Topic: This is Basically The Look I'm Going For With A 74' CB450K7 and a 78' CB550K

[bill440cars]

          Like I said, basically, I'm wanting to achieve this basic look for my 74' CB450K7 & 78' CB550K
          http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=300002169783&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=020#ebayphotohosting   

                  I've got this saved on my ebay and since I don't know exactly how long it will be able to
    be seen, I wanted to show it to you guys. I'm not going for a copy of this 450 but, along that line
    though. I know that I should be working on one bike at a time but, that doesn't keep me from
    collecting ideas and parts (as I can).   Later on, Bill

[angeldeville]

Very nice look, it looks like the Cafe style is really coming around, I'm glad to see it.

[Jay B]

Nice Bill, I saw that when it was up for sale. Man I'd like to find a nice 450 to add to the list. Don't know what computer you are using, but try right clicking on the pics you want to save. Click "Move to" and you should be able to save them in a file right on you computer. But then I'm no expert when it comes to these.

[ProTeal55]

Thats a cool little bike 

Needs to be slammed to the ground , 21'' front wheel, and some headerwrap on those
pipes and then you will be talkin 

[StevieMac]

That is a really cool looking ride.

What would really suck though, is if someone stole the toolbag and you had to push it home......

[bill440cars]

             First thing I'd do would be to pull the toolbag and those lights. If I was going for 2 headlights, I think I'd try to build a mount like I saw in the distant past. It had 2 rectangular lights (similar to fog lights but, actual high and low beam lights). It was an old chopper headlight mount that had the lights stacked and the bottom light stuck out just a little more than the top one did. I really had a 1 headlight system in mind. I tend to like the smaller headlight like on the 350 and 450 Cl models but. load it with enough of a bulb to reach out there. As for the front end, I was thinking a set of forks of of a CB650 or the later 75o w/ the dual calipers that are mounted behind and to the forks (without the swinging mount). I just don't care to have the clutter hanging on the front of the forks, if you're not going to have a front fender. As for the seat, I'd like to see the taillight recessed into the rear portion of the seat. I'd probably pull the upper covers on the rear shocks, leaving the springs fully exposed. I'd also fabricate some rearsets to put on it. Sorry Teal, I wouldn't be wrapping the pipes or sticking a 21incher on the front. Nor would I drop the rear wheel to a 16".
If I was doing a chopper or bobber style, maybe. That's about all I can come up with right now. I am, however, in the process of collecting parts to do my 450 and also the 78' 550 in the basic style that I described ( even though they both will be different from each other), collecting parts to do them. I'm also considering (after all the info I've seen here on this site recently) trying to build a screaming 650 motor housed in 550 cases and covers ( to give the appearance of a 550 but, with more punch). When I actually start the build, I'll try to post it with pictures. Also, I feel the need to say that anyone who has ideas or info, I welcome them. If I don't use the ideas, I hope you don't think anything about it. To each his own, I always say. What works for some may or may not work for me. It's as simple as that.  Later on, Bill

[ProTeal55]

Sorry Teal, I wouldn't be wrapping  Also, I feel the need to say that anyone who has ideas or info, I welcome them. If I don't use the ideas, I hope you don't think anything about it. To each his own, I always say. What works for some may or may not work for me. It's as simple as that. Later on, Bill

No sweat Bill.
I was just saying what I would do to that thing.
Everything I say/do/advise on here is just that , a suguestion.
                            

What would really suck though, is if someone stole the toolbag and you had to push it home......

[angeldeville]

What would really suck though, is if someone stole the toolbag and you had to push it home......

Did Harley make a CB450???

[StevieMac]

What would really suck though, is if someone stole the toolbag and you had to push it home......

Did Harley make a CB450???

LOL

The electronics for the bike sit inside the tool bag.  I've got to admit it's a different idea...   So if someone stole the tool bag either for the bag itself or for the tools they thought were in there, you're screwed.

[ProTeal55]

I think putting the electrics under the hump of the seat would be a more "secure" idea.

[StevieMac]

I think putting the electrics under the hump of the seat would be a more "secure" idea.

Great minds think alike.   That's what I did but let me tell ya, it was a pretty tight fit.  I don't think he has room for the electronics and the battery under that tail section.

Putting the electronics under the seat is another option.  I could have done it that way but I wanted room for a tool kit and a bit of storage space.

