Author Topic: Oscar /// The '78 550 Build Thread  (Read 2442 times)

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Offline iamandrewx

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Oscar /// The '78 550 Build Thread
« on: June 03, 2015, 12:14:57 PM »
First, thanks for checking out my build log. This is my first motorcycle AND my first motorcycle build. For this build my wife has dubbed it, "Oscar" - she said it belongs in a trash can. Haha! The bike is a '78 550K in pretty much unknown condition at this point. I am going to have to give it a once over to get it up and running, but I expected that. I wasn't (at first) expecting to have to source a new frame but after finding out that only a bill of sale was included with this bike that kinda changed up my budget and process a little. But there will always be unexpected issues - start to finish. I'm hoping to get a nice log together with link to individual posts so you guys can skip through the random chit-chat that will occur throughout.

Thanks for looking!

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I purchased this from a friends', co-worker's, husband. He saved this from being turned into a sandrail or something years ago when he worked at a shop in NM.

These first few are after removing a few stupid things like random hanging wires, throttle cables, etc.







I did things and took the pictures in a weird order. So, the ones above are with the harness and cables removed but tank and seat on.. these are tank and seat off but a lot of the cables still there haha. Oh well.... you get the idea.




Included with the boxes of random parts, lights, cables, nuts and bolts were 2 manuals. Looks like one is essentially a build guide and the other is more of a service manual. Super awesome because I have no idea what I am doing! Oh, and he also gave me a motorcycle jack... SCORE!




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FUTURE PLANS:

- up-swept tail and brat style seat
- mini gauges
- relocate the ignition
- Carpy 4-1 exhaust
- powdercoated frame and wheels
- OG scheme on the tank (or new tank)
- rejet and tune
- new tires
- tune up
- side covers
- LED light upgrade
- drag or moto bars


TABLE OF CONTENTS
03/21/15: purchase date
04/29/15 "new" 4-1 exhaust and DIY tank painting
« Last Edit: June 03, 2015, 03:15:04 PM by iamandrewx »
Oscar, the '78 Build
'78 Honda CB550K | '07 Honda Civic Si

Offline calj737

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Re: Oscar /// The '78 550 Build Thread
« Reply #1 on: June 03, 2015, 01:04:07 PM »
That ought to be a fun bike. If you need a set of mini gauges, I've got a pair with 11 miles on them. Yours cheap!
'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 SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: Oscar /// The '78 550 Build Thread
« Reply #2 on: June 03, 2015, 01:27:52 PM »
Minus the ratty seat, it looks all there.  Nice score, especially the factory manual and the JACK!

What's the status of the title? You might check it out with your DMV (make sure it is clean before you invest -- it should be but you never know).   

Before you go cutting and completely tearing down, I would get everything working system by system (brakes, suspension, fuel delivery, motor, electrical).  Get it running and stopping safely before you do a stylistic redesign.

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 iamandrewx

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Re: Oscar /// The '78 550 Build Thread
« Reply #3 on: June 03, 2015, 03:08:14 PM »
Minus the ratty seat, it looks all there.  Nice score, especially the factory manual and the JACK!

What's the status of the title? You might check it out with your DMV (make sure it is clean before you invest -- it should be but you never know).   

Before you go cutting and completely tearing down, I would get everything working system by system (brakes, suspension, fuel delivery, motor, electrical).  Get it running and stopping safely before you do a stylistic redesign.

title is/was clean. just nonexistant... the new frame i bought, clean and clear. so everything has been swapped. and of course, hence the $25 exhaust and not a $500 set haha.
Oscar, the '78 Build
'78 Honda CB550K | '07 Honda Civic Si

Offline Stev-o

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Re: Oscar /// The '78 550 Build Thread
« Reply #4 on: June 03, 2015, 03:11:41 PM »
Dont ever listen to what your wife says!
My wife thinks all my bikes are only worth $300 each, even the restored Z1 900!
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline iamandrewx

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Re: Oscar /// The '78 550 Build Thread
« Reply #5 on: June 03, 2015, 03:12:34 PM »
here are some new pictures:

i know, i know! function over form... but i'm waiting for my extra money and had some stuff laying around the house and felt the urge to tinker. it's not the best DIY job but better than before.






and here's the exhaust:






in a few weeks i should be ordering a tune up kit, bolt kit, carb gaskets (?), and complete motor gasket set.
Oscar, the '78 Build
'78 Honda CB550K | '07 Honda Civic Si

Offline iamandrewx

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Re: Oscar /// The '78 550 Build Thread
« Reply #6 on: June 03, 2015, 03:13:30 PM »
Dont ever listen to what your wife says!
My wife thinks all my bikes are only worth $300 each, even the restored Z1 900!

WHAT?! you mean they aren't?!?! ;)


Oscar, the '78 Build
'78 Honda CB550K | '07 Honda Civic Si

Offline Stev-o

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Re: Oscar /// The '78 550 Build Thread
« Reply #7 on: June 03, 2015, 03:17:33 PM »
Dont ever listen to what your wife says!
My wife thinks all my bikes are only worth $300 each, even the restored Z1 900!

WHAT?! you mean they aren't?!?! ;)


My K4 is worth just slightly more than $300!



PS. Can you plz do us a favor and take that seat off?!
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline iamandrewx

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Re: Oscar /// The '78 550 Build Thread
« Reply #8 on: June 04, 2015, 05:40:04 AM »

Dont ever listen to what your wife says!
My wife thinks all my bikes are only worth $300 each, even the restored Z1 900!

WHAT?! you mean they aren't?!?! ;)


My K4 is worth just slightly more than $300!



PS. Can you plz do us a favor and take that seat off?!

Send me a new one and I will hahahahaha


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Oscar, the '78 Build
'78 Honda CB550K | '07 Honda Civic Si