Topic: Kicking Around Some Ideas For A 550 Cafe Style Build W/Update #1

[bwaller]

I agree Bill, that is indeed fine inspiration.

[bill440cars]

I agree Bill, that is indeed fine inspiration.

         Now you can see why I was so desperate to post the picture. Thing is, I don't remember where I picked it up from and so I can not find out any details about it. My bike won't even began to look like that one, but I sure can dream! If I can get a gas tank done up similar to it (using Daniel's "DME" method that he used on his 750) and  manage to come up with (or build) a seat similar to it, I might have a chance at getting the rest of the bike to looking at least "SIMILAR" to this FINE LOOKING 550 racer.

           


          Next question is, Will my 60yr old back be able to handle the riding position?

[bwaller]

Ahh, probably not for long, 60 or otherwise!

[csendker]

Next question is, Will my 60yr old back be able to handle the riding position?

If you go fast enough, you'll get "there" quick enough to be able to handle it. 

Nice inspiration there, what do you think that monster tank is?  A standard tank with a tail added to it or do you think it's been actually cut & stretched?  If you were to replace the seat & tank, I'd say it would look amazingly stock-ish; in other words no major-killer mods to it.  Oil cooler, velocity stacks, rearsets (yup, looks like he cut off the rear peg tabs), obviously the seat & tank, some bling on the engine, gauges.  Mostly 'bolt-on' stuff.

Of course, you could also draw some inspiration from this (OK, I think it's a 750, but so what):

[bill440cars]

       csendker said " If you go fast enough, you'll get there quick enough to be able to handle it." With reasoning like that, you'd think a person should be able to handle anything. We'll see,  We'll see!

 
        Oh yeah! Mike Hailwood's bike is an inspiration in itself! I've been a fan of his, ever since I saw a picture of that "Fantastic" 250cc 6-cylinder bike with a sound that I've heard described as incredible!
Only wish I had actually heard it myself. Having heard other racing bikes, including some from a tape that Jim (Aptech77) sent me some time back (which I still listen to off and on) and some Gran Prix cars, I can only imagine what that sound is like. BTW, thanks for posting Hailwood's bike.

         Oh, and bwaller, thanks for cutting me some slack on the age thing. Every little bit helps.

                                  Later on, Bill      
       

[Bob Wessner]

Bill,

Try this page and the RC166.

http://www.cmsnl.com/classic-honda-gallery/show_gallery.php?galid=14

[csendker]

250cc 6-cylinder bike

Is that what that bike is?  I saw what look like oil lines going to under the seat and assumed 750 w/remote oil tank.  Sounds like a nasty chain saw on steroids doing 150 mph.  Don't know enough to know any better... 

[paulages]

bill-- they're a little pricey with the exchange (thanks for the weak dollar, "free trade"...), but you  might check out the road race seat and tank for the cb500 at motovolante.com.

[bill440cars]

bill-- they're a little pricey with the exchange (thanks for the weak dollar, "free trade"...), but you  might check out the road race seat and tank for the cb500 at motovolante.com.

    Hey Paul, Thanks for the info. I haven't had a chance to check it out yet, but I don't have much of a budget for high dollar stuff.

    Some of you all have hit me up for pictures and all I've got right now, is the one before I started on it and IT AIN"T PRETTY! Soon as I can get it done, I'll post it so you can fel sorry for me.

                                 Later on, Bill

   

[bill440cars]

         BTW, This is what I started with. I think the tank is from a 400, not sure. The tank and the seat were sitting on the bike, when I got it. If you have a clue, let me in on it, okay?

           



       Now, do you feel sorry for me?

                              Later on, Bill  

[ttr400]

The pic posted of the Mike Hailwood bike is the RC181 500cc, this machine was after the RC166 250/6 and 297/6 which Hailwood and Redman rode to great success.

The history of the Honda GP bikes is very interesting stuff, can't think of any sites to look for but try google, for info on all the bikes such as the 50cc twin, 125 twin, 125 five cyl,250/4,250/6,350/4,500/4. All these GP bikes had double overcam 4 valve per cyl heads......

Kevin

[bill440cars]

The tank looks like a CM 400 tank.
   That seat looks like the desirable 750 Sandcast ducktail seat. What a find!!! Especially if it has no tears and is in very good condition.
 DG

     Thanks Daniel, I had forgotten the exact model of 400 that I had found out the tank was. I'll have to make note of that. I really had no idea about the specific features of the 750 K0 "Sandcast" until I'd been here for a bit. Sadly the cover of that seat, isn't too good. The seat base is in good condition with the latch & rubber blocks in place and missing the hinge. The I think foam is in pretty good shape (not perfect but still seems to be "spongy". I also have the triple tree bridge (top piece w/ gauge clamp rings) for that model too. I'm not sure if I have to correct triple tree itself, or not. BTW, I found these pieces in a salvage yard, and they didn't know exactly what they were either.  

                                    Later on, Bill    

[bill440cars]

          Hey Kevin, Thanks for the info on the GP bikes. I'll have to do some googling on that subject. Those bikes were really something else weren't they?

                                      Later on, Bill

[mkramer1121]

Bill,

Check out teamhansenhonda.com  He is local to me, and he had 3 CB450 race bikes parked in his "shop" when I dropped off my parts to be worked on.  He's also built Haliwood and Redman replicas as well.  See below:

[bill440cars]

Bill,

Check out teamhansenhonda.com  He is local to me, and he had 3 CB450 race bikes parked in his "shop" when I dropped off my parts to be worked on.  He's also built Haliwood and Redman replicas as well.  See below:

          Thanks Mike, I have checked them out before but, it's been awhile so maybe I need to go back and recheck them out. Thanks for that. Now, I didn't realize that he'd built Hailwood & Redman replicas though. Now that's gotta be cool!

                                Later on, Bill

[ttr400]

Yes the Honda GP bikes of the 50's and 60's were something else and basically served as the basis to all the Honda 4's that we now ride, and can also be compared (electronics aside) to the new generation of modern sport bikes.

I had the pleasure of going to Mid Ohio this year with Terry from Team Hansen Honda, we took the 3 450 racers and the 2 350 Hailwood and Redman replica's. It was a fantastic trip,the racing was awesome.  If you haven't been to M/Ohio then it should definitely be on your to do list.  We also went up to Mosport in Canada for the 40year anniversary of the 67 GP and the battle between hailwood and Agostini.  I was lucky to get invited to ride the Jim Redman replica in the parade lap. well 6 laps or so.

Sorry if this is a thread hijack

Kevin

[Heironymous Josh]

As an F bike owner I may be partial, but the comstars are "aight."  They certainly havea  late 70's look about them but they're light, rigid and easy to clean.  So don't worry 'bout it.

[bwaller]

Great story Kevin. What a thrill to get to ride the Redman replica.