Author Topic: It's a sickness! 1976 CB550 resto/rebuild  (Read 6154 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline raymond182

  • 1971 CB500, 1972 CB500, 1978 KZ1000, '76 CB550, 1999 ZRX1100
  • Enthusiast
  • **
  • Posts: 105
Re: It's a sickness! 1976 CB550 resto/rebuild
« Reply #25 on: April 25, 2015, 10:17:21 AM »
Scored the bike of my dreams by chance!
Res Ipsa Loquitur, but what does it say?

Offline raymond182

  • 1971 CB500, 1972 CB500, 1978 KZ1000, '76 CB550, 1999 ZRX1100
  • Enthusiast
  • **
  • Posts: 105
Re: It's a sickness! 1976 CB550 resto/rebuild
« Reply #26 on: April 25, 2015, 10:22:22 AM »
Rear wheel came out pretty nice too. Had to order spokes from Buchanan though $$$
Res Ipsa Loquitur, but what does it say?

Offline calj737

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 21,032
  • I refuse...
Re: It's a sickness! 1976 CB550 resto/rebuild
« Reply #27 on: April 25, 2015, 10:47:14 AM »
Painting is hard.
No it's not. Painting well is hard, but you seem to have mastered that pretty darn well!  ;D Looks great!
'74 550 Build http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=126401.0
'73 500 Build http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132935.0

"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of it's victim may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated, but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." - C.S. Lewis

Offline raymond182

  • 1971 CB500, 1972 CB500, 1978 KZ1000, '76 CB550, 1999 ZRX1100
  • Enthusiast
  • **
  • Posts: 105
Re: It's a sickness! 1976 CB550 resto/rebuild
« Reply #28 on: April 25, 2015, 10:51:40 AM »
Unfortunately, the paint is not perfect.  The setup was not professional, but I'm happy with it anyway.  Couple of dust specks won't make a material difference.  ;D
Res Ipsa Loquitur, but what does it say?

Offline calj737

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 21,032
  • I refuse...
Re: It's a sickness! 1976 CB550 resto/rebuild
« Reply #29 on: April 25, 2015, 10:54:51 AM »
Virtually impossible to paint dust free, even for pros. You could gently wetland and buff afterwards to remove any grit. Use 1500, 2500 in those steps with soapy water. Then a quality foam buffing pad and polish for professional results.
'74 550 Build http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=126401.0
'73 500 Build http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132935.0

"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of it's victim may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated, but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." - C.S. Lewis

Offline raymond182

  • 1971 CB500, 1972 CB500, 1978 KZ1000, '76 CB550, 1999 ZRX1100
  • Enthusiast
  • **
  • Posts: 105
Re: It's a sickness! 1976 CB550 resto/rebuild
« Reply #30 on: April 25, 2015, 11:12:24 AM »
Perhaps someday I'll do it.  For now, the goal is to get her out of the basement. 
Res Ipsa Loquitur, but what does it say?

Offline raymond182

  • 1971 CB500, 1972 CB500, 1978 KZ1000, '76 CB550, 1999 ZRX1100
  • Enthusiast
  • **
  • Posts: 105
Re: It's a sickness! 1976 CB550 resto/rebuild
« Reply #31 on: April 25, 2015, 11:39:19 AM »
Couldn't resist.
Res Ipsa Loquitur, but what does it say?

Offline Stev-o

  • Ain't no
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 34,309
  • Central Texas
Re: It's a sickness! 1976 CB550 resto/rebuild
« Reply #32 on: April 25, 2015, 12:56:29 PM »
Nice job on the tank. You are close...
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline raymond182

  • 1971 CB500, 1972 CB500, 1978 KZ1000, '76 CB550, 1999 ZRX1100
  • Enthusiast
  • **
  • Posts: 105
Re: It's a sickness! 1976 CB550 resto/rebuild
« Reply #33 on: April 26, 2015, 07:20:33 PM »
Weekends should be three days long.
Res Ipsa Loquitur, but what does it say?

Offline raymond182

  • 1971 CB500, 1972 CB500, 1978 KZ1000, '76 CB550, 1999 ZRX1100
  • Enthusiast
  • **
  • Posts: 105
Re: It's a sickness! 1976 CB550 resto/rebuild
« Reply #34 on: May 09, 2015, 07:38:04 AM »
One of the carbs had a problem so the whole rack had to come off.  That was easy, putting them back, however, was going to be difficult
  I just couldn't force them back all the way. Until I tried this.  Easiest thing in the world!  Hope others can benefit from it too.
Res Ipsa Loquitur, but what does it say?

Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

  • Speak up, Whipper-Snapper! I'm a
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 15,731
  • SOHC/4 Member #1235
Re: It's a sickness! 1976 CB550 resto/rebuild
« Reply #35 on: May 09, 2015, 07:38:58 AM »
This appears to be the preferred method of installing RS34s to a CB750, too! 
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 raymond182

  • 1971 CB500, 1972 CB500, 1978 KZ1000, '76 CB550, 1999 ZRX1100
  • Enthusiast
  • **
  • Posts: 105
Re: It's a sickness! 1976 CB550 resto/rebuild
« Reply #36 on: May 09, 2015, 07:40:45 AM »
BTW, she's all done.   ;D
Res Ipsa Loquitur, but what does it say?

