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Author Topic: 1977 CB550 Cafe Build  (Read 1474 times)

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Offline Valentinik

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1977 CB550 Cafe Build
« on: January 09, 2016, 03:04:15 PM »
Some will have seen my introduction post but if you haven't, First of all, this is the first bike i've owned and its a big learning experience more than anything for me, i've had numerous cars and I'm currently build a turbo westfield but bikes are something i have never worked on. So please excuse what some may feel are stupid questions.

Today i went and collected a new project. Its a 1977 CB550 K3, it looks like someone has changed the forks to super dream items as well as the wheels. Im hoping to find some good used items, refurbish them and replace them. As can be seen from the pictures, some bits are missing and its not in too good a state but something i thought was suitable to work on.

I went and collected the bike from leominster this afternoon. To pay my wife back for coming with me i had to take her out to dinner so wasn't able to start until we got back (she wasn't pleased).

Here it is before it was put in the garage:


I've removed the seat, tank and exhaust and just had a look at what exactly is missing and what i need to do:



One thing I'm not sure of what it is/where it is meant to fit is this:


Could anyone give me a pointer on what it is?

Mike
« Last Edit: January 10, 2016, 01:35:23 PM by Valentinik »
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Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: 1977 CB550 Build
« Reply #1 on: January 09, 2016, 04:31:23 PM »
That's an interesting franken-bike. 

It looks like the PO mounted a 750F2/F3 wheel and brake calipers up front -- a nice improvement with the dual discs.  Some people like and some people dislike the Comstar wheels.  Yours look like they are in decent shape.  I am unsure where the PO sourced the rear Comstar wheel because the 750F bikes had disc rear wheels.

I would keep the wheels as is.

The larger issue here is the open top end, and how long it's been like that.  Is the engine seized or free? 
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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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"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)

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Offline Valentinik

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Re: 1977 CB550 Build
« Reply #2 on: January 10, 2016, 07:55:09 AM »
Thanks for the information, its really useful. i've learnt a lot already.

I made a little bit of progress this morning. Both wheels are off, the engine is out and i've taken a look at the forks. The chrome seems to be pretty rusty and I'm not a fan of the wheels, so i may see if i can source a set of original forks and spoked wheels. The wheels seem to be in pretty good condition so i'l see if anyone else is interested in them.



Before i took the engine out though i wanted to check it turns over as i didnt know what state it was in. The good news was it turned over quite freely. The less pleasing news was when i drained the oil, 2 litres of water came out before the oil.

As you can see from the picture theres a bit of rust on the camshaft and tops of the valves but I'm hoping its still useable. Im planning on a full engine rebuild anyway.



Mike
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Offline Valentinik

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Re: 1977 CB550 Build
« Reply #3 on: January 10, 2016, 07:59:26 AM »
I thought the wheels and forks looked like cb400n. Which may explain why it has a drum not a rear disk? but this was just from a very quick look.

Mike
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Offline irish44395

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Re: 1977 CB550 Build
« Reply #4 on: January 10, 2016, 08:13:28 AM »
They also look like the ones on my nighthawk 650 same wheels and drum brake
Pete
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Offline Valentinik

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Re: 1977 CB550 Cafe Build
« Reply #5 on: January 10, 2016, 01:40:06 PM »
unfortunately i don't have the rockers or rocker cover as this wasn't fitted, i think this is the cause of the water ingress. Thats one of the parts il need to find

Thanks for the pointer on the JIS screwdriver bits, i didnt know that. Il order a set.

Mike
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Offline bochnak

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Re: 1977 CB550 Cafe Build
« Reply #6 on: January 13, 2016, 06:07:05 AM »
Cool project!

I have some videos that may help you with your engine. See my sig.
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Offline Valentinik

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Re: 1977 CB550 Cafe Build
« Reply #7 on: January 14, 2016, 02:45:23 PM »
Great, thanks. Il have a watch.
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