Author Topic: 1975 cb550 cafe racer-FINISHED w/ video! (Read 30990 times)

d3buttz · « **Reply #50 on:** April 25, 2009, 08:24:42 AM »

+1, i dont know much about paint other than it scratches and keeps rust away!

rpauli75 · « **Reply #51 on:** April 26, 2009, 01:53:33 PM »

Wow, i think you did some really great stuff with this bike. Any tips on building the metal side covers, the ones on my 550 are shattered beyond use and i'd like to build something similar. Also, are those tarozzi rear sets, im researching using the cb500 kit for my bike and would love to know what you think of the quality.

heffay · « **Reply #52 on:** April 26, 2009, 02:05:20 PM »

saw this bike in person yesterday... d3 really has done a great job and the pics are no trickery.

even close up the tank looks like buffed metal instead of paint.

oh... and it sounds damn nice too, nearly identical to mine. but i'm convinced we're running the same pipes. i've got to look at mine again.

luder · « **Reply #53 on:** April 26, 2009, 02:44:50 PM »

Thats looking great...luder

d3buttz · « **Reply #54 on:** April 27, 2009, 04:17:19 PM »

aw gee whiz-thanks for the compliments heffay and luder!

rpaulie- what you see are not sidecovers, it is a n entire box i built for all the electronics(airbox,battery tray etc gone). i hinged both sides for access and it also houses the battery alonmg with the stock electronics card asssembly (i left it in its entirety for reliability). ill try and take some pics this week for you of the tray for the battery and its other details if you like. Also i really likethe simplicity if the tarzzozi sets, i diddint know they made a 500 kit that bolted up-but as far as the sets the adjustability(180 degrees at 30 deg. per notch for the linkage mounts) was great for lining up my linkages and they are of solid quality and are rebuildable if you ever dump the bike over. i recommend the ones that hinge for ease of kickstarting. good luck on the build!

Gordon · « **Reply #55 on:** April 27, 2009, 07:19:12 PM »

Quote from: heffay on April 26, 2009, 02:05:20 PM

saw this bike in person yesterday... d3 really has done a great job and the pics are no trickery.

even close up the tank looks like buffed metal instead of paint.

Agreed!! And it only looks better the closer you look. The attention to detail is great! I had the pleasure of taking it for a spin around the block and it runs just as good as it looks.

rpauli75 · « **Reply #56 on:** April 29, 2009, 11:10:41 AM »

Thanks for the clarification d3buttz, i'd appreciate any details you have on the battery box build. I'm really open to all ideas at this point

Glad to here the tarozzi's are quality; i'll keep looking for some frame geometry to see if i really can use the cb500 kit. If not i might be back here to see how you adapted the universal sets.

d3buttz · « **Reply #57 on:** August 07, 2009, 01:17:05 PM »

So i lost my job due to this terrible economy, and i have ALOT of time on my hands and a bunch of small Al stock. So here is a new part i made, and it might be stupid, but its lighter and looks cool-so it makes me tickle.

its an all aluminum motor/clutch cable mount. Enjoy!

Industrial Cafe · « **Reply #58 on:** August 07, 2009, 02:50:48 PM »

whats goin on with the bottom of your tank?

FunJimmy · « **Reply #59 on:** August 07, 2009, 09:05:38 PM »

Quote from: d3buttz on August 07, 2009, 01:17:05 PM

So i lost my job due to this terrible economy, and i have ALOT of time on my hands and a bunch of small Al stock. So here is a new part i made, and it might be stupid, but its lighter and looks cool-so it makes me tickle. its an all aluminum motor/clutch cable mount. Enjoy!

Sorry to hear about your employment status.
That cable mount is awesome. Nice work.

FJ

indyracer · « **Reply #60 on:** August 07, 2009, 09:47:41 PM »

The 550 looks great. I like the electronics box idea! Good thinking...

d3buttz · « **Reply #61 on:** December 22, 2009, 04:42:50 PM »

I recently installed a Lockhart Oil Cooler i picked up a while ago. I spend so much time in the high revs/traffic that i think this will help me out in the long run. It came with regular rubber hoses and i thaught it looked cheap, so i went to a local race shop and the prices for braided hoses and aluminum fittings was way beyond what i could afford. I went to Lowes and purchased one $10.00 clotheswasher braided hose and cut in two, slid it over the 3/8 hose and also purchased the cheesy racerboy hose clamps from Autozone, $13.00. I know I did this to the lines for looks but eh, i like it and i hope you guys do too

.

d3buttz · « **Reply #62 on:** March 20, 2010, 05:15:36 PM »

Hi all!
im getting the bike ready for summer with a new chain and sprockets.
I also picked up the Hondaman ignition box. I highly recommend it, especially if you are running a cb650 camshaft in your 550. The power comes on much later(in the higher revs) with the 650 cam and the igniiton box produces a more powerful and reliable spark for the mid to high revs. awesome. just awesome.
after the topend rebuild, cam, and porting and tuning i believe i am meeting the stock power numbers and dare i say making more power than it did when it rolled off the factory floor.
A few spirited drag races against a perfect condition 550f pretty much confirms this.
maybe 2-4 more horses?

