Author Topic: My CB550K Build - Updated April 4th 2009 (Read 12265 times)

LMAERO_396 · « **on:** January 13, 2008, 10:06:26 PM »

Quote from: bill440cars on January 13, 2008, 09:29:20 PM

Now while this bike has some pretty decent mods to it that I'm liking and wanting details on, I particularly want to know more about this exhaust system.

Okay wpnssgt, how about it? (BTW are you or were you a weapons sgt in the USAF or a weapon Staff Sgt?) ( I was a Crew CHief on fighter planes in the USAF myself) At any rate, we'd (at least, I'd) like to hear about just what you have and are doing to that bike of yours (w/pictures please)

Later on, Bill

I'm a 2W1, Weapons Loader and currently E5 (Staff Sgt) Active Duty. I've had this 550 for about 7 months now and have quite a list of stuff I've done. I did lots of rewiring and initially was going to do a stock retore but have since focused on making a Cafe Style bike with the addition of stuff from other bikes. So far I have the Forks, Wheels, and Brakes of a 85' GPZ750. Rearsets from an 05' GSXR1000, and custom exhaust design I came up with by using the stock headers and making 2 "2-1" connectors for a 4-2 exhaust. I still need to get it all welded up and coated and then tune the bike as it's only in a mock-up stage before I tear her down to a rolling chassis and work the engine & maybe get a 605cc kit for it, if I can find one.

Some pics of what she looked like when I got her.

Parts Bike 75 550K - Donor Bike that I tore down completely.

and I mean completely

First ride after new oil, filter, & plugs. This thing had been sitting for at least 5 years and voila, she runs (kinda) My dad and I both ride and he had a CB350 back in the day so this was a treat for him.

Fork Swap

Here are some pics of the exhaust during my mock-up.

Most recent pics before I lowered the forks and removed the old bars to make room for some clip-ons

GSXR-1000 Rearsets installed

Tonights photo

drackett_19 · « **Reply #1 on:** January 14, 2008, 07:25:53 AM »

thats lookin gooood! hey can you still use the kickstarter with those rearsets?

olds-cool · « **Reply #2 on:** January 14, 2008, 04:21:23 PM »

I've been looking at GPZ front ends for a while. Did you swap the stem out or does the GPZ stem actually fit? How are the angle and length compared to stock? I like where you are going with this one.

LMAERO_396 · « **Reply #3 on:** January 14, 2008, 05:30:16 PM »

The GPZ Forks will fit into the 550 tree with no problem, only a 2mm difference. However as you can see in the last two photos I dropped the front end by sliding the forks up so the bike sits level and more stable. The GPZ forks are about 3" longer than the 550 I think, haven't measured them to see. As far as kickstarting goes, no way it will work. I'm removing the kick start lever anyway.

bill440cars · « **Reply #4 on:** January 14, 2008, 08:13:18 PM »

Hey wpnssgt, Appreciate you putting your bike progress on here with the info and pictures. Sometimes we use an idea from here and another from there and so on.

I thought your bike had some really interesting features on it and wanted to hear about the details. As you can already see, others here like to see these things also.

There are lots of bikes here with lots of different ideas and features for ALL of us to see, appreciate and use wherever we see fit.

Later on, Bill

DarkRider · « **Reply #5 on:** January 15, 2008, 01:56:54 AM »

where is the 2mm difference? Also what rear swing arm was used or was your bike a disk brake rear to start with?

LMAERO_396 · « **Reply #6 on:** January 15, 2008, 08:05:43 AM »

Quote from: OutlawZ24 on January 15, 2008, 01:56:54 AM

where is the 2mm difference? Also what rear swing arm was used or was your bike a disk brake rear to start with?

The 550 Fork is 35mm and the GPZ is 37mm in diameter. That is still the stock 550 swingarm, I'm working out the offset during mock-up so I know what spacers I'll need.

DarkRider · « **Reply #7 on:** January 15, 2008, 08:16:12 AM »

The 550 clamps open large enough to accept the GPZ forks without cracking?

LMAERO_396 · « **Reply #8 on:** January 15, 2008, 09:56:36 AM »

Quote from: OutlawZ24 on January 15, 2008, 08:16:12 AM

The 550 clamps open large enough to accept the GPZ forks without cracking?

I was actually wrong about what model the forks came from. They are from an 85 GPZ550, which has the same diameter forks as the CB550. I suddenly noticed a difference in my parts diagrams, silly me

Pip · « **Reply #9 on:** January 15, 2008, 11:21:27 AM »

Quote from: wpnssgt_usaf on January 13, 2008, 10:06:26 PM

I'm a 2W1, Weapons Loader and currently E5 (Staff Sgt) Active Duty.

Well, you Load Toads might not be able to do anything on the flightline right, but you sure can build a nice bike.

SrA Pip
2W0X1
I.Y.A.A.Y.A.S.

LMAERO_396 · « **Reply #10 on:** January 15, 2008, 05:38:42 PM »

Quote from: Pip on January 15, 2008, 11:21:27 AM

Quote from: wpnssgt_usaf on January 13, 2008, 10:06:26 PM

I'm a 2W1, Weapons Loader and currently E5 (Staff Sgt) Active Duty.

Well, you Load Toads might not be able to do anything on the flightline right, but you sure can build a nice bike.

