Author Topic: CB550 Cafe...DONE! (Pictures and now video)  (Read 16407 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Gorms

  • Barkeep! Give me a beer and a
  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 534
CB550 Cafe...DONE! (Pictures and now video)
« on: October 31, 2009, 03:02:39 pm »
Today is Halloween and also the day I finished my '77 cb550k cafe project.  My first bike.  There's a lot of time and effort into this and I am very happy with the results and its a blast to ride.  I didn't document the build in the projects section but have lots of pictures and may do a retro-documentation at some point.  It started out in VERY sorry condition and I rebuilt it from the most decronstructed state possible with the exception of the bottom end of the motor.  Carbs, wheels, hubs all completely rebuilt (SS spokes, powdercoated rims, new bearings).  All aluminum pieces polished (hubs, rearsets, case covers, forks) including the controls and master cylinder which I stripped of anodizing.  Theres lots more to mention but for now, I will let finished pictures do the talking. These were taken today after I applied the stripes and decals.  A big thanks to all you guys who helped me graduate from noob into someone who knows cb550's pretty darn well by now.  I certainly have learned a lot and couldn't have done it without this forum.  Hope you like it.  For any further details just ask.

BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER PICTURES:   http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=61393.msg666404#msg666404

(Video on page 2)





(rain drops on the tank)





On this picture you can just see where I hid the rear turn signals.  They are bright LED strips hidden under the rear edge of the seat and only visible when they are on:



 ;D






« Last Edit: December 15, 2009, 07:35:52 am by Gorms »

Offline moham

  • .fnord.
  • Expert
  • ****
  • Posts: 1,108
Re: CB550 Cafe...DONE!
« Reply #1 on: October 31, 2009, 03:22:54 pm »
nice bike and nice pictures. well done...
78 750K-The Ocho
74 550-The Cherry Picker
70 750K0 motor-Dick in a Box

Offline motorhead55

  • Enthusiast
  • **
  • Posts: 101
Re: CB550 Cafe...DONE!
« Reply #2 on: October 31, 2009, 04:15:47 pm »
nice bike and nice pictures. well done...
  Nice job!!! You should be proud of yourself!
1976 Honda 550F bought new in 1978
2006 Yamaha TW200 TrailWay
1967 Triumph 200cc Tiger Cub
2007 Dodge 5.9 Cummins Diesel, 6spd. Stick, 4X4
1955 European Spec VW Bug, 1700cc engine, Porsche 356 "A" brakes
1939 Willys Pickup
2003 Kubota B7400

Offline Don R

  • My Sandcast is a
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 19,371
  • Saver of unloved motorcycles.
Re: CB550 Cafe...DONE!
« Reply #3 on: October 31, 2009, 04:25:47 pm »
I likee too! ;D
No matter how many times you paint over a shadow, it's still there.
 CEO at the no kill motorcycle shop.
 I smell like Lilacs, I've got glitter on my cheeks and it's all Joe's fault, he told the stripper it was my birthday.

Offline nvr2old

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 484
Re: CB550 Cafe...DONE!
« Reply #4 on: October 31, 2009, 05:35:47 pm »
Very pretty.  Nicely done.  Love the body pieces and the color scheme.
'76 CB550F-'72 XL250-'82 MB5-'82 CX500 Turbo-'77 naked Goldwing-'75 CB400F cafe'-'79 Suzuki GS1000S..hey, it's a Wes Cooley..

Offline nobody

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 527
Re: CB550 Cafe...DONE!
« Reply #5 on: October 31, 2009, 05:41:42 pm »
Very nice bike, job well done. I particularly like the tread pattern on those tires, what are they? Side note, is the front tire mounted in the wrong direction?
74 cb750k

If life hands you lemons, make lemonade. If life hands you tomatoes, make tomato soup. If life hands you a box of hand grenades... well, now... THAT'S a message!!

Offline Gorms

  • Barkeep! Give me a beer and a
  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 534
Re: CB550 Cafe...DONE!
« Reply #6 on: October 31, 2009, 05:58:00 pm »
Very nice bike, job well done. I particularly like the tread pattern on those tires, what are they? Side note, is the front tire mounted in the wrong direction?

Avon Roadriders and nope, they are mounted correctly.  I assume the tread is backwards on the front tire because it is not "driven" so the road surface wants to deform the contact patch backwards slightly while the tire rolls, while on the rear tire, the rotational force from the engine wants to deform the contact patch forwards at the tire grips the road and pushes it backwards.  Make sense?

Offline HawaiiMike

  • Enthusiast
  • **
  • Posts: 238
    • Hawaii realtor
Re: CB550 Cafe...DONE!
« Reply #7 on: October 31, 2009, 06:02:18 pm »
Great job!

Regarding the tires, there used to be some others back in the 70's or 80's like that too.  Maybe K81's or Michelins, they had directions on the wall, mount one way if it's on the rear and opposite if it's mounted on the front.

3rob3

  • Guest
Re: CB550 Cafe...DONE!
« Reply #8 on: October 31, 2009, 06:29:49 pm »
Awesome bike, great job! A couple questions:
-Where did you get the stripe decals from?
-What seat is that?
-Is the bike lowered?

