Author Topic: 1977 cb550f cafe-brat build  (Read 4589 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Cafe_Brat

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 13
1977 cb550f cafe-brat build
« on: May 28, 2012, 04:57:42 PM »
I just bought my first Honda sohc, a 1977 cb 550f, and am looking to build a quasi cafe racer / brat.   It doesn't currently run but I was told that the electrical was the issue.   It appears that a previous owner ripped most of the electrical out and then they or someone else tried to piece it all back together.   I have been looking around for a wiring harness but haven't been able to find one any tips for making my own?
Convertibles are awesome... for people that don't know how to ride motorcycles

Offline Toxic

  • Expert
  • ****
  • Posts: 1,200
Re: 1977 cb550f cafe-brat build
« Reply #1 on: May 28, 2012, 05:05:53 PM »
Hang tight and someone will be along shortly with the answer.  There are lots of hardcore 550 guys on here.

Very knowledgeable

Offline cafevee

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 23
Re: 1977 cb550f cafe-brat build
« Reply #2 on: May 29, 2012, 06:58:57 AM »
I just bought my first Honda sohc,...  It doesn't currently run but I was told that the electrical was the issue.   It appears that a previous owner ripped most of the electrical out and then they or someone else tried to piece it all back together... 

I feel your pain. Im in the exact same boat... chk it out..
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=107576.0

Also, there is a simplified wiring diagram online. I found it once and for the life of me could not find it again to post it for you. My buddy said it should be easy to do just match up the coloured wires. :) Im sure if you search the forum in a bit more detail this diagram will come up.

Good luck and post some pics of your progress.

Vee

Offline steakCB550K

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 61
Re: 1977 cb550f cafe-brat build
« Reply #3 on: May 29, 2012, 08:56:43 AM »
I found this here and this might be what you are talking about.  I am not sure how different it is for the cb550. 
http://www.sohc4.net/index.php/cb750-simplified-wiring-diagram/

You can find a lot of info on this site from here:
http://www.sohc4.net/index.php/cb550/

Good luck!
77 CB550K
78 CB550K
77/78 cool 2 member

Offline kerryb

  • Not a very
  • Expert
  • ****
  • Posts: 1,135
  • 78 750k 74 cb550k, '83GL1100 FXSTC, 1979 Wilmac
Re: 1977 cb550f cafe-brat build
« Reply #4 on: May 29, 2012, 10:02:52 AM »
I was stumped by wiring too until I got the color diagram from the back of the clymer manual, then took the black wrapper off my wiring harness (removed from bike) and physically followed each wire by colore to where it ended up.  I referenced each color and wire to the diagram while cleaning it.  It took a few hours, but now I "aint sceered" by anything electrical on my bike.  I've started mixing 750 and 550 parts when needed and it still appeatrs to be working fine. Get the book, My cb750, it is the best reference for lots of stuff.
intrigued by the wail...seduced by the scream.

Offline Cafe_Brat

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 13
Re: 1977 cb550f cafe-brat build
« Reply #5 on: May 29, 2012, 10:07:15 AM »
Yeah my haynes manual is still in the mail, should be here soon.   But despite that I wnt ahead and strpped most of the electrical out already.
Convertibles are awesome... for people that don't know how to ride motorcycles

Offline kerryb

  • Not a very
  • Expert
  • ****
  • Posts: 1,135
  • 78 750k 74 cb550k, '83GL1100 FXSTC, 1979 Wilmac
Re: 1977 cb550f cafe-brat build
« Reply #6 on: May 29, 2012, 03:41:59 PM »
That's good, now you can test each wire for continuity to see which ones have a break in them.  It is easy to miss a broken wire inside the colored plastic insulation.  When you test with a test light or ohm meter ($3.00 at harbor freight) you will be sure to find the hidden gremlins.  I had several wires that were broken inside the insulation right next to the plug-in connector.  The intermittent problem drove me nutty till I learned what to look for.  Now it's easy, just a matter of time spent.

good luck...someone here says "if you can't fix it with a hammer, it must be electrical"!
intrigued by the wail...seduced by the scream.

Offline Cafe_Brat

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 13
Re: 1977 cb550f cafe-brat build
« Reply #7 on: May 29, 2012, 04:58:24 PM »
Well I got a little impatient and have stripped the bike down to a rolling frame, figured I could put off the wiring a little longer and get some paint on her.
Convertibles are awesome... for people that don't know how to ride motorcycles

Offline Cafe_Brat

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 13
Re: 1977 cb550f cafe-brat build
« Reply #8 on: May 29, 2012, 08:24:57 PM »
Convertibles are awesome... for people that don't know how to ride motorcycles

Offline Cafe_Brat

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 13
Re: 1977 cb550f cafe-brat build
« Reply #9 on: May 31, 2012, 07:41:36 PM »
I am going to put the electronics in a custom "pan" under the seat and upgrade the battery; http://www.ballisticparts.com/products/batteries/8cell.php

and upgrade the fuses using the new auto style fuses  and combine the the regulator and rectifier into using the VRREM7 @ http://www.oregonmotorcycleparts.com/Reg_rec_units.html
Convertibles are awesome... for people that don't know how to ride motorcycles

Offline Cafe_Brat

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 13
Convertibles are awesome... for people that don't know how to ride motorcycles

