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

[rb550four]

So , I haven't bought a bike since last summer, that's not to say that I stopped lookin. Last week I was in full camo, on the hunt through the thickest of Craig's List (I wear a fishing cap when I'm just trawling) when I came across a 77 550 for a grand and my shop is empty and well , you know.

                       Empty Shop
 so I shot him a line told him what I'd pay, so he cut the price in half, nice of him  for sure but, I only pay 350 for machines that don't run or have papers and he has my offer if he gets in a jamb.
    Well , as most everyone know ,that today is Mother's Day , and I figure ,what better a thing you can do with your children's mother than to take her for a long ride on sunny day.....in the truck....with a trailer.
 The bike was in Utica( An hour and a half away) and I was hoping to make my way up to Syracuse to visit another member but ,once she caught wind of the bike pick up, all other plans were squashed for the day.
  It's just the way I like it, beat  and dirty... been outside since 93. This is what it looked like when I got it home.



Sorry the pictures are a little shaky , it was a long ride home... but worth it.
Rolled it into the shop gave it a kick...ENGINE IS FREE for a change , I was so excited I push it right up the lift with the kick stand still down , which prompted the 550 off the ramp landing on the 650. It's all fun and games right? All in all , I had a decent mothers day.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

$350!?  Exceptionally good deal.  What do you have in store for it?

[Stev-o]

Looks pretty good for $350.  Congrats

[chewbacca5000]

Congrats Rich!  I was looking at a similar one on cl.  Maybe that is the one guys was asking 1K.  You got it for $350?  Was this a package deal or something?  Either way good on you.  Hope you didn't get in too much trouble.

I probably got enough parts in your box to bring this one back to life.  I'd have to make the trip down your way and check out your latest addition.  Sitting since 93 that is a long sit.  I have one that has been sitting since 1980 bet that will be fun.

[rb550four]

Planning for it...Vermont plates, tear down , repaint, clean up... of course the story goes" it was running when it was parked." It isn't seized for a change so, I might clean the carbs,plugs ,points ,oil and filter, and see what it does first .If it looks promising perhaps I won't rebuild the engine, like that ever happens in my garage. I usually drop the pan ,find something I don't like. Then tear it down to find out what it is, then I can  check the bottom end thoroughly,new rings, primary chain , cam chain and see what the valves need, the usual stuff.
 Then there's always cables, clutch ,brakes and wheel bearings This will be the first 550 that I bought with the intent to resell...haven't sold one yet, guess we'll see if I can part with it when it's done.Even if I don't , there's got to be room for one more ,right?
   Chew not a package deal. I found that I have to set limits for myself   
 up to 350 for untitled parts/ project bikes, ugly,dead for years
          400 with title, complete,dead for years
          500 for a runner with title if better than ugly
          More depending on overall condition,title, running, pretty
          I don't look at anything over 1000 because I'll only rebuild it anyways
                And that is fair pricing for the condition of north eastern states bikes and how much needs to    be replaced.
           and I never look at cafe projects because the frames have been cut, the wiring is usually a rat's    nest, most of the stock parts are gone, and somebody's friend rebuilt the motor and it hasn't run since.
         I figure spending anything more than this is stupid money, and it cuts into the pleasure I get while working on them because they can't make profit at resale after being rebuilt . So to me, this dictates what the sale price for conditions are all about. It's all part of the fun.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Planning for it...Vermont plates, tear down , repaint, clean up... of course the story goes" it was running when it was parked." It isn't seized for a change so, I might clean the carbs,plugs ,points ,oil and filter, and see what it does first .If it looks promising perhaps I won't rebuild the engine, like that ever happens in my garage. I usually drop the pan ,find something I don't like. Then tear it down to find out what it is, then I can  check the bottom end thoroughly,new rings, primary chain , cam chain and see what the valves need, the usual stuff.
 Then there's always cables, clutch ,brakes and wheel bearings This will be the first 550 that I bought with the intent to resell...haven't sold one yet, guess we'll see if I can part with it when it's done.Even if I don't , there's got to be room for one more ,right?
   Chew not a package deal. I found that I have to set limits for myself   
 up to 350 for untitled parts/ project bikes, ugly,dead for years
          400 with title, complete,dead for years
          500 for a runner with title if better than ugly
          More depending on overall condition,title, running, pretty
          I don't look at anything over 1000 because I'll only rebuild it anyways
                And that is fair pricing for the condition of north eastern states bikes and how much needs to    be replaced.
           and I never look at cafe projects because the frames have been cut, the wiring is usually a rat's    nest, most of the stock parts are gone, and somebody's friend rebuilt the motor and it hasn't run since.
         I figure spending anything more than this is stupid money, and it cuts into the pleasure I get while working on them because they can't make profit at resale after being rebuilt . So to me, this dictates what the sale price for conditions are all about. It's all part of the fun.

