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

[riverfever]

Now you know that I don't know much about motorcycles but that would probably be a great bike for what I would like to do. I really want to like the KTM 990 but that's an awfully big bike and, loaded, would probably not be too fun to pick up by myself and I know I wouldn't be able to take it on mild trails. I love the 690 but it's expensive to outfit it with stuff like a taller screen to help make any paved sections a bit more bearable. Right now I think I'd just deal with it in stock form and enjoy it. Gonna be a while before I really get serious about looking because I gotta finish this current project and then I want to make sure I enjoy riding it. Wonder if Yamaha will make that and if we'll see it over here? Husky just put out something that really looks like a 690 in their colors.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

The BMW is very nice, but $10K.  The T7 is a GO for Production in 2018, and is based on the proven FZ-07 platform (397 lbs. WET).  At $7K for the FZ-07, the T7 will not be a lot more -- maybe $8-8.5K.  Super-light, super-nimble.  Great mileage and plenty of hp and torque for all terrain riding.  It was such a hit at EICMA that Yamaha leaked that it would go into production in 2018.  They will sell a ton of them.  It'll be WAY cheaper than a Scrambler Desert Sled and be as or more dirt capable.  I might have to look hard at getting one.

[Restoration Fan]

You can find good used BMW's if you are patient and willing to wait for the right deal.  I got my 2005 R1200GS with 14K miles on it, an extra battery, extra windshield, extra Corbin seat, battery charger/maintainer, removable back rest, 2 expandable Vario side cases, 1 Vario top case, a tank bag, 1 inch Rox handlebar riser, removable foot pegs that mount on the spark plug cover area and 2 new tires for only $6300.  Comparable bikes with more miles and less options are traditionally in the $8K - $8500 range around here.  But make no mistake, it's a big, heavy bike and if it goes over with you on dirt, it would be a pain in the butt for a smaller guy to pick up.  I'm 6'2" and 205 and I can do it but it's a chore.

Nonetheless, that lightweight Yamaha does sound like a fun bike and a really good choice for off-roading.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

You can find good used BMW's if you are patient and willing to wait for the right deal.  I got my 2005 R1200GS with 14K miles on it, an extra battery, extra windshield, extra Corbin seat, battery charger/maintainer, removable back rest, 2 expandable Vario side cases, 1 Vario top case, a tank bag, 1 inch Rox handlebar riser, removable foot pegs that mount on the spark plug cover area and 2 new tires for only $6300.  Comparable bikes with more miles and less options are traditionally in the $8K - $8500 range around here.  But make no mistake, it's a big, heavy bike and if it goes over with you on dirt, it would be a pain in the butt for a smaller guy to pick up.  I'm 6'2" and 205 and I can do it but it's a chore.

Nonetheless, that lightweight Yamaha does sound like a fun bike and a really good choice for off-roading.

Ron - you got a smoking deal on that GS.

I find that lately, I've been drawn to lighter, more nimble bikes.  I have a FZ09 that's a load of fun to ride.  I like the thought of a DT07 (dirt tracker) like the one Jeff Palhegyi built for Yamaha last year (http://www.cycleworld.com/2015/10/15/yamaha-dt-07-flat-track-racing-concept-motorcycle-review-first-look-photos-from-aimexpo-2015), Palhegyi's newer DT07 Street Tracker (http://www.jpaldesign.com/) and Yamaha's T7 this year. 

[RAFster122s]

RESTOFAN,
If nearby you gotta come ove to the Bristol, TN area and stop at Ridgewood BBQ near Elizabethton.  Old place with hickory smoked pork, brisket, etc.  Smells heavenly just being near there, the food is delicious and always a crowd.  Well worth the trip.  Pick up some bottled in NC Cheerwine cola.  This limited distribution cherry cola is nothing like you have tasted before and hooks lots of people.
regionally distributed only...