Offline goldarrow

  • one day, i'll be an
  • Old Timer
  • ******
  • Posts: 3,361
Re: 1977 cb550f cafe-brat build
« Reply #11 on: May 31, 2012, 10:19:35 PM »
looks like someone is on a shopping spree!
Life Is Full Of Challenges - And My Backyard Is Full Of SOHC4's

CB550 K0
CB750 K0, K2, K23 JDM, K45, K5
And the little ones z50r, xr50r, st90


750k5 http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=114817.0

Offline Cafe_Brat

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 13
Re: 1977 cb550f cafe-brat build
« Reply #12 on: June 01, 2012, 06:04:13 AM »
looks like someone is on a shopping spree!


just dreaming right now... gotta wait for the next pay check then I can blow it on the bike

The project is at a strange phase where I need to order a bunch of things in order to see how they are going to fit into my design before I can have some custom welding done and a seat made.
Convertibles are awesome... for people that don't know how to ride motorcycles

Offline Cafe_Brat

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 13
Re: 1977 cb550f cafe-brat build
« Reply #13 on: August 16, 2012, 03:07:11 PM »
Got the bike down to the frame and have stripped most of the paint off.   Got some new parts in and have designed an electrical pan to go under the sear.   Taking it to the shop tomorrow for some welding.   Check out this site for my progress photos. 


http://www.flickr.com/photos/79614564@N05/sets/72157629962164056/
Convertibles are awesome... for people that don't know how to ride motorcycles

Offline Finksies

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 24
Re: 1977 cb550f cafe-brat build
« Reply #14 on: August 16, 2012, 05:04:59 PM »
Looks good brother.

Offline minimo

  • Expert
  • ****
  • Posts: 1,202
  • 1977 CB550F 1975 CB400F 1959 Ducati 200 Americano
Re: 1977 cb550f cafe-brat build
« Reply #15 on: April 06, 2014, 10:34:10 PM »
Got the bike down to the frame and have stripped most of the paint off.   Got some new parts in and have designed an electrical pan to go under the sear.   Taking it to the shop tomorrow for some welding.   Check out this site for my progress photos. 


http://www.flickr.com/photos/79614564@N05/sets/72157629962164056/

Awesome! I like your approach of, oh well, let's just strip it all down anyway while we're at it. I also like your cardboard mockup of the under-seat compartment. Are you going to fiberglass it as is?

Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

  • Speak up, Whipper-Snapper! I'm a
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 15,731
  • SOHC/4 Member #1235
Re: 1977 cb550f cafe-brat build
« Reply #16 on: April 06, 2014, 11:01:03 PM »
Two suggestions:

(1) If you are going to modernize the wiring, get rid of the tube fuseblock and replace it with a blade fuseblock.  You can get a weather-proof model for about $6 that will carry extra fuses, just in case.

(2) You might want to mount your reg/rectifier outside of the box, so the cooling fans can do their work in dissipating heat.  Keeping it in an enclosed area will create a hotbox for your electronics to cook themselves.
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)
2008 Triumph Thruxton (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,190956.0.html)
2014 MV Agusta Brutale Dragster 800
2015 Yamaha FZ-09 (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,186861.0.html)

"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)

Sold/Emeritus
1973 CB750K2 "Bionic Mongrel" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132734.0) - Sold
1977 CB750K7 "Nine Lives" Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=50490.0) - Sold
2005 RVT1000RR RC51-SP2 "El Diablo" - Sold
2016+ Triumph Thruxton 1200 R (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,170198.0.html) - Sold

Offline cafesnrods

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 4
Re: 1977 cb550f cafe-brat build
« Reply #17 on: May 05, 2014, 07:13:55 PM »
I am also working on the wiring on my build (pics & thread to come soon...). Could you tell me where I might find a weatherproof blade style fuse box?

Thanks
If you're going through Hell........keep going ; )

Offline calj737

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 21,009
  • I refuse...
Re: 1977 cb550f cafe-brat build
« Reply #18 on: May 06, 2014, 06:09:08 AM »
Member Hondaman sells plug-and-play units. Or, Abec electronics, or eater beaver.com or... about any type of automotive supplier will have these..
'74 550 Build http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=126401.0
'73 500 Build http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132935.0

"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of it's victim may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated, but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." - C.S. Lewis

Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

  • Speak up, Whipper-Snapper! I'm a
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 15,731
  • SOHC/4 Member #1235
Re: 1977 cb550f cafe-brat build
« Reply #19 on: May 06, 2014, 08:04:56 AM »
Hondaman's unit is plug and play with the original style socket connector. You can also find them for under $10 on amazon.
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)
2008 Triumph Thruxton (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,190956.0.html)
2014 MV Agusta Brutale Dragster 800
2015 Yamaha FZ-09 (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,186861.0.html)

"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)

Sold/Emeritus
1973 CB750K2 "Bionic Mongrel" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132734.0) - Sold
1977 CB750K7 "Nine Lives" Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=50490.0) - Sold
2005 RVT1000RR RC51-SP2 "El Diablo" - Sold
2016+ Triumph Thruxton 1200 R (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,170198.0.html) - Sold

Offline cafesnrods

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 4
Re: 1977 cb550f cafe-brat build
« Reply #20 on: May 06, 2014, 04:02:27 PM »
Great! Thanks.
If you're going through Hell........keep going ; )