Topic: 1978 honda cb550 four k cafe racer

[psmccreary]

looking to make my bike into a cafe racer and need some help. if anyone has any good and trusted websites about it i would appreciate it. also new to the forum so still trying to figure things out.

[psmccreary]

this is her when i started. i rode it till shifter shaft seal started leaking and decided to rebuild motor and all rubber seals. now bout to put oil in it and fire it up for first time in 2 years.

[joeyvans]

Welcome to the forum!  Your 550 looks like a nice survivor from the pictures.  Although, they aren't closeups, so maybe the pic is deceiving. 

Not sure how far you are wanting to take your bike.... but IMO... if the bike is in nice original condition, and you want to make it a sportier ride.... I wouldn't do anything that couldn't be returned to stock.  Off the top of my head... here are a couple things I would do to your '78 (if it is in decent original condition):

1) ditch the backrest and whatever else is attached to the rear and replace with a rear grab bar.
2) ditch the high bars for the 400F bars, or similar "superbike" bars.
3) replace the large signal markers with something smaller... possibly LED.
4) replace the block taillight with a lucas style tail light. (I have purchased a 2nd rear fender so I can keep one stock without drilling holes in it for a new taillight).
5) if the exhaust is in nice shape (not rotted out anywhere)... I would keep it on, because I love the stock 4-4 look.  If you want something loud.... get a baffled 4-1 (Lossa Engineering, Carpy, or MotoGP Werks).... but don't sell the original so you can return it to stock if need be.

That's about all I would do.

For trusted websites... I use the following or have at least browsed them:

4into1
David Silver Spares USA
Dime City Cycles
Bike Bandit
Dennis Kirk
Lossa Engineering
CognitoMoto

For inspiration, scour the build threads on this forum.  You will get all kinds of ideas. 

Have fun with your project! 

Kyle

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

That's a pretty good-looking bike.  It's good that you bought it running and had a chance to ride it before rebuilding the engine to address leaks.  I would get the engine running again and tune it first.  Second, address any potential issues to brakes (service or rebuild master cylinder and piston, new stainless brake lines and fluid, new pads) and suspension (fork rebuildling or servicing, shock servicing or replacement, new needle steering and wheel bearings, new bronze swingarm bushings), all before you take on the cosmetics.  The more cosmetic modifications (turn signals, brake light, seat, bars, mirrors, tank, etc.) can be done incrementally and either be reversible or permanent -- it's up to you.

If the tank needs de-rusting (you don't want rust getting into your carburetors or your newly rebuilt motor), deal with that promptly too.

[joeyvans]

^^^^ what he said. I neglected to say that about my project. No reason to spend money on cosmetics unless you have a reliable, mechanically sound bike.