Topic: 1975 CB550F Project Penguin. A.K.A. David

[traveler]

Scott,

Do me (all of us actually) a favor, please.

List all the Honda specific parts you need, like your headlight ring.  I bought a new one, but it cost me 50 bucks!!!:(  Let's see if someone has a clean one, that you could clean up and paint, and make do.

Lets see if some of the guys on here can help you out.  For instance, I tossed out my near mint rear fender, because I asked on here twice, and got no bites, so it went away.....I'm not a pack rat.

~Joe

[Zaipai]

Thanks RAFster122S I did not notice that, I just assumed it was the Hobby lobby we all know..lol You just saved me some time and gas..

At this point Joe, all I really need is the ring for the head light, the out side ring for sure I think the inside ring, the on that holds the light is in good shape. The controls I have in mind are chrome and I think go on a Yamaha. The rear fender is a fiberglass after market short fender and is custom so I will have to work on that, however I am in no real hurry there..

Oh.. wait the tach and speedo I wanted to use don't fit but only because the 2 bolts that hold it on the bracket are too close to the cable, so that is some thing I am going to work on.. In the mean time I could use a stock tach, actually a speedo/tach would be nice but a tach for sure.

Thanks.. Off to the inlaws to be board to tears..

edit: Oh and a right side cover (the one that covers the battery) for F model. Checked all the usual sources and came up with nothing.
.: Scott :.

[Zaipai]

Ok real quick, I managed a 20min ride. It performed flawlessly.. I did loose my turn signals so I have to check that, my front brake is not right so have to work that other wise, even with the stock seat it was a great ride.. Oh and the fuel shutoff is leaking (only a little) but still have to deal with that. More later tonight..

Some quick pics in the day light..

Side 1


Front


Side 2


.: Scott :.

[Frankenkit]

ohhhh baby! that's a hot machine!

[Spikeybike]

i've always been a big fan of the "half-cafe" look  ... sporty yet functional ... lookin good brotha

[traveler]

Looks really nice Scott.

~Joe

[75cb550 (kyle)]

looking good Scott

[75cb550 (kyle)]

i like those mirrors... whered you find them?

[RAFster122s]

Scott,

Thanks for posting the photos! She looks sweet.
The Gold and black looks very nice. If you were to keep the stock style seat you'd need a chrome wide pin-stripe on the bottom of the tank to continue the seat's line.
Is the new seat one of those cafe racer style with the rear of the seat foam & seat cover like a rear tail fairing? Or, some other design?
Is this seat foam and cover coming from Vietnam?
There was a guy on the S90 list who redid a custom seat cover as he was very dis-satisfied with the quality of the materials in the product he bought from the overseas seller. Sorry if that's where yours is coming from...Lots of sellers selling that style now. Popularity bandwagon for sellers or the suppliers are flooding the market now.
It cost him a couple hundred $ for a good upholstery shop (who employ good craftsmen) to make it and use it as a pattern.

I too like the mirrors but would like them better for myself if they came out farther from the stems to be even with the end of the handlebars. I'm not your baby bear sized...more like poppa bear before going into hybernation unfortunately.

So, how many hours effort do you think you have in your rebuild project now?

David

[Zaipai]

i like those mirrors... whered you find them?

I was looking for the place I found them, however it was 3 years or so ago when I got the bike and I just can't remember where I got them. It seems to me off ebay but I could be wrong.. Sorry..

.: Scott :.

[Zaipai]

Scott,

Thanks for posting the photos! She looks sweet.
The Gold and black looks very nice. If you were to keep the stock style seat you'd need a chrome wide pin-stripe on the bottom of the tank to continue the seat's line.

I like that Idea, if I do end up keeping the seat, I will do that and replace the chrome on the seat as well as its kinda icky..

Is the new seat one of those cafe racer style with the rear of the seat foam & seat cover like a rear tail fairing? Or, some other design?
Is this seat foam and cover coming from Vietnam?
There was a guy on the S90 list who redid a custom seat cover as he was very dis-satisfied with the quality of the materials in the product he bought from the overseas seller. Sorry if that's where yours is coming from...Lots of sellers selling that style now. Popularity bandwagon for sellers or the suppliers are flooding the market now.
It cost him a couple hundred $ for a good upholstery shop (who employ good craftsmen) to make it and use it as a pattern.

Yea it is.. Below is a link to what it will look like, as for its quality I have seen shots of it on others bikes and it looked good, however I am not sure where they got the seat so ... we will have to see once I get it around the 20th or so. I hope its even just good, because it would be better then I have now..
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=380225721491&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWNX%3AIT

I too like the mirrors but would like them better for myself if they came out farther from the stems to be even with the end of the handlebars. I'm not your baby bear sized...more like poppa bear before going into hybernation unfortunately.

I like em too, however you are correct they need to go out more, it is hard to see behind me with out leaning a bit either way. I am on the look out for the same mirrors, only longer.. However I have the fuel shut off and some wiring issues now I need to deal with. I also need to get the chain guard on and with out any real tools cutting the one I have (just need to notch it out in one spot) is a chore..

So, how many hours effort do you think you have in your rebuild project now?

