Topic: Free 550 - "Siouxsie" winter project

[Inkscars]

Hey guys, I'm back at it again!
I've started collecting some parts and will be doing, what I plan to be a "LIGHT" rebuild this winter.
It's a 1976 cb550.
A fella I work with lost interest after owning this bike 3 years and never doing anything with it, save, a few minor things that I'll have to re-do anyway.
He tried to get me to buy it, however, having no money, and a sour taste in my mouth for anything with title issues, I respectfully declined.
He pushed for me to come look at it anyway, and ended up just giving it to me.
After several hours of leg work, facebook finally answered my problems. I found the previous, previous, previous, previous owners wife on there.
They were skeptical, but met with me anyway, I provided a crisp 20 dollar bill and all the paper work necessary. I laid on a story about how I came across the bike, what little I knew about it, and expressed an interest in keeping and getting it back on the road.
They agreed to file said paper work and in about 4 weeks, I had a spanking new title and a bike that needed some tlc sitting in my garage.






As I will be typing most of this first chapter today at work, forgive me if it seems unfinished, I have to logout occasionally and work on a car.
*said brb*

[Inkscars]

Now, on first inspection, this bike was.... "Meh, hey, It's in better shape than the 750 was." After getting it home, I found that the bike is quite literally, rust free. Externally anyway.
I turned on the gas and gas poured out of the bottom of the bowls. Ok. Note to self, I need fuel lines.
A while ago, I was in need of a fuel line and a member "drew" quickly sent me a fuel line and 4 drain hoses, in "red". The other feed line is on the 750, but I hadn't used the drain hoses, since Elsa's* were still good.
I battered the fuel bowls with the easy end of the screwdriver and tried again. No more fuel.
Second note to self, my P.O.s version of carb work, is different than mine.
After about 30 minutes of heaving and yanking and hurting myself, I got the bike on it's center stand and laid down next to it to take further inventory.
The pipes are 4-2 and are CLEAN CLEAN CLEAN. Wow, no rust spots, no signs of grounding, grinding or bottoming out. Nice.
He told me it needed a battery, so I hooked it up to the trickle charger and quickly got the juices flowing. I checked the oil level and wires to make sure everything was connected and tried to start it. Hmm. Buttons kind broken for the starter. Bummer. also, the killswitch just spins around. After some fiddling, and two calls to spikeybike, i jumped the starter and the bike cranked pleasantly.
This was a relief because when I was kicking it, it felt weird. Like too easy to kick.
Ben* reminded me that it wasn't my 750 and probably just seemed easier because I was used to her.
*elsa - my first bike 77' cb750k
*Ben - the boyfriend

[byfbo]

that's awesome, your free 550 is in much better shape than my free 550......

[mkramer1121]

Yup, 550's take hardly anything to kick compared to a 750

[Inkscars]

Neutral will not identify on the dashboard, so, as of right now, I've got it narrowed to the neutral switch, or the clutch saftey switch.
First and foremost, I need to get this thing running before I put ANY money into the cosmetics, or it could end up being a waste.
I don't plan on chopping anything up like on the 750, but I like to make thinsg my own, so I plan on doing some changing of subtle things, bars, lights, controls, seat.
I want to do some maintenance to it. Oil change, carbs, needs plugs and wires, pull apart and rebuild front caliper, re-do neck bearings.
while I have it apart for neck bearings, I'll more than likely have the whole thing stripped down to paint the frame and other components.


Alright so when I got the bike, I had a poll to determine the name of the bike. I couldn't really decide and gave up.
On Black Friday, I lost a friend and lady rider, in a head on with a cager. The cops blame her, saying she lost control of her bike, which seems, unlikely, but still, possible.
Anyway, she has half of the biker population in an uproar right now, missing her, and it's just a really sad and all too-real-reality when you choose to ride.
We all miss her and know she died doing what she loved.
I don't think that heaven will pass any judgement on her for having a Harley, either.  
Anyway, her name was Suzy  

[Inkscars]

Thanks! I got pretty lucky. I will be posting more pix over the next couple days.


Inside of the tank is a bit crusty. I will be attempting the "electrolosis" method on this.

[Inkscars]

Here's one in the light. haha