Topic: Got rid of my 550K... and replaced it with a 550F and a 350F

[carnivorous chicken]

Well, I did it again. I sold my 1975 CB550K that I have owned since 1993. But in its place, I bought a ’74 350F and a ‘75550F.

My 350F here in Mexico City smoked a little when I first got it down here (I had put in a “rebuilt” 350F engine before I went but didn’t have time to check it out before I left. It smoked a little, and now it’s smoking more with low compression – bad rings. Knowing that I’m probably not going to be able to rebuild here, I made some inquiries (and may get an engine rebuilt right) but also decided that I wanted a couple of projects (I also should add I have a rebuilt but also untested 400F engine that I may bring down for the 350F here).

So I bought a 350F from Seanbarney and had it shipped to Phoenix, via Uship. The first guy that took my bid strung me along while his truck was in the shop right up until the week before I was going to Phoenix, finally telling me he couldn’t guarantee that it would be delivered in time. I cancelled, and luckily got another bid (that wound up being cheaper with the $50 credit Uship gave me because the other guy flaked). I was in Phoenix for 6 days and spent 4 of them working multiple hours on the bike. I was lucky to have a ton of 350F parts there that I wound up needing – I have been hoarding 350F parts for a couple years with the idea of a build in the future, and had just bought a “café project” that came with a ton of extras and new oem stuff and most of it was still in Phoenix. I’ll post some details of that work below, but bottom line is it came to life, runs great, doesn’t smoke. Needs a lot cosmetically, but my plan is for a semi long-term project.

The 550K I had was a great bike, the fastest 550 I have owned and also my first. It was owned by an old guy who threw a Kerker on it, pods, and rejetted and tuned the carbs just right. He rode it over the mountains to Eastern Washington a couple times a year, so the story goes, then sold it to a friend of mine around 1993, and he realized he didn’t want it. I rode it everywhere the first 4 or five years, then moved to AZ for grad school, returning for summers and Christmas, so I rode it then and parked it at my dad’s. Then it was more like once a year, although I would still ride it down to Portland and I felt it would go wherever you asked. It was showing its age a little but still ran strong. It was also a bike I learned on, putting clubmans then drag bars then a couple years ago low-rise superbike bars. I also wrapped thee exhaust about 20+ years ago when that was a big thing, but mostly to cover up the rust on the Kerker’s headers. Since my dad is getting older, I decided it was time to let it go…

But not before buying a 550F. I set up the deal between Cameron (who was active here until 2021, when he sold my nephew the bike) and my nephew, and he took $3k, $500 below asking. My nephew had a ton of experience with dirt bikes, and (thought) he wanted a street bike, but he is in his early 20s, dumped trying to walk it home drunk (or so he told me), cracked both side covers and smashed a turn signal, and, after I tuned it for him he rode it for another month or two then parked it, where it sat until last week. I went over twice to pick up the carbs and clean them, and then thing fired right up. I transferred the title (with late fees around $500) and my nephew agreed to $2500. The bike runs really strong, is almost completely stock (something I and my back were looking for), and is cosmetically in great shape (I found side covers, and fixed the turn signal). It’s parked at my dad’s, and I will get it shipped first to AZ then down here to CDMX after the title and plate come in.

I know, I know – pics or it didn’t happen. Been busy, but I’ll get to it and post progress on the bikes (including the Busso 4-4 that I ordered with much drama, see that thread if you care about the details).

[seanbarney41]

This is awesome!  I still get to see the 350f that I didn't get to be reborn!  Maybe I will find another one someday when my project waiting list is not so long.

[newday777]

Cool Beans! A 550F is one I'd like to have in the stable, maybe add in a 650 cam to smoke some unsuspecting 750.

[grcamna2]

subscribed 

[carnivorous chicken]

First the old news…

I bought my ’75 550K in 1993, my second bike after a summer of owning a CB150. Paid to get it tuned up, and when it needed it again called a friend who helped out. It was the first bike I learned on, just before the 350F that I bought in 1997. Early on, someone stole the LH side cover, so I found a replacement that was a different color, tried to match the paint with model paint (I think? Can’t remember) and then added a Swinger logo from an old Dart I used to own. Before I sold it, I replaced it with a CJG cover from a 500F. Rode the bike as my primary vehicle for years in Seattle, including in the rain.

