Author Topic: 1975 cb550f (Read 6434 times)

Fezzler · « **on:** March 27, 2021, 07:36:41 AM »

I'm back after putting a 1978 cb550K3 and a 1971 cb500K0 under my belt. Great little riders. (Thanks to all who helped me learn with first two. You know who you are.)

calj737 · « **Reply #1 on:** March 27, 2021, 07:56:23 AM »

That "project" had a major identity crisis. Up bars, square tires, but a "cafe" style seat???

Frame looks to be in tact, pegs and triples. Why not go back towards stock using those bars? A more "stylish" stocker? Ditch that seat shell and that crappy exhaust and pods. Could do a bread basket type from Cognito and sell that bike to a local young Hipster hanging and drooling at Mac's Speed downtown at a Bike Night.

Ryan66 · « **Reply #2 on:** March 27, 2021, 08:20:45 AM »

Quote from: calj737 on March 27, 2021, 07:56:23 AM

Could do a bread basket type from Cognito and sell that bike to a local young Hipster hanging and drooling at Mac's Speed downtown at a Bike Night.

This made me LOL!

Little_Phil · « **Reply #3 on:** March 27, 2021, 08:35:58 AM »

Good to see you back Fezz, always good to follow. I have two 500s and two 550s.

dramabean · « **Reply #4 on:** March 27, 2021, 08:56:22 AM »

This bike is for sure a Frankenstein. That cafe seat is cool though

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

wolf550 · « **Reply #5 on:** March 27, 2021, 10:51:58 AM »

It is hard to tell but did the previous owner cut the gas tank knobs off the front of the frame?
welcome back

calj737 · « **Reply #6 on:** March 27, 2021, 10:57:20 AM »

Fezzler if you want to repair that frame let me know. I am pretty sure I still have the stock back half to one I sectioned off. I’ll run down and weld it all back up for you. Would be good to see you again anyways-

caluser2000 · « **Reply #7 on:** March 27, 2021, 12:04:48 PM »

Quote from: Fezzler on March 27, 2021, 11:08:48 AM

Quote from: wolf550 on March 27, 2021, 10:51:58 AM
It is hard to tell but did the previous owner cut the gas tank knobs off the front of the frame?
welcome back

Don't the rubber tank holder bolt on?

No. They just slide on to small studs.

Shtonecb500 · « **Reply #8 on:** March 27, 2021, 07:00:33 PM »

Thats a nice bump and chunky leather seat. Have fun, please make it pretty again.

flatlander · « **Reply #9 on:** March 30, 2021, 01:30:04 AM »

Quote from: Fezzler on March 29, 2021, 10:17:59 PM

500f seat.

Well, on second thought, all the hip kids have seats that sit right on the frame and don't fit over it like stock one does.

If I stay with stock seat, will it look like the equivalent of that old guy in sandals and white socks? Hmm.

sandals and white socks, pulled up over your ankles, will be so cool in 2023. fashion ads will feature them with models sitting on stock bikes with stock seats

calj737 · « **Reply #10 on:** March 30, 2021, 05:15:41 AM »

Quote from: Fezzler on March 29, 2021, 10:17:59 PM

500f seat.

Well, on second thought, all the hip kids have seats that sit right on the frame and don't fit over it like stock one does.

If I stay with stock seat, will it look like the equivalent of that old guy in sandals and white socks? Hmm.

Trim the foam down and have a custom cover upholstered.

calj737 · « **Reply #11 on:** March 31, 2021, 04:30:30 AM »

I find a tach far more important than a speedo. Relative speed to the vehicles around you generally keeps you within the bounds of the law. But a tach is very usable for tuning and approximating your speed.

An odometer is pretty helpful though... and those generally come with the speedo. But let's be honest, this bike will likely be a parade ride so mileage and speed aren't going to be too critical. Just saying.

Stev-o · « **Reply #12 on:** March 31, 2021, 06:24:00 AM »

Welcome back Fezz. Looks like the PO was going for a "Cafe Scrambler"!?

Stev-o · « **Reply #13 on:** March 31, 2021, 02:36:26 PM »

Quote from: Fezzler on March 31, 2021, 06:46:41 AM

Quote from: Stev-o on March 31, 2021, 06:24:00 AM
Welcome back Fezz. Looks like the PO was going for a "Cafe Scrambler"!?

