Author Topic: CeeBee 550 mini Muscle  (Read 3061 times)

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Offline RedLiner

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CeeBee 550 mini Muscle
« on: August 14, 2016, 06:55:30 PM »
Since the introduction section seems pretty dead I figured I would post my project here.

I picked up this 76 550k this spring. It was a non runner when I bought it but seemed pretty solid. The odometer showed only 12,500 miles. It came with ugly 70's style ape hangers and a square solid steel sissy bar and kickstand. They must have weighed what seemed like a couple pounds each. The chopper seat wasn't on the bike but took it anyway because I felt guilty if left him with that ugly thing.

First thing I did was rip all the add ons off. Then I ordered a Delkevic header and Cone Engineering cone. Next was to tear the carbs down and rebuild them. One slide was stuck but otherwise turned out nice with new jets from Jets r us. I tossed the intake plenum since it had seen its better days and replaced them with Uni's.

I planned to just get it running and replace the forks with some usd's. That turned into ordering a 5 1/2" rim for the rear and completely rebuilding the swingarm to make it fit.

I'm pretty close to finishing it. Just a little more wiring to do once I finish the seat and tail. I'm still waiting for my offset drive sprocket and custom driven sprocket spacer to arrive. I don't want to make this post to dreadfully long so let me know if you have any questions or comments.

The day I brought her home. Poor thing.


New header.


New forks and 19" wheel.


New swingarm built and test fitting the 18" rim and 180 tire.


How she currently sits.

Offline Holshot

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Re: CeeBee 550 mini Muscle
« Reply #1 on: August 14, 2016, 08:10:17 PM »
Looks great! Any details on the front forks...?
1974 CB750K

Offline RedLiner

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Re: CeeBee 550 mini Muscle
« Reply #2 on: August 14, 2016, 08:34:24 PM »
Yes they are 2008 gsxr 600 forks. I haven't done anything to them yet as they aren't leaking. Probably this winter when I have some spare time.

The calipers are from a 2006 R1 with Core brake lines and a Brembo RCS19 master. The calipers bolt right on but I still need to get spacers from TFW Racing to space them out a couple mm.

The triples are adjustable offset from Cognito Moto with tapered All Balls bearings. Same for the hub with Buchanan ss spokes and nipples and Excel aluminum rim.


Offline Retro Rocket

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Re: CeeBee 550 mini Muscle
« Reply #3 on: August 14, 2016, 08:39:56 PM »
Nice work mate, shame about those cheap nasty shocks, considering the quality of the rest of the parts... ;)
750 K2 1000cc
750 F1 970cc
750 Bitsa 900cc
If You can't fix it with a hammer, You've got an electrical problem.

Offline RedLiner

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Re: CeeBee 550 mini Muscle
« Reply #4 on: August 14, 2016, 08:52:18 PM »
Lol, yeah I know. Time and money are short supply right now. I needed a little longer shocks to get me by and they fit the bill. These are heavenly compared to the rock hard air shocks that were on it.

Looking at replacing them this winter with Ohlins S36PR1C1LB. I believe the ones I need are the HO146 for a Honda 900/1100f.
« Last Edit: August 14, 2016, 08:56:38 PM by RedLiner »

Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: CeeBee 550 mini Muscle
« Reply #5 on: August 14, 2016, 09:15:21 PM »
You spent a few coins on that Brembo 19RCS MC.  Very nice.  I had one on my RC51 (removed it before selling/trading the bike).

Yes, definitely ditch those beat down shocks.   You'll thank yourself if you get rid of the stock balloon grips (they suck) and use something more comfortable.  Renthals or something. 

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 RedLiner

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Re: CeeBee 550 mini Muscle
« Reply #6 on: August 14, 2016, 09:25:24 PM »
I searched for a decent used master but couldn't find anything affordable I didn't have to rebuild. For a little over $100 more it was well worth it. Accossato sp? makes a nice master too. I have one similar to the Brembo on my GS1100 but has a built in reservoir.

Offline Retro Rocket

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Re: CeeBee 550 mini Muscle
« Reply #7 on: August 15, 2016, 02:18:35 AM »
Lol, yeah I know. Time and money are short supply right now. I needed a little longer shocks to get me by and they fit the bill. These are heavenly compared to the rock hard air shocks that were on it.

