Topic: The Slowest 1974 CB550 Build Thread Ever

[KrautKoffin]

Update: getting my motor together and can't find specs on head bolts for the APE  head studs. Anyone got info?

When all else fails, you can call APE.  Does that mean you have the bottom end together?

Hahah the bottom end is still untouched. I'll be taking that to a shop (once I find one) to look at the trans and put in the new crank.  Know/trust anyone local?

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Jordan,

I think you could trust Jay to assemble your motor; I know you had some issues with him returning your calls, but his work seems pretty solid.  He sorted through and fixed all the screwball things wrong in my 750 motor. 

There are loads of shops that work on modern bikes, but they don't seem to know the quirks of what to look for on these older relics nor the patience to source vintage parts. 

There are other guys -- like Shannon (SS Classics) in Venice -- that know their way around stock CBs very well but are not so focused on building performance motors/suspension.

[FrankenFrankenstuff]

Hey! I know Sweeny! There is another guy named "Gasser Customs" believe he is in the same area.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Hey! I know Sweeny! There is another guy named "Gasser Customs" believe he is in the same area.

Gasser's new to me. I'd check them out but the shop is only open M-F. 

[bambuhiphop]

I challenge your thread title. I feel mine is the slowest 550 build ever!!  Just kidding.

I was reading through your parts thread and was wondering if you are still in need of anything? I have two bins of parts off my 75' that I am starting to think about getting rid of as my build progresses. Not sure if I have anything you may need but just wanted to throw it out there.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I challenge your thread title. I feel mine is the slowest 550 build ever!!  Just kidding.

I was reading through your parts thread and was wondering if you are still in need of anything? I have two bins of parts off my 75' that I am starting to think about getting rid of as my build progresses. Not sure if I have anything you may need but just wanted to throw it out there.

I'm interested if Jordan isn't.

[KrautKoffin]

Challenge accepted! I hope this bike is rideable in the next few months! I need to figure out what I'm doing with the frame, battery, fenders, and seat.

Parts that I know I need are fenders, a seat pan, and the bolts/brackets to mount the motor to the frame. Since I didn't have a complete bike to take apart, I don't know what parts go where when trying to hang the motor.

I challenge your thread title. I feel mine is the slowest 550 build ever!!  Just kidding.

I was reading through your parts thread and was wondering if you are still in need of anything? I have two bins of parts off my 75' that I am starting to think about getting rid of as my build progresses. Not sure if I have anything you may need but just wanted to throw it out there.

UPDATE: Mark Snowden officially picked up building the motor (literally bolting it together and going through the transmission) for me. You can follow the shop he's paired with on IG, username Motochopshop. You'll see he's calling my motor a 750 killer hahah

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Challenge accepted! I hope this bike is rideable in the next few months! I need to figure out what I'm doing with the frame, battery, fenders, and seat.

Parts that I know I need are fenders, a seat pan, and the bolts/brackets to mount the motor to the frame. Since I didn't have a complete bike to take apart, I don't know what parts go where when trying to hang the motor.

I challenge your thread title. I feel mine is the slowest 550 build ever!!  Just kidding.

I was reading through your parts thread and was wondering if you are still in need of anything? I have two bins of parts off my 75' that I am starting to think about getting rid of as my build progresses. Not sure if I have anything you may need but just wanted to throw it out there.

UPDATE: Mark Snowden officially picked up building the motor (literally bolting it together and going through the transmission) for me. You can follow the shop he's paired with on IG, username Motochopshop. You'll see he's calling my motor a 750 killer hahah

Jordan,

I think it's on the Motochopshop FB site.  If so, it looks VERY clean. 

What's the story with the billet manifolds bolted up to the head?  What's the assembly running you, if I may ask?  You can text me.

Don

[calj737]

Btw- shocks shipping out Monday. PM me your address plz. Waiting to finish swing arm until I get the fender so I can fab you a mount.

[KrautKoffin]

Challenge accepted! I hope this bike is rideable in the next few months! I need to figure out what I'm doing with the frame, battery, fenders, and seat.

Parts that I know I need are fenders, a seat pan, and the bolts/brackets to mount the motor to the frame. Since I didn't have a complete bike to take apart, I don't know what parts go where when trying to hang the motor.

I challenge your thread title. I feel mine is the slowest 550 build ever!!  Just kidding.

I was reading through your parts thread and was wondering if you are still in need of anything? I have two bins of parts off my 75' that I am starting to think about getting rid of as my build progresses. Not sure if I have anything you may need but just wanted to throw it out there.

UPDATE: Mark Snowden officially picked up building the motor (literally bolting it together and going through the transmission) for me. You can follow the shop he's paired with on IG, username Motochopshop. You'll see he's calling my motor a 750 killer hahah

Jordan,

I think it's on the Motochopshop FB site.  If so, it looks VERY clean. 

