Author Topic: Sue the Cafe Racer.  (Read 9564 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Beans

  • I play with grease every day.
  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 575
  • 1975 cb550f
    • bean's place.
Re: Sue the Cafe Racer.
« Reply #25 on: July 31, 2009, 09:17:45 PM »
Yea I was impressed with it.  When clevland sent me pics it didn't due justice till u saw it in person.  I had an idea of silver tank and side covers but after getting the tank and seeing it in person I was amazed and am not going to change it one bit.
Keep it shinny side up.

Offline Zaipai

  • I am getting closer to being an
  • Old Timer
  • ******
  • Posts: 3,400
    • My Home page
Re: Sue the Cafe Racer.
« Reply #26 on: August 01, 2009, 07:29:10 AM »
Yes I would agree.. Keep whats there and focus on other parts of the bike. Good call.
Its my Avatar..

75 CB550F  | 


Offline johnyvilla

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 516
Re: Sue the Cafe Racer.
« Reply #27 on: August 01, 2009, 08:36:32 AM »
Great paint work.

Offline Beans

  • I play with grease every day.
  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 575
  • 1975 cb550f
    • bean's place.
Re: Sue the Cafe Racer.
« Reply #28 on: August 01, 2009, 11:44:14 AM »
Yes I would agree.. Keep whats there and focus on other parts of the bike. Good call.


Yea I'm trying to focus on getting it running so I can ride it.  Then I want to do a cbr600f4i fork conversion so I can keep it honda.
Keep it shinny side up.

Offline Frankenkit

  • Industrial Strength
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 6,525
  • 2012 CBR250R, 72 CL350, Member #4600
Re: Sue the Cafe Racer.
« Reply #29 on: August 01, 2009, 12:18:35 PM »
let me know how that goes, and what's involved.  Samson's forks are in decent shape, but because he's going to get a racier look/feel, I'm curious.  He's a 650 though, so probably at least slightly different.
"Moderation in all things - especially moderation. Too much moderation is excessive. The occasional excess is all part of living the moderate life."
2012 CBR250R "Black Betty"
1980 CB650c- (sold) Delilah
1973 CL350- Lola?
Sweet, bubbly, Buddha - Say it ain't so!!!
Stuff for sale

Offline Beans

  • I play with grease every day.
  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 575
  • 1975 cb550f
    • bean's place.
Re: Sue the Cafe Racer.
« Reply #30 on: August 01, 2009, 12:24:32 PM »
I've been reaserching it just trying to find the forks and everything at a good price. - also won't be starting this till probly the first of the year. After I get my bonus and taxes back.  Ill make sure to take a lot of pics when I do it. 
Keep it shinny side up.

Offline Frankenkit

  • Industrial Strength
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 6,525
  • 2012 CBR250R, 72 CL350, Member #4600
Re: Sue the Cafe Racer.
« Reply #31 on: August 01, 2009, 12:29:08 PM »
Thanks :) 
"Moderation in all things - especially moderation. Too much moderation is excessive. The occasional excess is all part of living the moderate life."
2012 CBR250R "Black Betty"
1980 CB650c- (sold) Delilah
1973 CL350- Lola?
Sweet, bubbly, Buddha - Say it ain't so!!!
Stuff for sale

Offline Beans

  • I play with grease every day.
  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 575
  • 1975 cb550f
    • bean's place.
Re: Sue the Cafe Racer.
« Reply #32 on: August 02, 2009, 05:34:38 PM »
OK been loooking online and found a place that sells carb rebuild kits at a decent price.   p://www.siriusconinc.com'


ok it shows to carb kits. one for a 1975-1977 CB550F1 CB550F CB550F  and also for a 1975-1977 CB550F SUPER SPORT CB550F.   How do I tell what carb kit I need?  Is their a way to tell on the vin?   Just curious so I don't order the wrong carb kit.    also people running pods and open exhaust what jet settings are you running?
Keep it shinny side up.

Offline Zaipai

  • I am getting closer to being an
  • Old Timer
  • ******
  • Posts: 3,400
    • My Home page
Re: Sue the Cafe Racer.
« Reply #33 on: August 02, 2009, 05:42:57 PM »
OK been loooking online and found a place that sells carb rebuild kits at a decent price.   p://www.siriusconinc.com'


ok it shows to carb kits. one for a 1975-1977 CB550F1 CB550F CB550F  and also for a 1975-1977 CB550F SUPER SPORT CB550F.   How do I tell what carb kit I need?  Is their a way to tell on the vin?   Just curious so I don't order the wrong carb kit.    also people running pods and open exhaust what jet settings are you running?

