Topic: 1975 cb550f

[Oddjob]

May I suggest mounting the light under the frame bar instead, if it fits of course. Reason being it's better protected and where you plan will get it hit by stones, water and other crap, won't take much to stop it working and you'll have no idea if it happens when you're riding, if that happens you risk a pull by the police or worse being rear ended by an inattentive driver. Both to be avoided at all costs.

[Fezzler]

May I suggest mounting the light under the frame bar instead, if it fits of course. Reason being it's better protected and where you plan will get it hit by stones, water and other crap, won't take much to stop it working and you'll have no idea if it happens when you're riding, if that happens you risk a pull by the police or worse being rear ended by an inattentive driver. Both to be avoided at all costs.

Thanks.  I appreciate the input.  I'll give it some serious consideration.

[Fezzler]

Always so controlling at the local bar.

Isn't it fun getting new control wires through old stock handlebars?

[Oddjob]

No light switch on the us model mate? On the right hand switch gear that is.

I bought one of those as it was advertised dirt cheap for the 550 and it came exactly like yours. No use to me at all as we need a light switch, you could have had it for postage if I’d known.

[Fezzler]

No light switch on the us model mate? On the right hand switch gear that is.

I bought one of those as it was advertised dirt cheap for the 550 and it came exactly like yours. No use to me at all as we need a light switch, you could have had it for postage if I’d known.

My '71 500 controls have a headlamp on/off switch.  My '78 550 does not.  Is it possible sometime between '71 and '75 all US required running headlamps for motorcycles so Honda eliminated the headlamp on/off switch in the USA?

[newday777]

No light switch on the us model mate? On the right hand switch gear that is.

I bought one of those as it was advertised dirt cheap for the 550 and it came exactly like yours. No use to me at all as we need a light switch, you could have had it for postage if I’d known.

My '71 500 controls have a headlamp on/off switch.  My '78 550 does not.  Is it possible sometime between '71 and '75 all US required running headlamps for motorcycles so Honda eliminated the headlamp on/off switch in the USA?

Yes. On 1976 models onward

[Fezzler]

Chain

Seat fastener tabs (now painted black).

[calj737]

what prevents the tabs from spinning around the bolt? and what did you tap the bolt into?

[Fezzler]

what prevents the tabs from spinning around the bolt? and what did you tap the bolt into?

Keen eye.

The previous owner had started to build a bobber.  So fortuitous to me, he welded and tapped two substantial mounting points to bolt on a bobber solo seat, which I have since sold.

I simply repurposed the mounting points and used them for the Tuffside seat.  Tuffside seats have studs attached to the bottom of the seat pan and will be secured to the tabs with the provided washers, lock washers and wingnuts.

I don't think the tabs can spin since they are mounted securely at both the frame and the seat pan. The Tuffside seat pan was also molded specifically for the cb500/550 frame so it sits incredibly snug on and over the sides of the frame.

I originally was going to use the rear mounting studs for the Tuffside seat and had them positioned for the first crossbar you see below.  But since I want to mount a rear fender, that made access a little more tight than I cared for.  Easy access in the current position and just as secure.

Here is a picture of one of the mounting points from below the frame and both points on top of the frame.


 

 

[calj737]

If the mounting bungs are tapped and the seat has studs, you’re not going to be able to thread the studs through the bungs to secure them with a wing nut. You’d need to “thread” the studs through into the bungs. See the problem?

You can drill the bungs out and then pass the stud through, washer and nut threaded onto the stud per your original plan. But the threads in the bungs gotta go…

[Fezzler]

My bad.  I probably didn't articulate my response well enough or the picture wasn't worth a thousand words.

I've already attached the seat and it is snug and secure.  Probably unclear from the previous photo, there are mounting holes for the seat pan studs in the tabs.

[calj737]

The picture makes it look as though they are threaded. That was my point. If they’re not, then “nevermind”.

[Fezzler]

The picture makes it look as though they are threaded. That was my point. If they’re not, then “nevermind”.

No worries.  Sage counsel from the elders always welcomed.

To those following along.  The thread has confirmed there are no threads.  We're all living in a simulation.

