Topic: 78' Honda CB550 Badass

[Dabrowsky]

Hi all. Im Dom and here is my build:

1978 Honda CB 550. Less talk more pics:

I bought it like this. Poor condition but that was perfect for cut (Im not a big fan of wasting classic motorcycles but well... I had to do it at least once)




There is nothing to wait for so lets work




Hardest decision - cutting the frame



stay tuned for next part

[bambuhiphop]

Welcome and good luck!

[DurangoCB]

I'm in. 

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Dom,

Welcome.  Do you have a particular design in mind for your build?  Any performance mods?

[Dabrowsky]

Part 2

Frame loop
 


Some details

 
The only choice - Firestone

And the fitments


Some new parts arrivals


Triple Tree cut

Frame powdercoated


1st version of the tank


And the look I really wanted is showing up



Leather seat

Final look

 
Tank is black again. Now im working with new UniPod filters, finishing electric and some adds and odds

[flatlander]

i guess this is some sort of living room decoration rather than a bike for riding?
how is that frame loop going to feel when the oh so stylish firestone kisses it from underneath... 

[minimo]

What a transformation! And you make it look so easy!
Was the fuel tank rattlecan painted?
👍

[seanbarney41]

Oops, nothing badass here...

[minimo]

On the rear, is that like 2” clearance? Big hunka Firestone’s those are!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Stev-o]

Welcome Dom...wow, you work quick.   Great polishing!

[Dabrowsky]

i guess this is some sort of living room decoration rather than a bike for riding?
how is that frame loop going to feel when the oh so stylish firestone kisses it from underneath... 

Actually You are kinda right



Anyway its not my daily driver but its fully usable. The clearance is ok. It runs and tire doesnt kiss the loop with my weight.

Oops, nothing badass here...

Sorry for disapointing You

Welcome Dom...wow, you work quick.   Great polishing!

Thanks! Its already 14th month but getting closer

[DurangoCB]

That is a badass bike. If the tire rubs when you hit culverts (or gap jumps down at the track), replace the tires... not a huge deal. Keep doing what you’re doing.

[Marissa]

Awesome bike.

[PGF550F]

Some decent work here, polished aluminum and powdercoated frame.
And then boom. Firestones... I’ll go make some popcorn

[AlBundy]

Nice bike but like many other have wroten, that tire will hit the loop and the Firestones does not make it any better! I had that problem with mine bike, had to raise the rear shocks 30mm (10mm over stock), and I'm still worried that it won't be enough. I have stock tire size...

Do not ride with an extra person, or you will risk your and the other persons life!

[DurangoCB]

Stock tire size and shocks longer than stock and you still have clearance issues? 

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

DurangoCB and Dabrowski,

I don't think anyone is trying to be mean about it, but CBs with Firestones and flat-brat-style seats are not the best choices for function and safety -- hence, the reaction.  These tires have no edge-grip for cornering (try pushing on that tread edge and you'll likely be on the ground), and the seat becomes terribly uncomfortable for rides lasting more than a few miles.  They are choices made simply for looks (and Instagram), but hey, it's your bike to do with what you want.  If all you do is put around down at less than highway speeds with no turns, you'll be fine.  There are a bunch of similar looking bikes that became popular on Bikeexif, Bike Shed, etc. -- essentially hipster bikes for photos and not for function.  We just want you to be safe, so try to take the comments in that spirit.  In the end, these are you choices to make your bike to enjoy.

[Dabrowsky]

Thank You guys for opinions. As many said its not a commuter bike/daily driver/ Yes its for a few miles trips/meeting or just to go for a coffe (kinda cafe racer ideology😏)

I ride many other bikes and this toy just makes me happy because I allways wanted to build something like this. It doesnt have to be comfortable etc.

I wont ride 2 person and I tested the tire gap but if it wont be safe of course I will change the shocks. Im not a suicider.

DurangoCB and Dabrowski,

I don't think anyone is trying to be mean about it, but CBs with Firestones and flat-brat-style seats are not the best choices for function and safety -- hence, the reaction.  These tires have no edge-grip for cornering (try pushing on that tread edge and you'll likely be on the ground), and the seat becomes terribly uncomfortable for rides lasting more than a few miles.  They are choices made simply for looks (and Instagram), but hey, it's your bike to do with what you want.  If all you do is put around down at less than highway speeds with no turns, you'll be fine.  There are a bunch of similar looking bikes that became popular on Bikeexif, Bike Shed, etc. -- essentially hipster bikes for photos and not for function.  We just want you to be safe, so try to take the comments in that spirit.  In the end, these are you choices to make your bike to enjoy.