I run an open exhaust and pods, I did not change my jets they are the stock ones. Goto Hondamans tips and tricks and look for the section on CB500-CB550's he suggests that these bikes run rich to begin with and explains why. Its in the FAQ section I believe. Also if you goto www.sohc4.net off the main page is a section on CB550's in there you will find what you need to order the correct kit. Its a chart that shows the years, and the type and the VIN to correctly identify your bike. Its a big help..

Enjoy..
Its my Avatar..

75 CB550F  | 


Offline Beans

  • I play with grease every day.
  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 575
  • 1975 cb550f
    • bean's place.
Re: Sue the Cafe Racer.
« Reply #34 on: August 02, 2009, 06:00:32 PM »
Yea saw that page but its not working. 
« Last Edit: August 02, 2009, 06:05:49 PM by Beans »
Keep it shinny side up.

Offline Beans

  • I play with grease every day.
  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 575
  • 1975 cb550f
    • bean's place.
Re: Sue the Cafe Racer.
« Reply #35 on: August 12, 2009, 12:35:01 AM »
Well got some more work done. Its nothing big but it makes me legal.    Was searching the auto parts store to try and figure something out to make a tail light. could not find anything till my buddy spotted this.   its a led grill light for an import. you put these in your grill for looks I suppose.  so I cut them up and turned them into my brake light.   Not bad for 20 bucks and their pretty bright as well.  Just working on making the bracket for my license plate and the tail lights.  Sorry for the crappy phone pics and video.

no brake light.


brake light on.



I'll post pics of the bracket when I get it made on my vacation sometime this week.


« Last Edit: August 12, 2009, 12:37:21 AM by Beans »
Keep it shinny side up.

Offline Beans

  • I play with grease every day.
  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 575
  • 1975 cb550f
    • bean's place.
Re: Sue the Cafe Racer.
« Reply #36 on: August 14, 2009, 12:08:44 AM »
Well its 12am and me and my buddie got bored so we put the carbs on my bike put gas in the tank and started the bike.  Its runs so smooth and the throttle reponse is awesome.  Now I just need to wait for my throttle cables and seat and ill be ready to ride. Ill post a video tomorrow and its daylight.
Keep it shinny side up.

Offline Beans

  • I play with grease every day.
  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 575
  • 1975 cb550f
    • bean's place.
Re: Sue the Cafe Racer.
« Reply #37 on: August 14, 2009, 12:09:25 PM »
OK woke up this morning from my awesome vacation and figured I would tinker with the bike for a little. well got a video of her running.  everything is coming together. tonight I will be ordering some jets filters and also my throttle cables.   Hopefully be riding her before the end of next month I hope.

[youtube=425,350]<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value=" name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src=" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>[/youtube]
« Last Edit: August 14, 2009, 12:14:22 PM by Beans »
Keep it shinny side up.

Offline Zaipai

  • I am getting closer to being an
  • Old Timer
  • ******
  • Posts: 3,400
    • My Home page
Re: Sue the Cafe Racer.
« Reply #38 on: August 14, 2009, 07:42:06 PM »
OK woke up this morning from my awesome vacation and figured I would tinker with the bike for a little. well got a video of her running.  everything is coming together. tonight I will be ordering some jets filters and also my throttle cables.   Hopefully be riding her before the end of next month I hope.

[youtube=425,350]<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value=" name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src=" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>[/youtube]
Putting up the video here soon? ;)
Its my Avatar..

75 CB550F  | 


Offline Beans

  • I play with grease every day.
  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 575
  • 1975 cb550f
    • bean's place.
Re: Sue the Cafe Racer.
« Reply #39 on: August 14, 2009, 09:40:37 PM »
Video is up i just checked it and it works.
Keep it shinny side up.

Offline Zaipai

  • I am getting closer to being an
  • Old Timer
  • ******
  • Posts: 3,400
    • My Home page
Re: Sue the Cafe Racer.
« Reply #40 on: August 15, 2009, 10:24:05 AM »
Video is up i just checked it and it works.

The only video I see is the one of the brake light.. is that the video you were talking about?
Its my Avatar..

75 CB550F  | 


Offline Beans

  • I play with grease every day.
  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 575
  • 1975 cb550f
    • bean's place.
Re: Sue the Cafe Racer.
« Reply #41 on: August 15, 2009, 12:24:55 PM »
Video is up i just checked it and it works.

The only video I see is the one of the brake light.. is that the video you were talking about?


Nope im talking about this one..
[youtube=425,350]<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value=" name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src=" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>[/youtube]

Keep it shinny side up.

Offline Zaipai

  • I am getting closer to being an
  • Old Timer
  • ******
  • Posts: 3,400
    • My Home page
Re: Sue the Cafe Racer.
« Reply #42 on: August 15, 2009, 12:27:54 PM »
Video is up i just checked it and it works.

