Author Topic: CB550K 1977 - rehab/build thread (Read 8971 times)

billingstitan · « **on:** June 08, 2014, 09:42:43 PM »

Hey guys - so this is not strictly a 'build' thread, more like a rehab - just picked this up for $1275 and am going through the basics to get it roadworthy.

Background - PO took meticulous care of his bikes, but sadly passed on, and so this sat in heated garage for what looks like a decade or more - lots of dust and grime and varnish - but pretty beautiful shape beneath everything - best I've come across that hadn't been at least partially rehabbed by someone.

billingstitan · « **Reply #1 on:** June 08, 2014, 09:47:11 PM »

First issue was a crudded up front brake - drained the master of sludge and ran fresh DOT3 through it for about 10 minutes straight - pictures didn't come out - too bright out for my iphone I guess.

You'll also see some nasty rust on a couple of the original four into four pipes - but first CB550 I've had the pleasure of riding w/ the original exhaust. Smooooth.

billingstitan · « **Reply #2 on:** June 08, 2014, 09:50:19 PM »

Airbox is totally complete with all hoses - even the elusive drain hose! Hate the seat - it almost looks like a stock option?

Anyone know if you can recover these natty old king/queen style seats and replace the foam to give it a stock look?

Thamuz · « **Reply #3 on:** June 08, 2014, 09:53:01 PM »

I had one of the, nasty seats. Turned out to be some misbegotten kit. What is that other seat for then?? The one hanging on the side?

Also, do you plan on keeping the fairing on that and the sissybar?

billingstitan · « **Reply #4 on:** June 08, 2014, 09:57:09 PM »

Changed the oil and filter - filled it up with some 91 octane and put some seafoam in it today. Bled the front brake, but I can tell that caliper is going to need to come apart. It sticks - and the disc was hot enough to sizzle after just a mile.

Simple enough - I've managed to fix the endemic front brake squeal on my past CB550s, so hoping for the same here - I'll get pictures when I get into that procedure. Pretty straight forward, but might be of use to someone.

Almost wanna keep this crazy fairing and sissy bar on just for kicks - buuuuut NO. Got a new headlight and fork ears arriving tomorrow morn so that will be the next step. My buddy had to give his best 70s impression before it all comes off

billingstitan · « **Reply #5 on:** June 08, 2014, 09:58:51 PM »

@Thumoz: Nope - the fairing and sissy bar and luggage rack are going immediately - for sale cheap if anyone's interested. That's not another seat (I wish!) it's the back pad for the sissy bar, came off during the trip home between bozeman and billings.

dave500 · « **Reply #6 on:** June 08, 2014, 09:59:21 PM »

its groovy!wheres the "keep on truckin"t shirt?

billingstitan · « **Reply #7 on:** June 08, 2014, 10:03:10 PM »

So first question is if anyone has any thoughts on whether this seat pan is able to be salvaged and recovered, I'd appreciate any input. Looks like a stock pan - haven't measured it against my other to be sure, but everything looks like it's in the right place at first glance.

I got a stock seat on my other CB550 that I'm recovering -- but it's is more of a cafe style - pondering buying a cafe seat for that one and just switching ... but I prefer the stock seat on both if possible.

billingstitan · « **Reply #8 on:** June 08, 2014, 10:04:56 PM »

@Dave - right!?! I must admit I had a lot of fun putting around the neighborhood on it today. All I was missing was my bell bottoms

billingstitan · « **Reply #9 on:** June 08, 2014, 10:13:05 PM »

Second question is the pipes - any repair for rust holes, or is it best just to look for a replacement on fleabay or on here? Two of them are in great shape - the other two look great, but then you look under and see the rust. Must say this bike seems to run really well on these 4 into 4s - almost like it was designed that way

In any case - gonna do my best to document as I work to bring this baby back to life - I've benefited so much for your various built threads and advice, I'm going to try to keep this going - even though with my OCD it's hard to get myself to stop and actually take pictures $:-\$

Will show the fairing and headlamp installation next, and then try to detail the front brake caliper rehab - I've done a few of those and always have had good luck, so hopefully that might come in handy as these front brakes are a recurring problem -

billingstitan · « **Reply #10 on:** June 09, 2014, 08:54:12 PM »

Sooo, off with the fairing tonight - fortunately looks like the blinkers are in good shape and unplugged no problemo.

billingstitan · « **Reply #11 on:** June 09, 2014, 09:01:09 PM »

Lots of wires - worry about these another day

Headlamp should be here tomorrow.

billingstitan · « **Reply #12 on:** June 09, 2014, 09:05:58 PM »

I'm really tempted to try to get a few more miles out of these tires - the tread doesn't look half bad $:-\$ (Yes, I AM kidding). Guess I'll go ahead and spring for some Shinko's - can't beat the price on these:

Shinko 712 Front Tire, Size- 100/90H-19
SKU#54309, Shipped $49.96

Shinko 712 Rear Tire, Size- 110/90H-18, Shipped $49.99

Found a nice surprise in the fairing - original owner's manual and tool kit

billingstitan · « **Reply #13 on:** June 09, 2014, 09:10:40 PM »

Starting to look better already ... tires are on the way; new front and rear bearings; new brake pads, fork seals, and seal for the front caliper.

