Topic: 1975 CB550F stock refresh

[02z06dave]

I've always really liked the CB550, but I've never kept one long enough to really ride and enjoy one. I ended up getting a good deal on this one several months back. It had some missing and damaged parts and has been off the road for at least 15 years or so. I've been collecting parts for it for a little while so I'm ready to get going on it. I take Sundays off work primarily for football watching, but now that football is over, Ill be working on this on Sundays until its done. Its in overall good shape, so I want to just get it cleaned up well, and get it running and riding well but keep it original.  I've got all the basics on the way, new wheel and steering bearings, tires, intake rubber boots and air box rubber boots, new filters, oil, fork oil and seals, battery, etc. I'm a little torn on what to do about the tank and side covers. The tank is super clean inside, but has a nasty dent on top, one side cover is just cracked, but the other is destroyed.  I really like original paint, so ideally I would have a pdr guy remove the dent and i would find a nice set of side covers in blue. Apparently blue side covers is a tall ask as Ive seen none in 3 months of daily searching. There is one on ebay but its pretty scratched up and its 150. I just cant see 150 for a scratched up cover. I did find a pdr guy that will fix the tank, buts $250 plus shipping both ways. It seems like, financially, I may be better off just getting new unpainted side covers and sending it all off for body work and new paint. I have found a nice full body set in orange thats reasonable, but i just really like the candy sapphire blue. The color is the reason I bought the bike.

I got started with a little teardown yesterday when I was done with work and will try to get the carbs cleaned today and see how it runs. Then I'll go on from there.

[Can550]

Interesting
Just subscribed to see what I can learn and follow for my bike below (to be completed)




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[flatlander]

i think i would just get some new unpainted side covers. after you get the dent in the tank fixed you'll probably be repainting it anyway. easy to do both tank and covers at the same time, and then they'll be the same candy blue!

do you have the original exhaust for the bike?
if you want to replace two more things, let it be the shocks and the handle bars 

[Korven]

Paint is about $100. Not sure if you US guys have a good importer or some other manufacturer. there are kits with the strips aswell.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/RH-Spritzlack-Honda-CB-500-K2-750-Four-K6-Motorradlack-Farbe-candy-saphire-blau/361997224700?hash=item5448b74afc:g:ccQAAMXQlrxRZ66t:rk:2:pf:1&frcectupt=true

[02z06dave]

i think i would just get some new unpainted side covers. after you get the dent in the tank fixed you'll probably be repainting it anyway. easy to do both tank and covers at the same time, and then they'll be the same candy blue!

do you have the original exhaust for the bike?
if you want to replace two more things, let it be the shocks and the handle bars 

If i get the dent fixed, i definitely would not have it painted after. There wouldnt be much sense in paying a fortune for pdr just to then get it painted. Im still mulling over new suspension, but i definitely won't be replacing the handlebars. I do have the original exhaust, its in really nice shape.

[flatlander]

i'm not sure i follow your logic: a dented tank is a dented tank, irrespective of the paint. and original paint is only of interest from a preservation point of view for collector purposes. if it's about stock looks, you can get them with matching paint. mine is also re-done in flake sapphire blue - new paint but original colour.

the stock shocks were crap. some ikons will look right and be a huge improvement. for a bike that's being ridden and not in a showroom, i'd definitely replace them.
and the handlebars... those high ones are not that great for riding. check out the ones that came as stock in europe, or with the 400.

you're luck, an original F exhaust in good shape is a nice thing, and they're getting rare.

[02z06dave]

i'm not sure i follow your logic: a dented tank is a dented tank, irrespective of the paint. and original paint is only of interest from a preservation point of view for collector purposes. if it's about stock looks, you can get them with matching paint. mine is also re-done in flake sapphire blue - new paint but original colour.

the stock shocks were crap. some ikons will look right and be a huge improvement. for a bike that's being ridden and not in a showroom, i'd definitely replace them.
and the handlebars... those high ones are not that great for riding. check out the ones that came as stock in europe, or with the 400.

you're luck, an original F exhaust in good shape is a nice thing, and they're getting rare.

My logic is, i want the original paint. The dent can be repaired pretty well without painting it, so why would i paint it? The only reason i would paint the tank is because i can't find good original side covers and i would need new one painted and a tank to match. Ive ridden plenty of hondas with the stock bars, theyre just fine for riding. Swapping them for low bars also means getting shorter cables and brake line, adding more expense that I just don't care for. After i ride it some, if i decide it needs new shocks then i may do that. Its not part of the immediate plan though.

[Stev-o]

Hey Dave...I like the blue too, here is my 550F with original tank paint, got lucky when I found this one.  But, like yours, the side covers were broken so I bought new ones and had my painter try to match.  It's not a perfect match, but really, I'm the only one who notices.
If my tank wasnt dent-free and original, I would have painted all so they matched perfectly.

It is such a fun bike to ride!

