Topic: Cleaning up the rear of my 550...

[Syscrush]

Hey gang.  I've got a '78 CB550K that's been in storage since the 80's, and the time has finally come for me to take over as proud owner, and start the business of getting it back to life.  I want to give it the cafe treatment, and Benjie's Cafe Racer is my new addiction.

For the front end, my plan is to stick with the stock forks, wheel, & brake - doing upgrades like better pads, a SS brake line, and Race Tech Cartridge Emulators & springs to improve stuff a bit.  For the back, I want to do a mono-shock conversion (with a braced triangular swingarm and a link-less shock running to the upper structure of the frame - like a Vincent, or a Ducati SS), and I would also like to change to a 520 chain and a disc brake.

One option is to swap the swingarm & wheel assembly to a 750SS with disc, and then have 520 sprockets made up.  This might be the best approach, and the look should match well with my plans for the front.

Another option is to source another wheel and fab the necessary bushings & spacers to make it fit.  This might be easier than trying to locate desirable 35+ year-old parts.

Any advice or pointers would be much appreciated.

[lone*X]

Welcome aboard.  You have some ambitious goals.  Sounds like a great project.  If you are an experience wrench the just jump in.  Lots of great advice available from some really knowledgeable folks on here.  If you are new to wrenching or to bikes in general then take things in steps.  First is to determine what you have to work with.  Does your 550 turn over, or is it froze?  You know the carbs are going to be gunked up and will need a thourgh cleaning and rebuilding.  Was the bike stored with gas in the tank?  If so it is probably full of varnish (as well as the carbs).  If the tank was drained was it rust proofed or is it rusted.  Is the wiring all intact?  Hopefully it was stored without a battery otherwise you could have quite a bit of corrosion.  Replace the battery and check all the electrics.   Is the suspension usable?  Tires will be rock hard even if they hold air.  Steering bearings notched?  Lots of things that you will need to go through.  I could go on but you get the picture.   

Speaking of which, everyone here likes pictures.  One picture is worth a thousand words or so they say.  Also almost every question you can come up with about getting the bike running has been answered before so remember the search feature is you friend. 

Good luck and Welcome.

[B.O.X.N.I.F.E.]

Hey gang.  I've got a '78 CB550K that's been in storage since the 80's, and the time has finally come for me to take over as proud owner, and start the business of getting it back to life.  I want to give it the cafe treatment, and Benjie's Cafe Racer is my new addiction.

For the front end, my plan is to stick with the stock forks, wheel, & brake - doing upgrades like better pads, a SS brake line, and Race Tech Cartridge Emulators & springs to improve stuff a bit.  For the back, I want to do a mono-shock conversion (with a braced triangular swingarm and a link-less shock running to the upper structure of the frame - like a Vincent, or a Ducati SS), and I would also like to change to a 520 chain and a disc brake.

One option is to swap the swingarm & wheel assembly to a 750SS with disc, and then have 520 sprockets made up.  This might be the best approach, and the look should match well with my plans for the front.

Another option is to source another wheel and fab the necessary bushings & spacers to make it fit.  This might be easier than trying to locate desirable 35+ year-old parts.

Any advice or pointers would be much appreciated.

good luck, you & shennanagains can fight over the 750ss rear assembly

[Syscrush]

Thanks guys.

I'm a moderately-experienced wrench (have been working on cars & motorcycles for ~20 years now, all as a hobby).  I've done engine rebuilds, fiberglass fabrication, some custom electrical stuff, plenty of bolt-on mods and upgrades, and innumerable repairs.

However, I live in a little condo now, and have no shop space of my own anymore.  So the work will be done by a local mechanic that I have come to trust over the years.  I'm trying to find the right balance between cool & cost.  So far, it breaks down like this:

Definite:
BCR tank and seat.
BCR exhaust (4-into-2 or 4-into-4, haven't decided yet).
Clip-ons or Clubman bars.
Rearsets.
Monoshock conversion.
RaceTech emulators & springs for the forks.
Pads & SS brake lines for front.
Motogadget Chronoclassic gauge frenched into headlight nacelle.
Carb jet and pods.
CDI ignition.


Maybe:
Fancy carbon tank & seat from BCR.
520 chain.
Rear disc.
Front end swap (CBR600F2 or similar RSU forks, custom-fit laced wheel, modern single disc & caliper).
Keyless/RFID ignition.

Here's the bike as it sits currently:

[OldSchool_IsCool]

If you decide to cut the exhaust pipes, STOP!!
Toss the side panels? STOP!!
Ditch or cut up the seat? STOP!!
Paint the gas tank? STOP!! 

There are a number of us restorer types that would pay you good money for them in their original condition.  I know in my case I can send you not-so-pretty replacements if you need them.

[Syscrush]

If you decide to cut the exhaust pipes, STOP!!
Toss the side panels? STOP!!
Ditch or cut up the seat? STOP!!
Paint the gas tank? STOP!! 

There are a number of us restorer types that would pay you good money for them in their original condition.  I know in my case I can send you not-so-pretty replacements if you need them.

Don't worry, I'll make the leftovers available for sale.

Seat, tank, and exhaust will all be replaced entirely.  Same goes for rider & passenger pegs, crash bars, handlebars, gauges, headlight, etc.  I haven't decided about keeping or ditching the side covers, it might depend on how pretty my monoshock conversion ends up looking.