Topic: 1974 Cb550 Build with some pictures!

[mitchmx7]

What's up guys! I have been in this forum from time to time to ask a few questions these past few months and to research. Thanks to all the guys that make this site valuable and giving input when needed most. I was given a 1974 CB550K from my grandfather. It has not been registered since 1987.
I took this bike off his hands when he told me get this piece of #$%* out of here.It say in his backyard since 1986 when it was parked. He parked it in a sunny Southern California backyard off the 605 freeway and said it ran when he parked it, but he always had carb syncing issues. The tank was never drained and the carbs and has tank were extremely gummed up. Every carb sat in vinegar for about 4 days and then I scraped them until my hands were sore. I had extreme trouble moving the slides but with a little force and having them apart from each other not on the linkage they eventually broke free. I bought a carb kit and even broke a carb in the process trying to remove a float pin. Eventually they were together and sliding smooth. The engine would not crank and was locked up after dissasembling the motor I found plent of rust on top of the Pistons and eventually got those to move. I honed the cylinders and cleaned the Pistons. Also putting new rings on. I reassembled the motor and put new plugs and new oil filter in the motor. I also tore down to the frame and painted it and had some parts powdercoated. The forktubes where the headlight brackets were left rust inside and ruined the forks so I replaced them with tunes from a 750 and also put new fork seals. I got a new petcock for the gas tank and cleaned meticulously.I did a full wire tuck and chopped the frame for a shorter seat. I broke a shifter arm spring and replaced it with a used one and put a nice new clutch in. Bought clip on handle bars and a nice set of brake and clutch levers and grips with throttle tube assembly. I bought a new headlight, a new tailight with license plate bracket and a pair of turn signals that were flexible and are stick on. I also but new wheel bearings and new tires and new brake pads. I replaced the regulator. Checked the points for proper gap and did my valve clearances. Anything I found in bad shape was replaced. Most of the items were purchased on eBay. I bought pod filters and used my exhaust that had seemingly snapped in the middle from rust. I have about 2500$ into the bike and have taken it for a few rides it still is under construction but is very bad ass. I bought a new chain and kept the original sprockets that looked fine. I'm using a headlight blinker and horn control I found on eBay. And using the horn button for the starter. I'm still trying to figure out where to put the battery for it to be hidden and what battery I could buy fairly cheap that is small. I may have left alot out. I sure as hell left alot of pictures out that I never took. I'd like to hear your thoughts. It is still in progress.

[seanbarney41]

boooo, liked it better before you ruined it

[goldarrow]

Could look nice without chopping up the frame. But nice of you revived it from the dead. 

[db22]

Those of us who like the stripped-to-the-bone aesthetic will have some more positive comments as your build progresses.  I like the saddle you're using -- where did you get it, or did you make it?
I found lacquer thinner dissolves that nasty red gas varnish.  The stuff worked wonders on the carbs I'm using on my project bike.  Nasty fumes and super flammable, so use it carefully.  Phosphoric acid cleaned the rust out of my tank pretty well.
Your bike doesn't look too different from my project bike.  My procedure was to take the bike apart, then reassemble it bit by bit until it became a street-legal motorcycle.  At that point, anything further is to be considered carefully before it goes back on the bike.
What you have there is a fun and satisfying project.  Before long you'll end up with a fast, fun-to-ride bike, a machine you made yourself for the purpose of riding.  Ride it to a motorcycle show to see the showroom restorations, then get back out on the street and ride.

[db22]

This is my 550 project, a '75.  Took it out on the street for the first time yesterday, just to run through the gears and be able to say I rode it this season.  The electrical system was mostly missing when I got it, and I just did enough wiring to run the engine until the battery got too weak to power the ignition.  Getting the battery to charge is the next priority.  The seat arrangement is temporary -- a more permanent seat that hides the battery and wiring will be completed over the winter.
Your bike looks a lot like the idea I had when I got this one.  I hope you reach the goal you had in mind when you acquired your 550.

[Duanob]

Those of us who like the stripped-to-the-bone aesthetic will have some more positive comments as your build progresses. 

I'm not trying to start anything here but these bikes are getting rarer and rarer by the year as reflected by the prices going up and up. If you all feel the need to chop them up and make them unrestorable then why not do it with bikes that aren't so collectable like just about any 80's japanese bike? I mean by the time you're done modifying these bikes a 70's cafe'd bike looks pretty much the same as an 80's bike or even a 90's bike for that matter. Just sayin'.

[db22]

Those of us who like the stripped-to-the-bone aesthetic will have some more positive comments as your build progresses. 

I'm not trying to start anything here but these bikes are getting rarer and rarer by the year as reflected by the prices going up and up. If you all feel the need to chop them up and make them unrestorable then why not do it with bikes that aren't so collectable like just about any 80's japanese bike? I mean by the time you're done modifying these bikes a 70's cafe'd bike looks pretty much the same as an 80's bike or even a 90's bike for that matter. Just sayin'.

Point taken -- time to move on to dime-a-dozen recent Japanese bikes.  Here's a CL listing in my area for an uncut titled 550 roller: http://lacrosse.craigslist.org/mcy/5198741421.html  From what the owner told me, it could be the basis for a full restoration.