Author Topic: '77 cb550 cafe project  (Read 13722 times)

0 Members and 2 Guests are viewing this topic.

Offline brady0706

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 64
    • Pics of my '77 CB550 K
'77 cb550 cafe project
« on: October 26, 2008, 07:58:42 AM »
Here is a look at my nearly finished cafe project. I'll try to get some befores up. Let me know what you guys think. Too bad its actually snowing here in MN today or I would be out riding.
« Last Edit: October 30, 2008, 08:49:51 AM by brady0706 »

Offline brady0706

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 64
    • Pics of my '77 CB550 K
Re: '77 cb550 cafe project
« Reply #1 on: October 26, 2008, 08:01:03 AM »
A few more pics.
« Last Edit: October 27, 2008, 11:25:12 AM by brady0706 »

Offline brady0706

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 64
    • Pics of my '77 CB550 K
Re: '77 cb550 cafe project
« Reply #2 on: October 26, 2008, 08:07:04 AM »
This project definitely tested my patience but could always rely on this forum for help. There are a ton of great posts on here.

Offline Johnny5

  • Master
  • *****
  • Posts: 1,593
    • CB350F build thread
Re: '77 cb550 cafe project
« Reply #3 on: October 26, 2008, 01:15:39 PM »
Wow, great job. Looks so clean. Impressed.

www.kerosenecycles.com
1971 CB350
1973 CB350F
2006 Harley Springer Classic

Offline Flying J

  • Old Timer
  • ******
  • Posts: 3,386
Re: '77 cb550 cafe project
« Reply #4 on: October 26, 2008, 02:07:22 PM »
Well done, Well done. That is one beautiful bike!
Are those benjie seats as hard on the a$$ as they look?

SSCR

  • Guest
Re: '77 cb550 cafe project
« Reply #5 on: October 26, 2008, 02:22:08 PM »
Very very nice! Is the BCR tank and seat steel or fiberglass?

Offline brady0706

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 64
    • Pics of my '77 CB550 K
Re: '77 cb550 cafe project
« Reply #6 on: October 26, 2008, 02:47:28 PM »
Yeah I really like the look of benjie's bikes so I decided to go with the dolphin fiberglass tank & seat combo.

Thanks Johnny5, I worked very hard to get this bike as clean and snot free as possible.

Thanks ffjmoore, the seat is actually not that bad but I dont think I will be ridin' it to Sturgis any time soon.  :)

Thanks SSCR, the tank & seat combo are fiberglass. I wanted to shed as much weight as possible.

I still have a few items to work on like sprockets, front fork springs and maybe some new dyna coils.

What a fun project and even more fun to ride!

Offline walkingchaos

  • Im new, be gental
  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 57
    • Clear Photography (my business)
Re: '77 cb550 cafe project
« Reply #7 on: October 26, 2008, 03:47:54 PM »
Is that frame a K or an F ? How is your rear brake pedal attached ?
73' CB750 Cafe Racer
76' CB750 Frame . . . possible project

Offline brady0706

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 64
    • Pics of my '77 CB550 K
Re: '77 cb550 cafe project
« Reply #8 on: October 26, 2008, 04:01:13 PM »
walkingchaos, this is a K model. The rear brake is attached stock.

Offline KB02

  • Take it easy there, Sonny, I'm an
  • Old Timer
  • ******
  • Posts: 3,760
Re: '77 cb550 cafe project
« Reply #9 on: October 27, 2008, 04:44:24 AM »
The bike looks great. I especially like the little touches: like the blacked out fender. It looks great.

Let's see those before's!!!
1978 CB750K Project
2000 Ducati ST2
...and a pedal bike

Join the AMA today!!

My project thread Part I: K8 Project "Parts Bike"
My project thread Part II: Finishing (yeah, right) touches on Project "Parts Bike"

Offline brady0706

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 64
    • Pics of my '77 CB550 K
Re: '77 cb550 cafe project
« Reply #10 on: October 27, 2008, 07:43:57 AM »
Thanks KB02. Originally I was going to go for a nearly all black bike but changed my mind and I had gotten the front fender pc'd with the frame. Once I got it on I decided to keep it. I'll try to get some befores pics up in the next few days.

SSCR

  • Guest
Re: '77 cb550 cafe project
« Reply #11 on: October 27, 2008, 09:03:20 AM »
I love the fender black, good call. I see TAS has Dyna ignitions for your bike on sale.

Offline brady0706

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 64
    • Pics of my '77 CB550 K
Re: '77 cb550 cafe project
« Reply #12 on: October 27, 2008, 10:08:12 AM »
SSCR, I am not familiar with TAS. Can you throw up a link?

In regards to the fender sometime I think going basic looks much better and adds to the "old school" look. I dont know if I would call that my vision but that how it ended up anyway. Thanks for your help.

SSCR

  • Guest

Offline brady0706

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 64
    • Pics of my '77 CB550 K
Re: '77 cb550 cafe project
« Reply #14 on: October 27, 2008, 01:06:33 PM »
Thanks for the heads up on TAS. They look like they have some good prices.

