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Author Topic: CB550 Project Start  (Read 14346 times)

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Offline tacc13

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CB550 Project Start
« on: April 03, 2016, 03:06:20 AM »
Hello all. Am in the process of dismantling a 75 C B550 I recently picked up. I have started pulling apart the forks, which will at least need rechroming for the sliders, or new ones. I can get a set of 77 CB750F2 forks, trees, calipers and master cylinder in excellent condition for a pretty good price. Can anyone tell me if this will bolt up to the 75 CB550 frame and if I can use my stock spoked hub?

Thanks

Chris
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Offline tacc13

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Re: CB550 Project Start
« Reply #1 on: April 04, 2016, 05:57:49 AM »
Have attached a picture of the two fork lowers. The left fork leg has the caliper mounting holes, right fork has none. From my limited understanding I thought both legs should be able to take calipers. If so, have I got one leg from another model, CB500 maybe?

Thanks
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Offline rocs

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Re: CB550 Project Start
« Reply #2 on: April 04, 2016, 01:45:36 PM »
Hey, post your question in the main forum for quicker replies.
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1975 CB550k's

Offline tacc13

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Re: CB550 Project Start
« Reply #3 on: August 26, 2016, 05:49:40 PM »
Thought I should post an update on my slow CB550 project. I have rebuilt the front end and converted to twin CB750 calipers. Got one from Godffery's Garage and the quality puts the first one I purchased to shame. Will strip the original and try to match Jeff's finish. Tank is from Tab Classics. Have a Dick Mann tail on its way from Air-Tech. Once I have that will fit up the tail loop. Front wheel is getting laced up to a new rim. Need to find a spare day to hit the rear hub with wet and dry and get it polished. Am also waiting on a Ducati 900SS fairing bracket so I can mount a half fairing to the front. The photo shows both rider and pillion pegs fitted. Was testing to see if the pillion mounts would work for the rearset position.
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Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: CB550 Project Start
« Reply #4 on: August 26, 2016, 09:52:57 PM »
Beautiful tank. Rickman replica?
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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)
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 Chappy

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Re: CB550 Project Start
« Reply #5 on: August 27, 2016, 02:27:01 AM »
That tank! :drool:
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Offline tacc13

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Re: CB550 Project Start
« Reply #6 on: August 27, 2016, 03:32:50 PM »
Yes, it's a Rickman replica. Richard from Tab Classics did a brilliant job.
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Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: CB550 Project Start
« Reply #7 on: August 28, 2016, 10:35:03 AM »
Quote from: tacc13 on August 27, 2016, 03:32:50 PM
Yes, it's a Rickman replica. Richard from Tab Classics did a brilliant job.

Very nice.  I see that he usually fits two petcock bungs on either side of the tank.  Did he do that with yours, or are you running a single in the "stock" location?
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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)
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 tacc13

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Re: CB550 Project Start
« Reply #8 on: August 28, 2016, 02:48:15 PM »
It has two bungs. I sent him some Pingel 3/8 NPT fittings so I can use a pair of their taps.
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Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: CB550 Project Start
« Reply #9 on: August 28, 2016, 08:43:58 PM »
Quote from: tacc13 on August 28, 2016, 02:48:15 PM
It has two bungs. I sent him some Pingel 3/8 NPT fittings so I can use a pair of their taps.

Pingels are well-made.  Are you running stock carbs or CR26s? If you run CR's you may run into clearance issues. 

Did Tab fit the front "C" mounts into the Rickman tank?
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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)
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 tacc13

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Re: CB550 Project Start
« Reply #10 on: August 28, 2016, 09:01:26 PM »
The C mounts are fitted and are a perfect fit. Richard has a CB550 frame in his yard and had made at least one tank previously. I wasn't planning on CR26s straight away. Once it's on the road I was going to possibly do an upgrade down track. Hadn't considered clearance issues with them. I think Cycle-X do a billet manifold which is a lot shorter than stock, so that may alleviate any problems there.

I do need to find some rubber to isolate the rear of the tank. Will probably go to a local rubber shop and get some square strip.
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Offline tacc13

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Re: CB550 Project Start
« Reply #11 on: October 02, 2016, 06:25:50 PM »
Made some more progress on the project. After polishing the hubs I sent them to Fastline Spokes in Broadford, Victoria. Bruce laced new alloy rims on with stainless spokes. If any Australians need wheel work done I thoroughly recommend Bruce.