I'm going to take an 8 - 10 day ride in the spring as the weather begins to warm (sometime in late March, April or May).  As it stands right now, I'll probably hit about 5 or 6 states around the southeast.  I have a few places I want to visit, a restaurant in North Carolina I want to try, some people I want to see and some guys I want to go for a ride with (including cal if his schedule synchs up around that time).  I don't know how much of that will be off-road but we own a lot of land below Columbus (about 1600 acres) and I'm definitely going to do some off-road riding there.

[riverfever]

For the last 2 years I've looked at the F800, KTM 990 and the 690 and now the F700. I just don't care that much for the look of the BMW's. Building my current 550 has been tough given my ummm...financial lane. I've had to really save and do things very thoughtfully. If I were to buy another bike in a few years it simply would have to be something that makes me stop when walking past it in the garage. Hell it would have to be wood inducing. That T7 is drop dead sexy. Very interesting. Now I'll have trouble sleeping.

[riverfever]

Don don't you think sub 10 grand is a bit of a pipe dream?

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Don don't you think sub 10 grand is a bit of a pipe dream?

I think it will max at $9999. The FZ-07 is $10,400 - or $2,400 for a spor tourer. I think the T7 will not command as much as a sport tourer premium. Yamaha wants to sell the crap out if these and it's already recouped R&D by selling a ton of FZ-07s over the last 3 years.

[RAFster122s]

Realistically if you switched to being a guide what would your income potential change positive enough to make the cut for such a bike with some savings?  If it were a new bike you could pay for it in 3 years over time...

Anything vintage like an Africa Twin scratch your itch?
They have very reliable motors and drivetrain and while notva domestic offering they can be imported and a few have converted their TransAlps into one.

David

[GV1390]

Nice park Don, are you listening to U2 too?!

This made me laugh lol.

[GV1390]

The Hindle looks pretty snazzy there Don.

+1

[Restoration Fan]

RESTOFAN,
If nearby you gotta come ove to the Bristol, TN area and stop at Ridgewood BBQ near Elizabethton.  Old place with hickory smoked pork, brisket, etc.  Smells heavenly just being near there, the food is delicious and always a crowd.  Well worth the trip.  Pick up some bottled in NC Cheerwine cola.  This limited distribution cherry cola is nothing like you have tasted before and hooks lots of people.
regionally distributed only...

RAF,
Thanks for that.  I will be in that area so I'll add that to the list.  I've had Cheerwine before and I do like it.  And a fellow can never have too many good BBQ restaurants on his ToDo list.

And now, I'll stop highjacking Don's thread.  Sorry, Don.

[riverfever]

I would think their R/D costs would have been pretty low (certainly lower than the Africa Twin) since they already had a lot of this stuff laying around and just needed to figure out how to make it work together. It will be interesting to watch how things move along.

[joeyvans]

That T7 looks damn fun.... if I didn't live in the sh%tiest part of the world for trail riding.... or any kind of riding, for that matter.

You put some miles on that FZ-09 this year, Don? One of them would be on my list, but it wouldn't be very practical for me. Would like something sporty that you can pile on the miles with and has some wind protection.  Still want to find a Gen IV VFR with fairly low miles and original plastics not beat to hell. Good luck, right?


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[riverfever]

Making a move to being a guide would hurt me financially (in pay, insurance, and it's a tough life to make happen). Where I screwed up was being a bit of a visionary and teaching in this little town for 8 years during frighteningly heavy cuts (although I never once worried about losing my job because nobody wants to deal with the kids that I had in my program), salary freezes, and thinking that I could influence and change what we were doing with kids. It go to the point during those last three or so years up here that I flexed and flexed a bit more each year and it began going against my philosophical beliefs (I had also just completed my Master's Degree and was told too bad so sad on a salary bump). By the end I had 20+ kids in a self-contained program (meaning they spent the majority of their day with me) that I originally designed/created for emotionally disturbed adolescents that had morphed into a place for not only special education students but general education students as well who simply needed a friggin' chance and to not be judged for something stupid they had done or said. I could go on as it really was embarrassing but I'll spare you. In the end, I have gotten caught up in terms of salary and I'm currently at one of the largest (if not THE largest) and best performing districts in the state and things are great.