[HondaMan]

  We're all living in a simulation.

Ah. That would explain a lot.

[Stev-o]

Chain...

...looks a little loose!

[Fezzler]

Chain...

...looks a little loose!

LOL.  Don't push me man!  I still need to pull the wheel back and adjust the chain.  I can't eat two pieces of elephant in one sitting.

[Fezzler]

Stuff.

[Fezzler]

More "braking" news.

Insight.  I have followed SohRon's Assembly Manual with great success and joy.  But he installs the rear brake pivot shaft after the center stand, swingarm, rear brake stop bar, chain, chain guard, etc. have been installed.

This is fine for the cb500/cb550Ks.  Well, with the "F" model of the cb550 the pivot shaft is much different than the 500/550Ks.  I could not figure out how to install it.  It would not clear the swingarm. So I dropped the swingarm to get it done.  Three steps forward, two back.  Pivot.  Moving on.

It has not been impossible or totally miserable, but I'm not sure I would buy someone's abandoned project bike again.  That said, enjoying the problem solving.

[seanbarney41]

Yeah, that brake pivot shaft has to go in first with cb750's also...



 

[Stev-o]

It has not been impossible or totally miserable, but I'm not sure I would buy someone's abandoned project bike again.  That said, enjoying the problem solving.

Hey Fezz...A few years back, I bought a "basket case" '74 Kawasaki H2  [750cc, three cylinder, two stroke]. The project came in 4 large containers, a bare frame and two wheels.
It was a very frustrating project, but I found I learned so much about it during the process, and once finished I felt very satisfied and proud of what I had accomplished. I hope the same for you.

[Fezzler]

It has not been impossible or totally miserable, but I'm not sure I would buy someone's abandoned project bike again.  That said, enjoying the problem solving.

Hey Fezz...A few years back, I bought a "basket case" '74 Kawasaki H2  [750cc, three cylinder, two stroke]. The project came in 4 large containers, a bare frame and two wheels.
It was a very frustrating project, but I found I learned so much about it during the process, and once finished I felt very satisfied and proud of what I had accomplished. I hope the same for you.

Totally. I do like working on them.  After this one I need to decide if I'll do another, take a break, or exit the hobby.  As I sit now, I think I'll do another but starting to think about how to reduce space used by the stash of parts that keeps growing.  Also, kinda wonder if it would be fun to attempt another bike. Something small.  350?  125?  175? 450?  Yamaha?  CX500? Not really interested in the 750s, but does 500/550 knowledge "transfer" to the 750s?

Well, need to stay focus on digesting what I bit off here.

 

[Stev-o]

It has not been impossible or totally miserable, but I'm not sure I would buy someone's abandoned project bike again.  That said, enjoying the problem solving.

Hey Fezz...A few years back, I bought a "basket case" '74 Kawasaki H2  [750cc, three cylinder, two stroke]. The project came in 4 large containers, a bare frame and two wheels.
It was a very frustrating project, but I found I learned so much about it during the process, and once finished I felt very satisfied and proud of what I had accomplished. I hope the same for you.

Not really interested in the 750s, but does 500/550 knowledge "transfer" to the 750s?

Yes, the CB750 is the same basic bike. 

I would encourage it for a couple reasons such as parts are readily available, it's a historically significant bike and we can help you!

[seanbarney41]

to me, cb750s are just easier to work on because everything is very similar to a 500/550 except just proportionately bigger...and maybe just a little bit simpler.  Honda's engineering always some to increase in complexity over time.

[BenelliSEI]

Yeah, that brake pivot shaft has to go in first with cb750's also...

It’s taken a while, but I did it in the right order on my last two! I like to drill and tap the pivot tube for a grease fitting. Surprised Honda never provided an easy way to lubricate that spot…..

The availability of parts makes the 1969-76 cb750 a good choice. A word of caution: start with a very complete bike, preferably with a running engine. It’s very easy for the “sum of the parts” to well exceed the value of the completed project!

[Stev-o]

Yeah, that brake pivot shaft has to go in first with cb750's also...

It’s taken a while, but I did it in the right order on my last two!

I think most of us have made that mistake once!