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Author Topic: First attempt @ building a Cafe('74 CB 550 four) Looking for Guidance! Pic added  (Read 9649 times)

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Offline apex_seeking

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Re: First attempt @ building a Cafe('74 CB 550 four) Looking for Guidance! Pic added
« Reply #50 on: January 31, 2011, 12:29:59 PM »
Here is what I was going to pick up later this year. I don't know how aggressive you ride but if you aren't knee draggin' then I hear these are decent. The price isn't too bad and I personally think the vintage look is way better than modern sport tires. I'm sure you'll get about a million opinions though from much more experienced riders than myself.

I would shop around, read reviews and ask lots of questions. You have access to a ton of info here and no one is too shy to tell you what they know ;)
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Offline Syscrush

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Re: First attempt @ building a Cafe('74 CB 550 four) Looking for Guidance! Pic added
« Reply #51 on: January 31, 2011, 12:46:16 PM »
Quote from: apex_seeking on January 31, 2011, 12:29:59 PM
I personally think the vintage look is way better than modern sport tires.
Agreed.  I love the look of Firestones but haven't decided yet if I've got the guts to actually ride 'em after some of the horror stories I've heard.
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Life is precious: wear your f'n helmet!
There's nothing more expensive than a free bike...
FWIW, I'm not a shill for Race Tech - I've just got a thing for good suspension and the RTCE's are the most cost-effective mod for these old damping rod front ends.

Offline brettster26

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Re: First attempt @ building a Cafe('74 CB 550 four) Looking for Guidance! Pic added
« Reply #52 on: March 07, 2011, 09:31:16 AM »
Purchased new front forks this past week from a 77 550K  for $100 for the front brake caliper, fender,fork tubes and boots, with a newer right hand control with all the pieces, and master cylinder.  Front fork tubes have no RUST on them... was thinking about painting the boots black but might just polish them up since they look pretty good!
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Offline brettster26

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Re: First attempt @ building a Cafe('74 CB 550 four) Looking for Guidance! Pic added
« Reply #53 on: December 11, 2012, 09:56:19 AM »
 After being work in progress for almost 2 years she lives and breaths!  Still needs work to be complete but should be ready to ride soon!

 Thanks for your help and great work Joe P.!

1975 CB550K lives!
« Last Edit: December 11, 2012, 10:04:17 AM by brettster26 »
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Offline brettster26

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Re: First attempt @ building a Cafe('74 CB 550 four) Looking for Guidance! Pic added
« Reply #54 on: July 11, 2013, 07:46:39 PM »
So I am still working on the bike.  Put a new exhaust on it but can't figure out how to post a video.  Just got done painting the bump seat and side covers.  I am going to leave the tank as is for now. Keep it vintage looking.  What do you think?


https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10103612288681344&l=5d3f64efdd



https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10103612287493724&l=9f0b8c1253
« Last Edit: July 11, 2013, 07:49:01 PM by brettster26 »
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Offline brettster26

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Re: First attempt @ building a Cafe('74 CB 550 four) Looking for Guidance! Pic added
« Reply #55 on: July 11, 2013, 08:08:23 PM »
Ok I have the video on YouTube of the new exhaust.  Tank is just being held up to allow the gas to flow Down



http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-7HiCmd8koY

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Offline brettster26

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Re: First attempt @ building a Cafe('74 CB 550 four) Looking for Guidance! Pic added
« Reply #56 on: July 14, 2014, 10:54:42 AM »
Some updated pictures of the completed bike.   Tried painting the headers with header paint but seems like the heat just burnt it off.  Thinking about wrapping them with black or tan header wrap.

Suggestions? and how much would I need?
« Last Edit: July 14, 2014, 10:56:15 AM by brettster26 »
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Offline brettster26

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Re: First attempt @ building a Cafe('74 CB 550 four) Looking for Guidance! Pic added
« Reply #57 on: July 14, 2014, 11:00:09 AM »
A few more pictures
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Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: First attempt @ building a Cafe('74 CB 550 four) Looking for Guidance! Pic added
« Reply #58 on: July 14, 2014, 11:46:52 AM »
I like the patina on the tank.  The bike looks like a great little machine -- nice and light.

