Topic: 1975 CB550K1 - Stock-ish Restomod - More Mods

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Definitely going to hold off any any Joker Machine triple swap for now (I'll keep the parts on ice), as I would need to alter the idiot lights (a look I kind of like on this bike).  Also the JM tree handlebar clamps are all set for 1" bars, so it would force me to clipons.  For now, I'm going to stick with the stock trees.  After the tank is done and I've had some fun riding the bike, I will undertake rebuilding the fork internals, converting to dual disc and bracing either with the Tarozzi or looking into the Tkat brace.

No go with the Tkat fork brace. He's no longer making them:

"I've given up on Honda F/B ATM.  They're real SOBs 2 make due to the short stanchion & there wzn't much call 4 'em. 

Sorry,

Tkat"

[flatlander]

that sucks. was hoping to get one of those myself. hope something else will pop up that fits.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Yeah.  It looks like I will have to go back to my prior plan of bolting a fender onto the bottom of the Tarozzi fork brace. 

[flatlander]

or wait. message i got from tkat:

"Tell ya what.  I found a set of started clamps.  Don't kno what Honda they're 4.  I'm super BZ w/ personal stuff ATM.  We B mov'n & r work'n like crazy rehab'n the ho. - rentors tore the crap outta it - & we have svrl trips w/ our new RV planned.  & my shoulder aint healed frm a rotator cuff surgery - 2~3 more mo.  But I'll keep yer post stared & on file.  When things slow dwn I'll contact u.  I'll say if ur still interested I'll do a few sets @ $180 ea, delivered.  C if any of yer buddies w/ ident bikes wud b interested."

i'll be starting a list to see who else might be interested. would be awesome if he could make a small series for us.

[2strokeTrush]

Would you wanna get rid of those stock pipes?

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

or wait. message i got from tkat:

"Tell ya what.  I found a set of started clamps.  Don't kno what Honda they're 4.  I'm super BZ w/ personal stuff ATM.  We B mov'n & r work'n like crazy rehab'n the ho. - rentors tore the crap outta it - & we have svrl trips w/ our new RV planned.  & my shoulder aint healed frm a rotator cuff surgery - 2~3 more mo.  But I'll keep yer post stared & on file.  When things slow dwn I'll contact u.  I'll say if ur still interested I'll do a few sets @ $180 ea, delivered.  C if any of yer buddies w/ ident bikes wud b interested."

i'll be starting a list to see who else might be interested. would be awesome if he could make a small series for us.

Count me in.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Would you wanna get rid of those stock pipes?

The pipes are long gone.  They were rusted through on the frame side.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

The tank is almost complete: 4 dings repaired, Caswell lined, blocked, primer, base coat, candy, clear, decals, clear x2. 

Just needs to be buffed.  I should have the tins back on the bike by mid-week.

Race Tech springs and emulators ordered.

Godffrey's drilled discs and dual calipers with phenolic pistons ordered. 

[rtbmrgl]

The tank is almost complete: 4 dings repaired, Caswell lined, blocked, primer, base coat, candy, clear, decals, clear x2. 

Just needs to be buffed.  I should have the tins back on the bike by mid-week.

Race Tech springs and emulators ordered.

Godffrey's drilled discs and dual calipers with phenolic pistons ordered.

How did the paint come out?

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

The tank is almost complete: 4 dings repaired, Caswell lined, blocked, primer, base coat, candy, clear, decals, clear x2. 

Just needs to be buffed.  I should have the tins back on the bike by mid-week.

Race Tech springs and emulators ordered.

Godffrey's drilled discs and dual calipers with phenolic pistons ordered.

How did the paint come out?

I'll know when I pick it up from my painter this Wednesday, and I'll post some pics, too!

[flatlander]

or wait. message i got from tkat:

"Tell ya what.  I found a set of started clamps.  Don't kno what Honda they're 4.  I'm super BZ w/ personal stuff ATM.  We B mov'n & r work'n like crazy rehab'n the ho. - rentors tore the crap outta it - & we have svrl trips w/ our new RV planned.  & my shoulder aint healed frm a rotator cuff surgery - 2~3 more mo.  But I'll keep yer post stared & on file.  When things slow dwn I'll contact u.  I'll say if ur still interested I'll do a few sets @ $180 ea, delivered.  C if any of yer buddies w/ ident bikes wud b interested."

i'll be starting a list to see who else might be interested. would be awesome if he could make a small series for us.