(thats a big statement.) this thing is running sooooooooo good.
I also drilled the rotors. A new endmill cuts like butter.

akinz · « **Reply #63 on:** April 24, 2010, 09:46:00 AM »

You did a real nice job on this whole project. I'm in the process of rebuilding mine. It was leaking/burning oil like no other. I have my gasket kit already but I was wondering where you found your piston ring kits. I am having quite a time to try to find them.

(77 cb550k)

Zaipai · « **Reply #64 on:** April 24, 2010, 10:00:59 AM »

Awesome build, I don't know how I missed it. Great work.. It sounds fantastic!

.: Scott :.

d3buttz · « **Reply #65 on:** April 24, 2010, 10:41:58 AM »

hey thanks guys! i just threw on a set of the braided lines for my dual discs and it made a huge difference- way firmer and responsive. the lines look great too, anodized fittings look killer.
akins, I recommend TAS in wabash, IN. those guys sent me a set of honda OEM std. rings cheap w/ fast delivery.

Imjustanumber11 · « **Reply #66 on:** April 24, 2010, 10:52:16 AM »

Quote from: d3buttz on January 26, 2009, 04:45:36 PM

thanks for the reply posts guys!
brad- ive seen alot of awesome fork/brake conversions here but its alot of work,Relacing hubs etc. and expensive (very expensive) if you dont have a machining background. here is what i did and it was cheap and made a huge difference.
the 750 forks are the same 35(?)mm diameter tubes as the 550 and the wheel bolted up perfect. when i started i didint know the 750 f2? bikes came dual disc, that would have been a simple bolt up, but the casting on the forks are there on all the 750s. the only modifying i had to do is the speedo drive bell on the hub because of the added disc(really easy). one thing to know is that fork leg that your adding a caliper to was NOT machined down to spec for the caliper mount. i had to CAREFULLY file down the blank mount(on the fork) untill the caliper was lined up with the disc. only take 5-10 thousanths off at a time. it was time consuming pulling the wheel/caliper on and off but it worked out great(shims arent trust worthy). the caliper mount arm swings around reverse and just unbolt the new calipers 2 bolts and rotate it. get a dual disc brake line "T" off a honda goldwing because they bolt in the same place and still have the brake light actuator. i ordered an after market brake lever off of an online dealer and it was a piece of crap, so i got a junk yard mid 90's lever off a ninja that still had the same style banjo fitting and more importantly was made for dual discs with LARGE PISTONS. newer brakes are designed better and have smaller pistons so the newer levers dont push as much fluid.

hey mateo tomas, im up in the denver highlands around 48th/i-70. cant wait to get all the colorado sohc guys together!

Im off of 32nd and Larimer any other sohc cafe guys around denver?
Id love to meet up for a ride with you guys sometime although ive got to get my bike together first.

d3buttz · « **Reply #67 on:** April 24, 2010, 11:01:00 AM »

we ride every weekend and we wrench all the time, if you need help with your bike let me know!

Imjustanumber11 · « **Reply #68 on:** April 24, 2010, 11:17:07 AM »

Quote from: d3buttz on April 24, 2010, 11:01:00 AM

we ride every weekend and we wrench all the time, if you need help with your bike let me know!

I might have to take you up on that man i crashed mine into the back of a rav4 back in the first week of march
and recently picked up a parts bike. i just lack a garage. ive got new to me forks that i need to throw on new fork ears and a new bucket and then ill be back on the road. the tank and side covers can wait for awhile. i just recently got oral surgery and that isn't helping my cause right now nor is this rain haha. if you know anyone thats interested in a non titled 73 750 frame and most of a frozen motor with extended forks let me know. ive pulled what i need from the bike already. And am willing to let it go for cheap.

d3buttz · « **Reply #69 on:** August 04, 2010, 08:12:09 PM »

the paint got so bad recently on my tank that i decided change it up. I like the red color/black side covers and i hope you guys do too, i especially like the vintage honda decals i found at a antique store in my neighborhood-very period correct!

traveler · « **Reply #70 on:** August 04, 2010, 08:48:38 PM »

GLad to see you are still at it....haven't heard from you in awhile...got my bike done.

I see the new look....do you like it? I have to honest....the way it was before looked 100 times better...not trying to bust your balls, but it was the cat's a$$ before...

Damn...should have just kept my mouth shut....but the color change broke my heart.

Anyway, glad to see you are still at it.

~Joe

Zaipai · « **Reply #71 on:** August 04, 2010, 08:58:33 PM »

Well for what it is worth. I do like the red, I also liked the silver so for me it was a wash so either looks great. I may have to be on the look out for the oil cooler.. I like that.

Sounds great!

.: Scott :.

seabrook.fields · « **Reply #72 on:** April 24, 2011, 09:47:16 PM »

It looks great, just wondering did you you the stock air intake or did you use pods?

kap384@telus.net · « **Reply #73 on:** April 25, 2011, 10:17:40 AM »

Both look great, but I prefer the red. We do rider Honda's after all.

paulh1282 · « **Reply #74 on:** July 31, 2011, 06:23:08 AM »

I know Im a little late with questions for this build but I hope you can help me anyways. I have a 79 cb650 and when i hit 85 - 90 mph i get a terrible wobble. So Im wondering what stabilizer you are using and what stroke you have and where you got it from?

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Author Topic: 1975 cb550 cafe racer-FINISHED w/ video! (Read 30990 times)

traveler