Topic: "Adventure Bike" build - how much weight could you pull off of a cb550?

[Tretnine]

My father in law put an interesting thought into my head the other day - building an "Adventure" bike out of a 550. On the face of it, it sounds like a terrible plan. Low slung shocks, weak clutch, air cooled with a propensity to burn up valves, plus, it's got a big fat ass.

If you pretend I'm only concerned that the 550 is too piggish (overweight) for the task, how much weight could you pull off the machine if you put it on a serious diet? Ditch the 4-4 pipes, maybe swap the steel rims for something lighter...

[Bru-tom]

http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=823952

hope that helps

[Duke McDukiedook]

I would say you have more to worry about than the weight.

[Tretnine]

I would say you have more to worry about than the weight.

I do believe I said exactly that...

[zeech]

I imagine if you just replace or remove pretty much everything on it you could get some significant weight savings.

Rims (Aluminum)
Tires (Lighter the better)
Fenders (Remove or Fiberglass)
Seat (Low profile)
Center stand (Remove)
Exhaust ( 4-1 no muffler)
Battery (Anti-Gravity)
Mirrors (Gone)
Gauges (Gone or Minis)
Bars (Aluminum)

It's still going to be heavy, but definitely fun. Maybe bore it out to get some extra umph as well.

[scottly]

A 750 can be pared down to about 400 pounds. A 550 motor is about 40 pounds lighter? My FT 500, which fits into the dual-purpose category, weighs about 350 pounds, and an XR 500 dirt bike tips the scales around 300 pounds. Just for the record, a CR 480 two-stroke MX bike from the same period is only 230 pounds.

[754]

Look for lighter wheels, honda 4 wheels are very heavy.i
 May want to change whole front end, save lots of pounds..

[dave500]

propensity to burn up valves?please explain.

[Schnell]

Replace: wheels, motor, frame, then anything you haven't replaced yet.

[lrutt]

Then think of what you need to add back in......Bash plate under motor to protect filter and sump (critical), crash bars for the side covers (important).

You'd better think twice on going to AL rims. Not as tough and bash proof as steel. And on a heavy bike like you want to build, that could be key.

Also...shocks are an easy upgrade but forks? You will definitely need to upgrade the front end a bit as you WILL see more bumps and need a bit more travel I believe. Even if it's to be a gravel or fire road racer.

[Tretnine]

Then think of what you need to add back in......Bash plate under motor to protect filter and sump (critical), crash bars for the side covers (important).

You'd better think twice on going to AL rims. Not as tough and bash proof as steel. And on a heavy bike like you want to build, that could be key.

Also...shocks are an easy upgrade but forks? You will definitely need to upgrade the front end a bit as you WILL see more bumps and need a bit more travel I believe. Even if it's to be a gravel or fire road racer.

I know it. I mean I got this idea from my father in law who's suddenly and inexplicably caught the adventure bike bug. Then I looked at the link posted by Bru-Tom. That's a great build, but completely insane. I don't have the workshop for it (though my FIL does... even if he is half the country away) It's got one of paulage's 550/650 hybrids powering it as a kicker.

Part of me really wants to start hacking and modding in spite of everything, because it looks like so much fun. This build is more what my FIL had in mind http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=905979&highlight=Honda

I feel like the bike would need a bit more grunt to be worth much. I think Zeech's idea of popping an anti-gravity battery in the machine has a lot of potential, though. It's probably the best way to get around the massive engine weight.

[lucky]

It is just a bad idea . Forget it.


All motorcycles are "ADVENTURE BIKES"
Most of those bikes are single cylinder motocross bikes toned down with lights.


Apples and oranges.

[Geeto67]

honestly, some of those big GS Beemers are probably heavier than a cb honda will ever be. The question is how useful do you want the bike to be? The clutch is the only real issue, and honestly the lighter you can make it the less of an issue.

that being said the only thing "CB550" that will be left at the end of the day is the engine and the frame. Maybe a gauge. that's it. For the money you are going to put in you could easily buy a used DR650 or a KLR.

