend to shake it down. I'm surprised at how well it starts and runs. Since my last post in December I added new points and condensers, tires, tubes, chain, superbike handlebars and Spider grips. I haven't put a timing light on it yet, but it doesn't seem to need it either. The jetting changes I made to compensate for the Mac exhaust and pod filters seem to be spot on. I've read that the brakes leave something to be desired on the 550's, and I couldn't agree more. The Emgo shocks are extremely stiff too. When I took it out the first time, I found myself trying to shift up at least one more time, but I'm getting used to the engine sound and rpm's so I'm leaning on it more and more and it seems to like it. The more I ride it, the more I trust it. It's definitely a blast to ride. I think I'll take the center stand off next, although it's convenient to have on. It's mechanically sound now and I'm planning on riding it to work a lot when it warms up a little more. I'll be spending the summer making it shine and continuing to add new cables and whatever is next on the list.

I'd leave the center stand on. It comes in handy when servicing the bike.

Tews19 · « **Reply #28 on:** April 15, 2014, 06:54:20 PM »

I'm with cb750. If you do take it off do not cut the frame tabs off. Leave those on so you can slip it on when you do maintenance. I would get some Hagons for your bike. They cost 209 shipped. Great customer service experience too

wnyoutlaw · « **Reply #29 on:** April 16, 2014, 06:10:20 AM »

Quote from: Tews19 on April 15, 2014, 06:54:20 PM

I'm with cb750. If you do take it off do not cut the frame tabs off. Leave those on so you can slip it on when you do maintenance. I would get some Hagons for your bike. They cost 209 shipped. Great customer service experience too

I'm definitely not cutting anything off the frame. I checked out the Hagon website, nice stuff! I'm going to tough it out with the Emgo's this year, then hopefully upgrade to better shocks over the winter. You get what you pay for, as they say...

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #30 on:** April 16, 2014, 08:10:17 AM »

Quote from: wnyoutlaw on April 16, 2014, 06:10:20 AM

Quote from: Tews19 on April 15, 2014, 06:54:20 PM
I'm with cb750. If you do take it off do not cut the frame tabs off. Leave those on so you can slip it on when you do maintenance. I would get some Hagons for your bike. They cost 209 shipped. Great customer service experience
You get what you pay for, as they say...

Yes, that seems to be the case most of the time. The Hagons are a good bargain, as are the IKONS. Works and Race Tech offer better performance. I haven't heard any reviews on the new Fox shocks recently offered on Cognitomoto but they look trick.

Bankerdanny · « **Reply #31 on:** April 16, 2014, 01:38:58 PM »

Looks great. You can always source used original shocks from eBay or Craigslist or the For Sale thread. I suspect you would find they improve the ride.

GV1390 · « **Reply #32 on:** July 31, 2014, 10:02:20 AM »

Wow, that looks like a nice SS you have yourself there! Nice meeting you yesterday, keep us all updated.

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Author Topic: 1977 CB550F project build (Read 6162 times)