Topic: 500/550/650's that followed me home

[rb550four]

Tews , That looks like a pretty nice 650 to strip down, looks nicer than my favorite stock 650 ride( due for a freshening), what's up with it? No papers issue?
  I should like to offer an idea, take that 650 for a few rides before you break it down just to be sure that you like the ride better. It would be a shame to break down a perfectly serviceable 650 and drill out a swingarm mount in a 550 frame if you aren't sure that you'll like it.
 Good thing it's not a custom, they have some funky handlebars (  like Pee Wee Herman's Bicycle handle bars) and you wouldn't get a true satisfaction reading if you didn't change out them before riding.
 I like the feel of the 650 but  not the modern look, compared with the classic styling of the 500/550. That's basically why I do the switch...oh , and a couple more ponies don't hurt either.                                                                              rb

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Count me in for the 650 12-step group. 

[Tews19]

RB it has papers and runs! Pretty exciting but I'm going to wait till this deal I have goes through.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

My 550K4 frame has papers but in CA you need to show a semi-roadworthy bike to get a title and registration (doesn't need to run) -- and the engine goes on the registration, too.  So, I will need to get it into that point before I take it to AAA/DMV.

[rb550four]

Tews, I forgot to ask which 550 frame you will be using if you did the switch?
 I ask because the 76 and 77 F model seems to work out nicer than any of the K's do as a finished product. You'll need the F brake pedal anyways and on a K  after the carbs and chrome trim is on the sidecovers need a clearance cut.... not so on an F frame, it's seamless and flows like it was built that way, no side cover clearance issues,no brake pedal issues.
P
Picture of orange bike... 500 frame...see the black side covers had to be trimmed


On the F  the fit is seamless at the side cover. Sorry bout the crappy pics.

[Mcwilliams570]

I'm not sure if the paint is factory. I like the pipes. Solid and no rust. Curious what will the 650 get to in speed? This is an 81. I read 113 tops. I never plan to ride that fast just curious as I'm dying to do a 550/650 build.

Im Dying to watch you do a 550/650 build!

I'm dying to see Tews finish his 550 build. 

LOL

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Tews, I forgot to ask which 550 frame you will be using if you did the switch?
 I ask because the 76 and 77 F model seems to work out nicer than any of the K's do as a finished product. You'll need the F brake pedal anyways and on a K  after the carbs and chrome trim is on the sidecovers need a clearance cut.... not so on an F frame, it's seamless and flows like it was built that way, no side cover clearance issues,no brake pedal issues.

RB,

So if I stuff the 650 engine into my 78K frame, will I have to mod the frame?  I'm not planning to use sidecovers on my build.

Don

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Do you know if the valve train parts interchange between the 550 and 650?  Specifically, will valves, valve seals, springs, retainers for the 550 fit the 650 head?

[rb550four]

No cutting, the engine will slip right in.
The electrics can be a different story, I  use the 650 wiring harness and all the goodies that go with it, it is a tight fit with a stock 650airboxand the 650 battery location.... Although ScottS did the switch a couple years back and used the 550 harness, he also upgraded to a Pamco  and Pamco Pete installed it as I recall, Scott said he had to add a wire but didn't know where and to what,I haven't had a need to try the 550 harness yet but I don't think it'll be a mind bender to use it ( and less expensive electronic crap to replace  and install), perhaps I'll go with the 550 harness next time but I usually switch the entire 650 donor to the 500 or 550 frame.

[rb550four]

Don,
I'm sorry ,I haven't done a parts number check on those parts so I can't give you an answer on that, perhaps another member would know offhand.

[Tews19]

I have a 78k frame. I thought that is the same frame as any F?

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I have a 78k frame. I thought that is the same frame as any F?

I know the 74-76 frames differ from the 77-78 frames, but I heard that the K and F frames have a difference where the exhaust hangs on the F bikes on the right side of the frame.  I'm not sure about this, though.

[rb550four]

Tews,  it is similar , not the same, the side covers on the 78 k is longer much like the earlier Ks The 76 and 77 F have the  shorter, more rounded and compact look about them

I'm thinking the top brown side cover is from a 78 like yours, the bottom left is from a 76 F and the one on the bottom right is the early K ... if that helps.

Would this be more or less your 78?

Because I was just thinking that this may be a 77 according to the seat and that bike is at another location right now so I can't check

[rb550four]

Don , I have discovered that the rear peg/ exhaust hanger mount are in different places between the f and the k, the 650 pipes hung on the orange 500 frame was a direct bolt in  and the same pipes on the 77f misses by around an inch and requires alternative methods of hanging.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Don , I have discovered that the rear peg/ exhaust hanger mount are in different places between the f and the k, the 650 pipes hung on the orange 500 frame was a direct bolt in  and the same pipes on the 77f misses by around an inch and requires alternative methods of hanging.

Thanks, RB.  Are the exhaust hanger mounts in the same location for the 74-76Ks and the 77-78Ks?  The frames are definitely different as to the passenger peg brackets.  The bigger question is whether my 82 650C 4-2 exhaust will mount up to my 78 550K frame.

[rb550four]

Don, I can't tell ya, I haven't had an 82 650 yet. It could be as simple as making new triangular rear brackets to the  mounts, it shouldn't get any harder than that in any case .
 Oh , and since you have both bikes there , the question that I don't have a confirmed answer for is the front sprocket, do the 550 and 650 interchange on the output shaft? the chain sizes are different you know and I haven't had a chance to see if they are interchangeable or if the rear sprocket is also interchangeable... maybe I should just go outside and look now... I'll check in when I get back.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

True. It shouldn't be any big deal. 

[rb550four]

Okay , I'm back. The rear sprockets will not interchange. I don't have a 650 opened up in the barn right now so I can't confirm a front sprocket switch.
Will you be using the 650 swingarm and rear wheel for this project? If so you'll be better off with the stronger 650 chain too.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I'll be using a boxed style swingarm. Will need to turn spacers for the rear wheel.  I may use the 650 rear hub.

[rb550four]

So it's Saturday,it's been raining for a change, and I've swept out the barn. Then  thought, What better kind of day than this to trailer the next project  to the one clean space  left in the work area. That way, I can disassemble it and paint it before it gets too cold. The plan with this one , is to unchop the semichop.
  I built it a few years back when I wanted a chopper look but didn't want to cut the frame    ( a good thing to do if you think you may grow out of it), and I grew out of it.
 It has very extended forks, extended a 3 inch swing-arm , Kawi pipes, and I made a single seat (that is now on a different machine), and a dark metalflake green frame, and a metalflake greenish gold body color . These things will be going back to stock, I think, except for the exhaust...I kinda like that.
  Here's what it is in the garage.It's the gold bike. Oh, and there's a where's Waldo shot too.



Well, now that it's here , I can start stewing about it while I work on the 77. Oh oh , shaky pictures, I think a gin and tonic may be in order.

[Stev-o]

Is that Waldo with the cig in his mouth?!

[rb550four]

Yeah

[rb550four]

For those wanting three extra inches...
Of course we all want it, but not on the swing arm . Handling is effected a little more than slightly, again, you can get used to it and it's fun to show it off, but as any lady will tell you, if it doesn't improve performance, then it really isn't necessary.
That's why the swing arm is being changed to the slightly longer , stiffer , 650 swing arm.

Few items can be as sexy as a 650 swing arm on a 550.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Nice selfie.

[Tews19]

Is that Waldo with the cig in his mouth?!

Seriously funny comment!