The Kerker rattled when I got it – the baffle had rusted and broken in half, so I removed the first half and left the second in, with no stuffing. It was loud when you hit the throttle and I always eased up going by cops after I got pulled over once (but didn’t get pulled over again). I took my WA motorcycle license test on this, and since they use(d?) a system of up to 250cc for the first level, up to 500cc for the second, and over 500 for the third, I was qualified to ride any bike.

I’d come home and tune it and change the oil and rip around Seattle for a few weeks in the summers, drain the gas, and leave it at my dad’s. I’d come back and it’d fire right up. In the end, I was paying maybe $90 a year for tabs and batteries every three or so to ride it for just a couple weeks, but it was worth it.

My dad’s getting old, though, and now I’ve got a young son who isn’t going to be riding on it with me and my wife. So… time to sell. Sold it to a nice guy for the asking price, who promised to take care of it. I advertised it on CL a couple weeks before I went up, and noted that the front brake wasn’t working due to a sized piston (or so I thought). I had replaced the MC and the lines, and thought I could force out the piston by pumping it but it blew out the lines. I put the word out here I was looking for a new caliper, and member Gman responded and sent me piston, both sides of the caliper and the lower steel line. I bought a seal and pads, put it all together, and… it didn’t work. Blew out two lower hoses I had. I tried blowing through the hoses and… they were clogged. A third wasn’t. I hooked it up an hour before I was to deliver the bike, bled the brake with my dad, and it worked great. My dad loved the sound of that bike and was sorry to see it go, but the guy I sold it to was happy that it had a functioning front brake. He gave me the cash, I gave him back $100 because he said it was his wife’s birthday (and what better than to buy yourself an old bike on your wife’s birthday!) and he didn’t quibble over the price, and promptly went out to eat a huge shellfish and crab feast with my brother. Adios, 550K.

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With the old "Swinger" side cover before I replaced it.

[carnivorous chicken]

Now the little guy. My 350F here in Mexico City has been smoking, and reads low compression (around 95 all the way across) that improves with a little oil in the cylinder. I have a 400F engine that has been rebuilt, and will get it down here eventually and will likely throw that in the 350F, but I also wanted a project that I could make nice. I threw a wanted ad up here, and Seanbarney said he had one he would let go. He sent me some photos, it looked complete although the stock exhaust was rotted out. I’d only bought two or three other bikes based on photos, and although it was a decent deal it was a little pricier than I was used to (being spoiled in AZ for so long). And I’d have to figure in shipping. As I mentioned above, it was a bit of a nightmare but worked out with a couple days to spare, and it arrived in PHX two days before I did.

My first two days there were busy – I made posters of a photo I shot and spent the day mailing them, shot photos of a band the first night, and played records at a bar the second, picked up my mail and packages, etc. But Saturday, day three, I dug in. I bought a battery the day before, and the one thing I knew it was missing – ignition key switch – I brought an extra of from CDMX. First it got a quick wash, then went through the tune up – valves, new plugs, oil and filter change, and then the points… I got them gapped and it fired up. Timing wasn’t working out, and then I figured it was because the points were ground down to nubs (duh). Another set of points is something I had laying around, so I threw them in, gapped them, timed it… and it purred at idle. I switched over the exhaust I had, a 4-1 Kerker, and kept the mounting brackets for the 4-4. Sean had mentioned he thought it might have a head gasket leak as there was oil on the front of the engine, so I cleaned it with degreaser and a toothbrush. After riding it around it looks like it was leaking from tappet covers and maybe the tach drive, so an easy fix. I had an extra clutch cable as the clutch was slipping a little, and… it was due to a sticky cable. I had extra speedo and tach cables, and installed those. The tank needed a serious cleaning and the latch was broken (I got a whole tank at Bob’s for free just for the latch…), but I had a spare tank that had been chromed and petcock. The petcock had been rebuilt, but about 12 years ago, and it leaked. Went down to Bob’s again, and they sold me an aftermarket petcock with the same 4-hole seal and that did the trick. The fuel line is something I should have thought about (as well as ac10mm open end wrench) so I wound up buying the standard size that’s close (1/4”? instead of 5.5mm) but used clamps. Finally, since the wheels were a little rusty and I had, yep, front and rear spares that were in really great shape I swapped them out. I had to buy a tire for the rear, and Bob’s only had a front in the right size, so I bought it just to make sure I could get the wheels down when the bike comes down. I’ll find new tires here – the one I bought was 12 years old so they gave it to me for $40. The sprockets were in good shape, and I had a new chain laying around so I threw it on as well. The forks were also pretty dingy so… you guessed it, I had a nice spare pair laying around so I put them on. All of the work was done outside in 100+ degree weather, but didn't have much of a choice as my buddies house didn't have AC in the garage. He was calling me Professor Heatstroke but I survived.

