Topic: J.Webster Designs Honda CB550 Project

[J.Webster Designs]

Soooo, I was unsure if I was going to start a build thread on this bike or not... but here is goes.

The plan for this bike is some sort of Brat/tracker set up. Follow along to see where it ends up...

If you follow my Facebook (www.facebook.com/JWebsterDesigns) or my Instagram account (http://instagram.com/j.websterdesigns), then you have probably already seen a majority of these pictures. If you don't follow those accounts, check them out for more recent updates on what is going on at J.Webster Designs and what new parts we are coming out with.

Without further ado. Some pictures of what the CB550 looked like when I picked it up...

[J.Webster Designs]

Current Progress on the CB550... The frame has been de-tabbed. All unnecessary tabs, latches, brackets were shaved off of the frame to clean everything up. I am a firm believer in "less is more" when it comes to motorcycles.

Most factory bikes are obviously built with ease of assembly in mind to cut down on the assembly costs at the factory. This tends to lead to things being placed in view, when a little more effort in tucking them away would make the bike more appealing to the eye.

[cwchan]

Any plans on making an adaptor for an oil pressure gauge on this one?

[J.Webster Designs]

Yes sir!

[brandEn]

That tail section has a good shape and I like the color of the tank. Count me in on this build! Anytime a machinist build a bike I wanna watch

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

That tail section has a good shape and I like the color of the tank. Count me in on this build! Anytime a machinist build a bike I wanna watch

Especially one who adapts fuel injection to a CB

[J.Webster Designs]

The CB550 did not come with a kick stand. No problem! Just make one!  I took a couple pieces of plate, tig welded them together, then milled it down to get some nice flat sides to it. Then glued on a leg to the bracket. I still need to cut it to it's final height, and make a foot and a spring attachment point. I will post pictures of the final product.

I am waiting to cut the leg to the correct height until I get the bike to full weight and the new shocks mounted so that the suspension sags to its final height.

What do you guys think?

[brandEn]

beautiful weld!

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Really great welding skills, JW.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Any plans for EFI on this bike?

[J.Webster Designs]

Negative. This is just going to be a fun little bike. Plan is to have it rideable for the Barber Vintage Motorcycle Festival in October.

The CB550 is also no where near capable of supporting fuel injection on the electrical side...

However, I do plan on making some parts for the CB550s and using this bike to produce them. So stay tuned to see some of the new stuff.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Negative. This is just going to be a fun little bike. Plan is to have it rideable for the Barber Vintage Motorcycle Festival in October.

The CB550 is also no where near capable of supporting fuel injection on the electrical side...

However, I do plan on making some parts for the CB550s and using this bike to produce them. So stay tuned to see some of the new stuff.

Will do.  I'm a fan of resto-mods.

[J.Webster Designs]

I shaved and smoothed the lower triple to get rid of the original front brake sending unit location. Smoothing it out also got rid of the original rough cast surface and the poorly ground parting lines that came from the factory...

I also turned down the head of bolt and welded the bolt to the lower triple for mounting a pedestal mount headlamp. I like the look of pedestal mounted headlights, as it allows for clean look to the forks...

I need to weld shut that bolt hole in the triple that was used to mount the brake sending unit distribution block and smooth it over...

[J.Webster Designs]

The cylinders and head have been cleaned up and will be on their way to mreick for some refreshing...

Can't wait to get them back this is the first time that we have used Mike. Always see and hear great things about him.

Next up is to finish the electronics tray and finish mock up so that I can get everything out to powder and paint. 

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

The cylinders and head have been cleaned up and will be on their way to mreick for some refreshing...

Can't wait to get them back this is the first time that we have used Mike. Always see and hear great things about him.

Next up is to finish the electronics tray and finish mock up so that I can get everything out to powder and paint. 

You will happy with Mike's work.  As he says, "No disappointments no matter the displacement."

[r6100mph]

What is that center scissor stand you are using?  I could definitely use something like that when I've got the front forks of the bike. Thanks

[J.Webster Designs]

ive only ever known them as motorcycle frame jacks and motorcycle lift jacks.

[J.Webster Designs]

So I have been slacking at updating this build thread.. But the day to day is busy. 

I have the battery box mocked up. I need to do some finish work on it, but overall its where I want it to be. I am waiting on word back from a new wiring dealer about new wire for the project as well as the cylinder and head to come back from Mike. I will be doing some testing on the Shorai battery on this build, so we will see where that goes.

Cheers!