Topic: Project Restraint - 1976 CB550

[DollarBill]

Dang...  I was talking to an old high school buddy about my bikes and he said his dad had a couple of old Honda's he wanted to get rid of....  he said he had a 76 CB550F and a 85 CBR1000R.  I told him I wanted to see the 550 and he held off on posting it on craigslist until I came to look at it.  He bought the bike new and put 17k miles on it.  He gave it to his brother in 1996 who wanted to try riding....  He took it for one spin and never rode it again.  He gave it back to his brother and it has been garaged since.  Originally he asked for $500 but after I got there he decided he only wanted $300 and threw in a new battery.  The carbs are off of it and need a bad rebuilding.  The tires are rotten.  The good things are that there are no dents in the tank and the inside looks PERFECT...no rust.  Hard to believe but true!  The engine shows absolutely no signs of oil leakage, it kicks over fine, and the gears shift nicely.  I was very happy to take it off his hands...  I am calling it project restraint because I just want to get it rideable without trying to turn it into something completely different.  Yeah right....  I'm thinking new paint and a giuliari seat, and super bike bars...  At least that's the plan!  Restraint Bill....RESTRAINT!!!  I already have two monsters and don't need to make another....

Those that know me of course know about Project Yellow Jacket - http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=41900.0

And of course The Abomination - http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=53119.0

So now I have a 750, 550, and 350 four....  The only other one I REALLY want is the 400!  One day!  Oh and then there is the only bike I have that is actually rideable and that is my 73 Honda 350 Twin... LOL!  So here she is and I really promise to show some sort of RESTRAINT!!!!!!

[sinister902]

looking forward to your progress. post some pics!

[fastbroshi]

  Does the tag decipher to an F?  Because it's not wearing the F pipes, tank, or sidecovers.  Those pipes and sidecovers are uber difficult to find, let me tell ya.  Reasonably priced and in good condition, anyway.

[HavocTurbo]

Glad to see you around again Bill!!!

Looks like a fun project!!!

[traveler]

GO CAFE! 

~Joe

[Zaipai]

Looks good, I bet the motor cleans up nice and it would not take much I bet..

GL..

.: Scott :.

[TwoTired]

GO CAFE! 

~Joe

Bleeaach!...
OK, recovered from my nausea...


From the picture posted, the tank, side covers, chain guard, seat and grab bar all say it is a K model CB550.  Should be a pretty fun, enjoyable bike simply refurbished into running condition.
You got a good deal there, it looks like.

Cheers,

[SohRon]

Have to side with TwoTired on this... seems like nearly every rebuild is a cafe of one sort or another. Dare to be different! Stay stock! With all of these bikes being turned into cafe racers, you will soon have a rare machine!

[SHELLFISH]

1976 550 k...definitely!
The front fender with forward brace (F didn't have it), plastic chain guard (F had  chrome), side cover shape. The side stand is in front of the foot peg (F is behind the foot peg.
Nice looking bike for the money. Keep it stock.
The most expensive part will be trying to find 4 to 4 pipes!
I'm going to put a Mac on mine. That will be the only difference from stock.

[DollarBill]

Thanks guys!  Yep it's a K model...  I am going to leave it pretty much as is for now.  It looks like it has a Mac exhaust on it.  One of the side covers is cracked pretty bad so I will need a replacement for that.  I have all the badges and they are in great shape.  I don't think it will take any serious work to get her going.  FAMOUS LAST WORDS!  Ha!

Havoc, good to be back but will still be in and out a little...  And dangit I am dying to get back to Project Yellow Jacket but that one is going to take a back seat until I get settled in a new place.  Hope all has been well for you!

[mlinder]

Thanks guys!  Yep it's a K model...  I am going to leave it pretty much as is for now.  It looks like it has a Mac exhaust on it.  One of the side covers is cracked pretty bad so I will need a replacement for that.  I have all the badges and they are in great shape.  I don't think it will take any serious work to get her going.  FAMOUS LAST WORDS!  Ha!

Havoc, good to be back but will still be in and out a little...  And dangit I am dying to get back to Project Yellow Jacket but that one is going to take a back seat until I get settled in a new place.  Hope all has been well for you!

Leave it how it is.

You can repair the sidecover. There's how-to's round here somewhere, but if you cant find it, let us know. We can tell ya how.

[Retro Rocket]

Have to side with TwoTired on this... seems like nearly every rebuild is a cafe of one sort or another. Dare to be different! Stay stock! With all of these bikes being turned into cafe racers, you will soon have a rare machine!

+10000000       If you want a cafe, buy a shop and sell coffee and sandwiches......

[HavocTurbo]

Have to side with TwoTired on this... seems like nearly every rebuild is a cafe of one sort or another. Dare to be different! Stay stock! With all of these bikes being turned into cafe racers, you will soon have a rare machine!

+10000000       If you want a cafe, buy a shop and sell coffee and sandwiches......

I would suggest a flat tracker... sporty enough without all the obvious trying too hard.