Offline Restoration Fan

  • My wife will never call me
  • Master
  • *****
  • Posts: 1,966
Re: It's a sickness! 1976 CB550 resto/rebuild
« Reply #37 on: May 09, 2015, 07:43:26 AM »
Beautiful job on that bike!
Ron

Stella - Logan's Senior Project    78 750K http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=141761.0

Logan's Reward - CB500 and CB550 Cafes    http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,147787.0.html

Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

  • Speak up, Whipper-Snapper! I'm a
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 15,731
  • SOHC/4 Member #1235
Re: It's a sickness! 1976 CB550 resto/rebuild
« Reply #38 on: May 09, 2015, 07:46:32 AM »
Beautiful bike.  Finished with plenty of time to ride the bejeezus out of it this riding season!
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 SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

  • Speak up, Whipper-Snapper! I'm a
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 15,731
  • SOHC/4 Member #1235
Re: It's a sickness! 1976 CB550 resto/rebuild
« Reply #39 on: May 09, 2015, 07:50:07 AM »
This bike begs the question as to how many bikes we can vote on for BOTM in one month.
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 raymond182

  • 1971 CB500, 1972 CB500, 1978 KZ1000, '76 CB550, 1999 ZRX1100
  • Enthusiast
  • **
  • Posts: 105
Re: It's a sickness! 1976 CB550 resto/rebuild
« Reply #40 on: May 09, 2015, 08:06:43 AM »
Thanks, Gents!
Res Ipsa Loquitur, but what does it say?

Offline raymond182

  • 1971 CB500, 1972 CB500, 1978 KZ1000, '76 CB550, 1999 ZRX1100
  • Enthusiast
  • **
  • Posts: 105
Re: It's a sickness! 1976 CB550 resto/rebuild
« Reply #41 on: May 09, 2015, 12:38:51 PM »
Had to sync my carbs so I used the contraption I built last year. It worked well last year, but I had to kink the lines to slow down the flow.  This time around, I inserted some leftover jets into the lines (perfect fit btw). Excellent results. The flow of fluid was nice and slow, permitting plenty of time for adjusting.
Res Ipsa Loquitur, but what does it say?

Offline Free Booter

  • My Build: CB750k5
  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 414
  • Meh.
Re: It's a sickness! 1976 CB550 resto/rebuild
« Reply #42 on: May 09, 2015, 01:34:08 PM »
Nice little resto bike you got there!

Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

  • Speak up, Whipper-Snapper! I'm a
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 15,731
  • SOHC/4 Member #1235
Re: It's a sickness! 1976 CB550 resto/rebuild
« Reply #43 on: May 10, 2015, 09:02:22 PM »
Ray,

You've been nominated for June 2014 Bike of the Month.  Please go the the nomination thread and post that you "accept" the nomination.

Congrats!
Don
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 Bigsam302

  • Enthusiast
  • **
  • Posts: 224
    • 1976 CB750F (915cc) Super Sport
Re: It's a sickness! 1976 CB550 resto/rebuild
« Reply #44 on: May 11, 2015, 03:11:41 AM »
I agree, beautiful bike!

Sent from my GT-I9505G using Tapatalk

1976 CB750F (915cc) Super Sport: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=142578.0

Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

  • Speak up, Whipper-Snapper! I'm a
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 15,731
  • SOHC/4 Member #1235
Re: It's a sickness! 1976 CB550 resto/rebuild
« Reply #45 on: May 15, 2015, 11:57:58 AM »
Perhaps someday I'll do it.  For now, the goal is to get her out of the basement.

Raymond,

I have a stupid question.  Why did you use 500 Four side cover emblems as opposed to 550 Four side cover emblems?



Don
« Last Edit: May 15, 2015, 12:03:27 PM by CB750 Cafe Racer Fan »
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 raymond182

  • 1971 CB500, 1972 CB500, 1978 KZ1000, '76 CB550, 1999 ZRX1100
  • Enthusiast
  • **
  • Posts: 105
Re: It's a sickness! 1976 CB550 resto/rebuild
« Reply #46 on: May 15, 2015, 12:03:34 PM »
Fair question.
I used the 500 emblems because they are far more visually appealing to my eye.  The 550 emblems that I also have look nothing like the 500s.  It's that simple.
Res Ipsa Loquitur, but what does it say?

Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

  • Speak up, Whipper-Snapper! I'm a
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 15,731
  • SOHC/4 Member #1235
Re: It's a sickness! 1976 CB550 resto/rebuild
« Reply #47 on: May 15, 2015, 12:53:21 PM »
For a second there, I had to look back into your thread to see if you placed a 500 engine in a 550 frame!  I like the custom color.  Is that a stock formulation of Candy Garnet Brown?  I know from my Candy Jade Green bike that the color can vary widely depending on how heavy you lay the candy.  It looks nice -- kind of like a root beer candy.
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 raymond182

  • 1971 CB500, 1972 CB500, 1978 KZ1000, '76 CB550, 1999 ZRX1100
  • Enthusiast
  • **
  • Posts: 105
Re: It's a sickness! 1976 CB550 resto/rebuild
« Reply #48 on: May 15, 2015, 01:40:17 PM »
The color is just some EBay kit that I bought.  I think it is called "copper something."  The price was right ($99 shipped) and there's enough left over to paint another set of tins if needed.
At first, I wanted to get an original color, but, it being my first attempt at painting base + clear combo, I decided not to throw away money in case it did not come out okay-ish.
Res Ipsa Loquitur, but what does it say?

Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

  • Speak up, Whipper-Snapper! I'm a
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 15,731
  • SOHC/4 Member #1235
Re: It's a sickness! 1976 CB550 resto/rebuild
« Reply #49 on: May 15, 2015, 01:55:07 PM »
The color is just some EBay kit that I bought.  I think it is called "copper something."  The price was right ($99 shipped) and there's enough left over to paint another set of tins if needed.
At first, I wanted to get an original color, but, it being my first attempt at painting base + clear combo, I decided not to throw away money in case it did not come out okay-ish.

It came out great!
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