Topic: Hey there... another new guy here

[Dan K]

Hi All,

So, this is the part where I introduce myself, right?  Hm...  The name's Dan, as you may have guessed.  My bikes are a 75 CB550 (which is a project and why I'm here), a 97 EX500 that I race as a novice at NHMS and an 02 KX125 dirt bike.  

Not too much to tell really, hoping to learn some about the CB550 so I can get it back up and running.  The plan is to fix it up to a solid rider, but not go show with it, just cost too much $.  It's in decent shape, with the cool orange paint, but all the chrome is pitted, the rest of the metal is in rough shape, etc.  I think it may make the 10/100 rule (looks ok @ 10' or 100MPH, for those of you unfamiliar) but it's certainly no show bike.  I like it though, and think it'll make a fun ride for everyday riding.  

At some point I'll probably throw some cafe bars on there, tidy up the front a bit, etc. but for now I'm just looking to get it running reliably.  I've got the hard bags it came with, may throw them back on if I keep the stock bars.  Somehow I don't think they'd look right with cafe bars and a minimalist front end.  The bags were not attached when I got the bike, and I never attached them.  Where I'm going to go esthetically is still unknown.  I like the original look of the bike, but it would cost way too much to bring it back to original condition, mainly due to all the chrome pitting.

So, I guess that’s it in a (rather oversized) nutshell.  Hi there!

Dan

P.S.  Here she is: 

[tortelvis]

Welcome form NC. That's a decent looking bike as it is. I'm with you, I would rather ride than spend all my time and money on a restoration.

[mystic_1]

Welcome from the Chicago suburbs

mystic_1

[Dan K]

Thanks for the welcoming.  This place has been helpful already, I'll be sticking around   And yeah, I just want to ride.  Sure, it should look good, but I'm not going to spend a couple years of perfectly good riding time & $ restoring the bike to new.  I'll get it good enough and ride it!

[mystic_1]

Ride it in the summer, improve it in the winter. 

mystic_1

[Dan K]

I ride year round, but will save the big stuff (tear down for painting, etc) for when we've got a long spell of horrid weather coming.

There's not a ton I want to do to it after I get it running perfect.  Different bars, mirrors, signals, tail light (if not complete tail), paint the fenders, maybe rework the seat - little stuff.  This isn't going to be a frame off restoration.