Author Topic: Greetings from Seattle '77 CB550F  (Read 521 times)

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Offline RodPlunger

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Greetings from Seattle '77 CB550F
« on: November 23, 2013, 01:12:07 PM »
Hi All,
Just thought I would finally say Hi! Before I bombard you all with numerous and probably tedious questions on how to improve this fine machine, I figure I better introduce myself.

This is my first foray into rebuilding/restoring a motorcycle. I have owned numerous bikes over the years and have racked up close to 100k on my previous BMW's, and now I want to build something unique.

So far, I really am enjoying wrenching on this thing and have learned tons from reading all the posts on this site. So thank you all for you input and advice!

A couple of things I have learned so far:
Internet prices are way cheaper than the local scrap yards...
Lots of things on the bike are seized and don't like to come off too easy...
It still runs like a champ!
It is a fricken' blast to ride! I had a smile on my face from ear to ear on the first day I got to ride it...

I apologize in advance if I ask something that just seems plain stupid or redundant, I sometimes have a hard time searching the site for the correct thing I am looking for. Otherwise, I hope to contribute to this group and look forward to sharing with you what I get done on my bike.

-R
1977 CB550F Supersport

"We want to be free.
We want to be free to do what we want to do.
We want to be free to ride.
We want to be free to ride our machines without being hassled by The Man...
And we want to get loaded!

Online Stev-o

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Re: Greetings from Seattle '77 CB550F
« Reply #1 on: November 23, 2013, 01:34:19 PM »
Greetings from Texas.  Have always liked the 550F, was also my first SOHC Honda.

Use Google custom search, not the search in the upper right side.

Looks like you have a good start, what are your plans?
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline goldarrow

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Re: Greetings from Seattle '77 CB550F
« Reply #2 on: November 23, 2013, 01:58:13 PM »
Nice bike.  I had one just like it.  Sad to see it went bye bye.
Life Is Full Of Challenges - And My Backyard Is Full Of SOHC4's

CB550 K0
CB750 K0, K2, K23 JDM, K45, K5
And the little ones z50r, xr50r, st90


750k5 http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=114817.0

Offline RodPlunger

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Re: Greetings from Seattle '77 CB550F
« Reply #3 on: November 23, 2013, 02:58:40 PM »
When I bought it, it turned over but would not start. I found out that the actual throttle body on the handle bar was completely seized. So when I took that apart, the start button disintegrated. I rebuilt that, rewired the headlight that the PO had royally messed up, chased some electrical gremlins and got it started... Then I replaced the bent handlebars. Disassembled and rebuilt the rear brake drum (it would lock up and not turn), and am now working on the front brakes. When I went to bleed them, the bleeder valve sheared off. Tried drilling it out to no avail. So, I went to my local scrap shop, couldn't find a caliper body, went to another shop and bought one with the piston for $30. I am now waiting on a new seal before I put that back together.

I am really just trying to get it running well stock. Eventually I would like to put pods on, but am a little intimidated by re-jetting and re-calibrating the carbs. I think I will look for some rear sets as both foot pegs are bent. New rear brake light (LED), pull the dent out of the tank, and clean, clean, clean all the accumulated crap off the bike. I will put some clip-ons once I get a little further down the road, which will require changing out the headlight bracket and at that point rebuilding the forks. And a ways down the road, I would like to put the 650 cam into it. But, this is all new to me, and it's a little unnerving.

Yes, I do want to make it a cafe style bike. I really, really like this one....
http://thevintagestandard.com/?p=1287

Does anyone know who's bike this is? I want to know what tank and seat these are as well as what people do to replace the top bracket on the triple tree when you remove the handlebars and go clip ons.

Anyways, that's where I am at...

BTW, I bought it for $550.  :)
1977 CB550F Supersport

"We want to be free.
We want to be free to do what we want to do.
We want to be free to ride.
We want to be free to ride our machines without being hassled by The Man...
And we want to get loaded!

Offline bender01

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Re: Greetings from Seattle '77 CB550F
« Reply #4 on: November 23, 2013, 05:04:45 PM »
Welcome ,
  I have the other color but that blue is my favorite. Probably a pic in my sig. That exhaust has a cool sound! Glad your going to try to keep it as stock as possible!
75 550 K1
74 750 K4
1968 450 K1 Super Sport
74 750k 836 project
http://www.bikepics.com/members/bender01/
So, the strategy is to lie to people you are asking for help?

I think I'll be busy going for a ride.

Good luck!
Two Tired Quote !

Offline tool14

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Re: Greetings from Seattle '77 CB550F
« Reply #5 on: November 25, 2013, 05:43:59 AM »
welcome aboard

Offline 70CB750

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Re: Greetings from Seattle '77 CB550F
« Reply #6 on: November 25, 2013, 06:20:17 AM »
Welcome!
Prokop
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Pure Gas - find ethanol free gas station near you

I love it when parts come together.

Dorothy - my CB750
CB750K3F - The Red
Sidecar


CB900C

2006 KLR650