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Author Topic: 1977 CB550 K cafe racer build  (Read 237657 times)

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Offline Godffery

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Re: 1977 CB550 K cafe racer build
« Reply #1000 on: August 20, 2010, 02:53:04 PM »
Now that you have the late model intakes and shorter spigots, you should be able to mount filters from K&N's current product list.

BTW; if anyone needs a set of these shorter spigots, I had an extra set made and could sell them for $40e.
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Offline cb550fcafe

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Re: 1977 CB550 K cafe racer build
« Reply #1001 on: August 21, 2010, 07:15:35 AM »
Godffery, without your help I wouldn't have been able to get the air filters on. Thanks for all the info you shared. I also ordered some vacuum nipples. For some reason the air filter on cylinder #1 is always tight to the frame. Granted, I bought a K&N knockoff so there may be a slight difference. I'm wondering if the frame of my scoot is not symetrical. In either case, I know if K&N makes me some 3/4" shorter filters, I will have plenty of clearance.

Kevin
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traveler

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Re: 1977 CB550 K cafe racer build
« Reply #1002 on: August 22, 2010, 04:46:43 PM »
I told you these 550's like CR carbs!

~Joe
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Offline Zaipai

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Re: 1977 CB550 K cafe racer build
« Reply #1003 on: August 23, 2010, 05:17:39 AM »
Yea, however the CR's love the green in my wallet too much. Tho they are worth the money, I am not sure they would be worth getting a divorce over.. Hum.. Then again......

.: Scott :.
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Offline Syscrush

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Re: 1977 CB550 K cafe racer build
« Reply #1004 on: August 24, 2010, 07:56:58 AM »
Quote from: Zaipai on August 23, 2010, 05:17:39 AM
Tho they are worth the money, I am not sure they would be worth getting a divorce over..
NICE!  ;D
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FWIW, I'm not a shill for Race Tech - I've just got a thing for good suspension and the RTCE's are the most cost-effective mod for these old damping rod front ends.

Offline bmann

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Re: 1977 CB550 K cafe racer build
« Reply #1005 on: August 26, 2010, 11:20:04 PM »
Great thread!!  I think you have me deceided on keeping the stock air box now.  Who ever suggested emulators is right on the money - it will make your forks feel ten times better, and please if you havent already switch to proper fork fluid - the manuel is using 70's tech ideas, just as in everything else oils have improved greatly.  I think a lot of guys here over look there fork and shocks which makes no sense - all the power in world is no good if you can't harness it at the wheels.  Fantastic job on the bike!
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Offline fantino

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Re: 1977 CB550 K cafe racer build
« Reply #1006 on: August 28, 2010, 11:58:39 PM »
Hey Joe,

Finally took the time to go through your build thread , start to finish... Really great stuff. Glad to hear your bike pulls like it does with those CRs (maybe someday for me... But that stage 3 port will definitely be a start, methinks). Going through yours (and others) build threads is helping to continue to give me perspective and lessen my frustration as I continue to throw money at this damn bike without getting to enjoy the real fun bits of having a motorcycle! It's satisfying to read through a build thread and see someone get the bike they want, the way they want it.

I couldn't find it mentioned (maybe I just missed it) but how much do those longer shocks affect the 550s handling?

Anyways, just thought I'd say good work!

Evan
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traveler

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Re: 1977 CB550 K cafe racer build
« Reply #1007 on: August 29, 2010, 09:33:33 AM »
Longer rear shocks raise the rear end, and DECRESE the rake on the front end.  This has the effect of making it handle /turn quicker and the handling is more crisp.  To keep it from being too quick~too crisp, I added a fork stabalizer, so it isn't "twitchy" at higher speeds.

Good luck!

~Joe
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Offline HedNut

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Re: 1977 CB550 K cafe racer build
« Reply #1008 on: August 30, 2010, 06:11:47 AM »
Quick question for you... how do you like those shocks? I may be leaning that way for my 750.
Cheers!
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traveler

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Re: 1977 CB550 K cafe racer build
« Reply #1009 on: August 30, 2010, 09:58:14 AM »
LOVE them!

Got them through Jerry's cycles. Do a google for them.

around 100 bucks.

I highly recommend them!

~Joe
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Offline HedNut

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Re: 1977 CB550 K cafe racer build
« Reply #1010 on: August 30, 2010, 09:59:34 AM »
SUPER! Thanks JOE!!!
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traveler

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Re: 1977 CB550 K cafe racer build
« Reply #1011 on: August 30, 2010, 01:17:29 PM »
no sweat....let me know how they work out for you.