What's the story with the billet manifolds bolted up to the head?  What's the assembly running you, if I may ask?  You can text me.

Don

I'll text you Don, I'm not allowed to discuss pricing, but if someone is interested contact Motochopshop in facebook or Instagram. Mark Snowden is by far one of the funniest people in the motorcycle world (besides myself of course) and is extremely honest. The billet manifolds were from a member here that I bought the carbs of as well IIRC. They are bored to match the VM26 (Mikuni) carbs. Mark called me today and told me that this motor will benefit from upgrading to the VM 28's without accel pumps just because of sheer size and power. If the motor was lightly worked he said these carbs would be awesome, but this motor is pushing the limits of what you can do to a 550 motor without literally starting from scratch. SO.. these manifolds and carbs will be up for sale if anyone is interested!

pics for clicks. Yes, thats my pink trash can for the garage and they are calling it the 750 killer..

[bambuhiphop]

Challenge accepted! I hope this bike is rideable in the next few months! I need to figure out what I'm doing with the frame, battery, fenders, and seat.

Parts that I know I need are fenders, a seat pan, and the bolts/brackets to mount the motor to the frame. Since I didn't have a complete bike to take apart, I don't know what parts go where when trying to hang the motor.

I have a stock rear fender in decent shape with taillight I am not using. I can snap some picks if interested.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Ok. Hold the phone. Did you just get a 500 too?

That's a nice list of upgrades under the 550 build.

[KrautKoffin]

No, I'm making fun of some tool bag who lists every mod in his sig in the thread about buchanans spokes..

[KrautKoffin]

Update: Cal is a low down, no good.. Wait wait! He's an absolute bad ass! He sent me some rear shocks as an early wedding gift for the 550 with 53 miles on them! My fiancé said she didn't want them so I got both of them!  Thank you Cal, I don't even know how to thank you enough!

Mark Snowden has the motor and will be assembling it this week. I'll end up putting on a stand until I figure out what I want to do with the frame. I want to detab it, possibly hoop it, and reinforcing it, but I only want to powdercoat the frame once! Some input would be appreciated, I'm stumped on this. Also, anyone got some ideas for color schemes?

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Update: Cal is a low down, no good.. Wait wait! He's an absolute bad ass! He sent me some rear shocks as an early wedding gift for the 550 with 53 miles on them! My fiancé said she didn't want them so I got both of them!  Thank you Cal, I don't even know how to thank you enough!

Mark Snowden has the motor and will be assembling it this week. I'll end up putting on a stand until I figure out what I want to do with the frame. I want to detab it, possibly hoop it, and reinforcing it, but I only want to powdercoat the frame once! Some input would be appreciated, I'm stumped on this. Also, anyone got some ideas for color schemes?

If it is going to be a "750 Killer," I would recommend that you reinforce and clean up the stamped sheet welding, detab anything you don't need and add some gussets.  Maybe even add an "X" brace to the top rear OR a hoop (something to replace the upper rear seat/fender cross-member.

[calj737]

KK - Good news; bad news. First the bad: "that" wasn't your early wedding gift, thats still in the works. Good news: early gift is looking like it will be on time.

Pay up, Sucker! 

Signed,
Low down, dirty, rotten Me.

[KrautKoffin]

KK - Good news; bad news. First the bad: "that" wasn't your early wedding gift, thats still in the works. Good news: early gift is looking like it will be on time.

Pay up, Sucker! 

Signed,
Low down, dirty, rotten Me.

Hahaha you rock.

I'm researching bracing and detabbing the frame so I only have to do it one time

[KrautKoffin]

Anyone got a spare working starter and cover? Mine is shot!

[bwaller]

I have a starter & cover. I'll dig some out and get a pic for you.

Are you looking for Mikuni VM28's or did I read that wrong?

[KrautKoffin]

Bwaller, yes I am. I've got 26's but am being pursuaded to find 28's.

[bwaller]

I've got a set of early 28's from the late 73 model Z1. They are completely rebuilt and never run. I'll send you pics of those too a little later.

You're likely aware.....but be advised the Mikuni spacing is different from the stock Keihin spacing. It's not a huge obstacle but building different intake manifolds is needed.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Do either of you guys know if CR26s require any mods to the manifolds?

[KrautKoffin]

I've got a set of early 28's from the late 73 model Z1. They are completely rebuilt and never run. I'll send you pics of those too a little later.

You're likely aware.....but be advised the Mikuni spacing is different from the stock Keihin spacing. It's not a huge obstacle but building different intake manifolds is needed.

I bought the 26's off a guy on here with adapters and the adapters don't fit.

[KrautKoffin]

I want this.

[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.