Hello all. Been lurking around here for a bit finally joined up. I have a 75 CB550/four... well part of one anyway that I'm going to be diving into. Deal is I bought a whole pile of parts for $50 from a good friend around 20 years ago. Different bits and pieces have been lost over the years but engine, frame, steering stem/yoke and a hacked up harness are still here. Has random miss fit pieces from a Suzuki bolted on to roll it around. Engine spins free and do know my dad and I had it running way back when.
Now before anyone does the "part it out and buy a whole bike" advice. This is 100% a passion project. I know this endeavor is going to be way more cost and effort than this bike is worth. Said friend passed on in 2013 at the young age of 28 after complications following a motorcycle accident. There is no part of me that could let this bike go. He truly was my nearest and dearest friend and I still have trouble believing he's gone. I've moved it with me from state to state always with "intent" but never action. In a way I'm doing this as much for his memory as I am for me....
I'll be doing as much of the work myself as possible. The plan is to tear it down and build it into a scrambler. Being I don't have a good number of factory parts I never really intended to "restore" it. 4into1.com and common-motor.com seem to be a good resources for parts I intend to buy new.
The below video gives a general idea of what I'm looking to do but not exactly.
I've been picking up the factory parts I need off ebay and should have most of them on the way. Swing arm, hubs, axles, front shocks, sprocket cover, master cylinder, front caliper, bracket and cover. Probably find more misc things I need along the way but its a start. Gas tank is full of rust and pin holes so debating new factory style or not.
Anyway before I ramble too much more wish me luck. I hope to show some progress along the way.