Author Topic: 2 1978 cb 550s  (Read 2144 times)

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Offline jaycox

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2 1978 cb 550s
« on: December 13, 2015, 09:01:14 AM »
Bought 2 1977 cb 550 a little while ago unseen.  One was not bad looking but siezed and the other looks rougher motor in good shape.   I stripped them both down to frame.  So for one I am doing a cafe/brat bike on all black with blue highlights and the stock colours.  The other I will restore to original but dame colour.   That way my wife and I can ride them together.  Anyhow a few pics and of where I'm at now.  Wheels rebuilt and powdercoated  and engine is completely stripped and powdercoated except for head which I am waiting  for.  The color is a brandy color with a bit of blue in decal, hence the blue highlights. I am doing everything myself except the boring of cylinders.  My goal is to reuse as much of original bikes as possible and keep costs at 1600-2000 for each bike.  It's definetly doable but will be close and  fun.  Thanks for info on this great site

Offline jaycox

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Re: 2 1978 cb 550s
« Reply #1 on: December 13, 2015, 09:08:52 AM »
Pics

Offline jaycox

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Re: 2 1978 cb 550s
« Reply #2 on: December 13, 2015, 09:23:45 AM »
Wheels were going to be all blue but didn't like the way color looked on unpolished hubs.  So took apart and went black, which I like better anyways.

Offline jaycox

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Re: 2 1978 cb 550s
« Reply #3 on: December 13, 2015, 09:26:26 AM »
Last pics for now.  It won't let me post in one so sorry

Offline jaycox

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Re: 2 1978 cb 550s
« Reply #4 on: December 13, 2015, 09:27:16 AM »
Done

Offline Zaipai

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Re: 2 1978 cb 550s
« Reply #5 on: December 13, 2015, 09:31:20 AM »
Boy those are turning out just awesome! Good work man and how lucky to get two of them.

Did you post them on the 500/550 registry thread?

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75 CB550F  | 


Offline jaycox

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Re: 2 1978 cb 550s
« Reply #6 on: December 13, 2015, 10:06:00 AM »
No, I have not, but i will now.  Thanks, it's my first time powder coating so there is a definite learning curve, but i seem to be getting it now.

Offline Zaipai

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Re: 2 1978 cb 550s
« Reply #7 on: December 13, 2015, 10:37:13 AM »
No, I have not, but i will now.  Thanks, it's my first time powder coating so there is a definite learning curve, but i seem to be getting it now.
Hey, powder coating is very impressive the best I can do is rattle can! So I would say you are doing awesome so far at least from what I can see anyway!

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75 CB550F  | 


Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: 2 1978 cb 550s
« Reply #8 on: December 13, 2015, 02:39:00 PM »
Looking forward to seeing this come together.  That's a tight budget, so if you can keep to it, major kudos.
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 jaycox

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Re: 2 1978 cb 550s
« Reply #9 on: February 15, 2016, 06:29:20 PM »
Been slow, no money really hampers things.  Got all my engine parts though and will be getting it together next week I hope.  Complete tear down.  Here's the controls though. 
« Last Edit: February 15, 2016, 06:38:40 PM by jaycox »

Offline jaycox

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Re: 2 1978 cb 550s
« Reply #10 on: February 15, 2016, 06:30:38 PM »
Master cylinder.

Online calj737

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Re: 2 1978 cb 550s
« Reply #11 on: February 16, 2016, 02:42:37 AM »
Blue=Yamaha factory color  :-[ Just ask FunJimmy about the razzing he took over his caliper  ;D Are you shooting the powder coat yourself (I'm assuming thats what the blue finish is)? It looks really clean and slick-
'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 jaycox

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Re: 2 1978 cb 550s
« Reply #12 on: February 16, 2016, 07:05:31 AM »
LOL, yes i'm doing the powder my self with an eastwood kit.  Works really well as long as everything is very clean.  And i'm ok with the blue being yamaha as that was my first bike.  I am using the blue from the stock decal on the 78 cb550k which will be going back on the bike.  Tank will be stock colour and fenders will be painted also, I will be repainting the tank also as it looks good from front but the top cleacoat is gone and peeled. There will be no chrome on the bike, I'm very anti-chrome, lol.
« Last Edit: February 16, 2016, 07:09:22 AM by jaycox »

Online calj737

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Re: 2 1978 cb 550s
« Reply #13 on: February 16, 2016, 07:17:43 AM »
Is the metal of the tank straight enough that you could just powder coat it? I've had that done on a few, it makes for a great, durable finish. I'm not high on chrome either  ;)
'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 jaycox

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Re: 2 1978 cb 550s
« Reply #14 on: February 16, 2016, 07:39:37 AM »
I thought about it but i don't think i could do a good enough job myself.  I can paint well so i'll do that.


Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: 2 1978 cb 550s
« Reply #15 on: February 16, 2016, 08:56:36 AM »
Chrome don't get you home.
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 jaycox

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Re: 2 1978 cb 550s
« Reply #16 on: March 03, 2016, 06:47:25 PM »
Frame is done, now to Re do rims in black powder. 

Offline jaycox

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Re: 2 1978 cb 550s
« Reply #17 on: March 11, 2016, 08:26:04 PM »
Painted tank but unfortunately will have to redo as the paint lifted when peeling off the tape.   Arghhhh I hate painting and bodywork.  At least I hadn't done the clear yet. 

Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: 2 1978 cb 550s
« Reply #18 on: March 11, 2016, 10:50:55 PM »
Arrrghh!!!   >:(
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 CycleRanger

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Re: 2 1978 cb 550s
« Reply #19 on: March 12, 2016, 12:13:58 PM »
It's bluuutiful!
Do you have a copy of the Honda Shop Manual or Parts List for your bike? Get one here:
https://www.honda4fun.com/materiale/documentazione-tecnica
CB750K5        '79 XL250s     CL350K3
CB750K3        '76 XS650      '76 CJ360T

Offline jaycox

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Re: 2 1978 cb 550s
« Reply #20 on: May 21, 2016, 07:26:36 PM »
Wheels true and rubber mounted. It's slow coming but only doing stuff as I have the cash.