Topic: Just getting in to the restoration game, need help! a few questions?

[wigglethattoe]

Hi All,

I am brand new in to the HONDA restoration scene. I have been riding a 75' CB550F for the past 4 years and loving it. Now I am ready to upgrade my riding pleasure. Long story short, I need some pointers...

As of this moment I have a shop port/polishing the head. After that I need pointers as to where to take my machine. What works, and what will not.

Here are my goals.

1. Engine- port/stroke/increase compression/new cam
2. Upgrade front/rear suspension...how I don't know?
3. New Ignition
4. New carbs, I heard 650 carbs will suffice
5. New lighting, signals etc....
6. And any other #$%*n' tips out there

I don't want to go too over the top but I want a great ride. Please help me get steered in the right direction. I am working with a great shop and I am ambitious to do most of the work myself.

Thank you to all that respond and get me started off on the good foot doin' the bad thing.

Hope to hear from you guys soon.

[Soos]

Never had a 550, but you can still get overbore kits on occasion from E-pay.

Cams... have to get a re-grind($300+) possibly use a stock cb650 cam.

Carbs.... unless you go bigger on the piston bore, i'm not too sure how much benefit you can get.
And cb750 carbs are an option i beleive as well.
(cb750 carbs fit on a cb650, so they should on a 550, correct me if i'm wrong)

New suspension would help GREATLY if it still has stock suspension.
I upgraded my rear shocks(ok just new, nothing fancy) DEFINATELY better handling.

Ignition would be a good idea IMO, isn't there a electronic ignition that would work?
Aftermarket coils would be a good upgrade IMO as well.



On my bike when deciding to upgrade/replace parts, I got quotes on all parts i was interested in.
Then based on funds available, bought what I thought was the best at the time for the money I had to spend.
But theres always next winter for more parts... Oh, wait, this winter!


l8r

[nowayjosey]

Hello,

I upgraded the ignition of my CB750 and my CB500 for a Dyna with excellent results. It would be a good idea to buy their colis as well, because the old Honda coils have a delicate connection with the spark cables, which is bad for refurbishment.

The Dyna ignition and and coil set are found in E-bay for abour $130 each.

CVheers,

Jose

[SteveD CB500F]

Dyna S from Jeff Saunders at Z1enterprises (he's a member here for $120 - best price you'll find.

Given the improvement in starting and running, you're probably better off spending $ on suspension, then your 50hp can show up those 100hp boys on the twisties!

[SteveD CB500F]

Oh, and brakes of course...

[grumburg]

Chase girls, collect stamps, take up skydiving, take up drinking  (or increase), chase drinking girls. Anything but bike restoration !

[FunJimmy]

There is just so much you can do if you are handy with tools and search/read all the build projects posted on this site.

As for suspension, many have grafted modern fron ends including brakes to their CB's while others have just changed springs, shocks etc.

What are you looking for in handling and how capable are you with your tool?

FJ