Author Topic: My long overdue 550 K3 thread  (Read 1054 times)

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Offline louisjconnelly

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My long overdue 550 K3 thread
« on: March 16, 2014, 04:12:26 PM »
Hello all, it's about time to finally get some info and pics up of my beloved K3. Firstly I must say a massive thank you to everyone on this forum. Without the wealth of information and the kindness of everybody on here this build would not have been possible.

I bought her as a non runner in  August '12 thinking, to quote myself "6 months max and she will be ready for the road." I was very wrong! I Finally finished her last September. After a running in around my hometown to make sure all was working, I mounted some panniers, packed a tent and the two of us rode 3200 miles around France, Spain and Portugal, via the Pyrenees and Sierra Nevada mountains. I couldn't recommend this trip enough, I had so much fun and what a great bike to do it on, these little Honda's really can take on anything!

I have always ridden off road and always worked on my own bikes but this was my first road bike project. I did most of the work myself except a friend of mine who used to work for Honda but now rebuilds 1920's Bugatti's rebuilt the engine while i peered and prodded at things over his shoulder. She has had a complete rebuild, engine, frame, wheels, electrics parts ordered from all over the world, the full works. sandblasting what needed to be sandblasted, and vapour blasting what ever needed vapouring.  My brief to myself was to create a custom bike that would also retain some of the stock features to keep it practical for daily riding. This included, completely re-designing the rear end, new electrics and relocation, aluminium battery box and fenders, indicators and exhaust.

I love riding this bike, and i would love to hear everyones thoughts on it. Unfortunately due to change in work circumstances I am going to put her up for sale soon, this has probably prompted this post. I don't want to but unfortunately it is unavoidable, i keep telling myself at least, on the bright side I can always build another one further down the line! 

Thanks for reading and thanks again for all the people who make this community possible.

Louis

Offline louisjconnelly

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Re: My long overdue 550 K3 thread
« Reply #1 on: March 16, 2014, 04:14:29 PM »
A few more pics

Offline louisjconnelly

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Re: My long overdue 550 K3 thread
« Reply #2 on: March 16, 2014, 04:17:32 PM »
Few more

Offline louisjconnelly

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Re: My long overdue 550 K3 thread
« Reply #3 on: March 16, 2014, 04:18:54 PM »
Thanks

Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: My long overdue 550 K3 thread
« Reply #4 on: March 16, 2014, 09:29:28 PM »
What's the story with the metal box?  I assume it's a replacement for the battery box so you can go without a right side cover.
1975 CB550K1 "Blue" Stockish Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=135005.0)
1975 CB550F1 frame/CB650 engine hybrid "The Hot Mess" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,150220.0.html)
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"There are some things nobody needs in this world, and a bright-red, hunch-back, warp-speed 900cc cafe racer is one of them — but I want one anyway, and on some days I actually believe I need one.... Being shot out of a cannon will always be better than being squeezed out of a tube. That is why God made fast motorcycles, Bubba." Hunter S. Thompson, Song of the Sausage Creature, Cycle World, March 1995.  (http://www.latexnet.org/~csmith/sausage.html and https://magazine.cycleworld.com/article/1995/3/1/song-of-the-sausage-creature)

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Offline rb550four

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Re: My long overdue 550 K3 thread
« Reply #5 on: March 17, 2014, 05:47:23 PM »
   It always saddens me to hear that a 550 owner who built and enjoys his machine  feels forced to sell it.
Hopefully, you will be able at some point to build another, perhaps not, but you will always remember her like your first girl friend. Some guys can forget, others, it will haunt for years.
   Find a good home for her.
A few Honda 500's, a few Honda 550's, a few Honda 650's, '72 cb 450, a couple 500/550/650 hybrids, and 2001 750. 
  550 Snowbike -Somebody had to do it.
  http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,101678.0.html             
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,137317.msg1550907.html#msg1550907

Offline Stev-o

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Re: My long overdue 550 K3 thread
« Reply #6 on: March 17, 2014, 07:58:26 PM »
I feel your passion for this bike.  I cannot believe you could sell her after what you've green through.
Find an alternative solution.
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline louisjconnelly

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Re: My long overdue 550 K3 thread
« Reply #7 on: March 18, 2014, 01:22:22 PM »
The Aluminium box is for the battery. I found some picture of what the bike looked like when i bought her. Most things are held on with zip ties and the seat is only balancing on the frame!