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

[Stev-o]

Wow!

[seanbarney41]

holy #$%*



its a goddamn mid size sohc4 concentration camp

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

What the ...

[Restoration Fan]

OK I'll be the first to say it. Awesome. Freaking awesome.

[oldhatt45]

Is that picture a shot of a Honda Warehouse??? 
Or did we get time warped back to the Honda depot of the 70's??

That collection deserves to be on display!!!!!!

Really nice rb!!!

Do you do tours??  Would love to see your collection in person.

Charlie

[rb550four]

Well , the storms have past and the panic from the earthquake at the dam has subsided. The shop was too crowded, so I took some machines back to the theater yesterday. Nice to have my shop back. Just in time too, it's snow flurrying today and that would just ruin the winter polish jobs.
  Anyways, this exercise has given me time to pick the things I don't like on some of the older machines.  I left them in the shop to make changes easier. There's a couple seats I don't like , and 2 tanks have some paint bubbles where the rust is trying to take a hold again,( if anyone has a seat or tank they like to part with, let me know) and some surface rust on the exhaust collars and intake bands...hate that stuff. So that's all on the list before they go into winter storage.
  The camo bike is getting some new more aggressive tires on it this week. I'm hoping to finish up the sidecar and get it permanently mounted.
  The Wing is in the corner slowly pissin some kind of fluid on the floor....seems like old gas but doesn't smell like it.Spring project.
I lost the key to an 81' GPZ1100 fuel tank that is on a cafe'd 500, we have a local locksmith here but I don't want him to play with my toys . so the search is on for a new key.

[RAFster122s]

How many bikes is that?  I can't even count them as it is having my eyes jump around too much... pretty well packed into that space.
If they were sold for $2500/each I would imagine you would have a nice stack of hundreds or thousand dollar bills.
It would be interesting to see how many of each color you have.

I am glad you were able to safely get them out of any potential harm.

David

[rb550four]

Hopefully they'll be safe in their winter home, but if there's another threat to their well being, they'll be back on a trailer to higher ground again.
2 orange
2 black
2 black metalflake cherry
2 metalflake lime green
1 metalflake cast iron
4 sunrise metalflake orange
1 Mercedes maroon
1 metallic canyon red
1 metallic gold
1 70's European theater camo
2  solid red
1  light metallic blue
1  Dark solid blue with light blue
1 metalflake garnet
1 dark green metalflake
4 or more metallic red, can't remember for sure, but I think there's more red than sunrise orange
 There are no whites , yellows, or purples...I should broaden my spectrum.
Silly, isn't it?
Right now , I'd rather have the bikes than the money , so I don't think about it. They just make me feel happy.
 Gosh, that really sounds silly.

[RAFster122s]

Wow, it is quite a collection.  You probably own more 500/550/650s than anyone else here on SOHC4 forums
Thanks for the rundown.  I agree with your sentiments of hopefully it is the last trip to high ground.
Long range El Nino forecast for here is a colder than normal winter season with lots of snow.

[2strokeTrush]

Any 4into4 550 pipes you got in that collection to get rid of?

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Any 4into4 550 pipes you got in that collection to get rid of?

No kidding!

If the bikes make you feel happy, I don't see a problem!

[rb550four]

I must say, like I've always said about rebuilding these machines, THAT IT SHOULD BE FUN.
 I enjoy the rebuild part as much as the occasional ride.
 Figuring out different things you can do with the same base model (more or less) to make them look unlike the one beside it , without cutting the frame,is just allot of fun to do . Resurrecting a seized machine that is going to the crusher, well that's just the cherry on the top. different colors , seats ,fork sizes, pipes and sometimes mixing in another makes parts like the kz 650  2 into 1 's mufflers when you can't find decent chrome ones anywhere...they are a bit longer than Honda's , but I think they look badass on a 550.
     It's just for fun. They aren't factory colors ...the Camo bike was a kick because it was a sweep the floor bike, the paint was fun and painting parts that aren't supposed to be painted besides being fun, is like having license to get away with something.
     I never claimed to be making a factory restoration out of any of them, but I try never to cut a frame in case the next guy wants to do a restoration. gives me a guideline , a base  with parameters to stay in, won't color outside the lines, and it keeps it all real to me, part of the fun.
     Yeah I could've hardtailed one and no one would care , but I'd rather pick up an Amen frame and go full on chopper. That sounds like more fun. Any deeper than that....might as well buy a Harley.
      I just hope that every other member here enjoys a rebuild as much as I do, no matter what kind of project they have .
It's good for the  mind and soul .
      I don't know if anyone has caught on in any of my threads , but after all but loosing my business, my wife' s business, 2 commercial buildings , 5 motorcycles, and the 2 years of life wasted on a rebuilding our lives due to Hurricane Irene, I was at the end of my rope. Could have gone either way, didn't matter. The one constant that saved my sanity and gave me what I needed to go on was the pleasure I got from spending time rebuilding these machines. It was the break I needed to escape what was happening for the better part of each day , every day. Rebuilt both commercial buildings, both businesses and a crap load of bikes just to even things out. These machines basically saved my life. Sounds pathetic? Don't care. These machines got me through one of the longest darkest times I ever had.....I think that's why I can't sell any of them. Even more pathetic, right? Don't care,  I'm here today, with these reminders of what got me through. A hoarder, probably, but I have my reason.