What's left on the to do list, or is it done for now?

I think there are decent high-temp paints available. I would suggest re-painting.  I'm just not a huge fan of wrapping the exhaust, but you know what they say about opinions.

If you want to splurge, you could ceramic powdercoat it.
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1975 CB550K1 "Blue" Stockish Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=135005.0)
1975 CB550F1 frame/CB650 engine hybrid "The Hot Mess" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,150220.0.html)
2008 Triumph Thruxton (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,190956.0.html)
2014 MV Agusta Brutale Dragster 800
2015 Yamaha FZ-09 (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,186861.0.html)

"There are some things nobody needs in this world, and a bright-red, hunch-back, warp-speed 900cc cafe racer is one of them — but I want one anyway, and on some days I actually believe I need one.... Being shot out of a cannon will always be better than being squeezed out of a tube. That is why God made fast motorcycles, Bubba." Hunter S. Thompson, Song of the Sausage Creature, Cycle World, March 1995.  (http://www.latexnet.org/~csmith/sausage.html and https://magazine.cycleworld.com/article/1995/3/1/song-of-the-sausage-creature)

Sold/Emeritus
1973 CB750K2 "Bionic Mongrel" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132734.0) - Sold
1977 CB750K7 "Nine Lives" Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=50490.0) - Sold
2005 RVT1000RR RC51-SP2 "El Diablo" - Sold
2016+ Triumph Thruxton 1200 R (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,170198.0.html) - Sold

Offline brettster26

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Re: First attempt @ building a Cafe('74 CB 550 four) Looking for Guidance! Pic added
« Reply #59 on: July 14, 2014, 12:05:05 PM »
Bike is pretty much wrapped up for now.  I took it for a 3 hour ride to Vintage Days in Lexington Ohio from Cincinnati this past weekend with one issue, For some reason the tail light went out.  so have to trace that to find the issue and find the fix for that. 

Also, the Carburetors need to be adjusted and synced a bit better. There is some fuel leaking out of the overflow when the engine isn't running.

Aesthetically,     
I would like to add some of the chrome trim that is stock on the tank (missing on my bike) and also do it around the bump seat to finish it off. 

If i keep the bike (thinking about selling it to fund and start another project)...
This winter I would like to replace the head gasket and maybe paint the engine.  (havent really decided if i will paint it with some black or just silver to keep the stock look).

But as its summer and riding weather I want to be able to enjoy it without taking it apart.
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Offline Tews19

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Re: First attempt @ building a Cafe('74 CB 550 four) Looking for Guidance! Pic added
« Reply #60 on: July 14, 2014, 05:16:44 PM »
The tank looks to be in great shape. If you sell let me know!

Make sure you always close the petcock when not riding. If that is done. See if the petcock leaks when closed. If that isn't it make sure your float height is at factory set up per manual.

For the rear light see if any connections came free.
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1969 Honda CB750... Basket case
1970 Honda CB750 survivor.

Offline brettster26

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Re: First attempt @ building a Cafe('74 CB 550 four) Looking for Guidance! Pic added
« Reply #61 on: July 15, 2014, 06:44:23 AM »
Tews19,
   Yeah petcock is closed and doesnt leak, its a new one.  I think it has to do with the floats.  Tail light I looked at the connections but still nothing meant to try connecting it to a 9V battery to see if it will work. I will let you know.

Thanks for the suggestions.
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Offline Tews19

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Re: First attempt @ building a Cafe('74 CB 550 four) Looking for Guidance! Pic added
« Reply #62 on: July 15, 2014, 11:38:26 AM »
It may not be the best or easiest way but when I have an electrical issue I always plug and play. If one turn signal works and the other doesn't I will plug into the operating signal.  If it works I then go back and start hunting for the issue
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1969 Honda CB750... Basket case
1970 Honda CB750 survivor.
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