Author Topic: 1978 CB550K - new project - COMPLETED (Read 24134 times)

Johnie · « **Reply #50 on:** January 14, 2017, 10:06:19 AM »

Forks disassembled easily and seals came out no problem. Plan to polish the legs next.

Johnie · « **Reply #51 on:** January 15, 2017, 04:44:36 PM »

No apology necessary Fess. No need to remove your posts either. Just did not want to lose my project thread continuity. I will be looking forward to your project and welcome to the board.

Johnie · « **Reply #52 on:** January 28, 2017, 07:29:38 AM »

Made some progress...forks polished and on the bike as is the front wheel with new bearings, tube and Conti. Got the gauges, light, blinkers, etc. on and everything works. PO did a nice job of not messing up any wiring and keeping all the parts there for me once I got the fairing off. Compression check very good and good spark. New exhaust gaskets installed.

Stev-o · « **Reply #53 on:** January 28, 2017, 10:26:11 AM »

Good progress, Johnie, looks great. It will be a fun bike to ride...

RAFster122s · « **Reply #54 on:** January 28, 2017, 08:44:08 PM »

She is looking really good Johnie, some nice work cleaning her up. That is phenomenal condition chrome. You are very lucky to have found one in such good shape and so cheap. Did you go with Dunlops? Looks like the period profile and pattern rubber from the 70 s, with modern rubber compounds of course.
Shaping up to be a nice rider that is very original.
David

Johnie · « **Reply #55 on:** January 29, 2017, 11:52:10 AM »

RAF I went with Conti's.

RAFster122s · « **Reply #56 on:** January 29, 2017, 12:03:21 PM »

You are going to triple or quadruple the value of the bike by the time you are done with the bike clean up/ freshen up with about 4-500 investment if that...not counting all your time.

Have you ever ridden a 550?

It will be vastly different from your 750 s but severely lacking power by comparison...
I like the more nimble handling trade.

Johnie · « **Reply #57 on:** January 29, 2017, 01:39:45 PM »

Rode a friends 550 back in the 70's...forgot how it feels. Pretty lucky the original chrome is awesome.

RAFster122s · « **Reply #58 on:** January 29, 2017, 04:53:18 PM »

Given that a NOS front fender for the '74 CB550 goes for $250.05 from Western Honda in AZ...retail at $334.29
Same fender for '74-'76 K.

The '78 fender (F or K)   004   FENDER, FR. 61100-390-671 is NLA from Honda.

   032   FENDER, FR. *MRCR2* (CHROME PLATING)
61100-341-700XW      $334.29   $250.05

So, add that to a nice rear fender... which is NLA for any of the 550Ks or 550Fs...
That doesn't include the tail lamp holder which is also a NLA chrome part.
Pricing good chrome work you know isn't cheap.
So, the bike is worth more than you paid for it just in the chrome parts of the fenders, tail lamp holder and fork ears.

Yeah, I am amazed at how clean and pristine the bike was and the price you got it for is a steal. I wish my chrome were half as nice...
Some people have all the luck.

You should buy a lottery ticket you might win.

David

Johnie · « **Reply #59 on:** January 29, 2017, 08:51:48 PM »

Your are right Dave...and to find this sitting at a rummage sale too. It was a 3 day rummage sale and all he showed on the pic was the right side pipes only. I could tell it was a 77 or 78, but could not tell if 550 or 750. I was not real interested, but the 3rd day was a great day for a KO ride so I just happen to venture over to that town (30 minutes) and did not even remember the address. Thought I would drive through this little city and if I find it I will check it out. Drove down the little street and there it sat in front. The rest is history...

Johnie · « **Reply #60 on:** February 06, 2017, 06:23:43 PM »

The seat cover was torn so this past weekend I removed the old and installed a new one from gumtwo. This is like the 7th cover from him and they are very good quality and fit really nice. I was lucky as the foam was still in really nice condition and the underside mounting tangs were all intact. As I have always said, "if your fingers and thumb do not hurt once you are done, then you did not do it right."

Pleased with the fit and finish of the seat.

Stev-o · « **Reply #61 on:** February 06, 2017, 06:56:01 PM »

Nice job, nothin' like a good seat...

Johnie · « **Reply #62 on:** February 07, 2017, 07:46:27 AM »

Yah, as I walk up to a potential project the first thing that usually catches the eye is the torn seat. Pretty hard to find a good seat on these old bikes. If the cover is good the foam is usually bad. The original cover is usually so old it is ready to split. Gumtwo sure has a nice product there. Good stitching, good color and era correct HONDA logo color.

Johnie · « **Reply #63 on:** February 11, 2017, 07:20:10 PM »

Today finished the master and caliper rebuild. Got it all installed and no pressure. Turned out to be a plugged brake line on top. Cleaned that out and hooked up the Mity Vac and got good pressure. Moving' on...

Stev-o · « **Reply #64 on:** February 12, 2017, 07:07:46 AM »

Mity vac saves the day again! I may need to get one....

Johnie · « **Reply #65 on:** February 12, 2017, 08:32:41 AM »

That Mity Vac sure makes the job easier. This is the first time I had to clean out an OEM brake line. Did not know if it could even be done. Took a bit of feeding a soft wire through from both side a few time and then WD-40 and air pressure.

strynboen · « **Reply #66 on:** February 12, 2017, 09:52:55 AM »

wd 40 is not dot4 så the brake line is prob toast now

Stev-o · « **Reply #67 on:** February 12, 2017, 10:51:23 AM »

Quote from: Johnie on February 12, 2017, 08:32:41 AM

That Mity Vac sure makes the job easier. This is the first time I had to clean out an OEM brake line. Did not know if it could even be done.

One of my projects had a clogged brake line too, took a short while, but figured it out. If I remember correctly, I just disconnected it and pumped the master cyl

Johnie · « **Reply #68 on:** February 12, 2017, 01:59:09 PM »

naw...takes more than that to damage a line.

Johnie · « **Reply #69 on:** February 28, 2017, 02:19:14 PM »

For some reason the paint on top of the case was bad. Finally got it repainted.

Johnie · « **Reply #70 on:** March 05, 2017, 10:26:06 AM »

Just noticed the shifter seal leaking...back to the dealer.

Johnie · « **Reply #71 on:** March 11, 2017, 10:15:26 AM »

New shifter seal in place. Had to repaint the case near the points cover. Bike is coming along. Going to polish the stator cover, put on the exhaust and engine guards. Last will be the carbs which are off the bike.

Fezzler · « **Reply #72 on:** March 11, 2017, 11:50:04 AM »

Nice. What paint on the engine?

Stev-o · « **Reply #73 on:** March 11, 2017, 11:57:21 AM »

Looks good. I vote no to engine guards...

Johnie · « **Reply #74 on:** March 11, 2017, 07:17:09 PM »

Fezz...Dupli-Color Engine Enamel DE 1615 found at most automotive stores in squirt can.

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Author Topic: 1978 CB550K - new project - COMPLETED (Read 24134 times)