Topic: Another oldie comes back to life!

[jbswearingen]

So I've been fiddling with this '78 CB550K that was bought by another to get running for her.

This weekend, I finally took her out for a good ride.  Two of my riding buddies ran with me, to make sure I got back in one piece.  Both were on SV650's.

After the ride I reset the chain, reset the clutch adjustment, and figured out that I need to replace the throttle cables and fiddle with the carbs just a bit more--she doesn't idle smoothly.  They definitely need to be synced.

After riding my SV650 for seven years, I felt like I was riding a glacier.  Acceleration is modest, to say the least, the way-too-softly padded seat was uncomfortable, and the brakes worked as well as expected from a 30 year old design.

She wallows a bit in the twisties.  I'm sure that can be attributed to the old style (though fresh) knobby treads and the al dente pasta front forks.

Jason, my best friend, was surprised to find that I was right up on his ass the whole time through the twisty roads.  "You know, Brad," he says, "you're riding a 30 year old beast of questionable mechanical ability, but I STILL couldn't shake you."  He would leave me for dead in the straights, though.  Then again, I have to admit, he's only been riding for a bit less than a year, and I've been riding for over 24 years.

I think I'm gonna cry when I finally hand over the keys to the owner.

Anyone got a basket case CB they wanna part with?  I don't care about engine size, as long as it's from the 70's...

[goon 1492]

Ok, sounds great but now you just need to get yourself a 750k, cafe it out and drive it like you stole it!!!

[TwoTired]

Doesn't your SV650 have a bunch of low end torque?

Can't expect that with the 550.  Keep the R's above 5K if you want throttle twist appeal.  The trans is your friend.  Drop a gear or three if you want to scoot.

Cornering with knobby tires on pavement?

Cheers,

[jbswearingen]

Oh yeah, that SV of mine has gobs of torque off the line.  I knew the 550 would be slow, so I wasn't expecting any crazy performance.  I actually rather enjoyed the more laid back ways of the CB, but wouldn't trade my SV for the world.

They aren't knobbies in the sense of dirt bike tires, but they're patterned after the tires of the 70's.  When compared to the tread of street tires today, they definitely look like knobbies!

Ok, sounds great but now you just need to get yourself a 750k, cafe it out and drive it like you stole it!!!

You wouldn't happen to have one lying about, would you?