Hello Guys & Girls,
A couple years ago I (with the help of others, primarily Sinister92/Christian) built a 77’ CB550K as some of you may have known it. I sold it even though I never should have, here are some pictures of it along with a minty SS I also owned and sold:
I then built a turbo Miata but, it wasn’t the same as bombing around on an old vintage motorcycle. Since I was getting the itch again, I had been lurking Craigslist daily. I then stumbled upon a deal I couldn’t pass up, a lot of three- CB550’s with a bunch of spare parts, so I jumped on it. The intent was to sell the two I wasn’t using and build and keep one, and that’s what I am doing.
1978 CB550 donor:
I learned a lot from my last build, but I wanted to take it to the next level this time around…I wanted to build a bratty CB, meaty tires, GSXR front end, Excel wheels, etc etc. While this still may be true, I still may toss clip-ons on it eventually. That being said, the “build” started.
A good friend of mine, Christian made my GSXR front end work for me. Made spacers, adapter, axle, etc from scratch:
Added Biltwell bars for now:
Also running a vintage truck fog-light as my headlight:
Starting disassembling my motor. The head needed to be decked, cleaned and have some valve guides replaced. I had them replaced with some KPMI(I think, been a while) that I had picked up from a member on here.
Sent out all of the following covers including my valve cover to get powder-coated in a hyper black color.
Accompanied by a nice Stainless Engine Bolt Kit from Alloy Boltz.
Also purchased a clear points cover from FB-stuff:
So Christian, who made my front end work, came through for me again making some nice knee dents in my tank. Also pictured is my MotoLanna seat.
Also am running Excel Takasago 18x2.5” F&R I picked up from Buchanon’s which were re-drilled so I can run my factory hubs. Also running SS spokes I picked up from them as well. These are currently getting new AllBallz bearings and getting laced to Silver powder-coated hubs I purchased from CalJ737 (awesome dude). I took a gamble for now with the tire concern since they are fairly cheap to test sizes out. I ran these tires on my last build and loved them, especially for the coin. I ordered Kenda K657(F&R) 110-90/18 & 130/90/18. A 130 may look funky so we shall see once I get them mounted what I’m dealing with.
This is the picture of the rear hub only, obviously not running the Cognito Moto front hub, just to show the color:
At this point, the short block will be getting soda blasted and primer/painted with some Dupli-color products I picked up. The color of the paint is an aluminum with ceramic resin (DE1650) and the primer is self-etching(DPP101). It’s also getting re-ringed with some new rings/gaskets/etc.
As of now, I’d like to purchase a CB650 cam to give it a little more oomph but still on the fence about it. The head/intake will be getting some light porting as well as a MotoGPWerks exhaust. The end is not near, but I am glad to have such knowledgeable individuals to help point me the right direction. Stay tuned for some updates, hopefully they don't bore you!
-GV