I wish those prices were possible in California. 

[calj737]

Beneath all the rust, there's some hints of prior upgrades. Allen heads on side covers, steel vent lines on carbs, etc.

Who knows, you may have just happened upon a previously well-maintained bike that just got out aside and forgotten. A good ATF/Acetone soak in the cylinders is still an awfully good idea after dropping the pan.

Congrats!

[Stev-o]

Hey rb - so with Vermont plates, can you get a NY title later?

[chewbacca5000]

Hey rb - so with Vermont plates, can you get a NY title later?

After a year he can get a transferable registration.  The real question is will that trans reg become a title in NY?  I have no idea, but will find out when I go to register a 71 from OHIO.  It has a title, but NY did not issue titles until 73.  So will they go by OHIO law or NY law.

Answer is it depends on who is sitting behind the counter.  They are going to want to default to NY, but if I push the ohio had title thing, and get a nice clerk they might get the big book out an look up ohios rules and issue a title.

[deafcaferacer]

subscribed

[rb550four]

    So I took an hour to play with the pipes, I was hoping that I finally stumbled onto a restorable exhaust, didn't happen this time either, the thin layer of chrome was hiding some serious rust holes. Another Mac I guess. But I finally have a chrome chain guard.
      Yes it does look like there's been some work done before seller's father died . The cases, and some other engine parts were chromed, the bolts were switched to Allen heads, front disc drilled out, drag bars,stainless vent lines, stainless pods, and  some paint. It could have been really nice back in 93...not so much now.
      I'm gonna check the pan and see what's there. then the engine comes out for repaint or rebuild.
No dents in the frame so it gets stripped and painted. I've always stuck with roller bearing but, I really want to try out tapered rollers for a change.
     The wiring is bone stock , no squirrels nest so far, but I haven't been into the bucket yet.
I have a 650 with low low mileage I was toying with the idea of blending the two machines but the 650 is very restorable and the 550 is basically complete.....could go either way....Oh what to do?

[Stev-o]

Since the 550 is complete, I would keep it that way. 

[rocs]

Exciting thread!

I am new to the SOHC4 world and bought a 1974 Honda CB550 last month. I also have the bug now and bought an other 1978 Honda CB550 today on craigslist on the whim.

Looking forward to your build.

[Mcwilliams570]

Nice find rb try the tapered rollers you will like them. Hit me up if you need any parts.

Matt

[rb550four]

Thanks Matt. Yes I have to try these tapered rollers this time just to see what they are like.
 Opened up the oil pan today , a little fine aluminum filings , but no chunks. I was feeling lucky when I snapped on a rubber glove to check for primary chain slack. Wasn't much of a test , The chain was hanging like a ball sack. Oh well, looks like rebuild. I 'm guessing the timing chain is played too so I'll order both.
I hope the top end is in good shape , but this we will find out when it's getting broken down,  but  probably doesn't make a bit of difference either way.
Then I saw a ray of hope in a 550 engine that came in the last RUNNING (yeah right) bike I picked up in Albany.  I put a spare rebuilt off the shelf for that one. So I was hoping ,well maybe, no. Same story.
 Now 2 engines to rebuild so I have a spare on the shelf ready for the next  next project.
I'm thinking that if I could own enough machines , and keep them long enough, one day, I won't have to buy one from strangers because I can just rebuild what's in the garage......Think of all the money that will save!

[Stev-o]

rb - one of the guys here did that, called it sweep the floor bike.  Used mostly leftover parts from other projects, cost was minimal and came out great.

[Mcwilliams570]

rb - one of the guys here did that, called it sweep the floor bike.  Used mostly leftover parts from other projects, cost was minimal and came out great.

Yeah Stev-o that was a neat project.   http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=105624.0..

Rich I am like you last year I will have 9 bikes in my shed no room to work lol.