Anyone know who has the best price on a carb sync tool?

Offline FunJimmy

  • Who you calling
  • Old Timer
  • ******
  • Posts: 3,802
  • Vancouver
Re: '77 cb550 cafe project
« Reply #15 on: October 27, 2008, 03:16:46 PM »
Brady

That 550 looks real sweet!
I've always been a fan of black and silver.

BOTM? I think so.

FJ
You never see a motorcycle parked outside of a psychiatrist's office!

CB550 Cafe Interceptor a Gentlemans Roadster
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=27159.0

Offline brady0706

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 64
    • Pics of my '77 CB550 K
Re: '77 cb550 cafe project
« Reply #16 on: October 27, 2008, 04:50:00 PM »
FunJimmy, I would be honored to get a BOTM nomination. I think I am out on BOTM nominations until next year though December is for BOTY nominations I believe.

Offline Nicolai

  • Enthusiast
  • **
  • Posts: 145
Re: '77 cb550 cafe project
« Reply #17 on: October 28, 2008, 02:07:53 AM »
NICE bike...

What kind of handlebars do you have on? They are hard to see on the pictures.
How did you make your rims black? Is it paint or powdercoat or did you buy them black?

Nicolai
'77 CB500 K3

Offline hopterfixer

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 520
    • My flickr Gallery->
Re: '77 cb550 cafe project
« Reply #18 on: October 28, 2008, 03:47:03 AM »
They look like Clubmans.

Offline brady0706

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 64
    • Pics of my '77 CB550 K
Re: '77 cb550 cafe project
« Reply #19 on: October 28, 2008, 07:22:07 AM »
I appreciate the compliment Nicolai. The handlebars are the clubmans at the top of the following link.
http://www.mikesxs.net/mikesxs-chassis.php?category_id=1.4

The rims are stock. I basically cleaned up the chrom with a wire wheel and sanded the chrome with 400 grit sandpaper then sent them off to the powder coaters. The sanding helps the paint stick better to the chrome. They ended up really sharp and the powder coating is very durable.

Offline brady0706

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 64
    • Pics of my '77 CB550 K
Re: '77 cb550 cafe project
« Reply #20 on: October 28, 2008, 04:54:14 PM »
I was thinking about adding a stripe down the middle of the tank. Anyone have any good ideas on design or color?

Also I am thinking about either a Honda tank badge or decal but would like it to be unique. I would appreciate your ideas.

Offline brady0706

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 64
    • Pics of my '77 CB550 K
Re: '77 cb550 cafe project
« Reply #21 on: October 29, 2008, 07:13:21 AM »
Anybody have some ideas on the following?

I was thinking about adding a stripe down the middle of the tank. Anyone have any good ideas on design or color?

Also I am thinking about either a Honda tank badge or decal but would like it to be unique. I would appreciate your ideas.

Offline DollarBill

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 335
Re: '77 cb550 cafe project
« Reply #22 on: October 29, 2008, 07:38:15 AM »
My silver 350 has a thick black stripe with a pinstripe on each side of the thick one going down the middle of the tank.  I looks very nice and something like that would look good on your bike too.  Have you considered a pinstripe outlining the contour of the side of your tank?  I think that with a honda logo in the middle would be just the right touch. ;)
1975 CB750F Project Yellow Jacket - CBR600rr Swinger GSXR 600 Forks
1955 BMW R25/3, 1966 Honda CA160, 1975 CB400f, 1975 CB550, 1976 CB550

Offline brady0706

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 64
    • Pics of my '77 CB550 K
Re: '77 cb550 cafe project
« Reply #23 on: October 29, 2008, 09:22:02 AM »
I was thinking about the stribe combination in black or possibly in a burnt pearl orange. Orange would give the bike a little color and I think would still maintain the old school look.

I havnt considered the pinstripe outlining the tank but that does sound inteeresting. I guess I need to see some examples of that.

I was also looking at black Honda Wing decals but couldnt decide to put them on the tank side or the side covers and would it match the stripes properly was a consideration.

I just want it all to come together and I am not sure if it will. ???

Offline Johnny5

  • Master
  • *****
  • Posts: 1,593
    • CB350F build thread
Re: '77 cb550 cafe project
« Reply #24 on: October 29, 2008, 09:45:42 AM »
I was thinking about the stribe combination in black or possibly in a burnt pearl orange. Orange would give the bike a little color and I think would still maintain the old school look.

I havnt considered the pinstripe outlining the tank but that does sound inteeresting. I guess I need to see some examples of that.

I was also looking at black Honda Wing decals but couldnt decide to put them on the tank side or the side covers and would it match the stripes properly was a consideration.

I just want it all to come together and I am not sure if it will. ???


Dont know if the Honda wing would look right, but the orange and black stripe would look awesome.
www.kerosenecycles.com
1971 CB350
1973 CB350F
2006 Harley Springer Classic