SrA Pip
2W0X1
I.Y.A.A.Y.A.S.

Always an Ammo guy around.

It's
I.Y.A.A.Y.W.O.T

not
I.Y.A.A.Y.A.S.

LOL

Pip · « **Reply #11 on:** January 17, 2008, 07:03:55 AM »

HAHAHAHAHA!!!

LMAERO_396 · « **Reply #12 on:** January 17, 2008, 08:42:08 AM »

Finished up cutting off pieces of the frame (seat hinges, clips etc) and removed the old rear fender support. My stuff should be in next week and if I can find some sheet metal at work I'm going to make a few brackets and housings for electrical stuff. Still designing a seat and rear fairing, trying to also make cooler air enter into the carbs.

now the photos

olds-cool · « **Reply #13 on:** January 17, 2008, 03:27:03 PM »

I'd love some more info on the rear wheel swap along with the brake. Any spacers needed? Caliper from the GPZ too? Also on the front, are the CBs tubes the same distance apart as the GPZ? I see you have the dual front brake set up now, nice.

I guess it must have all lined up. Does the stock speedo sensor still fit on there or is that something from the GPZ as well? Sorry for so many questions but this is what I've been considering for a while now and it's nice to find someone else to get info from. Bonus check is coming soon and I'm itching to start building.

LMAERO_396 · « **Reply #14 on:** January 17, 2008, 04:35:03 PM »

Quote from: olds-cool on January 17, 2008, 03:27:03 PM

I'd love some more info on the rear wheel swap along with the brake. Any spacers needed? Caliper from the GPZ too? Also on the front, are the CBs tubes the same distance apart as the GPZ? I see you have the dual front brake set up now, nice. I guess it must have all lined up. Does the stock speedo sensor still fit on there or is that something from the GPZ as well? Sorry for so many questions but this is what I've been considering for a while now and it's nice to find someone else to get info from. Bonus check is coming soon and I'm itching to start building.

I haven't done my alignment yet to ensure the front and back are good, but so far everything "fits" but i will need to fine tune the spacing and fabricate some rear wheel adjusters. The diameter of the rear wheel axel is smaller than the CB550, so I am also thinking of making a custom swingarm to ensure eveything lines up, but that is a big if. I'm not sure if the fork spacing is the same between the ZX(GPZ)550 and the CB550, will have to check that but they are really close. I'm waiting on my new controls, clips-ons, & front brake master cylinder to arrive to finish up the brakes. I got that stuff from MikesXS.com which are for an XS650, so yet another bike in the mix.

LMAERO_396 · « **Reply #15 on:** January 19, 2008, 09:42:01 PM »

Well I'm sure I'll get heckled by the old crowd for this but I just couldn't resist. I had an old fairing from my ZX6R and decided to test fit it to get an idea. I like the look except for the sides bulge out a bit much but with my paited tail light it gives a sinister look to the rear. The hump also comes to a nice spot and with a seat it will be perfect. I will probably buy a race fairing when I finalize the design.

I also relocated my electrics to under the seat and behind me.

LMAERO_396 · « **Reply #16 on:** February 24, 2008, 11:25:50 AM »

Here are some photos of my rebuilt and repainted motor. I also included a photo of the new tank on the frame.

kghost · « **Reply #17 on:** February 24, 2008, 11:38:22 AM »

Really looking sharp.

I especially like the red allen head screws on the motor

LMAERO_396 · « **Reply #18 on:** February 25, 2008, 10:08:34 AM »

Update from last night. Engine in the frame woohoo!

Rebuilt Carbs

Started adding electrical and controls

bill440cars · « **Reply #19 on:** February 25, 2008, 11:23:44 AM »

Hey Mike. That bike of yours is really coming along and looking SO good, in the process.

Keep up the good work guy!

Later on, Bill

LMAERO_396 · « **Reply #20 on:** March 05, 2008, 10:57:59 PM »

Thanks Bill

I just got finished with yet another fork swap for some 36mm KZ550 forks and triple. I've got my clip-ons adjusted and now I'm denting the tank a bit to make some room for my knees and fork clearance. My new Dyna coils are on their way along with wires and caps. Still need to pick-up some Iridium plugs and wait for more stuff to be delivered.

some more photos

trav72 · « **Reply #21 on:** March 06, 2008, 03:20:03 AM »

That motor looks great! Nice job!

DarkRider · « **Reply #22 on:** March 06, 2008, 08:15:52 PM »

the ninja tail fairing looks pretty good on there.

jesus freek · « **Reply #23 on:** March 06, 2008, 08:59:27 PM »

Lookin really good so far. If you dont mind, where did you find those red allen screws,thats a really nice touch. I would really like to score some blue ones for my 75cb550.Thx

LMAERO_396 · « **Reply #24 on:** March 10, 2008, 08:55:33 AM »

Quote from: jesus freek on March 06, 2008, 08:59:27 PM

Lookin really good so far. If you dont mind, where did you find those red allen screws,thats a really nice touch. I would really like to score some blue ones for my 75cb550.Thx

I'm using the aluminum ones by Lockhart Phillips for now until I can get my ProBolt set. They have an assortment of colors, I ordered mine from solomotoparts.com

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Author Topic: My CB550K Build - Updated April 4th 2009 (Read 12265 times)

trav72

jesus freek