I got it dialed in on that Monday and got it titled in my name. I was going to leave Wednesday morning, and I had a ton of 5hit to do, but I spent some time zipping around the neighborhood. Still looked like the oil seepage was only coming from the tappet covers so a bit of luck there. Tuesday evening I put the old tank and petcock back on (so I could clean them here in CDMX) and parked it. I’ll ship it to Laredo, and then on to CDMX from there, but have to wait for the title and plate to come through (should be done by now) and then when my title comes through for the bike I bought in Seattle, I’ll get it delivered to PHX, then both together to TX.

It’ll be a medium-term project, probably at least a few months because of time constraints. But I bought a VMR pain kit and a decal kit so it’ll get the CBO treatment, my favorite color. I’ll look at the tank when it gets here, but I’ll probably coat it with POR15. And I’ll need a petcock rebuild kit. I’ve already got the tach and tappet seals. And here in CDMX I have the Busso 4-4 kit.

As I mentioned, I have been stockpiling 350F parts so it was good to have some on hand in AZ and more here in case I need them.

First photo is how she's going to travel, with the original tank. Second is with the chromed tank to get her up an running. I guess I didn't take any photos of how it showed up, but Sean sent me a bunch so I will upload one of those...

[seanbarney41]

lots pf guys use flikr to host photos for free, but be careful. I used it, then they pulled the same old photobucket #$%* on me, told me I had too many photos for a free account but offered to take em down and email in a zip file.  I said ok but the file is locked, and I don't know how to open it and I have lost a couple thousand photos.  Now been using one called Lensdump, it's not so easy to use.  If I post a pic on this forum, it posts fully blown up covering the whole screen, and I can't figure out how to make it smaller

[carnivorous chicken]

lots pf guys use flikr to host photos for free, but be careful. I used it, then they pulled the same old photobucket #$%* on me, told me I had too many photos for a free account but offered to take em down and email in a zip file.  I said ok but the file is locked, and I don't know how to open it and I have lost a couple thousand photos.  Now been using one called Lensdump, it's not so easy to use.  If I post a pic on this forum, it posts fully blown up covering the whole screen, and I can't figure out how to make it smaller

Fuggit, signed up for flickr, guess I will back up any photos I want to save. Onward to the learning curve I guess...

[carnivorous chicken]

I should add (after uploading 350F photos) -- the Kerker looks pretty mean and sounds throaty, but I had to reverse the rear axle bolt to prevent it from hitting and the pipe sits touching a little tab on the oil pan. It seemed to seal up pretty well on the old exhaust seals, but I've already bought replcements for those too.

[seanbarney41]

If only bikes could talk.... this is one 350f that is gonna have some stories to tell

[carnivorous chicken]

And the new 550F…

In the Spring of 2021, my nephew called me to ask me if he could take my 550K out and ride it. I hadn’t been to Seattle since December 2019 because of the pandemic, and I told him the bike needed some work and that he couldn’t just fire it up and go. He’s a great kid, early twenties, and tons of experience (and fearlessness) on dirt bikes, but not the most responsible and I just didn’t want him riding my bike around (and for good reason, see below). So I asked him, “Why don’t you just buy your own for a few grand?” He said he wanted to, and I told him I’d help him look. Cameron, who was posting here until he sold the bike, had mentioned that he might want to sell his bike so I reached out, and he told me he changed his mind. But a couple weeks later he wrote back saying he’d sell it if I was still interested. I put them in touch with each other, and my nephew bought the bike – a really nice looking 550F.

That summer I went to Seattle, and I told him to drop the bike off at my dad’s the day before I got there and meet me the next day, and I’d go over a tune up with him on his bike. He told me he had tipped it over and sent photos -- both side covers were cracked and broken, the rear turn signals were bent, and the front left turn signal was smashed. I had found spares at Bob’s in Phoenix on my way up there. Luckily the tank wasn’t damaged and there was just the faintest scratch on the original exhaust. His story was that he rode it to the bar, got hammered, then tried to walk it home, tipping it over once on each side. He was pleased with himself – “I didn’t try to ride it” – and I explained that it would have been better not to ride it in the first place or lock the steering and leave it there.