The only video I see is the one of the brake light.. is that the video you were talking about?


Nope im talking about this one..
[youtube=425,350]<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value=" name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src=" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>[/youtube]



Yea not showing up for me, hum.. I will just grab the URL from the code from your post.. ;)
Its my Avatar..

75 CB550F  | 


Offline Beans

  • I play with grease every day.
  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 575
  • 1975 cb550f
    • bean's place.
Re: Sue the Cafe Racer.
« Reply #43 on: August 15, 2009, 12:29:03 PM »
yea I wonder why it shows for some people and not others.
Keep it shinny side up.

Offline Zaipai

  • I am getting closer to being an
  • Old Timer
  • ******
  • Posts: 3,400
    • My Home page
Re: Sue the Cafe Racer.
« Reply #44 on: August 15, 2009, 12:34:44 PM »
Don't know, but I am used to that as I am currently on my Ubuntu Linux box, and I get the same on Safari on Mac.. so.. It would probably be fine on my XP or Vista PC's tho.. Anyway I grabbed the code and watched it. Man that exhaust sounds wicked.. I may need to remove my muffler and get some short pipe like that one.. Dang.. and I bet it sounds even better in person. Nice work. Great job on the that rear hub, got a great shine on it. Can't wait to see it when its done.
Its my Avatar..

75 CB550F  | 


Offline Beans

  • I play with grease every day.
  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 575
  • 1975 cb550f
    • bean's place.
Re: Sue the Cafe Racer.
« Reply #45 on: August 15, 2009, 06:11:19 PM »
Ok its only been 2 days and man I'm so stoked when I rider her.  Know I know what u guys mean when u say riding these old bikes is awesome.  I've only taken her through my neighborhood but it is so awesome. 

  But I'm also wondering where I can get a throttle return spring for these if their is one. The set of carbs I had didn't have one so I used an old one I had lying around from my old datsun 510. So if anyone can help me locate one if there suposed to be one that would be awesome.  She still pogs when you get on it but I think when my new jets get here it should fix the problem.  This has been the best bike I've ever riden.  And I've riden a lot of new street bikes and I love this one the best.  I don't think I could ever sell it to buy a new streetbike. 
Keep it shinny side up.

Offline Zaipai

  • I am getting closer to being an
  • Old Timer
  • ******
  • Posts: 3,400
    • My Home page
Re: Sue the Cafe Racer.
« Reply #46 on: August 16, 2009, 01:15:24 AM »
You could post in the for sale section asking for that spring. Many people here have many parts you might just get lucky..

I agree I love riding these bikes. I have not been able to find a good CB750 or CB650 so I picked up this 550 in the mean time and I have to say it surpised me with how it handles and the pickup it has. I am still looking for that CB750 project bike in my price range, I am not in as a big a rush as I was.
Its my Avatar..

75 CB550F  | 


Offline Beans

  • I play with grease every day.
  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 575
  • 1975 cb550f
    • bean's place.
Re: Sue the Cafe Racer.
« Reply #47 on: August 16, 2009, 01:56:37 AM »
yea I was amazed how well it rode handled and how well it pulled through the gears.  I havnt got it past 60mph but it still was fast enough for a 30 plus year old bike.   its been a fun little project even though Im not totaly done yet.  still got alot of plans for the bike in the future.
Keep it shinny side up.

Offline Zaipai

  • I am getting closer to being an
  • Old Timer
  • ******
  • Posts: 3,400
    • My Home page
Re: Sue the Cafe Racer.
« Reply #48 on: August 16, 2009, 10:54:02 AM »
Well you are doing a great job with it. Can't wait to see it all complete!
Its my Avatar..

75 CB550F  | 


Offline Beans

  • I play with grease every day.
  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 575
  • 1975 cb550f
    • bean's place.
Re: Sue the Cafe Racer.
« Reply #49 on: August 16, 2009, 11:39:12 AM »
Well you are doing a great job with it. Can't wait to see it all complete!


Thanks man.   Well I took the bike out for my birthday this morning and went for a little ride.  was the longest ride I have ever been on. went to my buddies house out in the country and it was awesome. well here are some pics I took when I got back from my ride.


















The seat is only a temp seat I made out of a piece of sheet metal and an old dirtbike seat I had laying around. got an idea for a good seat im going to try and build sometime next week after I get the bike registerd and legal. the seat will work for now. just about to also order my bar end mirrors too sometime today.   I would like to think all you guys for the motivation and awesome rides you guys build that keeps me motivated to build mine.
Keep it shinny side up.