[rb550four]

Yes, I know ScottS did that after the 650 engine in the 550 frame thread. I was interested in that thread because I've not been a total purist when it comes to model year integrations on my machines. A stickler could find fault with most of them when it comes to that. And I didn't see many members offended by scotts' use of off year parts. I use what I have too and that's okay with me and I save $ that way. Most of my machines would have been lost to the crusher anyways.
   But when it comes to the engines, I buy new Honda parts and so far , every engine in every machine has been top off, cases split, primary chain, cam chain, rings, sometimes pistons, always all gaskets, shifter seal, kickstart seal, clutch, pucks and a valve lapping is the minimum that gets done. Sometimes a dyna S ,most times points plugs condensers, allot of Mac exhaust here lately. So to me, engines are engines, they get what they need and cost what it costs.Can't skimp on an engine.
  Matt, 9 bikes? Oh my! Where's the threads? I know you were kicking around some cool ideas.

[rb550four]

Rocs, you already have a 550 then picked another one up on a whim? Did you check your pulse when you picked it up? If no one has told you yet, there is no such thing as a whim purchase after your first one.
  IT'S HAPPENING TO ROCS TOO! Rocs! Pretty soon you'll find yourself on the other side of town, probably in some forgotten alley with a 14 mm ( for loosening up seized front brakes), an air tank for flat tires , and a chain splitter( for rusted chain removal). That's the works for the sohc junkie. Your friend is sitting in a running truck on the street while you score....yeah , we've seen this all here before, non of us are reformed , we're all active here, we know what you're going through..... the Jonesin, the chronic craigs list readings sometimes twice a day,the sneaking off with the truck , all to get another fix....you hide them from those closest to you, but will show it off to strangers....yeah we know.   Rocs,Rocs ,Rocs, there is no cure....and there is no such thing as a purchase on a whim. We are all here for ya man, all here for ya.

[Stev-o]

Rocs, you already have a 550 then picked another one up on a whim? Did you check your pulse when you picked it up? If no one has told you yet, there is no such thing as a whim purchase after your first one.
  IT'S HAPPENING TO ROCS TOO! Rocs!Pretty soon you'll find yourself on the other side of town, probably in some forgotten alley with a 14 mm ( for loosening up seized front brakes), an air tank for flat tires , and a chain splitter( for rusted chain removal).That's the works for the sohc junkie.Your friend is sitting in a running truck on the street while you score....yeah , we've seen this all here before, non of us are reformed , we're all active here, we know what you're going through..... the Jonesin, the chronic craigs list readings sometimes twice a day,the sneaking of with the truck , all to get another fix....you hide them from those closest to you, but will show it off to strangers....yeah we know.   Rocs,Rocs ,Rocs, there is no cure....and there is no such thing as a purchase on a whim. We are all here for ya man, all here for ya.

Oh yeah, I know it so well.  Written like a true addict, rb!

[Mcwilliams570]

I have no idea what you are talking about RB

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I have no idea what you are talking about RB

Too close to the truth

[rb550four]

New plan, well maybe an old one but it's a decision ,so far. Steampunk! just kidding!
This 550 is in decent shape - engine won't be ready for a while and I want to get er done.
  Semi chopped 550,low miler , but extended forks, extended swing arm and $hit paint job, needs nothing
but to be set up to non chopper and paint to be truly enjoyable again.
   81 650 standard 1200 mile engine, complete, have new wires and electrics.
Yes , I want to Frankenstein all 3 bikes, but the 650 frame won't be part of this proposed finished projects. Sorry 650 fan's, but nothing else will go to waste.
 I'm thinking good 550 engine from semi chop K model to soon to be repainted 77 550 frame- finish the 77F
 I'm thinking good 650 engine, swingarm, r.wheel , front end to soon to be repainted unchopper frame-finish that.
 But the 77F is a better candidate for the 650 swingarm because of the brake pedal... means the F swing arm goes into the K or I can use a spare K swingarm for the K,  So all 3 should be in pieces at the same time,and will be addressed then.  Electrodes... where the hell am I gonna put the electrodes?
 There shouldn't be anything left of the 650 but frame , no worries, I never throw anything away . and this exercise should provide parts for another distant  550 project.
 

[rb550four]

  77 550 F is almost broken down,will strip the paint and rust off it next.

The 650 donor will be last to be broken down,will give engine and suspension to 550 k semichop

The 550 semi chop that will be engine donor for the 77Fand recipient of  650 parts

It looked so much better to me before it was being built

Sorry, was lacking  in pictures before.

[Bankerdanny]

I like that shade of gold. What is it?