OK, now I can finally say the bike has moved from a "project" to a "rider". it's been a few weeks since I touched it, and Im finally happy with how it ended up. This is a 1976 CB550F that I picked up on craigslist last fall. I posted a couple threads when I was first working on the bike, and after I made some progress. It has had some very different looks along the way, but this is how it ended up. Some of the things that have been done recently:
1. changed from drag bars to clubmans. the clubmans are superior, in terms of riding comfort and feel -- the geometry and position just make the bike handle better. drag bars look kind of cool, but for riding they suck. of course, now I need rearsets...
2. custom seat and tail section, and a modern LED tail light (with turn signals). as much as I tried to keep it a 2-up bike, it just begged for a solo seat. I made one myself out of particle board, plywood, balsawood, and fiberglass. The tailight is from a 2006 Honda CB600RR, I think. I dont know modern bikes too well, but I saw it in a store and knew it was "the one". I made the sheet metal piece to fit the light, and I left it in natural metal. I will probably brush it a bit more, or polish it. I cut off the rear end of the frame at an angle so the frame flows into the seat section.
3. new master cylinder and clutch lever. MC is an ebay find, I believe from a 1993 ZX11. eventually, I want dual front disc brakes on it -- the wheel has the discs already, just need the caliper and other stuff. clutch lever is from a dirtbike, not sure what kind -- saw it at the bike shop and picked it up.
4. chopped off the left rear peg stand to clean up the back end. kept the right one for exhaust support. added some Redwing shocks which are a big improvement over stock springs.
hmmmm....I think that's it. I went with low gloss black, got rid of the orange. I'm glad its finished, because its a FUN bike to ride, wet or dry. The clubmans really do give the bike a nice feel; light and nimble like a 250 or 350..really quick to flick around. the Avon roadriders are terrific tires, and warm up fast.
Anyways, enjoy the photos.
-Ron
