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Author Topic: 1974 CB550 Four Backyard Build (Atl)  (Read 33090 times)

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Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: 1974 CB550 Four Backyard Build (Atl)
« Reply #100 on: July 29, 2015, 03:30:11 PM »
Nice lines with the tail.  I will keep my yap shut about the lowered front given your caveat!
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Offline SF

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Re: 1974 CB550 Four Backyard Build (Atl)
« Reply #101 on: September 08, 2015, 07:39:40 PM »
Nice to see this bike getting finished did he ever get it running right? Form over function? At lease change the the tubes if that's the look you want. It will ride a bit better than slamming into the ground. You keeping the Cokers for the look? They ride like crap.
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Offline Restoration Fan

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Re: 1974 CB550 Four Backyard Build (Atl)
« Reply #102 on: September 08, 2015, 09:39:26 PM »
cprice9,
Gorgeous bike.
I'm in Woodstock...about 25 miles from you guys.
Do you still happen to have contact info for the guy (Dave from Motor & Speed you mentioned) who fabricated your seat and tail section?  Also do you remember how much it was?  I'm interested in one for 75 550F frame that I'm making into a cafe bike for my son.

Ron
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Ron

Stella - Logan's Senior Project    78 750K http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=141761.0

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Offline PostScript

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Re: 1974 CB550 Four Backyard Build (Atl)
« Reply #103 on: December 22, 2015, 10:30:34 AM »
SF, it was running but not 100% right when I picked it up. It was smoking a good bit and you had to be real easy on the throttle until higher RPM's. I've slowly addressed some of the issues before one thing led to another and it turned into a big project. I plan to have it running again, painted, etc. by spring. By form over function, I just want something that looks rad. I have fast cars and don't need to be fast on 2 wheels. I've since rebuilt the front tubes and made some changes in there to account for the lowered height.....I need to post more recent pictures. The ride should be a little better but the Cokers sure aren't helping. I do like the look, any suggestions for something a bit wider and safer?

Restoration Fan, I'm in Woodstock as well, "cprice9" is downtown. I'm not sure if he still frequents this forum but he's usually out at the local meets and events. I bumped into him when Brother Moto still had their doors open this fall.
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Offline calj737

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Re: 1974 CB550 Four Backyard Build (Atl)
« Reply #104 on: December 22, 2015, 11:07:59 AM »
I really dug his old tail section, but looked like the seat need a pad for safety and comfort. Ditch the Cokers!!!! A small aluminum fender on the front would actually help aesthetically "pull" the space out instead of lowering the front end. Or, lower just your clip-ons and leave the geometry stock.
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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

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Offline Restoration Fan

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Re: 1974 CB550 Four Backyard Build (Atl)
« Reply #105 on: December 22, 2015, 06:45:59 PM »
Quote from: PostScript on December 22, 2015, 10:30:34 AM
Restoration Fan, I'm in Woodstock as well, "cprice9" is downtown. I'm not sure if he still frequents this forum but he's usually out at the local meets and events. I bumped into him when Brother Moto still had their doors open this fall.
I sent you a PM with contact information.  Give me a buzz if you ever want some help working on the bike.
Also, if you still have that seat and tail section that cprice9 had on it, I'll buy it from you if you want to sell.

Ron
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Ron

Stella - Logan's Senior Project    78 750K http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=141761.0

Logan's Reward - CB500 and CB550 Cafes    http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,147787.0.html

Offline PostScript

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Re: 1974 CB550 Four Backyard Build (Atl)
« Reply #106 on: January 28, 2016, 01:54:41 PM »
Small update. I lowered the bike the "right" way by rebuilding the front tubes to the desired length etc. Now the ugly goat horns aren't all you see poking through the triple tree. While it was all apart, I removed the factory bar mounts and gauge mounting locations and gave it a good buff and polish. After searching for a while, I finally settled on a tail light I like and welded in a bracket to tuck it up under the tail. I ordered a few that were either crap plastic, wrong shape or size, or the lens looked too new. This one is metal, has a nice old school lens shape when lit, tinted slightly, and wasn't LED.

Next step is finishing the seat/tail and body work. I picked out the seat material and need to make a fitted pan for the upholstery shop to get started. Onto the pics:







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Offline SF

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Re: 1974 CB550 Four Backyard Build (Atl)
« Reply #107 on: October 30, 2016, 09:38:34 AM »
Any updates ?
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92 wr250 sold
98 zx6r sold
04 zx10r
73 cb350 twin
75 cb550f
75 cb550f
72 r5c
rgid springer bobber project

Offline PostScript

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Re: 1974 CB550 Four Backyard Build (Atl)
« Reply #108 on: February 28, 2017, 03:27:37 PM »
Yep! Bought a few Jeeps since my last post that have taken all of my free time (shocker)!

Weather here in Georgia has been near perfect for a couple of weeks now minus some rain. I'm getting the itch to get out and ride so I might knock the dust off the thing and get back to "finishing" it. I'll be sure to document with pictures and post here every so often.
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Offline PostScript

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Re: 1974 CB550 Four Backyard Build (Atl)
« Reply #109 on: May 30, 2017, 11:08:58 AM »
I haven't updated this thread in a while. Not much has changed and progress is slow. I have too many projects going (or so I'm told).

Started prepping the tank and filling some of the small dents:



Shaved and polished a few things. Added a new brake MC and new (shorter) control cables:





Started on a small electronics tray to hold the vitals. Still need to add the mounting hardware and some tie-downs:





Picked up a donor bike for $150 the other weekend. It's fully broken down now. Previous owner had built a "chopper" in the 80's complete with 16in rear rim, tall handle bars, and dual rectangle headlights. It was a mess but the engine kinda idled and there were some good spare parts I might powdercoat black for this build:

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