I think the older AT's are neat but I really would prefer something newer when the time comes.

Sorry for the jack Don.

Realistically if you switched to being a guide what would your income potential change positive enough to make the cut for such a bike with some savings?  If it were a new bike you could pay for it in 3 years over time...

Anything vintage like an Africa Twin scratch your itch?
They have very reliable motors and drivetrain and while notva domestic offering they can be imported and a few have converted their TransAlps into one.

David

[Stev-o]

WOW, has this thread been jacked!!!!

[joeyvans]

Greatest. Band. Ever.


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[riverfever]

Ruh roh...I've ruffled Cal's feathers.  Good thing you already sent that box of parts eh buddy?

Wasn't it about a year ago that we were talking about the F800GS and you were the one who steered me towards the 690?? So really you only have yourself to blame. I know my tastes aren't as "refined" as yours but there's just something about the F650 and F700, in particular, that I can't get past. There are days when I think the 800 looks cool but then days where I don't. 

Chris - I think it only appropriate that I make public the things I'd say to you privately, since its about motorcycles-

When you say crap like this:

I just don't care that much for the look of the BMW's.

That tells me we can no longer be friends. OR, as my best mate locally would put it; "We've come unbenfitted." That loosely translates to "we aren't friends no more" or so I am told. If you don't have the refined sense of beauty to recognize that the F700 Sertao is perhaps one of the most elegant looking, advanced, dual purpose motorcycles, then I can imagine that all efforts to "edumacate you is none but wasted on ya. Dang, I gots me betterer stuff to waste my's time 'un. Sheesh, and ta think, you'en learning up them young kids in Collyrado. No wonder theys in such bad shape." Or so he would say. 

[Stev-o]

Ruh roh...I've ruffled Cal's feathers.  Good thing you already sent that box of parts eh buddy?

I feel bad for you now, Riverman.   Who's gonna help you wire up all that M stuff now?!

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

You put some miles on that FZ-09 this year, Don? One of them would be on my list, but it wouldn't be very practical for me.

That bike puts a smile on my face every time I throw a leg over it and twist the throttle.  It is so damn light and nimble with an amazing powerplant (115 hp and 67 ft/lb).  I swapped Ohlins cartridges into the forks and upgraded the shock to an Ohlins.  Now the handling is downright FUN.  I don't get to ride it half as much as I want to, since I have other bikes to exercise, but it is fun.  Considering that I got it with less than 2K miles for about $5400, it was a steal.

[joeyvans]

Wow... that is a steal! Even for upper Midwest prices! Ok, screw practical... I want one! Think I've told you before, but I hear it's very difficult to keep the front end on pavement.


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[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I think the older AT's are neat but I really would prefer something newer when the time comes.

Sorry for the jack Don.

I hear you on getting something newer to balance out your riding portfolio. Fuel injection will spoil you (in a good way).   The new AT is VERY nice, but a little bit on the larger side.  At $13K, its also a little pricier.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Wow... that is a steal! Even for upper Midwest prices! Ok, screw practical... I want one! Think I've told you before, but I hear it's very difficult to keep the front end on pavement.


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Yes, the deal was too good to pass up.  And yes, the front does like to power wheelie.  It is like a supermoto on steroids.

[Restoration Fan]

Fuel injection will spoil you (in a good way).

No kidding.  The throttle response with fuel injection is just so immediate!

Don, have you ever considered swapping one of your vintage Honda's over to fuel injection system?  I've kicked around the thought of that with the 550 but I would imagine that would involve some pretty pricey parts.

[RAFster122s]

Have you seen the 450 build where they are putting a cb500r motor in the frame?

It is an interesting build for a bike/roller that was without its motor.  Buying a wrecked 500R without damage to front end and motor...

David