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Author Topic: 78 CB550 - Gold and rusty.  (Read 6141 times)

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Offline MetroRedneck

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78 CB550 - Gold and rusty.
« on: October 10, 2017, 01:06:18 PM »
Probably last progress I will make until I make it 600 or find a 650 donor.
More pics at the end of the thread.




Updates further in thread - 2/12 new pics







Todo list is getting shorter.  Hoping to be on the road mid November and then work out the rest later.

Where it came from:
















First start after sorting out wiring issues and rebuilding the top end.
https://vid.me/JH0FH

First kick video - not first start, but first kick after the rebuild with adjusted valves and exhaust installed.  To this point it only had a start using the e-starter (which is now removed).
https://vid.me/6wYi1

Hopefully I can get this seat mocked up and a pan made to get it to an upholsterer.  I've got some minor welding and a little painting to do (rear wheel, electrics tray, touch up on frame and stand) and some shocks.  Still need to get a better color match on the points cover.  I believe Acura legend in the early 90s had a gold called Golden Glow Pearl that is much closer.
« Last Edit: June 03, 2018, 02:27:50 PM by MetroRedneck »
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Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: This 550 is getting close
« Reply #1 on: October 10, 2017, 07:51:58 PM »
This bike reminds made of RustyOlive aka Cameron Bateman's Olivia bike (at least the Version 1) -- that's a compliment by the way.

Wow, the Prior Owner really went hog wild with the RTV all over the head!
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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 MetroRedneck

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Re: This 550 is getting close
« Reply #2 on: October 10, 2017, 08:46:25 PM »
Quote from: SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan on October 10, 2017, 07:51:58 PM
This bike reminds made of RustyOlive aka Cameron Bateman's Olivia bike (at least the Version 1) -- that's a compliment by the way.
It does. Someone tagged him on a pic I put on a Facebook group. I checked out a bunch of the build. He did some really nice frame mods and had a slick rear wheel setup. I don’t think this is anywhere near the same caliber build, but I humbly thank you for the compliment.
Quote

Wow, the Prior Owner really went hog wild with the RTV all over the head!
Yeah it was nuts. At least the bottom end was clean and they didn’t try to run it.
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Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: This 550 is getting close
« Reply #3 on: October 10, 2017, 09:28:30 PM »
Quote from: MetroRedneck on October 10, 2017, 08:46:25 PM
Quote from: SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan on October 10, 2017, 07:51:58 PM
This bike reminds made of RustyOlive aka Cameron Bateman's Olivia bike (at least the Version 1) -- that's a compliment by the way.
It does. Someone tagged him on a pic I put on a Facebook group. I checked out a bunch of the build. He did some really nice frame mods and had a slick rear wheel setup. I don’t think this is anywhere near the same caliber build, but I humbly thank you for the compliment.

I'm a fan of Cameron's ingenuity and perseverance. Maybe you will go next level and join the 650 in a 550 frame club!
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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 MetroRedneck

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Re: This 550 is getting close
« Reply #4 on: October 11, 2017, 12:28:37 PM »
Quote from: SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan on October 10, 2017, 09:28:30 PM
I'm a fan of Cameron's ingenuity and perseverance. Maybe you will go next level and join the 650 in a 550 frame club!
I'll just do a switcheroo with my 650 and start a new club - the 550 in a 650 frame club.  Don't think it will get many members.
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Offline GV1390

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Re: This 550 is getting close
« Reply #5 on: October 11, 2017, 03:43:11 PM »
Quote
It does. Someone tagged him on a pic I put on a Facebook group.
Quote

That was me!  :D

Build looks good....keep up the good work, sir.
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93' GSX-R1100, 78' CB550, 71' CL350, 71’ CB500 & 02' ZRX1200R.

Offline MetroRedneck

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Re: This 550 is getting close
« Reply #6 on: January 28, 2018, 07:49:18 PM »
Finally made and took some more progress pics.

All the wiring is done. Built a tail light. Painted wheels. Headlight mounted where I want. It helps lengthen the bike. Hagons pulled off my 650 and put on this bike - new shorter ones on the 650 now along with dropping the forks.  The shocks are about 1” longer than factory, more on that in a bit.  Got tires mounted. Fabbed up a debris shield. Dual brake lines. Fixed the valve cover leak. Got the seat really close to final shape. Still need to mirror right side to left.  Probably not everything, I’m sure there’s more.

I didn’t care for the rear brake being mounted bottom side and the rear wheel sprocket side was tight, so I started looking for a swing arm.  Found a 750F but it was in bad shape. Pivot is seized in it. I beat it until it won. Gave up. Pissed, I also decided I didn’t like the stamped arm and didn’t want that anyway. Decided to get a DOHC swinger and mod it up. Got a 900F.  Pics below are the mock-up. I still need some bushings turned and to file about another 1/64” off the right, but that’s it.  I’m going to need another chain. It’s only an inch longer but with the longer shocks swinging back and lowering results of that it looks way longer.

