Hey guys,
New member here. Just a little background on myself and my bike. I'm from Eastern Canada, Newfoundland to be exact. I've been on a search for a bike to build and potentially convert to a scrambler/tracker style for quite some time. I've been around bikes my whole life, started a passion when I was 5-6 years old on a z50. Progressed to a CR80 when I was 14 or so, shortly after a CR125, and then progressed to streetbikes with my fathers 84 500 interceptor. I recently sold a 07 CBR600RR in search for something more practical, more upright and comfortable. I've driven everything in between over the years - I was lucky enough to have a stepdad that bought and sold stuff as much as he changed underwear. TW200s, NX250, CR500, Katanas, GSXRs, DR650, KLXs, Hayabusa, R6, CB1000, the list goes on. I recently rebuilt a 1983 ATC200 and had a lot of fun doing it, so here I am.
The problem with our climate and location, is that we get snow, and cold weather, and you truly only get 5 months of riding here at best. We also get snow, and lots of it. The province also uses salt and sand to combat the extreme snow and ice conditions which in turn corrodes anything that it touches. That makes very hard conditions to find a bike in the first place because of the lack of them, as well as finding one that is even worth wrenching on. now onto the bike;
I purchased this bike not running - I know never a good idea. But the deal was too good and I really have nothing to lose with the purchase. The bike is a 1974 CB550, well at least the frame is. It's sort of a Frankenstein bike and has been pieced together using the best parts from all 3 bikes. One good this is, that the 74 frame has never been registered in Canada and it will make for an easy process to get registered/plated and all that.
From what I can tell the bike is a K model, with lots of F model parts. Correct me if I'm wrong, I'm learning more about it everyday.
Here is the bike as it sits right now;
And here is a shot of the spare parts (not including 2 rolling chassis with 2 other engines)
The good about the bike;
- Tank and side covers recently painted, and done well (8.5/10)
- 4-1 header in great shape with minor scuffs, new slip on muffler as well, looks to be a stock supersport header?
- chrome in decent shape
- new battery, fresh oil and air filters
- massive amount of parts, including fully assembled engines, great reference for a first timer
The bad;
- was not running (currently is)
- was laid up for some time with no fluids
- unsure of electrical state, as some things have been altered by the PO
- carb bowls stuck (#3/#4)
- headlight not working, taillight either (only in park)
- starter not working
- wrong kickstart lever
- minute leaks here and there
- old tires
- etc.
I've started working on the bike already and have a few items crossed off the "Issue List".
Things I've completed are ;
- fresh oil, confirmed filters ok
- electrical sorted enough to start
- replaced base gasket, head gasket, valve cover gasket etc.
- fixed kickstart lever issue, as it was interfering with the rider peg and brake lever
- static timing completed
The major things I have left to tackle are;
- oil leaks (still leaking due to inexperience with head gasket issue)
- starter motor
- electrical/start switch/cleanup etc.
- headlight taillight issue
- carb cleaning/rebuild
The bike is back together and not weeping oil AS bad but still not satisfactory...
One question I do have is regarding a noise that is currently in the bike after the recent head gasket replacement. It seems to have a ticking or knocking noise near the head. I've read up and found that it could be the primary chain, or as simple as a carb sync issue. I need some help from you guys to determine if this bike is worth my time and money to proceed with based on my current findings.
I will post a video tomorrow of the noise I'm referring to. I really wanna get into this farther and proceed to build that scrambler vision I have in my head.
Sorry for the long first post, the following ones should be much shorter and lots of pictures ! Thanks for reading