Topic: CB550F in Arlington Texas

[550TX]

Back in the '80s I had a CB550F. Loved that bike and rode it everywhere. One sad day it was stolen. I've always hoped to replace it. Now I finally have.

I spent all day sorting out wires and deferred maintenance. Still need tires and shocks to really ride it, but it's a lovely machine already. I have several bikes and have had many. This one has soul.

[arncruz]

Really nice ride.  Congrats.  I have the same bike but not that nice.  Are you keeping it stock or modifying it?

[550TX]

The paint isn't as good as it looks in the photo, some peeling clearcoat. I may respray some clear to protect it from further damage. I'll change the bars and make the suspension safe but otherwise leave it alone. Too many of these beautiful old bikes get butchered.

[Stev-o]

Welcome from Lake Travis.   Nice 550.  The bars do not look like the stock ones.

What other bikes do you have?

[550TX]

Well, it's been a fun (*expensive) couple of days. Fork oil, instrument lights, flasher unit done. Dipstick, handlebars, brake pads, chain & sprockets, shocks, and tires ordered. Still need to sort out mirrors and why the headlight is so dim.

After that I'll decide if I want to switch out exhaust to preserve the amazingly intact original and let the I-4 howl.

[TwoTired]

Pretty bike have there.
I have one that is likely not in as good a condition, but still a great bike and one of my favorites.  Even if the clear coat is peeling.   

If you change the exhaust, you'll need to rejet and readjust the carbs.  Still, if you decide to do that, keep me in mind. I'd love to put those pipes on my 75 F as part of the restoration.

[Stev-o]

I'd keep that exhaust on it.   
It's possible to wet sand the peeling clear coat and reshoot it with clear.  I did it on my RD350 and it turned out good. 

[550TX]

Thanks Steve-o, I think that's the way I'll go for now. If I did change the pipes it would be primarily to preserve the originals. There is a small bit of corrosion where it tapers toward the tip and I don't want it to spread. I know most of these exhausts have rusted completely away.

[flatlander]

nice clean looking bike you have there. keeping it original sounds like a good plan.

like stev-o i'd keep the exhaust on. they have become pretty rare so i understand your urge to preserve it but why not show off what you have? i also like that it's so quiet, makes it great on longer runs.
the only thing you need to be careful with is condensation which can make the muffler rot from inside. but if you make sure you burn it off, i.e. use the bike for trips of 30mins or more then it's nothing to worry about. you can look here for how i treated mine: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=134863.msg1524111#msg1524111

[tool14]

welcome