Between that and the headlight/fork ears, I should have a busy weekend, but hopefully should be roadworthy enough to start putting a few miles on it. Pretty sure nothing could be better for it than just some road time to get those gaskets and seals rehydrated.

dave500 · « **Reply #14 on:** June 10, 2014, 02:16:38 AM »

looking great,do a short oil and filter change on it aswell.

billingstitan · « **Reply #15 on:** June 10, 2014, 10:38:26 PM »

@Dave500: Thanks for the advice - will do. Planning on getting it roadworthy in the next week, then put a few hundred miles on it while I tinker with the other stuff, then I'll change out the oil and filter again at about 300 miles.

dave500 · « **Reply #16 on:** June 10, 2014, 10:45:07 PM »

if your up for it drop the pan,itll have packed settled sludge worth removing before you run it much?

billingstitan · « **Reply #17 on:** June 11, 2014, 07:52:34 AM »

That's wise advice - thanks. I'm pulling the forks and wheels tonight, so I might as well drop that oil pan too. It almost looks like I can get it out of there with those four-into-fours on there, although that is probably a 'pipe' dream.

Fortunately I've got a extra oil pan gasket and exhaust gaskets from my last debacle anyway, so it's a good excuse to get that out of the pile 'o parts and put those to good use.

billingstitan · « **Reply #18 on:** June 12, 2014, 07:48:46 PM »

Got the wheels off today and installed a couple new tires. Front axle nut gave me fits - - PB blasted it and let it sit overnight, but still took a breaker bar and a friend's help to finally get it free.

billingstitan · « **Reply #19 on:** June 12, 2014, 07:53:46 PM »

Both axles were locked into the hubs - I expected to see rust, but they were fairly clean - but need a drift and mini-sledge to tap them out. Rims had a bit of rust inside, but nothing some PB blaster and a brass brush couldn't take care of ... blasted them with brake cleaner after to ensure the rims were clean and dry.

Mounted them both - wow, these tires are so much easier than the sportbike tires!

Is there anything that looks better than brand new tires? Maybe it's just me

billingstitan · « **Reply #20 on:** June 12, 2014, 07:58:45 PM »

Great

- inspected the tires after mounting (maybe shoulda done that BEFORE, eh?).

Noticed a crack/split in the sidewall of the front tire. First time I've tried these Shinko tires - hopefully it's just a random flaw and not indicative of the quality. I've heard only good things about them, so we'll see.

Motorcycle Superstore was awesome on the return ... no big deal at this point, because it will be a bit before I get everything else installed and have it up and running - and they have crazy fast shipping.

I dunno - looked serious enough to me to return anyway.

calj737 · « **Reply #21 on:** June 13, 2014, 05:03:37 AM »

Did you replace the wheel bearings while they were off? If not, now is the time to do so, especially if you're returning the tires...

billingstitan · « **Reply #22 on:** June 13, 2014, 07:21:32 AM »

Haven't done the wheel bearings yet, they're still in transit, but are on the list - front ones didn't seem too bad, but the way those axles were stuck makes me suspicious. Rear ones def seem cooked -- they turn, but barely.

Hoping to get to both bearings this weekend, along with the front brake, fork seals and (maybe) take a stab at wiring up the headlight.

flybox1 · « **Reply #23 on:** June 13, 2014, 08:07:21 AM »

The Shinkos arent bad tires. Sorry you got a bad one. What was the build date on the sidewall?
The PO of my 750 put new on just before selling to me and i've been riding on them for the past 18mos or so.
I like them, but will use them another season or two before going back to Avon AM26's

billingstitan · « **Reply #24 on:** June 13, 2014, 11:45:52 AM »

Thanks for the input - that's good to hear about the Shinko tires!

Those Avons were actually my original choice, but someone pointed me at the Shinko's and I figured it was worth trying. Everything I read sounded very positive. And hell - these old bikes nickel and dime you enough, I'll save where I can.

It's no big deal anyway - just another tire change. Glad I caught it before I put any miles on it - prob wouldn't have been so easy to return then. The replacement will be here before the bike's ready to hit the road anyway. Got at least a couple weekends of work just to get it roadworthy.

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Author Topic: CB550K 1977 - rehab/build thread (Read 8971 times)