Wow, I really never stopped to think about it.. hum its hard to say, I have spent every weekend since beginning of Dec working on it however a lot of time was spent stripping paint off parts getting them to the metal and I would lay a coat of paint or primmer and give it 24 hours to cure, then wet sand it and start all over again, all and all 3 coats of primer, paint and clear coat wet sanding between. Lets just say a lot more time then I probably should have spent on it.. My wife was happy because it kept me busy and I suspect that is why she let me get that 1000, that and it was only $200 and they let us pay a little each week..

.: Scott :.

[Feyden]

HOT DAMN! That gold frame is SLICK!!!! Goes super well with the black! Liking your build! 

[75cb550 (kyle)]

Scott, someone may have already asked, but im lazy...
where did you get those tank wings?

[Zaipai]

HOT DAMN! That gold frame is SLICK!!!! Goes super well with the black! Liking your build! 

Thanks man.. I am enjoying it. The sun makes the gold sparkle .. its very nice.. Hope it stays that way for a while...

.: Scott :.

[Zaipai]

Scott, someone may have already asked, but im lazy...
where did you get those tank wings?

No problem man,

http://www.misterdecal.com/magento/honda-motorcycle-wing-vinyl-decal.html

They have like 4 different colors, I have the chrome version..

.: Scott :.

[Zaipai]

So I ordered this Hex bolt kit.. Its the 3rd one I ordered, and its the best one so far. It has all the bolts and washers (the others did not have the washers) and at $24.00 its the best bang for the buck. They look chrome however they are not they are alloy and should keep rust at bay.. I could not be more pleased.. Here is the link to the ebay auction and a link to the website I highly recommend them if your looking to do that.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=310157230514&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWNX%3AIT

http://www.alloyboltz.com



.: Scott :.

[Little_Horse]

Thats a pretty sweet deal, thanks for the link

[Industrial Cafe]

hey Scott, whats that bike in the fence back there?

[Zaipai]

Brian,
 I was wondering when some one would ask. Its a 81 Honda VT750 with pistons rusted (almost welded) to the heads..Its my if Im ever so board and have so much money I don't know what to do, project bike..

.: Scott :.

[Frankenkit]

Poor thing.  In this pic, you can almost see it say "I wanna come out an' play, too!"

[gnarlycharlie4u]

Scott, someone may have already asked, but im lazy...
where did you get those tank wings?

No problem man,

http://www.misterdecal.com/magento/honda-motorcycle-wing-vinyl-decal.html

They have like 4 different colors, I have the chrome version..

.: Scott :.

Or you could get a pair of them for $7 in a wide array of colors.
http://www.honda-decals.com/default.tpl?cart=127346727288213930&startat=41&max=20&--woSECTIONSdatarq=48&--SECTIONSword=ww&

[Zaipai]

Scott, someone may have already asked, but im lazy...
where did you get those tank wings?

No problem man,

http://www.misterdecal.com/magento/honda-motorcycle-wing-vinyl-decal.html

They have like 4 different colors, I have the chrome version..

.: Scott :.

Or you could get a pair of them for $7 in a wide array of colors.
http://www.honda-decals.com/default.tpl?cart=127346727288213930&startat=41&max=20&--woSECTIONSdatarq=48&--SECTIONSword=ww&

That sucks, I wanted them in gold and the place I ordered them from did not have old, the link you posted does.. I wish I had seen that post sooner..

.: Scott :.

[75cb550 (kyle)]

Scott, someone may have already asked, but im lazy...
where did you get those tank wings?

No problem man,

http://www.misterdecal.com/magento/honda-motorcycle-wing-vinyl-decal.html

They have like 4 different colors, I have the chrome version..

.: Scott :.

Or you could get a pair of them for $7 in a wide array of colors.
http://www.honda-decals.com/default.tpl?cart=127346727288213930&startat=41&max=20&--woSECTIONSdatarq=48&--SECTIONSword=ww&

That sucks, I wanted them in gold and the place I ordered them from did not have old, the link you posted does.. I wish I had seen that post sooner..

.: Scott :.

thanks... now i feel like getting some gold ones just to be an @$$... just kidding.

[Zaipai]

thanks... now i feel like getting some gold ones just to be an @$$... just kidding.

Well if you don't some one else will. Just give me your address so I can swap out the tanks while your not looking! 

Fixed a problem with my fuel shut off by using an older one and fitting a T in so I have one gas line going to two and not two separate ones, but it works so for now its fixed. I fixed my head light and turn signal problem. I some how fixed the starter and was not even trying to. Fixed my brake problem, turns out I put the fender bracket between the brake bracket and the forks instead of mounting it on the out side, easy fix. The UPS guy stopped by with my new seat and did not leave it because the seller required a signature. Replaced my flasher relay only to find out that every light on the bike now blinks with or with out the turn signals on.. So many steps forward and a couple back.. All and all a good day tho.. I will tackle the blinking lights issue tomorrow, I am guessing that I have a wire plugged in where it should not be.

.: Scott :.

[Captainkirk]

So Murphy is present in your life as well;
Now I don't feel so bad!