Offline Gorms

  • Barkeep! Give me a beer and a
  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 534
Re: CB550 Cafe...DONE!
« Reply #9 on: October 31, 2009, 06:33:24 pm »
The stripes I cut by hand from black graphic vinyl.  Got a buddy who works at a graphics shop and he got me some scrap.  He also printed the wing decals which I designed in Illustrator fromt he old style wing logo.

Seat is from BCR (benjies cafe racer)

Not lowered but rather heightened with slightly longer shocks.

Offline Spikeybike

  • when planting C4 at your enemy's base make sure you don't use a
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 7,265
  • member #1150
Re: CB550 Cafe...DONE!
« Reply #10 on: October 31, 2009, 06:44:36 pm »
i dig the dummy lights tucked into the bar clamps... thats new

Offline Gorms

  • Barkeep! Give me a beer and a
  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 534
Re: CB550 Cafe...DONE!
« Reply #11 on: October 31, 2009, 06:50:25 pm »
Thanks.  I think my rear turn signals are especially slick.  They look awesome when they are on and invisible when off.  They are LED strips tucked under and inside the tailsection.

Offline Maxacceleration

  • Enthusiast
  • **
  • Posts: 232
Re: CB550 Cafe...DONE!
« Reply #12 on: October 31, 2009, 07:06:55 pm »
Very well done. Enjoy it!
Nice combination of dark bike with shiny motor.
Olden is Golden
CR550F RD400 KZ550 KH500

Offline Alan F.

  • We remember the Night Rider, and we know who you are.
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 7,258
Re: CB550 Cafe...DONE!
« Reply #13 on: October 31, 2009, 07:13:56 pm »
Wow Man, looks good.  How's it ride?  We've gotta get up that way for a ride in the spring.
-Alan

Offline Gorms

  • Barkeep! Give me a beer and a
  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 534
Re: CB550 Cafe...DONE!
« Reply #14 on: October 31, 2009, 07:20:49 pm »
Rides really well now that I've got the carbs jetted right.  Ya I'm definately in for that ride.

Offline Alan F.

  • We remember the Night Rider, and we know who you are.
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 7,258
Re: CB550 Cafe...DONE!
« Reply #15 on: October 31, 2009, 08:01:57 pm »
Looks like all you need is a bike of the month nomination now....
-A

Offline chippyfive50

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 405
  • NO PEE ON TEPEE
    • thesweetimpala
Re: CB550 Cafe...DONE!
« Reply #16 on: October 31, 2009, 08:10:56 pm »
I agree, the tach is all you need....NICE..REAL NICE.....
SOHC Member#4000
71' 500K0 #1021237--E1108327
78' 550
72' 750K2(sold to "Craig")
74' 750K4 #2306334--E2303422
73' CL175
http://gallery.sohc4.net/main.php?g2_itemId=14013

Offline Zaipai

  • I am getting closer to being an
  • Old Timer
  • ******
  • Posts: 3,400
    • My Home page
Re: CB550 Cafe...DONE!
« Reply #17 on: October 31, 2009, 08:49:45 pm »
Awesome work. Man if mine turns out half that good I would trilled!!  Nice ride. nice work!! Big thumbs up!
Its my Avatar..

75 CB550F  | 


Offline Industrial Cafe

  • Like a well oiled
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 6,372
  • [Brian] I've got something to say about that!
    • Undead Asphalt
Re: CB550 Cafe...DONE!
« Reply #18 on: October 31, 2009, 09:13:49 pm »
nice work man, hope mine comes out that clean when I'm done.
everything I say is pure speculation and
I have no idea what I'm talking about  ._.


                                    Marla              .:71CB750:.CAFE

Offline checkflag

  • Enthusiast
  • **
  • Posts: 207
Re: CB550 Cafe...DONE!
« Reply #19 on: October 31, 2009, 09:28:52 pm »
I second that BOM nomination.. that's a winner there.
1979 cb650. Mac 4-1 exhaust. Soon>> cb750 carbs.

Offline Gorms

  • Barkeep! Give me a beer and a
  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 534
Re: CB550 Cafe...DONE!
« Reply #20 on: October 31, 2009, 09:36:31 pm »
I second that BOM nomination.. that's a winner there.

Thats awesome guys I am honored.  What is the procedure for nominating bikes?

Offline noahspop

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 403
  • 1977 CB750F2
Re: CB550 Cafe...DONE!
« Reply #21 on: October 31, 2009, 10:03:04 pm »
one word,
ENVIOUS!
great job man.

Offline Joel

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 718
Re: CB550 Cafe...DONE!
« Reply #22 on: October 31, 2009, 10:06:47 pm »
Great bike.  I hope you get some good riding weather before winter settles in. :)

Offline Kinch

  • Enthusiast
  • **
  • Posts: 124
Re: CB550 Cafe...DONE!
« Reply #23 on: November 01, 2009, 12:25:36 am »
Superb! If you get a chance, take a pic with the turn signal lit.
1975 CB750 K5
1980 GS850L

Ryan 550k

  • Guest
Re: CB550 Cafe...DONE!
« Reply #24 on: November 01, 2009, 12:52:57 am »
Superb! If you get a chance, take a pic with the turn signal lit.

+1