Topic: New Member - North Carolina 1976 CB550

[Hurricane6]

Not surprised there is a forum for these bikes.  I’m a first time owner and rider and will complete my course at the end of the month.  While I save for a 22 Indian Chief, I wanted a motorcycle I could learn on and have fun.  I am a fan of anything from the 70s - music, cars, women, 1911s, and now motorcycles.  Found this beauty on eBay and stole it at auction from Kaplan Cycles in Connecticut.  Great guys and their videos are awesome on YouTube.  Excited to ride and be a part of this community.  If anyone is in the Raleigh area, I would be open for a meet up this summer once licensing and registration are done!




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[tool14]

welcome aboard

[MD]

Welcome from Minnesota,

With those tires you should enjoy getting the bike dirty on gravel roads.



-MD

[Hurricane6]

Thanks!  All reviews on those tires claim both excellent grip in gravel but also surprisingly sticky on pavement.  excited for some summer exploration!


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[Hurricane6]

Some updates and changes.

Replaced the tires for street.  And there is a recall on the knobbies.  And they are a bit unstable when leaning into curves at speed.  Anything below 45 is fine, north of that, not so much. 

Replaced the OEM rear shocks for some new ones. 

Complete drop of oil pan and gasket change.  Had a persistent leak.  Turns out it was the shift shaft seal. 

She flies now!  Such a fun little bike, will use it to teach my son.




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[RAFster122s]

Presume you were referring to the knobbies being loose in corners when leaned over at speeds at 45 and higher...
Not uncommon for that to be the case on old knobbies, Shinko knobbies in their 705 are currently on the front of my VStrom 650 and the grip is good on the street even in light rain. Deep loose sand, not so much...but deep loose sand is a tough one for any tire short of paddles. The knobbies are a little better in loose sand with some speed, at fast walking pace and slower they are not good in the loose stuff.

The new tires, what did you go with and once you wear off the mold release you should get a better idea (true read) how they will be until wear reduces tread depth to near worn out levels...
Nice thing about wear is usually you are adapting to the loss of traction as it wears and it isn't as noticeable when the loss is gradual.
The transition for weather conditions sometimes is more abrupt as a tire wears. Tire tech has evolved to where most tires are designed to give you warning as they approach their traction limits if you are perceptive. I know a few people I would estimate are far from perceptive enough to feel the warning...

[Hurricane6]

I went with Bridgestone Battlax tires front and rear.  The combination of the new rubber and the rear suspension upgrade makes for a more responsive ride.  Really sticky now vs. a bit vague when cornering. 
The most concerning thing with the Twinduros was the recall notice.  I was never going off road with that bike anyway.

The previous owner clear coated the stickers into the tank and side panels.  Will remove them at some point. 




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[newday777]

Welcome aboard Hurricane6
The 550 is a fun bike to ride the twisties with. I've thought about getting another, haven't had one since 1977, but I'm too deep into the 750s and no room in the man cave.

[RAFster122s]

Welcome to sohc4 forums... 550s are the best...

[Stev-o]

The Bridgestones are great tires, have them on my K4.

Some guys just buy tires on looks alone, then suffer when it time to ride in the real world.

[Hurricane6]

Thanks all, I appreciate the warm welcome.  I also have a ‘22 FXLRS and my wife asks why I still ride the Honda.  It’s such a light, nimble bike it makes you smile even when tooling around the neighborhood.  You feel very connected to the machine.


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