[Stev-o]

Not pathetic at all, rb.  It obviously worked to get you through, you could have easily hit the bottle instead and not rebuilt what you have today.

Hat's off to you!

[rb550four]

Thanks StevO .
 And I didn't forget  but don't quite know how to say that this forum and the good people that are here, have played a large part too. This forum was the only escape intellectually and socially for me at that time. While the  disaster was on everyone's mind locally and was all anyone ever talked about, there was no escape. This forum and it's members that are spread out all over the world were both far enough away where the flood was not a focus, and close enough to be supportive. We have a special group of people  here .
 I know I haven't mentioned this before or said thank you all for being here.
Thank you all for being here.

[RAFster122s]

RB, I am glad you found the outlet to keep your sanity, your marriage and to rebuild the businesses. Not everyone has the inner strength to overcome those events. It is good to have something that brings you peace you have working on the bikes and to enjoy.  I understand what you are saying and the attachment for the bikes. They have a story and it is part of you.  Nothing wrong with it, it is healthy. There may come a time when you no longer need all of them and you reach a point where you let them go, or it may be that you never reach that point.
Enjoy them.
Thanks for sharing the story and sharing the creations.
Exhaust system options that are good quality are getting hard to find for the 550. It doesn't yet have the aftermarket support of the 750. Lots of people would love to have the stock pipes,  but really no close 4 into 4 selection out there yet.  It is interesting the concept you would give up the 4 in to 4 systems you have on completed bikes to give someone else something you probably had to scrounge to find. I am going to step on toes...hopefully they are big boys and can take it.  Or just because you may not currently actively ride.
Have a great week.
David

[oldhatt45]

rb550four,

I hear you!  None of what you have said is pathetic.  I've had similar periods of time myself and understand how you just can't get away from your own thoughts. 

And it is always a Very Good thing to have a retreat to go to, so you can rebalance yourself. 

Charlie
PS:  That is a Very Nice Collection!!!!!

[Restoration Fan]

And I didn't forget  but don't quite know how to say that this forum and the good people that are here, have played a large part too. This forum was the only escape intellectually and socially for me at that time. While the  disaster was on everyone's mind locally and was all anyone ever talked about, there was no escape. This forum and it's members that are spread out all over the world were both far enough away where the flood was not a focus, and close enough to be supportive. We have a special group of people  here .

Well said, rb!
And no it isn't pathetic at all.  To be honest, I personally think it makes your collection all that much cooler.  And I echo your sentiments 100% regarding this forum and the people on it.

Nowhere in life have I experienced such a community of people so willing to give advice, helping hands, and in many cases, needed parts for builds.

You have to understand that when we began the restoration of Stella, neither Logan nor I had ever really worked on a motorcycle before.  We had no idea how much we really didn't know.  And we didn't have the option of not finishing the bike....his grade and ability to graduate from high school were dependent upon it.  That's why I was thrilled to discover this community and the camaraderie that exists on it from people whom you may never meet in person.  Once we got into it, I was hooked and Logan and I were able to share an experience that neither of us will never forget.  We both learned an incredible amount and I realize that it would have never been at all possible had it not been for this forum.  So I thank all of you as well.

Ron

[Stev-o]

Hey rb......is the snow flying up there?    Got the snow bike out yet? 

Where is that video, I can't find it?