While trying to work out how to do my dual rotor conversion I came across a blog by a gent called Kyril Dambuleff where he went through his CB550 build, called Blacksquare. Kyril had a diagram of a spacer which replaced the speedo drive and made the conversion fairly simple. None of the machine shops in my area would touch the job, but as it turned out someone at work new a retired gent who had machined surgical and scientific lab parts his entire life. Keith (the machinist) made the spacer in the photo out of some aircraft alloy he had lying around and also machined the stainless bush for the setup.  Front wheel is now fitted with dual EBC rotors, getting tyres on this weekend and I should then have a finished rolling chassis.
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Offline tacc13

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Re: CB550 Project Start
« Reply #12 on: October 27, 2016, 02:04:06 AM »
Bit more progress after getting some advice from the forum re cleaning up the rear tail area. Have got to know my file extremely well and have a greater understanding for why bike customisers charge so much. Hoping DHL come through as advertised and deliver my Cognito shock mounts tomorrow and it is off to the welder on Saturday. Also got some Lowbrow Customs tabs to weld on for a Kott style splash guard for the carbs. I can then do a full assemble to check fit before painting the frame and sorting the engine and carbs.
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Offline calj737

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Re: CB550 Project Start
« Reply #13 on: October 27, 2016, 04:58:46 AM »
That tank looks to be sitting lower than stock. This can be an issue by causing the petcock to interfere with the carbs. Before you send everything off to powder coat or paint, I'd encourage you to test assemble your motor, body work, tins etc and confirm your fitments.
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'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 SF

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Re: CB550 Project Start
« Reply #14 on: October 27, 2016, 03:24:14 PM »
Subscribed great start with beautiful parts
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Offline tacc13

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Re: CB550 Project Start
« Reply #15 on: October 27, 2016, 10:42:54 PM »
Will definitely be putting the engine back in before painting. Have already checked and unfortunately the fuel tap bungs sit directly above the carbs. I am waiting for a mate of mine to get his Pingel tap to see how much clearance there is. If it is an issue I might run inline taps, although that means I don't have a reserve. I can also get the existing bungs filled and have new ones welded in, which like a lot of things, costs more up front, but years later will prove to be the better option.
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Offline philgresty

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Re: CB550 Project Start
« Reply #16 on: October 28, 2016, 04:40:20 AM »
i ran an identical rickman tank made by tab on my cb550 ( one of the previous ones you were talking about) , ill dig out pictures, i had a load of clearance. i did have the rear of the tank sitting a touch higher to level it out though.
Phil
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Offline tacc13

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Re: CB550 Project Start
« Reply #17 on: November 02, 2016, 04:35:56 AM »
Thanks SF, I haven't done anything like this before, so it may be a while.

Philgresty - would be keen to see photos when you get a chance. I stripped the forks and rear wheel off before the tank arrived, so I don't really know how it sits. Are you running stock carbs? I'm tossing up whether to spring for CR26s but am concerned after CB750 Café Racer Fan's post that they may be taller than stock and cause problems.
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Offline tacc13

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Re: CB550 Project Start
« Reply #18 on: November 04, 2016, 08:57:14 PM »
I got the frame back today from Mark at Monel Customs and extremely happy with the welding work he did for me. Have spent most of the day bolting bits back on as I was keen to see what she looked like. Hasn't been this complete since I pulled her apart. Have found lots of small things that need doing, like shortening the front rotor bolts. I can't find the original rear brake actuator arm and the one I got from ebay doesn't fit, so will have to turn the house upside down to find the old one. Getting the engine cleaned and then bolted back in so Monel can make up a set of 4-4 pipes. Putting one of my kidneys on ebay if anyone's interested.
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Offline Bootsey

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Re: CB550 Project Start
« Reply #19 on: November 07, 2016, 02:15:13 PM »
Hell of a nice start to the project. Where about's in Aus are you?
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Offline Stev-o

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Re: CB550 Project Start
« Reply #20 on: November 09, 2016, 03:53:39 PM »
Nice project, subscribed...
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'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline tacc13

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Re: CB550 Project Start
« Reply #21 on: November 10, 2016, 02:59:17 AM »
G'day Bootsey - I'm in Canberra.

Cheers
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Offline tacc13

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Another piece of the puzzle
« Reply #22 on: December 10, 2016, 03:51:59 PM »
The Ducati 900SS fairing and headlight finally arrived. The headstock bracket is just tacked in place. Haven't compared the rake angles for the 900SS and CB550, but I think the final bracket will need to be angled up slightly to make the fairing sit nicely.

The wheels are off, yet again, so I can get all the spacers and axles machined out of stainless. The Lego box is the same size as an 8 cell Anti Gravity battery in case anyone asks.

4-2-1 system arrived from Ripple Rock.

I'm hoping to at least get a Christmas card from DHL, US Post, FedEx etc. The postage costs for all this are scary.
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Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: CB550 Project Start
« Reply #23 on: December 11, 2016, 01:51:51 AM »
I like the fairing and tank combination.
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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)
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 bwaller

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Re: CB550 Project Start
« Reply #24 on: December 11, 2016, 04:12:40 AM »
Yes, looking good. I can well appreciate that the shipping costs cause you pain....better get a Christmas card!

You're right you will need to change the angle of the fairing bracket, but that should be straight forward enough.
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