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Author Topic: CB550F Up on her feet after 2 years of tinkering.  (Read 869 times)

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Offline fastpants

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CB550F Up on her feet after 2 years of tinkering.
« on: May 04, 2015, 05:20:56 PM »
I have been working on this for about the past 2 years. I haven't posted any pics of the build because I was generally too impatient to photograph anything even half decent - but I've been lurking around here a lot picking up tips and it's been a huge help.

I finally took some pics the other day because I'm thinking of putting the bike up for sale - so I just figured I'd share before it goes to a new home.

She's running now and runs well - though I'm still figuring my way through the clutch adjustment as it's really hard to slip in to neutral from 1st or 2nd when warmed up but not rolling.
I can't seem to crack it yet - would ask if anyone thought it could possibly be oil related but I've seen what happens when people bring up oil.

Thanks for looking.


 
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Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: CB550F Up on her feet after 2 years of tinkering.
« Reply #1 on: May 04, 2015, 05:37:20 PM »
Where are you located (generally), fastpants?  I was wondering why you are not running a rear fender, since you are running a front one. 

Nice looking bike.  You may want to post it up for sale on the Classified section, too.
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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)
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Offline fastpants

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Re: CB550F Up on her feet after 2 years of tinkering.
« Reply #2 on: May 04, 2015, 05:49:16 PM »
I'm in Los Angeles.

I left the rear fender off just for aesthetics, really.
For a time I thought about cutting down the front fender or taking it off completely and adding a fork brace.

I think actually it was just one of those things that got sewn up that way with the thought that I might change it later - but grew to like it that way (aka lazy).

I'll add SOME photos of the process along the way when I dig up some old drives with them on it.
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Offline goldarrow

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Re: CB550F Up on her feet after 2 years of tinkering.
« Reply #3 on: May 04, 2015, 07:00:17 PM »
Conventional 10-40 oil be just fine.  Loosen the clutch lever at the handlebar, then adjust the clutch at the engine cover, line up the dots.  Then readjust at the handlebar again.  If that doesn't help, then consider new clutch friction plates, if that still doesn't help, the consider worst case scenario
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Life Is Full Of Challenges - And My Backyard Is Full Of SOHC4's

CB550 K0
CB750 K0, K2, K23 JDM, K45, K5
And the little ones z50r, xr50r, st90


750k5 http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=114817.0

Offline fastpants

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Re: CB550F Up on her feet after 2 years of tinkering.
« Reply #4 on: May 04, 2015, 07:30:22 PM »
Ok I'll bite- What's the worst case scenario?
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Offline goldarrow

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Re: CB550F Up on her feet after 2 years of tinkering.
« Reply #5 on: May 04, 2015, 07:56:06 PM »
Shifter drum, shifter forks, etc.  pretty much split the cases. 
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Life Is Full Of Challenges - And My Backyard Is Full Of SOHC4's

CB550 K0
CB750 K0, K2, K23 JDM, K45, K5
And the little ones z50r, xr50r, st90


750k5 http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=114817.0

Offline mrfish2

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Re: CB550F Up on her feet after 2 years of tinkering.
« Reply #6 on: May 04, 2015, 09:45:43 PM »
What kind of seat is that? I like it a lot more than the typical brat seat that has almost zero padding.
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1976 CB550K            1979 XS1100
1980 CB650C - Sold

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It's a little motor and likes having the tits revved off it.

Offline fastpants

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Re: CB550F Up on her feet after 2 years of tinkering.
« Reply #7 on: May 04, 2015, 10:38:47 PM »
It's the stock seat. Originally cut the tail and welded a loop on to put a brat seat on there. But I ended liking this combo better - both for looks and comfort.

i guess I should put the other seat up in the classifieds but I'm worried about what my garage will feel like not being cluttered up with stuff I'm not using.
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Offline faux fiddy

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Re: CB550F Up on her feet after 2 years of tinkering.
« Reply #8 on: May 05, 2015, 01:30:15 AM »
Carbs looks a lot cleaner than what I'm riding. They look like they were soda blasted.
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Offline fastpants

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Re: CB550F Up on her feet after 2 years of tinkering.
« Reply #9 on: May 06, 2015, 12:01:51 AM »
The original carbs on the bike when I found her were in the final stages of rigor mortis and looked like someone had pillaged whatever they could from them long ago (last registration sticker on the bike at the time said 1986).

I bought a rebuilt set from a gent who blasted, powder coated, and chromed the top. Not sure if I can plug him here but if anyone wants his info I'm happy to respond by dm. 
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