Count me in.

put up this here to gauge interest in the tkat braces:
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=136643.0

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Teaser pics.  The paint is finished and buffed.  Only need to mount the badges.

Side Covers:

image_zps2f21d23b by Donald Leonhardt, on Flickr

Tank:

image_zpsdbd82a8c by Donald Leonhardt, on Flickr

image_zpsf8fd86f1 by Donald Leonhardt, on Flickr

[calj737]

You've got to be happy with those! They look really beautiful. I bet the sunshine makes them really pop-

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

The base coat is actually blue and then the green candy goes on top to make the overall color.

[jtran000]

wow, that is beautiful...

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

wow, that is beautiful...

Thx!  My painter Andrew "Bondo" Babish in Orange, CA (626-419-6646) is pretty damn good.  I purchase the paint through Rick at VMR Paint (http://www.oldhondapaint.com/).

[rtbmrgl]

WOW love that green............Looks very sharp!!!!!
 I used VMR also.

[tweakin]

Looks great!  Love fresh paint...

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Thanks guys.  Race Tech springs and valve emulators are IN!  I also had a bunch of clean spare 35mm front end parts (NOS fork ears, gators, fork caps, etc., saved up for a 750 front (and many of the part numbers are the same), so the front looks even better. 

The petcock needs to be rebuilt or replaced, and the NOS and replica badges still need to be mounted into the tank and side covers (need those pesky metal tabs that keep the badges in place).

NOW, I just need my new drilled brake discs and calipers (and phenolic pistons) from Godffrey (he's waiting on his machinist drilling the rotors), and the front end will not only handle better, but stop.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

WOW love that green............Looks very sharp!!!!!
 I used VMR also.

It's funny. Green has been one of my least favorite colors but the better half loves it - otherwise I may have done a color change. It's definitely grown on me.

[Tews19]

Glad I stumbled across your build!  Great paint job!

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Glad I stumbled across your build!  Great paint job!

Thanks Tews. My painter did a great job. No easy trick getting the colors laid down with the right separation and the decals are a one try deal.

I'm really happy with how this bike is shaping up. It'll be a great 2-up rider for me and the better half.

[rtbmrgl]

Glad I stumbled across your build!  Great paint job!

Thanks Tews. My painter did a great job. No easy trick getting the colors laid down with the right separation and the decals are a one try deal.

I'm really happy with how this bike is shaping up. It'll be a great 2-up rider for me and the better half.

What color did you end up using, I painted my tank Candy Bacchus Olive. I looks very close but a little lighter, maybe the lighting. My painter used his own base coat which was also a blue metallic.
I get a lot of compliments on the color, that green is not common.
That green is what I really like about my bike.
And like calj737 said it really pops in the sun.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Glad I stumbled across your build!  Great paint job!

Thanks Tews. My painter did a great job. No easy trick getting the colors laid down with the right separation and the decals are a one try deal.

I'm really happy with how this bike is shaping up. It'll be a great 2-up rider for me and the better half.

What color did you end up using, I painted my tank Candy Bacchus Olive. I looks very close but a little lighter, maybe the lighting. My painter used his own base coat which was also a blue metallic.
I get a lot of compliments on the color, that green is not common.
That green is what I really like about my bike.
And like calj737 said it really pops in the sun.

Thanks. The color is Honda Candy Jade Green. It was a 1975 color.

[rtbmrgl]

Glad I stumbled across your build!  Great paint job!

Thanks Tews. My painter did a great job. No easy trick getting the colors laid down with the right separation and the decals are a one try deal.

I'm really happy with how this bike is shaping up. It'll be a great 2-up rider for me and the better half.

What color did you end up using, I painted my tank Candy Bacchus Olive. I looks very close but a little lighter, maybe the lighting. My painter used his own base coat which was also a blue metallic.
I get a lot of compliments on the color, that green is not common.
That green is what I really like about my bike.
And like calj737 said it really pops in the sun.

Thanks. The color is Honda Candy Jade Green. It was a 1975 color.

And who says Kawasaki only look good in green,.......... HA!