Author Topic: Need advice on purchasing a cb550 (Read 6127 times)

MiGhost · « **Reply #25 on:** January 06, 2015, 11:47:38 AM »

Quote from: calj737 on January 06, 2015, 03:39:50 AM

Quote from: MiGhost on January 05, 2015, 11:28:25 PM
Quote from: natron602 on January 05, 2015, 06:14:18 PM
The black exhaust is a real deal breaker. I'm not even going to tell you guys what I paid for mine....
The most expensive bike is always free!!
Please repeat that about 1,000 more times

But the education is priceless!!!

natron602 · « **Reply #26 on:** January 06, 2015, 01:39:44 PM »

Did no one else here pay the hipster tax and buy a bike in 4 figure category? #imasucker

rb550four · « **Reply #27 on:** January 06, 2015, 02:08:14 PM »

Cal , we all do that when we build it , that's what rebuilding a machine is all about.We improve whatever it needs ,and we make it our own, that's half the fun.
But Natron602.......You'd be the first member here that I've heard about overpaying for a machine.

rb550four · « **Reply #28 on:** January 06, 2015, 02:10:02 PM »

Just kidding ,any time you get done on a build it would be in the 4 digit zone anyways.

natron602 · « **Reply #29 on:** January 06, 2015, 02:54:48 PM »

I only over payed depending how you look at it. I may curse the p.o. and I may bleed sweat and cry into the engine but goddamn if she hasn't been worth every damn penny.

FunJimmy · « **Reply #30 on:** January 06, 2015, 03:19:11 PM »

Quote from: natron602 on January 06, 2015, 01:39:44 PM

Did no one else here pay the hipster tax and buy a bike in 4 figure category? #imasucker

I'll take it!
My Interceptor platform cost $1200 Canadian in 2007.
That's a hell of a lot more than you're talking here and then came the big expense of building it.

I also paid $1000 US for a nice clean '75 CB550F in Sandpoint Idaho.
It's nice to find a steel of a deal but don't be so cheap you insult people.

ekpent · « **Reply #31 on:** January 06, 2015, 05:42:03 PM »

Hopefully the original poster got his bike. We have posted up some of our deals but there is some serious competition out there nowadays and when and if a good deal is staring you in the face I suggest to members to just buy it and worry about it later

If it has a title, original paint, reasonable miles, some history, and turns over you can hardly go wrong fora few hundred bucks.

luckyeights · « **Reply #32 on:** January 06, 2015, 05:49:28 PM »

Well i have some pics for you all tough she is dirty. What do you think?

luckyeights · « **Reply #33 on:** January 06, 2015, 05:58:49 PM »

Hey ekpent could you tell me what stems and turn signal lights you purchased? I will have to track some down as well.

luckyeights · « **Reply #34 on:** January 06, 2015, 06:00:52 PM »

Oh and the points cover looks like it was painted over with silver engine paint is there a way to get that off and bring back the original shine ?

Stev-o · « **Reply #35 on:** January 06, 2015, 06:10:40 PM »

Quote from: luckyeights on January 06, 2015, 06:00:52 PM

Oh and the points cover looks like it was painted over with silver engine paint is there a way to get that off and bring back the original shine ?

You could try lacquer thinner, but replacement may be best. Has original seat, thats a plus.
Front brake looks like it needs some help.

ekpent · « **Reply #36 on:** January 06, 2015, 06:30:08 PM »

Quote from: luckyeights on January 06, 2015, 05:58:49 PM

Hey ekpent could you tell me what stems and turn signal lights you purchased? I will have to track some down as well.

I just studied some original pics to see what exactly they looked like then went the E-bay route and found what I needed.

natron602 · « **Reply #37 on:** January 06, 2015, 06:46:41 PM »

Ok I paid $1600 but it was the only one I could find with all the pieces attached that would ride home...AND it came with a free jacket.

rb550four · « **Reply #38 on:** January 06, 2015, 07:10:55 PM »

Excellent! Finely skilled members like these can get the truth out of you in less then 10 posts.
Excellent.

SIXTEEN HUNDRED DOLLARS! HA!
Well, you know , if that's all ya got into it and you are enjoying it the way you do and your sure it don't owe you a penny....then you weren't overcharged.

luckyeights · « **Reply #39 on:** January 06, 2015, 07:17:31 PM »

So what do you think should i do a full tear down on her or should I just

rebuild carbs
rebuild master cylinder
rebuild brakes
replace lines and cables
rebuild fork

then fire her up and ride her till the cows come home?

Or strip her down to the frame powder coat it and then build her back from there?
Full engine rebuild or just top end?

Not sure how far I want to go yet.

