Topic: '78 CB550 Leftovers Project

[Smudgemo]

I had a bunch of parts left over from my '76 resto so about a year ago I bought a frame that CHP says doesn't show up as stolen to hang them on.  The plan is to use mostly Honda parts that are sitting in boxes under the house and make something that runs well and is mildly modified.  First up is the frame - scrape off the gunk and give it a bit of a scrub.  I'm planning to mostly assemble it without making anything fancy, see about a title, make it run, then take everything apart for a proper finish.  I'm thinking no provisions for a passenger, bobbed fenders, smaller/newer lighting, 400F style bars, and such.  I don't have a concrete plan.

One difference I've noticed between the '76 and '78 frames is the right peg doesn't have a stud to mount to.  I assume I need to source a set (or at least a right peg) from a '78?  Anything else?  The rear swingarm is from a '76, but it seems to fit just fine.

[Gurp]

Another Sweep the Floor type build. These are always my favorite! Subscribed!!!!

[kerryb]

Another Sweep the Floor type build. These are always my favorite! Subscribed!!!!

Although I do appreciate the high-dollar builds and restorations, the low-budget goals that rely on resourcefullness and creativity are my favorite.  I'll be watching.  And learning, and stealing ideas because I have most of a '74 cb550 in the attic on my "someday" list.

I used to chuckle at my wife who would have a bunch of plants left over from her spring gardening spree, and then decide to go buy more plants because the leftovers weren't enough to be used by themselves!  

[flatlander]

One difference I've noticed between the '76 and '78 frames is the right peg doesn't have a stud to mount to.  I assume I need to source a set (or at least a right peg) from a '78?  Anything else?  The rear swingarm is from a '76, but it seems to fit just fine.

could one be a K and the other an F? check the frame number.

[Smudgemo]

could one be a K and the other an F? check the frame number.

It is a K frame, but I thought in '78 the only model was the K.  So my options would appear to be either braze or weld a post for the peg I have, or source a new peg and a longer lower-rear engine mounting bolt.  At least that's where I think the peg is mounted on this frame.

[Smudgemo]

So I sold my '17 Bonneville and the '76 CB550, and I figured it was time to get back to this project.  Sorry for the delay..

I'm assembling it enough at this point to pass inspection at DMV, and once I have a title I'll be willing to spend for missing parts, although I think I have most of the parts I need.  I also decided instead to just keep it mostly stock and polish up everything.  No offense to anyone doing custom builds, but I'm kinda tired of all the half-assed modified bikes I constantly see on CL.  This one won't be half as nice as my '76, but it will be 100% reliable and rideable.

Here's where I'm at.  I have bearings for the rear wheel in the freezer, and once installed, I'll have a roller.  Fenders, grab bar, seat and tank, and it'll just about be DMV time.

[BenelliSEI]

Ryan..... I need something to move my Chopper Project around, after it’s off the lift table. It’s so long that moving or turning around in my long, skinny shop is a real pain. Where did you get that bike trolley and what’s the over all length? Thanks, John D.

[goodtryer]

Harbor Freight has one for $99.99.

https://www.harborfreight.com/low-profile-motorcycle-dolly-95896.html

83" long

Cheers

[Smudgemo]

Yep, Harbor Freight.  Make sure you use the 20% or whatever it is coupon.

[BenelliSEI]

Thanks for the info! My chopper project is just ok long for this, but with a bit of extra material, I should be able to extend one.

We don’t have Harbour Freight in Canada, but found the same product in a different store. Much appreciated.

[Smudgemo]

Okay, so we did a summer vacation up in Truckee (Tahoe area) a few weeks ago, and I took my DMV paperwork with me because I figured I might as well see what a smaller-town DMV is like, and darned if it wasn't about as quick as can be.  I got my registration and plates, and title to follow.  Yay me!

I didn't plan to get working on this project today, but I decided I might as well, and by the time I was done, the frame, side stand and rear swingarm were all cleaned and painted with rust-treating paint.  Just rattle-can stuff because this is going to be a rider that I may just turn around and sell in the spring to make some room.

[BenelliSEI]

Congrats on the title. The small town, just down the road from my farm is famous for the helpful DMV. It’s literally a “hole in the wall” at the back of our local pharmacy (drug store). The two ladies that work there are incredibly knowledgeable and helpful! And they are both notaries, so just about anything is possible. Whenever my friends in Toronto have title issues to straighten out, they come for a visit!

[Smudgemo]

I've been sort of chipping away at this project, and it's going fairly smoothly so far.  Nothing terribly exciting, but i soaked the rear fender to remove rust as best I could.  EvapoRust does really work for chrome, but I finish up with aluminum foil/water, then some polish to prevent more rust, although I doubt this bike will see any weather while I own it.

I have an entire airbox so I freshened it up and cut some new filter element.  The electrical panel is installed, but I'm going to make a new fuse box that takes bladed fuses instead of using the crusty old one with a missing cover.  I'm hooking up the wires, but my right control is from a a later bike with a connector that wasn't fed through the bar, so I think I'm going to cut the connector and add new bullets, but not sure if I want to feed it through the bar.  The left side was a bit of a pain.

I also started in on the seat pan.  It has some rust and bit of missing metal, but I'm handy with a brazing torch and can get some 16G sheet at Home Despot that will make for a fine fix.

The only thing that is a head-scratcher at the moment is the rear brake lever and kickstart lever.  The frame is a K and the parts are all F, so I need to wait until I try to mount the rest of the parts including exhaust to see where I"m at.  I'm not sure a K bike kickstart will work or if I'll need that and the brake lever pivot, or if using a sort of trashed F 4-1 even makes any sense.  But if that's the worst thing I run into, I'll have this thing up an running soon.