Topic: The Slowest 1974 CB550 Build Thread Ever

[deafcaferacer]

What about something similar to the contour of the exhaust on this bike, plus the cone (putting aside the fact it's on a CL350):

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Take a look at FunJimmy's current exhaust. I think it has the same look, and retains performance.

The cut off Kott pipe is not very neighbor friendly either.

[KrautKoffin]

I want this.

Jordan,

There's no reason you can't achieve a similar look with your 550.  I'm not such a fan of that exhaust.  It is so stubby (and loud) that you will not provide adequate back pressure.  I've been previously informed by a certain exhaust engineer that stubby pipes rob torque.

I agree, the exhaust isn't my thing but I like the look of the bike

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I want this.

Jordan,

There's no reason you can't achieve a similar look with your 550.  I'm not such a fan of that exhaust.  It is so stubby (and loud) that you will not provide adequate back pressure.  I've been previously informed by a certain exhaust engineer that stubby pipes rob torque.

I agree, the exhaust isn't my thing but I like the look of the bike

I like the fact that his bike is stripped down to the bare essentials.  The frame could use some gussets IF the engine were built like yours (and the rider was oversized-tall like you)and you wanted better handling.

[KrautKoffin]

I want this.

Jordan,

There's no reason you can't achieve a similar look with your 550.  I'm not such a fan of that exhaust.  It is so stubby (and loud) that you will not provide adequate back pressure.  I've been previously informed by a certain exhaust engineer that stubby pipes rob torque.

I agree, the exhaust isn't my thing but I like the look of the bike

I like the fact that his bike is stripped down to the bare essentials.  The frame could use some gussets IF the engine were built like yours (and the rider was oversized-tall like you)and you wanted better handling.

You calling me fat?!

I'll be doing something similar and stripping it down with the added gussets and fork brace!

[calj737]

Oh, I see, now youre getting thin-skinned, Noddy. Hows it feel, Gulliver?

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I want this.

Jordan,

There's no reason you can't achieve a similar look with your 550.  I'm not such a fan of that exhaust.  It is so stubby (and loud) that you will not provide adequate back pressure.  I've been previously informed by a certain exhaust engineer that stubby pipes rob torque.

I agree, the exhaust isn't my thing but I like the look of the bike

I like the fact that his bike is stripped down to the bare essentials.  The frame could use some gussets IF the engine were built like yours (and the rider was oversized-tall like you)and you wanted better handling.

You calling me fat?!

I'll be doing something similar and stripping it down with the added gussets and fork brace!

For the uninformed, Jordan is string-bean skinny but he's a tall dude.  Notwithstanding his svelte physique, there's a lot of him due to his height.  He's going to be hanging off his 550 like a circus ape on a clown tricycle.  Oh, to be young and skinny!  It's a good think he's making that motor into a 750 Killer.

[bwaller]

You're much more polite in describing Jordan on a bike than my friend Tim was when he lent me his CB350 to race last summer. He thought I looked like a monkey f'ing a football. Not a great visual. 

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

You're much more polite in describing Jordan on a bike than my friend Tim was when he lent me his CB350 to race last summer. He thought I looked like a monkey f'ing a football. Not a great visual. 

ROTFL!!  My work neighbors are looking at me funny because I let a laugh out after reading the last post!

[KrautKoffin]

Hahah I'm 6'6, 240 pounds. I'm going to engulf this bike and need to stretch so I can reach the foot pegs while chewing on my knees. Good thing this motor is powerful, I'm going to expect to watch Don ride this thing like it should be, he's quite a bit shorter and thinner than me!

[KrautKoffin]

Ok I'm back!!


I'm now married and I leave for my honeymoon in a week. Mark Snowden wants to use my bike in a magazine and stick it to Kott, so I'm going to let him. I've gotta figure out what I'm doing with the swing arm (calling Cal) and tabbing on the frame before next Monday so I can get it up to Mark to gusset and PC. Told you all this would be the slowest 550 build

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Ok I'm back!!


I'm now married and I leave for my honeymoon in a week. Mark Snowden wants to use my bike in a magazine and stick it to Kott, so I'm going to let him. I've gotta figure out what I'm doing with the swing arm (calling Cal) and tabbing on the frame before next Monday so I can get it up to Mark to gusset and PC. Told you all this would be the slowest 550 build

The prodigal son returns.  Congratulations on getting married!  Holy moly.  You took the BIG leap!

Looking forward to see what the Moto Chop Shop does to shift this build into high gear.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Three days til you leave. Are you bracing, too?

[KrautKoffin]

I'm just detabbing, Snowden is bracing and PC.

[calj737]

Don't forget to get your swing arm bushings and shock bushings on order! You never know when a new arm in need of PC and bushes will appear-

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Don't forget to get your swing arm bushings and shock bushings on order! You never know when a new arm in need of PC and bushes will appear-

Do tell!!

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I'm just detabbing, Snowden is bracing and PC.

Ok, Jordan, the honeymoon's over (so to speak).  Now that your settling into married life, how about a build update?

[KrautKoffin]

Honeymoon ends the 16th! I'm in the Malta airport right now headed back through Italy for a week then back to this build! Cal, how's that swing arm looking?

[calj737]

Like this?

[calj737]

Pulled it out of your garage, Don.

[KrautKoffin]

Who cares how it looks, if it's structural integrity is up to snuff I like it! Frame is off getting beef'd up, waiting for a swing arm! Also went with a different front end Don.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Nothing wrong with the bracing.  Just me.  . I thought Cal was making you a boxed style swingarm so when I saw a braced stocker, I thought the picture was him pulling your leg. I totally jumped the shark and I am a complete idiot.

The bracing is perfectly fine and, yes, functional. For me, it was simply me having something totally different in mind, and making a bad joke when I thought Cal was goofing around.

I'm a big ass. A huge ass.

[calj737]

He never asked for boxed. This one will be surprisingly strong. Used 316L 0.065 wall. Not much added weight, but you'll hurt yourself trying to bend any new part of it.

Not a design I was hoping to make, couldn't pull it off with all the distractions lately, and delays and broken machines, and, and, and...

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

He never asked for boxed. This one will be surprisingly strong. Used 316L 0.065 wall. Not much added weight, but you'll hurt yourself trying to bend any new part of it.

Not a design I was hoping to make, couldn't pull it off with all the distractions lately, and delays and broken machines, and, and, and...

I don't know why I assumed a boxed design like the one I had in mind.  Probably because we went back and forth a bunch of times about Kevin's (in SA) design. It should provide plenty of torsional rigidity. The high extension made me initially think it was someone else's design for a mono shock mount. 

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Hey Jordan,

How's the 550 coming along.  Can you float a few pictures of the bracing?  I'm trying to get ideas for my 550 project.  How do you like the Moto Chop Shop?

Don