At the moment, I like the patina on these tanks - shabby chic the kids say - so may go in this direction.

A few of us have done "Patina Bikes", mine was a '71 CB500. They are only original once!

calj737 · « **Reply #14 on:** March 31, 2021, 04:53:33 PM »

Even though it has "patina", doing a nice clay bar and polish on that tank will rejuvenate the paint without disturbing the originality. Here's a Sunrise Orange I polished up a few years back. Came out great and looked like a million bucks.

calj737 · « **Reply #15 on:** March 31, 2021, 09:38:36 PM »

I would not. Two reasons: 1. destroys originality. 2. Hard to be certain of a compatible clear coat to existing tank paint.

Scott S · « **Reply #16 on:** April 01, 2021, 02:40:11 PM »

Speedhut.

HondaMan · « **Reply #17 on:** April 13, 2021, 06:49:22 PM »

Well, of all the carbs on these SOHC4 bikes...the CB500/550K1/2 type have such a deep bell area tht they can survive with pods to a point. If you can either combine them 2-and-2 (I have seen an oval pod filter that has the correct spacing for two of these carbs) in one filter, they will work fairly well until about 75+ MPH, when the turbulence stops them from mixing, and the throttle goes flat and rich at speed. The more successful versions of this setup have a cover that envelopes the outer diamters of the 2 filters, restricting the incoming air to being only in the center of the bike, where it is more still. Make dead sure the bowl vent hoses go well into a quiet-air zone, even if you have to make a little bottle for them, like using a pill bottle with 2 holes in the lid for the hoses and a 1/2" hole drilled into one side of it, stuffed up next to the battery somewhere quiet.

calj737 · « **Reply #18 on:** June 11, 2021, 07:27:25 PM »

Nothing is brighter than MotoGadget indicators. But they do cost a pretty penny.

Have the "Blaze Pins" on 1 bike, the "Blaze Discs" (bar end type) on another, and "Blaze Ice" on yet another. Pins are smallest.

RAFster122s · « **Reply #19 on:** June 30, 2021, 01:42:17 AM »

Stripping or rounding over the head? Two different things...

Fezzler · « **Reply #20 on:** September 14, 2022, 08:39:24 PM »

I'm back! Working on the 1975 cb550f "sweep the other guy's floor" failed cafe build he gave up on.

To catch up, I bought the bike from a guy who basically had started a "cafe" or whatever they call them now builds and gave up after hacking everything up.
I am going to see if I can build a neat little bike for fun and sale.

Fezzler · « **Reply #21 on:** September 14, 2022, 08:41:54 PM »

I confess the COVID lockdown and other distractions zapped my desire to start this project. I have been collecting parts though. (Thanks Coach!)

Starting with the forks is a nice quick victory.

Fezzler · « **Reply #22 on:** September 14, 2022, 08:44:45 PM »

Quote from: RAFster122s on June 30, 2021, 01:42:17 AM

Stripping or rounding over the head? Two different things...

Thank you! I appreciate the clarity and you taking the time to comment.

Fezzler · « **Reply #23 on:** September 14, 2022, 08:46:27 PM »

Quote from: calj737 on March 31, 2021, 04:30:30 AM

I find a tach far more important than a speedo. Relative speed to the vehicles around you generally keeps you within the bounds of the law. But a tach is very usable for tuning and approximating your speed.

An odometer is pretty helpful though... and those generally come with the speedo. But let's be honest, this bike will likely be a parade ride so mileage and speed aren't going to be too critical. Just saying.

Absolutely!

Fezzler · « **Reply #24 on:** September 16, 2022, 10:34:59 PM »

Cleaning is relaxing to me. A joy during reassembly to have clean parts. I'm not the best at it, but I try.
Rims and spokes 90% done. Then focus on ordering some parts, tires and getting the frame addressed.

I kinda want to strip the frame and rattle can myself because I have seen others get good results and this is my "sweep the other guys floor" rescue project - i.e.: use what I have.
But the powder coat on my 500 was nice too.

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Author Topic: 1975 cb550f (Read 6434 times)