~Joe
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Offline valvolux

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Re: 1977 CB550 K cafe racer build
« Reply #1012 on: August 31, 2010, 08:05:09 PM »
why are you selling ya bike mate?
and after all that hard work?  :)
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traveler

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Re: 1977 CB550 K cafe racer build
« Reply #1013 on: August 31, 2010, 09:19:23 PM »
Just offering it up.  It's a cool bike and all......

kinda surprised.....no interest at all.  you are not going to build a bike like this for less.

oh well. :-\

~Joe

« Last Edit: September 01, 2010, 06:28:53 AM by traveler »
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Offline The_Crippler

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Re: 1977 CB550 K cafe racer build
« Reply #1014 on: September 01, 2010, 09:50:20 AM »
Like a lot of customer things (I also spend time in the computer mod community) people don't want to spend money on something someone else made exactly the way they wanted it to be.  They want to make their own custom - and, therefore, they'd just pick up a much cheaper blank slate to start with.


Not saying that there's no one out there who will buy a slick custom ride - it'll just take longer.
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Offline Syscrush

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Re: 1977 CB550 K cafe racer build
« Reply #1015 on: September 01, 2010, 10:25:57 AM »
Quote from: traveler on August 31, 2010, 09:19:23 PM
kinda surprised.....no interest at all.  you are not going to build a bike like this for less.
It's an amazing bike, and it'll sell - but it's going to take time to find the right buyer - or rather for the right buyer to find your bike!
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Life is precious: wear your f'n helmet!
There's nothing more expensive than a free bike...
FWIW, I'm not a shill for Race Tech - I've just got a thing for good suspension and the RTCE's are the most cost-effective mod for these old damping rod front ends.

Offline Flying J

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Re: 1977 CB550 K cafe racer build
« Reply #1016 on: September 01, 2010, 10:45:47 AM »
Where is it for sale? Found it Ebay.
Will you make money off it at that price? You have a nice chunk of change invested.
« Last Edit: September 01, 2010, 10:47:48 AM by ffjmoore »
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Offline Syscrush

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Re: 1977 CB550 K cafe racer build
« Reply #1017 on: September 01, 2010, 01:32:19 PM »
Quote from: ffjmoore on September 01, 2010, 10:45:47 AM
Where is it for sale? Found it Ebay.
Will you make money off it at that price? You have a nice chunk of change invested.
Has anyone ever made money selling off a custom bike he made for himself?
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Life is precious: wear your f'n helmet!
There's nothing more expensive than a free bike...
FWIW, I'm not a shill for Race Tech - I've just got a thing for good suspension and the RTCE's are the most cost-effective mod for these old damping rod front ends.

traveler

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Re: 1977 CB550 K cafe racer build
« Reply #1018 on: September 01, 2010, 04:42:06 PM »
not really. :-\
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traveler

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Re: 1977 CB550 K cafe racer build
« Reply #1019 on: September 04, 2010, 08:55:38 AM »
NO bites yet.

I HAVE noticed, that it is running better.  Seems the carbs have somehow "seated in" to the application, and it runs better now.  Still pretty fat on the main jets, but has alot of power.

15T on the front sprocket is really nice for acceleration, and the bike gets to 70-80 MPH PRONTO!  Might be nice to have a 17T on the front so you have more time in the mid range RPM's....right now, she spends alot of time in the higher RPM ranges. :-\

Any bugs left over have been essentailly worked out.  Really runs well for what it is.

Still recommend a 750 for anyone wanting to build a CB cafe from scratch though.  The handling of a 550 is superior, but availability of parts for 750's tips the scales in it's favor to me personally.

But, once completed and set up, the 550 gets the job done rather nicely. ;)

~Joe
« Last Edit: September 04, 2010, 03:38:41 PM by traveler »
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Offline Zaipai

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Re: 1977 CB550 K cafe racer build
« Reply #1020 on: September 05, 2010, 09:28:43 PM »
Well said Joe, these 550's make great commuter bikes and dandy little racers. Its been my experience that the 750 is really where most people want to be. That said, I would not give up my 550 for anything. I will fix up my GS1000 and sell it for the cash to get a 750, that is what I wanted from the start. However I just love my 550 for around town and hitting the country roads when I just want to be one with the road. However the 750 really hits the spot for all the other times. My bothers R6 is fast, and smooth etc.. However it seems to lack some thing I only get with the CB's..

Glad your happy with the end results..

Btw, how about a link? I searched e-bay however I did not find your bike..

.: Scott :.
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codeman583

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Re: 1977 CB550 K cafe racer build
« Reply #1021 on: September 06, 2010, 03:00:00 PM »
how much do you have invested in that tank and tail?
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traveler

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Re: 1977 CB550 K cafe racer build
« Reply #1022 on: September 06, 2010, 03:39:28 PM »
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codeman583

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Re: 1977 CB550 K cafe racer build
« Reply #1023 on: September 06, 2010, 06:55:28 PM »
quite the investment.
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traveler

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Re: 1977 CB550 K cafe racer build
« Reply #1024 on: September 08, 2010, 04:42:19 PM »
Yeah....but it was the look I was after.  Same with the LESTER wheels.

~Joe
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