The bike tuned up well. There are allen bolts on the top end so it’s been opened up, but no smoke and it purred. I repaired the turn signal, and he rode it away. Fast forward two years and he tells me the bike is still in Seattle, he’s moved first to Phoenix then Denver, and he wants to sell it. I told him I might buy it if it was still in good shape, or I might sell it for him. He didn’t change the title and Cameron had already signed and dated it, so I was hoping that wouldn’t be an issue. I reached out to Cameron and let him know, and he seemed like he would help out if I had issues.

The bike was stored in a garage at one of my brother’s offices. My brother had ridden it once or twice, but it had sat for a year. The bike had pods, so I figured I’d pull the carbs and have a look since it would be easy. A couple of clogged jets and some dirt, but they cleaned up easily and I put them back on the bike, drained the tank and refilled with a gallon of fresh fuel. The battery still had a little charge, so I kicked it over a few times then turned it on and it fired first kick. It looked good aside from the cracked side covers, although it had oil on the front of the engine.

Like the 350F, it was due to oil coming out of the tappet covers. Degreaser and a toothbrush cleaned the engine right up. I replaced all 8 o-rings, and replaced the crappy grips and broken levers with stock. I got it titled and registered and had to pay late fees (which my nephew let me deduct since it was his fault). Everything worked, and I cruised it around Seattle for a few days before draining the carbs and parking it. It’ll ship to Phoenix, then on to Laredo with the 350F.

Last year I found a big parts lot of 550F stuff that included two very nice side covers in the right color, and a few other things, so I bought it for my nephew. They were with the bike, and I brought them back to CDMX with me and put the broken ones back on for the ride down here.

The main thing I liked about this bike was the stock stance – I’ve got a bulging disc from 45+ years of skateboarding and normally it’s fine with exercise, but it’s been flaring the last 2 months and I’ve had to do PT. A nice upright stance felt good. When I get it down here, I’ll probably rechrome the header and maybe the muffler (to get the scratch out). There is dimpling in the back of the front fender – so it’s likely been run into something, although the forks are in great shape so I’m guessing they’ve been replaced. I’ll either replace or try to get the fender fixed too. It also has an aftermarket attachment to fit a regular auto oil filter, but I’ve already got the parts to bring that back to stock. I’ll try to bend the rear turn signal mounts or find a replacement grab bar. I think the seat has been recovered but it still looks nice and has the Honda logo, but I might try to find a stock cover. I also have stock airbox parts thanks to Wolf550, who generously sent them for postage. The pods are OK, but it doesn’t idle as smoothly as I think it will with the airbox and maybe it’ll have a little more umph.

Old bikes are rare here in CDMX, although most people don’t seem to care that much when they see my 350F. But bigger bikes are also rarer – most bikes here are 150-250cc range, although there are some bigger newer bikes – so I’m looking forward to something I can cruise out of town on longer distances. I had thought that in moving to Mexico my days of tinkering and looking for deals on old bikes was over, but I guess not. I've bought three parts lots in the past two years and two bikes, and sold one -- so the journey continues I suppose.

The brief moment when their paths crossed:



And the 550F on its own:

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Have you met Rodrigo Tuero and Luis Herrera of Soul Moto and Soul La Roma - a producer/director and architect with a love for older cars and motorcycles in CDMX.  They have a custom car/motorcycle business (less active) and 3 restaurants.  Super nice guys and very much into vintage BMWs.  If anything, they might become riding buddies or a good referral source for finding parts.

[carnivorous chicken]

Have you met Rodrigo Tuero and Luis Herrera of Soul Moto and Soul La Roma - a producer/director and architect with a love for older cars and motorcycles in CDMX.  They have a custom car/motorcycle business (less active) and 3 restaurants.  Super nice guys and very much into vintage BMWs.  If anything, they might become riding buddies or a good referral source for finding parts.

No, don't know 'em but thanks for the tip. Pretty sure I've seen the store front as I"m down there all the time, but usually with my son and wife to eat. I'll have to ride down there and check 'em out.

[Shtonecb500]

nice upgrade.