[bill440cars]

            Hey Teal, I understand where you're coming from and that's cool.   Also, I like the idea of
    stashing the electrics under the hump in the seat. It really cleans up the the look of the bike. I was
    just theowing out ideas that I wanted to use and I forgot one idea that I picked up from DME's bike
    The gas tank that is stretched.  I'd be tempted to open up the bottom of the rear portion of the
    tank (it's hollow anyway) and install the electrics, or some of them, in there. If you could be sure
    that the gas wouldn't get together with a spark.  At any rate, I'm looking to stash the electrics
    anywhere I can and running as much of the wiring through the frame. I want as little clutter as
    possible, when I'm done. That's my thoughts for now  and I appreciate you guys ideas also.     
                                                                Later on, Bill   

[bill440cars]

Those front lights would look good in the lower grille of a Honda civic

On the front of a vintage CB period style cafe parts...... um, no.

They look retarded.

             I totally agree, that's why I'd never use them myself. By the same token , I don't want the
      appearance of a searchlight either. Just a simple smaller but, not tiny headlight with plenty of
      power. And I want it to blend in, you know?     Later on, Bill

[bill440cars]

So you want something smaller than the regular 7" round?

                 Yeah, and I the ones off of the CL & SL 350 & 450s are smaller, I think. I just don't want the headlight to look like a search light effect, you know? I want the light to blend in as much as possible. If there was a practical way to have a hidden headlight like on a car, I'd probably do it. When I'm through, I don't want any one thing to stand out, I want the bike as a whole to be impressive. Am I making any sense? Later on, Bill

[dusterdude]

NO

[bill440cars]

NO

 
       duster, you really have a way with words. Only thing is, I'm just not what that way is. Ha!Ha!

                                                        Later on, Bill
               

[glendaler]

i noticed new goldwings with lights at the bottom of the fairing just in front of your feet, but i dont' know if these are primary lights, maybe just helpers to the main headlight. something to think about though.

[StevieMac]

I'd probably go with like a 5" light then and make some custom brackets to tuck it in as close to the forks as possible.  To me, a lot of the time when headlight's look out of place it's because they just stick out too far.

[ProTeal55]

Could do a old HD 4 1/2 headlight and retro-fit a H4 bulb into it ?
Put off allot of light , yet still be small and look kinda retro.
Could also do two larger lights, like on a Triumph speed triple ??

[dusterdude]

NO

 
       duster, you really have a way with words. Only thing is, I'm just not what that way is. Ha!Ha!

                                                        Later on, Bill
               

hahahahahahahaha

[bill440cars]

Could do a old HD 4 1/2 headlight and retro-fit a H4 bulb into it ?
Put off allot of light , yet still be small and look kinda retro.
Could also do two larger lights, like on a Triumph speed triple ??

I'd probably go with like a 5" light then and make some custom brackets to tuck it in as close to the forks as possible.  To me, a lot of the time when headlight's look out of place it's because they just stick out too far.

      Teal & StevieMac,

                         A  4 1/2 - 5" headlight, with an H4 bulb, might be the ticket. I don't know about 2 headlights, I'd have to put some thought into that. StevieMac, I also like the idea of tucking the headlight(s) back as close to the forks as possible.
                                                     Later on, Bill

[ProTeal55]

A buddy of mine is building a CB550 streetfighter/madmax kinda thing at the moment.
He took two small (but bright as hell) PIAA brand driving lights and mounted them off the downtube of the frame, basically where the horn would be mounted (I will try and get a pic soon).

It is sweet because you can barely see them their , and they put off a hell of allot of light for him to see at night.

Where their's a will their's a way...

[bill440cars]

             Teal,   I'm a waiting to see this one, sounds interesting.

         Another tidbit for the 550. I've got a front end off of a VT750C (39mm tubes,air assist and
         dual calipers and has a built-in aluminum fork brace (that I got from Terry-cb650) that I'm
         considering putting on one of the 2 550s that I'll eventually build. I have to check and see if
         the triple tree stem will fit the frame or not. I know that the stem can be swapped but, I
         want to know about the diameter of the stem.


                                                               Later on, Bill

[bill440cars]

Word.

I need to re-engineer my 550's front brake system and swapping forks for newer is the path I seem to be on.

         I figure that, for my circumstances (since I've got the 83' VT750C front end w/calipers), I'll use what's handy for me. I know that there are bikes out there that have the dual disc setup with the "swinging" caliper mounts but, after hearing so much discussion on adjustments and dragging and all, I think I'd be more prone to go for the forks with the caliper mounted close to the fork and on the rear side. Right off, the one I have is that way and the 650 along with the 79' and up 750. there are probably others that I can't recall right now but, I think I've made my point which of course is my opinion. And I'll be putting on a set of those Boge shocks that I got from Tim. That's about it for now. I'm still trying to work out details on what all I'm going to do to this one.

                                              Later on, Bill