Author Topic: Project CB550  (Read 594 times)

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Offline craz1

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Project CB550
« on: November 26, 2020, 11:02:27 AM »
Hello, everyone. just in the process of tearing down a 74 CB550 I found in July of 2019. Been riding for 50 years or so. I found the CB550 in South Dakota while coming back from Minneapolis on my FJR1300. Made a deal with the owner and then he calls and says he has a friend you wants to sell his 82 XJ550 Yamaha so I ended up with that also. Right now I am working on this CB550, (2) Z1900 73&75, and just finishing a 73 RD350 Yamaha. I also have 3 other Z1900's, one which is original, an XS2 650 Yamaha and my 2013 FJR. I ride them all so they are not trailer queens. Im more partial to the Z1900, but have had several CB750's in the 70's. My first being a 71 CB750 which was a custom. First hardtail then the Amen Savior frame. Looking forward to completing the CB550. I will enjoy reading about everyones project's.
74 CB550,73 Z1900, 74 Z1900, 75 Z1900,
72 XS2650, 73 RD350, 2013 FJR1300, 84 XJ550 YAM

Offline seanbarney41

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Re: Project CB550
« Reply #1 on: November 26, 2020, 06:19:28 PM »
Hey welcome!...thinking maybe you post over on KZRider?  If so, hi.  I am there too.  That cb550's smoothness and flick-ability will make for a nice contrast to the Z1's.

...but you may notice a severe power deficit!
If it works good, it looks good...

Offline craz1

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Re: Project CB550
« Reply #2 on: November 26, 2020, 09:12:23 PM »
Funny, that's the same thing I think after riding the XS2 650, then the Z1900, then again when I get on the FJR1300. I sold the 2002 GSXR1000 this spring, thats another story. In post on Kawasaki-z-classik forms, pretty much just the early Z1900's from 73-75
74 CB550,73 Z1900, 74 Z1900, 75 Z1900,
72 XS2650, 73 RD350, 2013 FJR1300, 84 XJ550 YAM

Offline RAFster122s

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Re: Project CB550
« Reply #3 on: November 27, 2020, 12:41:41 AM »
Welcome from Southern Arizona. I have a 74 I have been amassing parts for its resto-mod rebuild since I picked up the project.
David- back in the desert SW!

Offline Kelly E

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Re: Project CB550
« Reply #4 on: November 27, 2020, 07:28:23 AM »
Welcome, I am just about finished with my 74' 550 build. I'm just waiting on some new jets to get here so I can start riding it. That is if we get a dry day. 8)
Never Give Up - Never Surrender

The Rust Bros. Garage Collection
1974 Honda CB 550 K0                                            1971 MGB/GT
1975 Honda CB 400F Super Sport                          1972 MGB/GT
1977 Kawasaki KZ 1000 LTD                                   1985 GMC S15
1978 Kawasaki KL 250
1980 Suzuki GS 1100E
1982 Honda CB 900F Super Sport
1983 Honda CB 1100F
1984 Honda VF 700S Sabre
1984 Honda VF 1000F Interceptor
1990 Moto Guzzi 1000 Le Mans
1994 Kawasaki Concours ZG 1000A9
2005 Harley Davidson Fat Boy

Offline Gurp

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Re: Project CB550
« Reply #5 on: November 27, 2020, 07:31:34 AM »
Love those CB550s The Yahamahammer XJ 550 is a smooth bike as well. Put many miles on a stock XJ650. Loved that bike.
slow Progress 74 cb550.

Poor boy chop 73 CB500 chop

Future project 77 Cb750 Amen Savior

Offline craz1

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Re: Project CB550
« Reply #6 on: November 27, 2020, 10:23:12 AM »
Thanks! everyone. I just had a look at the CB550 assembly in the SOHC section. He has done an amazing job putting that together. I will probably start a thread on my project.
74 CB550,73 Z1900, 74 Z1900, 75 Z1900,
72 XS2650, 73 RD350, 2013 FJR1300, 84 XJ550 YAM

Online tool14

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Re: Project CB550
« Reply #7 on: November 27, 2020, 02:34:39 PM »
welcome aboard

Offline MD

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Re: Project CB550
« Reply #8 on: November 27, 2020, 03:34:22 PM »
Welcome from NE MN,

-MD
1975 CB550F Super Sport;  Lake Superior Circle 1000, 45-90 Saddle 1000, All in Yooper 1000 and SS 2000 in 48 hrs:  1985 GL1200A, MN in State SS1K

Online newday777

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Re: Project CB550
« Reply #9 on: November 27, 2020, 04:18:05 PM »
Welcome aboard craz1
The 550 is a fun bike around town. I rode one off and on back in 75/76 that my dad had, I have my new 75 750 when he found his 74 550. Great little bikes and some have taken parts from the later cb650, jugs & head & cam to get more umph with it.
Stu
Honda Parts manager in the mid 1970s Nashua Honda
My current rides
1975 K5 Planet Blue my summer ride, it was a friend's bike I worked with at the Honda shop in 76, lots of fun to be on it again
1976 K6 Anteres Red rebuilding project, was originally my brother's that I set up from the crate, it'll breath again soon!
Project 750s, 2 K4, 2 K6, 1 K8
2008 GL1800 my daily ride and cross country runner

Prior bikes....
1972 Suzuki GT380 I had charge of it for a year in 1973 while my friend was deployed and learned to love street riding....
New CB450 K7 after my friend returned...
New CB750 K5 Planet Blue, demise by ex cousin in law at 9,000 miles...
New CB750 K6 Anteres Red, to replace the totaled K5, I sold this K6 at 45k in 1983, I had heavily modified it, many great memories on it and have missed it greatly.....
1983 GL1100A, 1999 GL1500 SE, 1999 GL1500A