Topic: The Slowest 1974 CB550 Build Thread Ever

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Jordan,

You are an enabler!  Have you looked into the Vermont registration?

[deafcaferacer]

Yes I am.

I put in a bid for it, but refusing to budge beyond a certain amount because it wasn't taken care of very well and the wiring is a hack job, and the fabbed seat pan is something else. Still waiting to hear back. Getting a 550 one way or another.

That's cool, I have a lot of deaf friends and know enough ASL to get by

The wiring harnesses will never get better, give the seller a week and resubmit your offer. If the engine, frame, and tank are original I'd buy it!

That's awesome!

I've already told him the offer stands as is and he's free to get back to me whenever, so now I'm just waiting for reality to hit home for him.  I'm looking at a few other 550's as well. In the meantime I'll lurk in here and follow your build.

[KrautKoffin]

Yes I am.

I put in a bid for it, but refusing to budge beyond a certain amount because it wasn't taken care of very well and the wiring is a hack job, and the fabbed seat pan is something else. Still waiting to hear back. Getting a 550 one way or another.

That's cool, I have a lot of deaf friends and know enough ASL to get by

The wiring harnesses will never get better, give the seller a week and resubmit your offer. If the engine, frame, and tank are original I'd buy it!

That's awesome!

I've already told him the offer stands as is and he's free to get back to me whenever, so now I'm just waiting for reality to hit home for him.  I'm looking at a few other 550's as well. In the meantime I'll lurk in here and follow your build.

Haha hopefully he gets desperate

This build is slow because I don't have the time or budget to crank through it quickly. Luckily this community has sent me a bunch of free parts, so if you need anything let me know and I'll do my best to get you parts I'm not using!

[KrautKoffin]

Jordan,

You are an enabler!  Have you looked into the Vermont registration?

Yea, it's just over $100 to register it! I have to take the frame to a local chp office to get the vin inspected and signed off, a piece of letterhead from their office stating they are certified to inspect vins, the mail it to VT DMV!

[deafcaferacer]

This build is slow because I don't have the time or budget to crank through it quickly. Luckily this community has sent me a bunch of free parts, so if you need anything let me know and I'll do my best to get you parts I'm not using!

Yes, super-awesome and helpful community here. If only the real world were like this, but I digress...

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Jordan,

You are an enabler!  Have you looked into the Vermont registration?

Yea, it's just over $100 to register it! I have to take the frame to a local chp office to get the vin inspected and signed off, a piece of letterhead from their office stating they are certified to inspect vins, the mail it to VT DMV!

Cool.  Let me know how it goes (maybe you can share your forms with me).  If it works smooth, I might pick up an unregistered 550.

[KrautKoffin]

Jordan,

You are an enabler!  Have you looked into the Vermont registration?

Yea, it's just over $100 to register it! I have to take the frame to a local chp office to get the vin inspected and signed off, a piece of letterhead from their office stating they are certified to inspect vins, the mail it to VT DMV!

Cool.  Let me know how it goes (maybe you can share your forms with me).  If it works smooth, I might pick up an unregistered 550.

Do it

[Stev-o]

Jordan,

You are an enabler!  Have you looked into the Vermont registration?

I have to take the frame to a local chp office to get the vin inspected and signed off, a piece of letterhead from their office stating they are certified to inspect vins, the mail it to VT DMV!

I did not do this.

[KrautKoffin]

Jordan,

You are an enabler!  Have you looked into the Vermont registration?

I have to take the frame to a local chp office to get the vin inspected and signed off, a piece of letterhead from their office stating they are certified to inspect vins, the mail it to VT DMV!

I did not do this.

I called because I was unclear on the fees I had to pay and she said that the bottom of the form had to be filled out by a certified vin inspection agent (cop or chp)

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Jordan,

You are a bad influence!

Note the revision to my signature (below).  I passed on the unregistered bike.  I found a great deal on a titled CB550K1 with 8K miles, although it needs to be shipped to California.  I will wait to tear it down.  I just want to make it a runner.

[KrautKoffin]

Jordan,

You are a bad influence!

Note the revision to my signature (below).  I passed on the unregistered bike.  I found a great deal on a titled CB550K1 with 8K miles, although it needs to be shipped to California.  I will wait to tear it down.  I just want to make it a runner.

Yaaaaay! I got parts for you!

[goldarrow]

Not sure where you are in registering the bike process, but here's how I had mine done.

Bike was out of system, no plate or paper work.  I went to AAA to get the bike registered under my name and apply for new title.  They gave me 30 days temporary registration with red paper tag to put on the bike.  Got all paper work from AAA.  Got insurance on my bike and you're back on the road.  During this time, take your bike to CHP for vin check.  Went back to aaa, turned in paperwork, paid fees, walked out with new plate. 

[KrautKoffin]

Not sure where you are in registering the bike process, but here's how I had mine done.

Bike was out of system, no plate or paper work.  I went to AAA to get the bike registered under my name and apply for new title.  They gave me 30 days temporary registration with red paper tag to put on the bike.  Got all paper work from AAA.  Got insurance on my bike and you're back on the road.  During this time, take your bike to CHP for vin check.  Went back to aaa, turned in paperwork, paid fees, walked out with new plate.

Hmmm.. Total cost and was your bike assembled?