Looking at replacing them this winter with Ohlins S36PR1C1LB. I believe the ones I need are the HO146 for a Honda 900/1100f.

Yep, the HO146 are the ones but they'll raise the back a bit, just as well you bought the adjustable clamps, they are great... ;)
750 K2 1000cc
750 F1 970cc
750 Bitsa 900cc
If You can't fix it with a hammer, You've got an electrical problem.

Offline GV1390

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Re: CeeBee 550 mini Muscle
« Reply #8 on: August 15, 2016, 07:52:14 AM »
Welcome! Looks like a stellar project thus far, keep up the good work.
93' GSX-R1100, 78' CB550, 71' CL350, 71’ CB500 & 02' ZRX1200R.

Offline luvmy71

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Re: CeeBee 550 mini Muscle
« Reply #9 on: August 15, 2016, 10:53:40 AM »
Any chance you could post a pic of how you mounted your headlight and tach?  I have basically the same front end for my 550 and I'm trying to come up with a clean mount for light and tach.

thanks
CB750 K1
'74 CB550 Cafe Project

Offline RedLiner

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Re: CeeBee 550 mini Muscle
« Reply #10 on: August 15, 2016, 04:31:20 PM »
Sure, I hope this pic shows it well enough or I could take a close one if you want.



My original plan was to use the stock bucket since it was still in nice shape. The problem I had was finding quality brackets and to have them clear all the cables so they didn't bind up when I turned the forks. About the only nice ones I found that are made for these forks are the Motodemic brackets. They look nice but are $200/pr.

I decided to use the Emgo bates 5 3/4" headlight instead as a cheaper option.. I ordered a chrome one but was sent the black headlight. I wanted to wire it that weekend so I wired it anyway. I still wanted the chrome since I didn't really like the all black. When it came I already had it mounted on the bike and decided to just swap out the trim ring. I like how it looks and think I will just leave it that way.

The chrome is very nice and both are a bargain at $55. The mount is a simple L bracket made out of 1/8" stainless.  I drilled a single hole in the bottom yoke so the headlight can still be adjusted left or right.  I might make a little bit different style later on that replaces the square block that comes on the headlight but it's pretty sturdy for now. I'll probably replace the mount bolt with stainless to tidy it up a little.

One thing with this headlight is you will have to come up with somewhere else to route the wiring harness connectors as they won't fit in the small bucket. I moved everything under the tank since I rewired a lot of the harness anyway.

I might as well mention the clutch mount since you can see it clearly in the pic and think others might be interested in my mod.  I wanted a better clutch lever but wanted to keep the original cb switches.

I found a used gsxr perch with a Brembo lever. I'm not sure the exact year but most any with a cable style should work. To make it fit I cut off the clutch mount on the switch housing. I stripped all the wiring out of the housings and powder coated them.

One other thing I did was drill the side of the housings so I didn't have to run the wires through the bars. This makes istalation and removal of the housings so much easier. I'm not using the clutch switch since it's opposite of the cb switch.

« Last Edit: August 15, 2016, 04:51:39 PM by RedLiner »

Offline luvmy71

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Re: CeeBee 550 mini Muscle
« Reply #11 on: August 19, 2016, 08:13:26 PM »
That's great thanks.  I'm trying to get away from having a big white brake fluid reservoir sticking up so on the lookout for something in black that sits lower.
CB750 K1
'74 CB550 Cafe Project

Offline RedLiner

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Re: CeeBee 550 mini Muscle
« Reply #12 on: August 20, 2016, 07:31:44 AM »
That's great thanks.  I'm trying to get away from having a big white brake fluid reservoir sticking up so on the lookout for something in black that sits lower.

Accossato has a very nice integrated master (PRS) that is on the same quality level as Brembo. Many race teams use them. They are also available in many different color combinations. It's also fully adjustable like the Brembo RCS19.

One thing to mention though is they don't have a built in brake switch. You need to use a line pressure switch instead.

http://www.accossato.com/EN/motorcycles-accessories/radial-master-cylinder-integrated-oil-reservoir.html



Here are a couple pics of the PRS 19 on my GS1100E. I used their standard color gray and black. The colored ones are usually special order.