Appreciate Your post. You are partialy right. Its a bike built more for look but still driveable at least to the coffe shop 👌 Im allways happy to hear some opinions with fresh look.

[AlBundy]

Stock tire size and shocks longer than stock and you still have clearance issues?

Maybe I wasn't clear enough but I had clearance issues with my Hagon (20mm less then stock eye to eye) before I rebuild them. The clearance was not enough when I rode with an extra person. Now they are 10mm higher then stock (after the rebuild). I hope I won't have the clearance issue anymore. Can't test it since we have snow here in Sweden and my carbs are not on the bike yet

[DurangoCB]

Maybe I wasn't clear enough but I had clearance issues with my Hagon (20mm less then stock eye to eye) before I rebuild them. The clearance was not enough when I rode with an extra person. Now they are 10mm higher then stock (after the rebuild). I hope I won't have the clearance issue anymore. Can't test it since we have snow here in Sweden and my carbs are not on the bike yet

Makes sense- thanks, AlBundy. 

[DurangoCB]

DurangoCB and Dabrowski,

I don't think anyone is trying to be mean about it, but CBs with Firestones and flat-brat-style seats are not the best choices for function and safety -- hence, the reaction.  These tires have no edge-grip for cornering (try pushing on that tread edge and you'll likely be on the ground), and the seat becomes terribly uncomfortable for rides lasting more than a few miles.  They are choices made simply for looks (and Instagram), but hey, it's your bike to do with what you want.  If all you do is put around down at less than highway speeds with no turns, you'll be fine.  There are a bunch of similar looking bikes that became popular on Bikeexif, Bike Shed, etc. -- essentially hipster bikes for photos and not for function.  We just want you to be safe, so try to take the comments in that spirit.  In the end, these are you choices to make your bike to enjoy.

I'm not all that sensitive about the issue, but the way it comes across can be rude and presumptive.  I'm constantly trying to encourage my employees to be solutions-oriented, so I'll offer a solution:

It would be great if someone made a sticky post explaining the concerns and dangers of modifying bikes.  A post that isn't judgmental and dismissive, but helpful. The snarky remarks people make about modified bikes aren't helpful.  They just make people leave the forum.  And it's unfair to make assumptions.  For example:  that a person is a daredevil and should want to squeeze every last 1/8 HP out of their engine, or that everyone wants to carry a passenger. 

But a helpful post pointing out the caveats of modifying a bike would be killer.  "Consider the fact that your tire clearance and the suspension setup you select should be designed to avoid your tire contacting your seat, seat hoop, or fender(s)." 

If I stumbled across that info way back when I first decided to heavily modify a vintage bike, I would have just been appreciative and taken note.  But when someone prefaces their advice with, "Project looked great until you put those #$%*ty tires on..." all they do is offend the bike's owner and make their buddies snicker. 

Anyway- create a post, lock and sticky it, then when anyone has the urge to voice their concern over some other member’s bike, they can just refer to the sticky post.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

DurangoCB and Dabrowski,

I don't think anyone is trying to be mean about it, but CBs with Firestones and flat-brat-style seats are not the best choices for function and safety -- hence, the reaction.  These tires have no edge-grip for cornering (try pushing on that tread edge and you'll likely be on the ground), and the seat becomes terribly uncomfortable for rides lasting more than a few miles.  They are choices made simply for looks (and Instagram), but hey, it's your bike to do with what you want.  If all you do is put around down at less than highway speeds with no turns, you'll be fine.  There are a bunch of similar looking bikes that became popular on Bikeexif, Bike Shed, etc. -- essentially hipster bikes for photos and not for function.  We just want you to be safe, so try to take the comments in that spirit.  In the end, these are you choices to make your bike to enjoy.

I'm not all that sensitive about the issue, but the way it comes across can be rude and presumptive.  I'm constantly trying to encourage my employees to be solutions-oriented, so I'll offer a solution:

It would be great if someone made a sticky post explaining the concerns and dangers of modifying bikes.  A post that isn't judgmental and dismissive, but helpful. The snarky remarks people make about modified bikes aren't helpful.  They just make people leave the forum.  And it's unfair to make assumptions.  For example:  that a person is a daredevil and should want to squeeze every last 1/8 HP out of their engine, or that everyone wants to carry a passenger. 