[goldarrow]

Not sure where you are in registering the bike process, but here's how I had mine done.

Bike was out of system, no plate or paper work.  I went to AAA to get the bike registered under my name and apply for new title.  They gave me 30 days temporary registration with red paper tag to put on the bike.  Got all paper work from AAA.  Got insurance on my bike and you're back on the road.  During this time, take your bike to CHP for vin check.  Went back to aaa, turned in paperwork, paid fees, walked out with new plate.

Hmmm.. Total cost and was your bike assembled?

Yes the bike was complete and running.  Don't remember the fee amount, may be around 60, but was definitely less than if bike was on non-op status. 

[Stev-o]

Not sure where you are in registering the bike process, but here's how I had mine done.

Bike was out of system, no plate or paper work.  I went to AAA to get the bike registered under my name and apply for new title.  They gave me 30 days temporary registration with red paper tag to put on the bike.  Got all paper work from AAA.  Got insurance on my bike and you're back on the road.  During this time, take your bike to CHP for vin check.  Went back to aaa, turned in paperwork, paid fees, walked out with new plate.

Hmmm.. Total cost and was your bike assembled?

Yes the bike was complete and running.  Don't remember the fee amount, may be around 60, but was definitely less than if bike was on non-op status. 

Did you get a title?

[goldarrow]

Not sure where you are in registering the bike process, but here's how I had mine done.

Bike was out of system, no plate or paper work.  I went to AAA to get the bike registered under my name and apply for new title.  They gave me 30 days temporary registration with red paper tag to put on the bike.  Got all paper work from AAA.  Got insurance on my bike and you're back on the road.  During this time, take your bike to CHP for vin check.  Went back to aaa, turned in paperwork, paid fees, walked out with new plate.

Hmmm.. Total cost and was your bike assembled?

Yes the bike was complete and running.  Don't remember the fee amount, may be around 60, but was definitely less than if bike was on non-op status. 

Did you get a title?

Yes, title came in the mail about 3 weeks later.   

[Stev-o]

Not sure where you are in registering the bike process, but here's how I had mine done.

Bike was out of system, no plate or paper work.  I went to AAA to get the bike registered under my name and apply for new title.  They gave me 30 days temporary registration with red paper tag to put on the bike.  Got all paper work from AAA.  Got insurance on my bike and you're back on the road.  During this time, take your bike to CHP for vin check.  Went back to aaa, turned in paperwork, paid fees, walked out with new plate.

Hmmm.. Total cost and was your bike assembled?

Yes the bike was complete and running.  Don't remember the fee amount, may be around 60, but was definitely less than if bike was on non-op status. 

Did you get a title?

Yes, title came in the mail about 3 weeks later.   

Awesome.  Is AAA the insurance company?   I need a title for that K3 I just bought. Thanks Gold dude.

[goldarrow]

Not sure where you are in registering the bike process, but here's how I had mine done.

Bike was out of system, no plate or paper work.  I went to AAA to get the bike registered under my name and apply for new title.  They gave me 30 days temporary registration with red paper tag to put on the bike.  Got all paper work from AAA.  Got insurance on my bike and you're back on the road.  During this time, take your bike to CHP for vin check.  Went back to aaa, turned in paperwork, paid fees, walked out with new plate.

Hmmm.. Total cost and was your bike assembled?

Yes the bike was complete and running.  Don't remember the fee amount, may be around 60, but was definitely less than if bike was on non-op status. 

Did you get a title?

Yes, title came in the mail about 3 weeks later.   

Awesome.  Is AAA the insurance company?   I need a title for that K3 I just bought. Thanks Gold dude.

Yes AAA auto club

[KrautKoffin]

Not sure where you are in registering the bike process, but here's how I had mine done.

Bike was out of system, no plate or paper work.  I went to AAA to get the bike registered under my name and apply for new title.  They gave me 30 days temporary registration with red paper tag to put on the bike.  Got all paper work from AAA.  Got insurance on my bike and you're back on the road.  During this time, take your bike to CHP for vin check.  Went back to aaa, turned in paperwork, paid fees, walked out with new plate.

Hmmm.. Total cost and was your bike assembled?

Yes the bike was complete and running.  Don't remember the fee amount, may be around 60, but was definitely less than if bike was on non-op status.

Yea.. Mine is in pieces so I doubt that inspection will go well.

[KrautKoffin]

I've been soaking the carbs for a few hours in California's xylene, which is crap. I also noticed on for the main jet towers has some corrosion on it, I don't know if that carb is useable still. Here's a few pictures, and yes I'm soaking the carbs in an oil pan..

[zeech]

Might want to have those bad boys ultrasonically cleaned. Motochopshop does a set of four for only $80.

[KrautKoffin]

Might want to have those bad boys ultrasonically cleaned. Motochopshop does a set of four for only $80.

MCS is 90 minutes away from me on a good day, I'll find something a little more local. Thanks for the insight though!

[zeech]

Yea cool, are you closer to San Diego? There's gotta be some good, cheap places down there.

[KrautKoffin]

I'm in Buena Park, next to Knotts berry farm

[KrautKoffin]

Dropped 2 heads off at Bob Smalls Machining in San Clemente this morning, he's going to inspect them both and work on the better head. Dropped off oversized valves and springs for him, forgot to get seals (and a possibly guides). Anyone got a lead on good seals and possibly guides?