« Last Edit: August 20, 2016, 07:47:34 AM by RedLiner »

Offline RedLiner

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Re: CeeBee 550 mini Muscle
« Reply #13 on: September 13, 2016, 05:48:02 AM »
I thought an update should be in order since I finally got my offset drive sprocket and rear sprocket spacer made and installed. I'm running 3/4" offset with a 520 x-ring chain to clear the 180 tire. I have around 1/8" of clearance with the chain and tire.



I designed a one off spacer which also holds the axle shaft seal so I could eliminate the outer sprocket plate/seal holder.







I'm using ARP bolts instead of studs which are set with blue loctite.  I'm going to safety-wire the bolts which I haven't done yet as a safety precaution.


Offline calj737

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Re: CeeBee 550 mini Muscle
« Reply #14 on: September 13, 2016, 06:05:59 AM »
Might want to switch to their stainless bolts for corrosion protection.
'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 slikwilli420

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Re: CeeBee 550 mini Muscle
« Reply #15 on: September 13, 2016, 06:08:37 AM »
Looking really good. Nice fab skills and some great little touches. I agree with Cal, nothing quite like SS ARP hardware. Get ready though, tougher than hell to drill through even with carbide.
All you gotta do is do what you gotta do.

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Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: CeeBee 550 mini Muscle
« Reply #16 on: September 13, 2016, 06:18:08 AM »
Some amazing skills. What's the story with the sprocket to fit your offset plate?
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 RedLiner

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Re: CeeBee 550 mini Muscle
« Reply #17 on: September 13, 2016, 10:30:18 AM »
I'm not too worried about the standard bolts corroding. If I remember correctly they don't sell this particular size is stainless.

I've got a jig I use for drilling for safety wire. Drilling them shouldn't be an issue.

Some amazing skills. What's the story with the sprocket to fit your offset plate?

Are you wondering where I purchased it? I bought from Cognito Moto although Rebel Gears actually made it. I'm using the standard 17/48 tooth gearing.

« Last Edit: September 13, 2016, 10:35:30 AM by RedLiner »

Offline calj737

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Re: CeeBee 550 mini Muscle
« Reply #18 on: September 13, 2016, 10:57:59 AM »
I'm not too worried about the standard bolts corroding. If I remember correctly they don't sell this particular size is stainless.
Odd, black oxide bolts rust very easily. 10mmx40mm? They sell them in hex flange head in both 1.25 and 1.5 pitch, if you ever need to change.
'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 RedLiner

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Re: CeeBee 550 mini Muscle
« Reply #19 on: September 13, 2016, 01:53:26 PM »
I'm not too worried about the standard bolts corroding. If I remember correctly they don't sell this particular size is stainless.
Odd, black oxide bolts rust very easily. 10mmx40mm? They sell them in hex flange head in both 1.25 and 1.5 pitch, if you ever need to change.

I'll have to double check. Maybe I overlooked them. I can't remember offhand what size they were.

Offline luvmy71

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Re: CeeBee 550 mini Muscle
« Reply #20 on: September 13, 2016, 03:29:52 PM »
Where did you purchase the Accossanto brake lever?  I've been looking online but can't find the version with integrated reservoir.

Thanks!
CB750 K1
'74 CB550 Cafe Project

Offline RedLiner

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Re: CeeBee 550 mini Muscle
« Reply #21 on: September 13, 2016, 07:02:59 PM »
Where did you purchase the Accossanto brake lever?  I've been looking online but can't find the version with integrated reservoir.

Thanks!

I bought mine from AF1 Racing out of Austin, TX. I didn't see the black one like I bought but I'm sure if you called them they could tell you what they have in stock.

https://www.af1racing.com/store/Scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=57048

You can find other places if you search for Accossato integrated master. It's the PRS 17x19. Galfer I believe is their main USA distributor although it looks like their prices are higher than AF1 which has excellent customer service.

http://galferusa.com/product/accossato-all-accossato-master-cylinder-amag027pk/
« Last Edit: September 13, 2016, 07:11:57 PM by RedLiner »

Offline luvmy71

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Re: CeeBee 550 mini Muscle
« Reply #22 on: September 14, 2016, 02:19:59 PM »
Thanks.  It's exactly what I had in mind.
CB750 K1
'74 CB550 Cafe Project