Topic: New 550 Owner in Socal

[StrongPerf]

Hello All,

I've been lurking a posted a couple of times. I am now the proud owner of a 1974 CB550. It's ugly, but all there.

It was given to me by a great friend from my church. He wanted to see it done but didn't have time and didn't want to neglect his family. I have another buddy who is going in halvers on it.

So far we have purchased stuff for GL1000 front end conversion, reverse comstar wheels and brake discs, rear sets, tapered steering bearings, drag bars, dyna ignition, gauge faces, tires and more. We are planning the hybrid 650/550 motor too. 

I paint, weld and have a drill press and lathe in my garage. I plan on posting pics every step of the way and well documenting the entire build. This isn't my first rodeo but I am new to the old bike thing. I have a 2003 Kawi Z1000. It rocks but I figure with an older bike I can have the same fun (or more) doing the build but for less cash and more reward.

[dusterdude]

welcome

[Bob Wessner]

Welcome as well. Keep us up to date on your progress.

[StrongPerf]

I plan on starting a seperate "project" thread when I actually get started on the bike.

Right now I'm fininshing up a 64 Nova I've been working on for 13 years. It should be done by the end of this month or next. After that I'll get started on the CB. I hate having too many projects going at once...

More to follow!

[juanclos]

Welcome...

Where in SoCal are you...I just got my 73 CB750...

[mrbreeze]

There you go Juan....I knew there were other owners down your way!!!

[StrongPerf]

Welcome...

Where in SoCal are you...I just got my 73 CB750...

I'm in Camarillo (Ventura County). Just 45 min north west of LA.

You?

[juanclos]

La MIrada,  Orange/Los Angeles county line.  5 fwy off at Valley View... I go through Ventura when going to Santa Barbara....when I can go that is...

[StrongPerf]

Very cool. I ride the area between Ventura and Bakersfield and Santa Barbara a lot. Perhaps when I'm done with the CB we can get together an old bike ride you will be welcome to attend. I got lots of buddies with old RD's, CB's etc... Should be fun! Awesome roads like the 33, 58, and similar roads.

[juanclos]

Very cool. I ride the area between Ventura and Bakersfield and Santa Barbara a lot. Perhaps when I'm done with the CB we can get together an old bike ride you will be welcome to attend. I got lots of buddies with old RD's, CB's etc... Should be fun! Awesome roads like the 33, 58, and similar roads.

That would be great.  I'd rather ride on back roads like that, there is much to see and if something happens it is usually your fault, not someone else..Let me get mine going, I have a ways to go to get it the way I want.  I am still in the "what do I have stage" 

[StrongPerf]

Me too. I've bought most of the parts and done most of the planning but haven't touched the bike yet. I plan on building it this spring and riding it this summer...

[juanclos]

Me too. I've bought most of the parts and done most of the planning but haven't touched the bike yet. I plan on building it this spring and riding it this summer...

I am a newbie full on.  I rebuild cars and this will be my first bike.  Excited about it but trying to learn as much as possible.  I am going to try to take some welding classes so that I can do some things here at home also.
I am trying to get my starter working first, it was disconnected and I would like to take compression first so my project will be pretty slow.

[StrongPerf]

We all have to start somewhere. I've had an 02 ZRX1200 and now have an 03 Z1000. I do 3 or 4 track days a year too. I have a welder in my garage so if you want to come up here for some bike work days I can show you a few things.

I work on cars too. Went to school for it and worked as a professional for 3 years. I've got a 9 second street legal 64 Nova but will sell it soon. Bikes are easier and cheaper! I've worked on Fords/Mopars and most others too. What cars do you work on or drive?

[juanclos]

We all have to start somewhere. I've had an 02 ZRX1200 and now have an 03 Z1000. I do 3 or 4 track days a year too. I have a welder in my garage so if you want to come up here for some bike work days I can show you a few things.

I work on cars too. Went to school for it and worked as a professional for 3 years. I've got a 9 second street legal 64 Nova but will sell it soon. Bikes are easier and cheaper! I've worked on Fords/Mopars and most others too. What cars do you work on or drive?

I've done 65 mustangs, 57 chevy truck, 81 BMW 633 CSi, 89 BMW 325 convertible, and I currently have my 64 Chevelle Malibu SS Convertible.  I also have a 74 VW Thing in my garage that I'm trying to finish (my 6 year old seems to have claimed it).  I drive a 91 mercedes I bought with problems, and a 99 Suburban.   I have worked on Waverunners also, I bought a messed up 2001 Yamaha GP1200, that thing has 3 35 mm Mikunis on it..

Bike work days would be great, let me play with the carbs a little and I can figure out how I'm going to restructure the cut cross bars on my bike and we can do it. Thanks for the offer.

[calorchard]

socal rocks , we can ride all year.