It's been close to 10 years, but I'm finally back on a bike!! The wife swore it would never happen, and she swore even louder when it did.
Like just about every other newbie to this site, I got the bug to build a custom styled bike. I researched everything from BMW's to British to HD's, but (thanks in a great deal to the info I found on this site) I chose a Honda CB550.
Here it is....
My last bike was a Nighthawk 750 I bought the day of my college graduation and sold the day after getting married (not really, but it adds comedic effect). Before that I've had 2 KZ400's, couple off-road bikes, a basketcase BMW R50/5, and a 72 CB450. I still have my first bike stored in a shed, a 1969 S90.
I've got some experience with custom car projects. I just got my latest done after 3 years of building, and I decided I wanted to do a bike now instead of another car. If you're interested, here's the car.
Before...
After...
http://www.redneckswapmeet.com/Shows_2008/gilmore-2008/Favorites/favorite_non-olds.htmDoes anyone know a good, vintage Honda mechanic in SW Michigan? It always helps to have someone around if you get caught with a problem.
So far I have decided to fit it with Comstar wheels. I have a twin disk brake setup from an 80 CB650C because I like the black Comstars and a rear from an 82 CB450T because I wanted an 18inch rear. I've turned down the triple tree from the CB650C to fit and will swap the bearings and do some drilling to open up the 17mm rear axle hole to 20mm on the rear wheel. Sound like it will work guys? I've got to "shoot the tubes" (as I'm told) because the forks on the 650 are longer, but then I picked up some clip-ons that I'm attaching to the exposed fork tubes. That keeps my riding position up a bit too.
I've also started polishing some engine covers, bought a ton of maintenance items and picked up a 605cc piston kit online.
Well, you guys know more than me about this stuff. Am I crazy?
thanks...