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Hey Dave...I like the blue too, here is my 550F with original tank paint, got lucky when I found this one.  But, like yours, the side covers were broken so I bought new ones and had my painter try to match.  It's not a perfect match, but really, I'm the only one who notices.
If my tank wasnt dent-free and original, I would have painted all so they matched perfectly.

It is such a fun bike to ride!

Beautiful!

[02z06dave]

Hey Dave...I like the blue too, here is my 550F with original tank paint, got lucky when I found this one.  But, like yours, the side covers were broken so I bought new ones and had my painter try to match.  It's not a perfect match, but really, I'm the only one who notices.
If my tank wasnt dent-free and original, I would have painted all so they matched perfectly.

It is such a fun bike to ride!

Very nice stev-o. I wouldnt totally mind a repaint, but id like to avoid it because its not going to be a perfect reatored bike. Perfect new paint would seem out of place to me on a bike that will show its age elsewhere. 

I got most of the parts in today. Its going to be difficult to not work on it between now and Sunday. Im a little light on other work at the moment, so I may take the opportunity to cheat a little bit and work on this

[flatlander]

this here is  mine, with fresh paint on tank and covers and the rest with a good drizzle of patina.

[02z06dave]

this here is  mine, with fresh paint on tank and covers and the rest with a good drizzle of patina.

Looks good. They should have kepts the signals, fenders and tail light like that on the US bikes. Its much better looking

[Stev-o]

this here is  mine, with fresh paint on tank and covers and the rest with a good drizzle of patina.

Looks good. They should have kepts the signals, fenders and tail light like that on the US bikes. Its much better looking

+1.   What happened to your aftermarket exhaust, FL?

[flatlander]

that's a very old pic, stev-o. just used it to fit the stocker crowd on this page 

[02z06dave]

I made a little progress this past weekend. The rear wheel is cleaned up and has new bearings installed and a new sprocket. The spokes could be better, but I'm ok with them for now. I also did a quick polish on the brake plate. Additionally, I got the swingarm cleaned up and freshly greased and cleaned up the chain guard, as well. I want to get the front wheel sorted out next weekend so I can get new tires put on. So, probably the next 2 weekends will be dedicated to getting the whole front end freshened up and then I will tackle the engine last. The biggest project on the engine will be replacing the leaky head gasket. It shouldn't take too long, though. I am picking up a cb650 tomorrow and I'm a little tempted to take its top end to put on this 550. I'll have to think on that a bit more, though.

[Can550]

Looks good
Which sprocket you mounted and how many teeth? Looks bigger than what I have on mine


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[02z06dave]

Looks good
Which sprocket you mounted and how many teeth? Looks bigger than what I have on mine


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Its a 37 tooth. I got it from common-motor.com. Its the stock size

[Stev-o]

Nice work, Dave

[02z06dave]

I have forgotten to update here, but i have made a little progress. The front end is mostly done now, with just the brake needing to go back on. I got new tires mounted about 2 weeks ago so the wheels are back on. Ive decided its been long enough looking for side covers so its all getting repainted. Ive got the paint, decals, and new side covers all ordered. Is the gas tank lid supposed to be gloss black or more satin/semi gloss?

Whats left to go is front brake install, MC rebuild and then bleed. Replace the head gasket, change out the shift shaft seal, install the chain, polish a couple more engine covers. Then ill be onto setting the valves, cam chain tension, and timing and itll be done. Of course, ill be waiting for my parts to come back from paint, now. I probably waited to long to make that decision. Hopefully it will be done quick and ill be riding it by mid april.

[Stev-o]

Is the gas tank lid supposed to be gloss black or more satin/semi gloss?

My original paint tank lid looks to be satin, Dave.  And it has the 3 language label "Remember..." if you want to go that far.

[02z06dave]

Is the gas tank lid supposed to be gloss black or more satin/semi gloss?

My original paint tank lid looks to be satin, Dave.  And it has the 3 language label "Remember..." if you want to go that far.

Thanks stev-o. I did order a new decal for the lid, it was only a few bucks. I dropped it all for paint today, i should have it back within a couple weeks. In the meantime,  i need to actually get back to work on it.  I got side tracked this past week with doing spring maintenance on my 450 and i picked a beautiful low mileage cb175 last week that i got running too. I was going to part out the 175, but when i hooked up power everything seemed to work well, so i did a quick carb clean and it fired right up. I checked the valves, cam chain and timing and everything was spot on already. It was just too easy to get it going, so now I have an extra runner for this spring, until I get sick of it. This weekend will be all about the 550, though. The finish line is so close

[02z06dave]

Heres a few pics of the 175. Its a 73 model. Its nothing exciting, but im happy with it. Its a fun little ride.




 

[Stev-o]

Too nice to part, good decision Dave.  You should be able to get a good dime for it, perfect beginner bike.

[Can550]

It’s nice bike
I have one but earlier one I think 69
Have been looking for stock left muffler




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[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Heres a few pics of the 175. Its a 73 model. Its nothing exciting, but im happy with it. Its a fun little ride.




 

Great little bike! Perfect for a beginner.