[rb550four]

Yeah, we have a little bit of snow blowin around. Been heavy winds here the past few days....think it's the same snow just blowing around and around and Brrr ,cold too.
  Have the snowbike torn down , haven't been in the shop since before Dec.  My 100+ year old barn has been in need of jacking , rebuild,and a roof for years...you know that I do that stuff for a living...could never make the time to do my own. On Dec 7th I decided to do something about it , jacked it up and reset the laid up stone foundation,removed a failing bank of windows on the 2nd floor and framed in, cut the roof and sapling rafter system out of it and got it pretty straight again. Then put up some rough sawn rafters. Boy was that crap heavy, there may have been birds living in that lumber the day before, when it was still in TREE form. Doing it alone as the crew is off doing other things this winter. Had some nice, nice weather until the holidays and made slow but steady progress.

 We have some arctic stuff going on now, so I'll wait a bit before I put the metal roof  on it. The old barn second floor will handle all of the wife's storage (28x37 feet) needs that is currently piled in my shop. She'll get a  1st floor potting shed in it later on, and I get more cycle storage that I didn't have before. Sounded like a good idea in December, but it'll be getting done as soon as temps go up a shade.
  StevO The snowbike stuff on you tube

[Restoration Fan]

rb,
You know I've got PLENTY of room in my basement if you need a place to store some of those 550's for a period.  I promise to keep them nice and exercised for you, too.  Once it warms up that is...I just winterized Stella this weekend because I don't like to ride when it's down around/below freezing.

Ron

[rb550four]

Can't say I'd blame you for winterizing Stella. I find riding in the cold to be especially not enjoyable. So much so that last year I sold my snowmobile to the local snowmobile shop for peanuts...and I trailered it there just to make sure they wouldn't back out of the deal.
  Just a few more months and we can get bikes ready for next season.

[RAFster122s]

Biggest issue in riding in the cold is having a layer on the outside that is roomy enough to layer properly to keep warm that is water and wind proof. Then you have to use fabrics against your skin that will absorb and move the moisture away from your body. Cotton is one of the worst fabric to use especially on inner layers. Wool or polypropelene keep you warmer and drier. Wool not as much drier but, it doesn't loose heating effectiveness when damp or wet. Underarmor is expensive but worth the money in the long run for keeping you dry and warm. It or a pair of polypropelene or silk against your skin will keep you warm without being  too hot when indoors, Not as many layers have  to be shed.
I THINK it is Aerostitch that makes excellent one piece riding coveralls that are very $$ but, if you ride in cold weather they are great to use if you can afford them. Just be sure your bike insurance covers gear replacement. I can't afford a $1k riding suit very often...like years... Cortech makes some great cold weathee gloves and heated grips and wind blockers for the grips and a large windshield can make cold weather riding possible without as much discomfort.

I wonder if coated nylon like they use on better tents as a water resistent tent fabric would keep you dry if you used seam sealer over the seams and finished the seams to be covered in an overlap or welt to the rear of your direction of travel.
If it would you could make some weathrr resistent coveralls fairly easily using a large pair of coveralls to size it generously.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I recently took a ride from Long Beach to Morro Bay.  The ride was exceptionally chilly, even with heated grips (I borrowed my friend's BMW R Nine T).  I was wearing a Freeze-out gillet-jacket and balaclava under my jacket and helmet, and thermals under my armored jeans.  I thought I was properly geared up, and I was plenty comfortable in the morning and day.

All was well until the sun went down, and we had 40 degree temperatures combined with the wind chill of riding. The heated grips helped keep my hands and blood in my arms warm, but each time we stopped to refuel, the colder blood in my lower body would send me in to chills.  One of the guys riding had proper BMW GS touring gear, including an under-jacket and gloves with electric heating.  What I would have given for that gear in the cold!!

[rb550four]

  Prepare as we may but , few things in this life can compare with riding on an 80 degree day in the sun.

[RAFster122s]

Amen to that one RB...
But at the extreme...nothing like riding in a 100 degree day or 110 to 120F in Phoenix area or 120+ in Yuma... I prefer Tucson's cooler typical max of 110...
anything over 100 is just too dang hot...
But, I do love the dry heat...muscle aches evaporate in that weather as it is like having a heat pack on your back as opposed to the dull ache and typical sharp pains and attention getting pain winter brings...
Compression related neuropathy kicks into high gear... I wish I were back in Southern AZ...year round.