[carnivorous chicken]

For my 350F here in Mexico City that's got a ring issue and is blowing smoke, I decided to take a chance and bring down a 400F engine that I was going to use in a project before I moved to Boston in 2013... then NYC in 2015... then back to PHX... then ABQ... back to PHX... and then CDMX. So it's been sitting, but I figured I'd spend a little and see if I could get it across the border from PHX to Sonora -- my brother has a house in San Carlos, near Guaymas, and he brought the engine in a plastic tub along with my CBO VMR paint and two POR15 tank kits.

Was crossing my fingers that it would make it across without any issues, as the border guys can be corrupt and stingy. My brother called to tell me that they had seized the engine, couldn't bring it across, etc. I asked if he at least got a receipt and... he said, "Just kidding!" No issues.

Today he took it to the national freight company, Estafeta, in Guaymas. I was expected maybe $500US, hoping it wouldn't be more, and the total was actually $900... pesos. About $50. So taking a chance on this engine isn't gonna cost me much. My 350F here has 400f exhaust, pegs, brake lever, and linkage, but there are a few other tweaks I will need to make (rear brake mount, and maybe a couple others) but hopefully the replacement will go smoothly. Supposed to arrive on Friday but I'm not holding my breath.

I'm waiting until the other bikes get here so if it takes more than a weekend I'll still have something to ride. I've got a Uship agreement to get the 550F from Seattle to Phoenix. When it's there, it'll go on with the 350F to Laredo, cross the border, get the paperwork done, and then ship here to CDMX.

[grcamna2]

For my 350F here in Mexico City that's got a ring issue and is blowing smoke, I decided to take a chance and bring down a 400F engine that I was going to use in a project before I moved to Boston in 2013... then NYC in 2015... then back to PHX... then ABQ... back to PHX... and then CDMX. So it's been sitting, but I figured I'd spend a little and see if I could get it across the border from PHX to Sonora -- my brother has a house in San Carlos, near Guaymas, and he brought the engine in a plastic tub along with my CBO VMR paint and two POR15 tank kits.

Was crossing my fingers that it would make it across without any issues, as the border guys can be corrupt and stingy. My brother called to tell me that they had seized the engine, couldn't bring it across, etc. I asked if he at least got a receipt and... he said, "Just kidding!" No issues.

Today he took it to the national freight company, Estafeta, in Guaymas. I was expected maybe $500US, hoping it wouldn't be more, and the total was actually $900... pesos. About $50. So taking a chance on this engine isn't gonna cost me much. My 350F here has 400f exhaust, pegs, brake lever, and linkage, but there are a few other tweaks I will need to make (rear brake mount, and maybe a couple others) but hopefully the replacement will go smoothly. Supposed to arrive on Friday but I'm not holding my breath.

I'm waiting until the other bikes get here so if it takes more than a weekend I'll still have something to ride. I've got a Uship agreement to get the 500F from Seattle to Phoenix. When it's there, it'll go on with the 350F to Laredo, cross the border, get the paperwork done, and then ship here to CDMX.

I'm glad things are progressing forward for you with the transportation.

[carnivorous chicken]

Updating a (somewhat) old thread...

I flew to Phoenix last week with the intent of bringing the 550F down to Mexico City and wrenching a little on the 350F to try to figure out what I'll do with that.

For the 550F, I bought the bike a year ago with the intention of bringing it here to CDMX, but I wasn't sure how. When I moved in 2017, I had the opportunity to do a one-time, tax-free move called a manaje de casa. The company I used was based in Laredo, and they did the paperwork for the 350F I have here along with the move. Adding the 350F cost $800US more for paperwork and transport.

That company is out of business, and over the last year or so I've occasionally spent some time trying to figure out how to get my bike down here. The guy who worked at the company in Laredo offered, but there was no company behind him and I'd have to get the bike to Laredo. I was interested in just paying for everything all at once and having someone transport the bike from Phoenix, but he couldn't do that and didn't return a couple messages. This happened a few times -- calling people who are import brokers, discuss what I need, they'll tell me they can do it and will get back to me, but never do. A bit frustrating -- "I want to pay you for the service you provide!" I kept thinking.