I feel as though I might like the little bit of rustic look i think it will have once its cleaned up.

ekpent · « **Reply #40 on:** January 06, 2015, 07:38:29 PM »

Quote from: luckyeights on January 06, 2015, 07:17:31 PM

So what do you think should i do a full tear down on her or should I just

rebuild carbs
rebuild master cylinder
rebuild brakes
replace lines and cables
rebuild fork

then fire her up and ride her till the cows come home?

Or strip her down to the frame powder coat it and then build her back from there?
Full engine rebuild or just top end?

Not sure how far I want to go yet.

I feel as though I might like the little bit of rustic look i think it will have once its cleaned up.

Did you buy it ??
The thing to do would be to clean not "rebuild" the carbs, give it an oil change right off the bat, check the valve clearances, make sure the points and timing is good and with a good battery massage the engine back to life and then off a slave tank which you know is clean, yours may not be yet, see if it will fire up and run. After it has been proved then you can spend as much as your wallet can take or you can do a little more and keep it on the cheap.

rb550four · « **Reply #41 on:** January 06, 2015, 07:40:39 PM »

+1.If you aren't sure how far you want to go yet, give it what it needs to be a safe runner.
Run it , enjoy it , and when you think you are ready to give it a little more , do it then.

FunJimmy · « **Reply #42 on:** January 06, 2015, 07:54:08 PM »

Buy it.
Tidy it up.
Tune it up.
Ride it.

Get to know the bike and any flaws for a little while.
Then you can decide if a 550 is right for you and what you hope to get from it.
There are so many different routes you can take that bike and they all ofer something unique.

Most of all.
Have fun.

fmctm1sw · « **Reply #43 on:** January 06, 2015, 10:00:34 PM »

Quote from: FunJimmy on January 06, 2015, 07:54:08 PM

Buy it.
Tidy it up.
Tune it up.
Ride it.

Get to know the bike and any flaws for a little while.
Then you can decide if a 550 is right for you and what you hope to get from it.
There are so many different routes you can take that bike and they all ofer something unique.

Most of all.
Have fun.

+1. I've been known to even skip the "tidy up" stage.

Bankerdanny · « **Reply #44 on:** January 07, 2015, 08:11:18 AM »

Unless your goal is a show bike I don't see any point in rebuilding something that might not even need rebuilding.

Get on the road by:
1. cleaning the carbs and replacing all carb gaskets (leave the brass alone, the jets in most carb kits suck),
2. replace all fuel lines and clean the screen on the petcock that is inside the tank (you get to it by removing the petcock),
3. lube the cables,
4. do what you need to to get the front brake working, which might be as simple as bleeding or as complicated as rebuilding the caliper and master cylinder. When I bought my '77 550k it had been sitting in storage for over 20 years with 7,700 miles on it. It was 100% original right down to the tires. All I did to the front brake was pull the pads and piston and clean them up, add new fluid and bleed. I didn't replace the pads or lines and it worked just fine.
5. Replace the tires, tubes, and rim strips,
6. Do the 3,000 mile service from the repair/owner's manual
7. wash, wax, and ride.

With my bike it took a few weekends of work, but when I was done I put on over 4,000 miles in 3 months with no issues at all.

luckyeights · « **Reply #45 on:** January 07, 2015, 08:23:38 AM »

Is an ultrasonic cleaner a good way to go about cleaning the carbs? I have heard rumors about ultrasonic cleaners loosening welds and making the bowls leak? Is it okay to clean the rest of it in an ultrasonic and leave out the bowl? I might use the ultrasonic to clean most parts as well due to how well an ultra sonic can clean out even the tiniest of dirt in small holes. Any thoughts on this or is there even a better way to clean the carbs?

luckyeights · « **Reply #46 on:** January 07, 2015, 10:04:23 AM »

So is it okay to put the bowls in an ultra sonic or is that rumor untrue?

Duanob · « **Reply #47 on:** January 07, 2015, 10:48:02 AM »

Quote from: luckyeights on January 05, 2015, 05:56:47 PM

Wait you got those bikes for $600 in that condition and running ? In what year did you purchase them? If only i could find one like that heh.

Just last year at a swap meet in Skagit county washington. Titled running and everything.

goldarrow · « **Reply #48 on:** January 07, 2015, 12:01:55 PM »

Take the carbs apart so you can clean it properly. Not just dropping the bowls in sonic cleaner

luckyeights · « **Reply #49 on:** January 08, 2015, 04:57:14 AM »

No i plan on taking them apart and cleaning them by hand first. The sonic cleaner is for all the nooks and crannies that are hard to clean by hand.

on a different note. Any one have any advice on restoring the chrome and aluminum back to a polish? I picked up some chrome polish and some rough cut metal polish for the aluminum. I figured the rough cut might help break up the oxidation on the aluminum. Any thoughts on this would be much appreciated.

I would also like some recommendations on a good carb cleaner (dip or spray). And a solution that i can put in my ultra sonic that would be safe for parts.

Thanks

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Author Topic: Need advice on purchasing a cb550 (Read 6127 times)