Topic: 1975 CB550K bobber/ Bratstyle

[bobbyrivera]

Hey guys-
Here are some pics of my 1975 CB550 project.  I got it in Sept and have only put about 30 hours or so into it.  Still a ton to do but I think it looks pretty cool so far and she's fun to ride.  Here's basically what I've done so far

How it started out- mostly stock except electric (scaled down but a mess), no gauges bars, pipes and no front brake- rear brake didn't work either:


2nd Week: chopped seat bracket and other unessential crap, set ride height, fixed rear brake, make struts (I cut the ends off the old shocks and welded them on to solid steel 5/8" round stock


3rd Week: Install 91 Harley XL tank and seat springs (which are going to get moved back a few inches)


4th week: Install new Petcock, re-run fuel lines, get running again, ride, install steel bushings into struts, ride some more

[KB02]

That's looking nice.

[dp2275]

i like it very much!  if i wasnt going with the slammed to the ground/drag bar look, id have set my bike up exactly like yours!

shes beautiful 

[Tim in Ohio]

2nd Week: chopped seat bracket and other unessential crap, set ride height, fixed rear brake, make struts (I cut the ends off the old shocks and welded them on to solid steel 5/8" round stock

I really like the way your bike is looking.  For my next project I plan on doing some real mods...  bobber style is a definite possibility.   I am gonna have to find me a thread "for dummies" to learn from though (or start one... that approach has worked out great for my first build). 

The point where I start to get lost when learning from other builders is at the "chopped out unessential crap" step.  Not knowing for sure what is essential and what isn't, I would surely chop something that I needed! 

Keep us updated.  i will be following the transformation.

[DaytonGuy]

That thing looks sweet!  I've got my bike torn apart and am beginning to clean things......just at the very beginning of my project.  I keep going back and forth between a cafe and a bobber style bike and this thread as pushed me to the bobber style...I love the pic with the Honda tank.  I'm probably going with much lower bars too....maybe superbike bars or drag bars even.

One question....when you cut off the seat support and frame in the rear, how/where did you mount the rear fender?  I assume you just flipped the stock fender around and mounted it, but how and to what.  You chopped off the stock fender mounting locations.

I'll be watching this one...I would love good detailed pic of the rear end (no comments please ).  How you work the tail light, turn signals, fenders, etc.

[bobbyrivera]

Hey guys,
Thanks for the kind words about my build.

TIM- I have to admit, I really have no clue either.  I just grabbed the Sawzall and started cutting stuff.

It's all about the ride, the build and having fun.  This is my first chop and I'm having a great time with it.  Fire up the grinder and have at the stuff you don't like!  It can always be replaced (or reused on another part of the bike).  Check your clearances twice...

I plan on chopping the rest of the frame in Spring, so for now, this is really a Hardtail for beginners...It's "easily" brought back to stock if you want to go Cafe style or flattrack, but is equally cool as a dropped bratstyle, and easy enough to go full rigid too.

[bobbyrivera]

It's been a while but here are some pics of the Bike at this point...
I had to modify my seat placement as I'm not into forward controls on a bike this small, but I couldn't shift without disconnecting my ankle (now I understand why so many folks here make the cool Cafe's out of these instead of Bobbers:)...I think I may get a spare Swingarm and stretch it about 2 or three inches when it gets warmer here in WI and then re-do the struts, or do a straight hardtail off of the backbone (I still like the look of the swingarm).
I added scissor springs to the seat, but I'll probably go back to coils.  I made some cool Velocity Stacks (with filters) that I'll take a pic of when I get the chance.  I want to lose the side-covers eventually as well, but they kind of look cool on this bike too IMO.  Disregard the "paint" as it's only primer to protect it for now.  I think I'm going to go with gloss black.  Everyone seems to be doing the suede look these days (which I do like as well).  I have a set of wide wide whites to "class it up" which will go on in Spring.  I'm still debating whether or not to relace the wheels, or just powdercoat what I have.
Anyways, here it is so far (and so far from finished:):

 

[Tim in Ohio]

Bobby,
I'd love to see some close-ups of some of the areas on the bike that you modified.

[BT650]

Looks nice! I liked the version with no fenders though.

[bobbyrivera]

Hey guys-
I'll take some close ups of the mods soon.

[DaytonGuy]

Is that the front fender you have on the rear?  Would love to see a few close ups of how its mounted as well as the brake light and turn signals (if you have any).

Looks good!!!!

[tosc]

i like what you're doing with the bike, still trying to figure out which way im going to go. Bump for updates!

[martino1972]

i would like to see a close up from the velocity stacks you put on...

[arttbags]

looks cool. what size are the bars?

[bobbyrivera]

Sorry for the lack of updates.

artbags- they are just standard 7/8" apes.  they have them at cyclerecycle.com pretty cheap.  You will need extended cables (they sell them too) if you plan to use them.

Martino1972- The velocity stacks are actually originally designed for cars (70's Datsun I think).  I found them on ebay (I think they are the pretty much the same as Weber carb stacks) and modded them (using the boots from 39MM Pod filters) to fit.  I got lucky and they worked.  I wedged A/C filter material between the boots and the body of the stacks.  I'm still using the Emgo Pod's on the center carbs.  I have two unused stacks left, which I may or may not use since everything is working well so far.

Daytonguy- Yep. It's the front fender.  I still have some fit issues.  I welded a fender strut that screws into the suspension strut.  The old Ford Duolamp taillight/ license plate mount just mounts to the axle.  You can make your own or buy them on Ebay.