Figure out what you are actually going to use the bike for and then you can tailor your parts choices to the need of the bike. For instance, I have an Ironhead sportster that I wanted to use as a vacation/surf runabout. I knew I wasn't climbing a mountain or doing the TAT with it, but I was going to ride fire roads, beach roads, stuff with lots of sand and ruts, mostly with a surf rack and board. So I selected a mix of flat track and hill climber parts and used the old XLR factory race bikes (cross country trials and hillclimb) as a pattern. The end result is more like a stock dodge durango than lifted wrangler on 33" super swampers, but it fits the need and it didn't cost me a fortune. Plus I get lots of strange looks. would I bash about on a 20 mile off road trail? eh...maybe but I am nuts and I would expect the bike would be a write off at the end.

[bjbuchanan]

It isn't that the bike needs more grunt, those dual purpose and dirt bikes are geared up big time in comparison to a streetbike. You gotta change the tooth count front and rear and it will magically seem more trail ready

Streetbike guys do the same thing to be able to wheelie easier, lose a tooth front and rear and an r6 will wheelie all day at 70 mph

[seanbarney41]

It isn't that the bike needs more grunt, those dual purpose and dirt bikes are geared up big time in comparison to a streetbike. You gotta change the tooth count front and rear and it will magically seem more trail ready

Streetbike guys do the same thing to be able to wheelie easier, lose a tooth front and "gain a tooth or 2" rear and an r6 will wheelie all day at 70 mph

ftfy

[Lostboy Steve]

I absolutely LOVE my 13 wr250r. My 550 and my wr are COMPLETELY different bikes. Each has its purpose. If I HAD to get rid of one, it would be the WR though. As a matter of fact, I'm driving to my parents house in December. They live on a small island in Florida and they have a bunch of trails and an old military base/museum. I am toting my wr with me. As much as I'd love to take the 550, I dont think it will handle what i will be up to.

[mono]

modding is fun - being creative is fun - but to me, this idea is like saying "wouldn't it be fun to go fishing with a 10' steel pipe instead of a fishing rod?" 

considering the low RPMs that you'd be running most of the time, I think that the 550 as an adventure bike would fail, unless you consider dragging 400 lbs of heavily-modified SOHC out of the woods an adventure when the battery dies.

just buy an enduro!

[754]

 I disagree . Gearing is your friend.. Riding dirt roads and trails can be fun.. If you feel like it do it.

 Dirtbikes have their place but try riding an enduro from BC to Baja or the Dunes in Idaho.

[mono]

I disagree . Gearing is your friend.. Riding dirt roads and trails can be fun.. If you feel like it do it.

 Dirtbikes have their place but try riding an enduro from BC to Baja or the Dunes in Idaho.

hmm... that's a fine point you make on the gearing!   i defer.

[dave500]

dirt is dirt and road is road and never the twain shall meet full stop.


we do make the slight exceptions though.
dirt

[lucky]

It isn't that the bike needs more grunt, those dual purpose and dirt bikes are geared up big time in comparison to a streetbike. You gotta change the tooth count front and rear and it will magically seem more trail ready

Streetbike guys do the same thing to be able to wheelie easier, lose a tooth front and rear and an r6 will wheelie all day at 70 mph

Those stunt bikes have HUGE rear sprockets!
Take a close look sometime. Like 70 teeth!

[Lostboy Steve]

Yeah they are literally almost the same size as the rear wheel.

[Schnell]

Yeah they are literally almost the same size as the rear wheel.

Literally? Or almost?

[Black 750K8]

"Adventure"
What is this got any pic?
I'm not up to date with the different styles.

[Lostboy Steve]

Yeah they are literally almost the same size as the rear wheel.

Literally? Or almost?

You got me. Lol