« Last Edit: January 28, 2018, 07:59:40 PM by MetroRedneck »
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Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: This 550 is getting close
« Reply #7 on: January 28, 2018, 09:47:38 PM »
What size rear tire are you using?  I like the stance.  The rear is wider but not overly so.
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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 MetroRedneck

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Re: This 550 is getting close
« Reply #8 on: January 29, 2018, 06:14:06 PM »
It’s a 140-80-17
« Last Edit: January 29, 2018, 07:34:10 PM by MetroRedneck »
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Offline mscuiletti

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Re: This 550 is getting close
« Reply #9 on: January 29, 2018, 06:32:44 PM »
Looks fantastic!
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Offline MetroRedneck

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Re: This 550 is getting close
« Reply #10 on: February 06, 2018, 08:48:42 PM »
Got my bushings cut and the swingarm is in. Fits great. Anyone looking to do this, measurements and what I did follow.

Get the 900F swing arm thrust caps and needle bearings out. Easier said than done. I ended up having to use a slide hammer and you’ll need the full collet style attachment. You’ll be replacing the needle bearings with oil filled bronze bushings.  Off the shelf you can get 1 1/4” x 3/4” oil filled bronze stock.  Have bushings cut from that with a 1.223 OD x .845 ID x 1.260.   This is close to 31x21x32. That is the ID of the swingarm, the OD of the pivot, and the length to the swingarm step - the thrust cap depth once you cut the swingarm to width.

The DOHC swingarm needs mods too. It is too wide for the SOHC frame. I’ve seen where some trim all the length off one side but I wanted my wheel centered so I cut both ends and filed to fit.  I had the 550k (should be the same for 750) swingarm at 8 31/32” and the 900F at 9 13/32”. I cut 3/16” off each side and set up a jig using a clamp and block of wood to get an exact width.  I then filed the clutch side to a perfect fit.

Grease, insert bushings, caps, and dust shields. Everything fits perfect. The 900F swingarm feels about 50% heavier than the 550K. Not sure how much more chain I’ll need just yet, but the axle is about 1.5” - 2” further back.

Thanks to scottly for the tips.
« Last Edit: February 07, 2018, 05:08:15 AM by MetroRedneck »
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Offline MetroRedneck

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Re: 78 CB550 - Gold and rusty.
« Reply #11 on: February 12, 2018, 01:15:35 PM »
Updates - 2/12
Got the new chain in and spacers reworked to align the sprockets.  Took it out for a spin.  Once I got the clutch un-stuck everything chooched like it's supposed too.  Feels more nimble than my 650.  Still have fiberglass and more painting to do.  Should get to all that in the near future.





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Offline MetroRedneck

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Re: 78 CB550 - Gold and rusty.
« Reply #12 on: March 06, 2018, 06:11:43 PM »
Seat done and temp cushioning in place. I hate body work.  Also dropped in some 5 ohm Dyna coils and new wires and a little wiring work.

Gonna try to get some pics this weekend down the bayou.
« Last Edit: March 06, 2018, 06:15:34 PM by MetroRedneck »
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Offline Shtonecb500

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Re: 78 CB550 - Gold and rusty.
« Reply #13 on: March 07, 2018, 11:27:38 AM »
Did you address the offset with the fork swap or does it not bother you?
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73/74'' CB500/550 resto-mod - sold
75' 750f 91' cbr f2 swap cafe - mock up
74' 750 chopper hardtail - complete - sold
74' CB750/836kit - Black mix & match - daily rider - always tweaking
71' cb500 K0 survivor - complete
71' K1 - CANDY GOLD/BROWN Winton kit - in process

Offline MetroRedneck

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Re: 78 CB550 - Gold and rusty.
« Reply #14 on: March 07, 2018, 08:28:27 PM »
Nope and no plans to.
« Last Edit: March 07, 2018, 08:40:26 PM by MetroRedneck »
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Offline MetroRedneck

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Re: 78 CB550 - Gold and rusty.
« Reply #15 on: June 03, 2018, 02:34:47 PM »
Last bit of progress. New longer shocks, finished bits, and a shortened up Ducati Monster fairing.  Been riding it quite a bit. Still need to get to DMV. It probably won’t ever see polish.



















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Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: 78 CB550 - Gold and rusty.
« Reply #16 on: June 03, 2018, 06:30:09 PM »
How quiet is that open header?  ;D

It's definitely got its own look in a good way.
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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 MetroRedneck

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Re: 78 CB550 - Gold and rusty.
« Reply #17 on: June 04, 2018, 08:56:51 AM »
Huh?  I can't hear you........
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Offline riverfever

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Re: 78 CB550 - Gold and rusty.
« Reply #18 on: June 04, 2018, 09:21:26 PM »
Fairing looks nice. Any pics of the mounting points?
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http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=127186.0

"You wouldn't think that out here...a man could simply run clear...out of country but oh my...oh my...nothing but the light." -Ben Nichols

Offline MetroRedneck

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Re: 78 CB550 - Gold and rusty.
« Reply #19 on: June 05, 2018, 11:53:06 AM »
I'll get some next time I think about it.  It mounts to the headlight bolts and to the clip on pinch bolts.  One set of fairing screws are dummy.  There was an existing hole that I may fill one day.  You can see both mount points in the side profile shot.
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