My trip to PHX was looming and I didn't have anything set up. I started to search more energetically and found someone listed on the ADV forum. At this point, he was just a random name but it included his phone number, so I thought, "what the hell..." and I called. He could manage the paperwork if I could get the bike to Nogales. He seemed like a nice guy, we started in Spanish but I think he quickly figured out I wasn't Mexican and switched to English, and we agreed on a price and some details: Thursday, June 6, would be the day.

I reserved a van at U-Haul and made the plan to get up early, get the van, load the bike, drive to Nogales, and go from there. On Thursday I got to U-haul at 7:15 and the attitude-drenched millennial told me I needed a US phone to make the reservation, despite having a credit card, having uploaded my driver's license and a selfie, etc. "I have to protect my vans," he kept telling me, and I kept thinking, "You're getting paid $12 an hour and they're not your vans, but corporate would love you." I asked if I could use someone else's phone, but he insisted it wouldn't work because he couldn't get a hold of me if there was an emergency (although, of course, if he called my friend my friend could call me). Dude was a douche, and I walked out empty handed.

Before this mishap I figured I had a 50/50 chance of making this happen. If I felt sketched out when I got to Nogales, for example, I was prepared to turn around and come back. But this left me thinking I was doomed. I ran back to where I was staying, made some calls, and made a reservation at a rental car place that was literally next door to U-Haul, which got a rigid digit as I drove by. But... they only had electric cargo vans with a range of 120 miles. I needed to go at least 350. The guy "upgraded" me to a 14-foot van with a ramp at hip height, and he told me a buddy could help me get the bike it. I didn't have a buddy to help, but I figured it was my only shot.

Drove the van to where I was staying, and the battery was charged enough to start the bike. I Evel-Knieveled it up the ramp with thoughts of youtube loading ramp disasters playing in the back of my head. I pulled it no problem, best part of my day really. Ratcheted the bike down, and took off -- about an hour later than I was hoping for (and the customs place in Mexico closes at 1 or 2, so time was tight).

The drive was mostly uneventful, although the damn truck had a governor at 75. About 20 minutes from Nogales I noticed a fuel smell, and my first thought was that the bike had tipped over. Then I noticed my windshield was getting dirty -- the tourist bus in front of me was spewing fuel. An ambulance pulled up alongside and told the driver, and she pulled over right away. I got to Nogales thinking the broker would meet me on the US side (and I'd have a buddy to help unload), but he said no, he'll wait for me on the other side. I Evel-Knieveled the bike down the ramp, parked the truck, and rode -- in shorts, t-shirt and sunglasses -- across the border. Yes, I normally wear gear and a helmet, but didn't have one in AZ and the broker offered to get me one once I crossed.

Long story short, Oskar was great. He phoned ahead to his contacts at customs. I dropped off the bike, and he picked me up. We checked in with the shipper, then went and got tacos and just hung out and talked. He got the call that the bike was done, so I went and picked it up and rode it to the shipper. Four guys manhandled it up the stairs (being careful for the exhaust), put it on a pallet, wrapped it in plastic, did the paperwork, and told me it'd be in CDMX Monday or Tuesday (today). I got home last night, so I'll call them in a few and if it's here go pick it up.

The paperwork is all set, I just need to bring it in and get my CDMX registration and plate. I'll pay my work's lawyer -- who also rides -- a little to take care of it for me as bureaucracy here is maddening and if you don't cross a t or dot an i it means a return trip the next day.

So... success (although I've got to go pick it up still). And now I know what it will take. I also talked to Oskar about chroming -- but I'll chime in to that on the other thread on that subject.

[carnivorous chicken]

And the 350F? The battery had drained so I charged it back up. I got it running last time I was in AZ and changed out a ton of stuff for nicer stuff, cosmetically: wheels (and new tires), forks, front fender, cables, a 4-1 Kerker to replace the rotted original 4-4. I had a set of rebuilt carbs and I got a seal for a petcock. Changed the oil, switched out a tank for a clean one, and the thing fired up. The points were worn to nubs so I replaced them with points I had sitting around and it ran better, but not perfect.

So on this trip I replaced the Tec points with ND. Cleaned them, gapped them and timed it -- to discover it was spot on. Thing rode great, but a little sticky in the clutch.

I also brought my compression tester, and warm it was over 120 all the way around. Not bad for a bike that sat for years and had only been started a handful of times, 6 months apart, since. Maybe it'll come up a little with more riding, but it doesn't smoke (unlike the bike I have here now).