But a helpful post pointing out the caveats of modifying a bike would be killer.  "Consider the fact that your tire clearance and the suspension setup you select should be designed to avoid your tire contacting your seat, seat hoop, or fender(s)." 

If I stumbled across that info way back when I first decided to heavily modify a vintage bike, I would have just been appreciative and taken note.  But when someone prefaces their advice with, "Project looked great until you put those #$%*ty tires on..." all they do is offend the bike's owner and make their buddies snicker. 

Anyway- create a post, lock and sticky it, then when anyone has the urge to voice their concern over some other member’s bike, they can just refer to the sticky post.

You can talk to Scott S (mod) about a sticky.  One problem with a sticky is that there can be differing opinions as to the efficacy of certain modifications. 

Unfortunately, people on forums can sometimes be more frank or blunt than they would be in face-to-face communications.  Try not to take any criticisms personally.

Many of us have learned the hard way and offer opinions to try to help other avoid common pitfalls.  At the end of the day, the bike belongs to the owner and no one can force you to adopt their opinion.     

It is more difficult when someone builds a bike driven more by aesthetics than function.  Depending on the mods, it can make a bike less safe.  Firestone Tires are one of those issues that comes up repeatedly.  People like them for their "look" but unfortunately overlook the tire profile which is ill-equipped to corner; it simply has no traction past the high crown designed for straight line riding.  With a few bikes featured on bikeexif and other blogs using Firestones, the tires became extremely popular; but popular doesn't mean they function well.  Lowering the bike with shorter shocks and mounting the forks lower on the triple trees is another look, that sacrifices handling and tire clearance.  Others do things on the cheap may suffer when they should have spent more money to buy better parts (Chinese shocks come to mind).

The best advice is to research and ask questions before you commit your money and time to significant modifications. 

[algophobe]

nice work by the way!

this other forum I belonged to for like 15 yrs had similar issues. we would have a core group of members who developed together over the years from street riding and crazy weekends in the canyons then evolved to track junkies that snickered at "squids" that come to the forum posting their videos of spirited canyon riding. then a group would rant on about the safety issues of riding in the canyons and dismissing the fact that we were once in that same state of learning. or snickering about "oh his riding form looks like #$%* because he's all crossed up and trying to hard to drag a knee". an argument would ensue and over time membership dropped and new post were merely about "hey, my dog took a #$%* in the house today". no new blood ever came to the forum, since we were known as snooty "elitists"... here's the forum now... http://socalmoto.org/

sad.

motorcycle building and riding is a type of art form. you get rave review from one side and snickers and jeers from the other. but its always the balance of form and function. anyways just my humble 2 cents. I enjoy reading all these threads.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

nice work by the way!

this other forum I belonged to for like 15 yrs had similar issues. we would have a core group of members who developed together over the years from street riding and crazy weekends in the canyons then evolved to track junkies that snickered at "squids" that come to the forum posting their videos of spirited canyon riding. then a group would rant on about the safety issues of riding in the canyons and dismissing the fact that we were once in that same state of learning. or snickering about "oh his riding form looks like #$%* because he's all crossed up and trying to hard to drag a knee". an argument would ensue and over time membership dropped and new post were merely about "hey, my dog took a #$%* in the house today". no new blood ever came to the forum, since we were known as snooty "elitists"... here's the forum now... http://socalmoto.org/

sad.

motorcycle building and riding is a type of art form. you get rave review from one side and snickers and jeers from the other. but its always the balance of form and function. anyways just my humble 2 cents. I enjoy reading all these threads.

I think I used to be a member of that first forum.  Too much drama.

[PGF550F]

Well said dom. I certainly didn’t want to pass on any negative feedback. That’s not what this place is about. Your choices certainly wouldn’t be what I would do but that doesn’t make them any less valuable. I do agree that portions of the aesthetics appeal to me. I’ll reiterate that you have done some solid work on this bike and you likely are and should be proud.  I apologize if I came across rude or judgemental. Keep up with your project, there is no shortage of ways to keep busy learning with these old bikes.