I've got a tank, side covers and fork ears here in CDMX, and I ordered a VMR CBO kit for it. Spent a few weeks puttering around with the bondo -- the tank had three really small dings and I wanted it perfect for repainting. So the plan is to get the bike down here (maybe next trip to PHX) and work on the cosmetics and get it nice.

The 550F is staying the way it is, for the most part, as it's in great shape. I have a replacement headlight and bucket for it as what it has now isn't stock. And I want to rechrome or replace the header as it's pretty dull and has a few spots of pitting.

And then I'll figure out what to do with my smoky 350F here. I have a 400F engine that might go in it...

Photos to follow.

[carnivorous chicken]

Post Evel-Knieveling, small bike in a big truck.



Up the stairs...



...and wrapped for shipping.



The 350F after new points.

[seanbarney41]

What a great story these bikes have to tell...and so awesome that someone who knows so many languages is translating for them!

[Oddjob]

For those of us outside of the USA where exactly is CDMX? I presume the MX is Mexico?

The 550F is in really good condition, almost unmolested. To find an original exhaust system on it is quite rare, if you find the chroming shops don't want to re-chrome the headers due to carbon etc contaminating there tanks, you might want to consider having them ceramic coated instead, there is even a chrome look ceramic called Kermacrome here in the UK. You probably know this but check the rear hub lining for cracks, not sure if it's just our climate but the 500/550 rear hub linings crack for fun here in the UK. I'd be interested to know if that's the case in warmer climates.

Good luck with the projects, I have quite a few NOS parts for the 550F but due to different parts fitted to different countries not a great many of them are suitable for yours. I do have a NOS L/H Flake Sunrise Orange panel though if you ever decide to upgrade the orange paintwork 

[carnivorous chicken]

CDMX = Ciudad de Mexico. The previous administration "rebranded" the city. It was known as DF -- Distrito Federal -- prior.

I'm going to ride it up to the chrome shop in a few weeks, and see what they say. When I had my conversation with the neighbor of my wife's aunt, he said they'd do exhaust no problem. I've thought about ceramic coating, but would prefer to get it chromed if it works out.

The bike is in really good shape, including the muffler. The turn signal mounts on the grab bar are bent and I'll either try to straighten what's on there or find a replacement. The headlight bucket is aftermarket but I have an oem replacement (that needs paint first). One of the headlight ears/turn signal mounts is a little bent, and I'd consider replacing them too -- if you've got 'em or the grab bar I'd be interested. I've got a spare set of side covers in nice shape -- I left the old ones on for the trip down here in case anything happened, as one is already missing a chunk.

[grcamna2]

CDMX = Ciudad de Mexico. The previous administration "rebranded" the city. It was known as DF -- Distrito Federal -- prior.

I'm going to ride it up to the chrome shop in a few weeks, and see what they say. When I had my conversation with the neighbor of my wife's aunt, he said they'd do exhaust no problem. I've thought about ceramic coating, but would prefer to get it chromed if it works out.

The bike is in really good shape, including the muffler. The turn signal mounts on the grab bar are bent and I'll either try to straighten what's on there or find a replacement. The headlight bucket is aftermarket but I have an oem replacement (that needs paint first). One of the headlight ears/turn signal mounts is a little bent, and I'd consider replacing them too -- if you've got 'em or the grab bar I'd be interested. I've got a spare set of side covers in nice shape -- I left the old ones on for the trip down here in case anything happened, as one is already missing a chunk.

I'm glad 'Oddjob' asked because I wanted to ask you also;is Ciudad de Mexico close to Mexico City ?
a chrome shop 

[Stev-o]

Great story Chris!!!  So many things could have gone south on this, but seems you handled it perfect.  Takes some balls to trust some guys just taking your bike in Mexico!!!!

And yes to the guys wondering, CDMX is Mexico City, he lives there now [at least part time?]

[carnivorous chicken]

Yep, Ciudad de Mexico = Mexico City. Live here full time, I just make a few trips back to the USA every year. I lived in Phoenix for 20 years, but I grew up in Seattle and still have family there. I have two friends, a couple, who have let me stash some of my stuff at their place in Phoenix and only roll their eyes a little when I acquire more (bought a 350F project a couple years ago that was too good to pass up). I moved here seven years ago for what turned out to be a dream job, got married, had a son who's 3-1/2 now, and I'm a permanent resident and will get citizenship in the next year or so.