Topic: New Here.

[Barry]

Well I am new to this site. But I have recently purchased a Honda cb project. It is a 1978 550 frame with a 1972 750 engine.
I dont know a whole bunch about restoring, repairing or building but I am looking very forward to learning. The bike doesnt run but does have compression. The previous owner didnt have the bike very long and didnt know much about it. I picked it up for $250. I am planning to chop/bobber it. I know that its going to be hard work and I am planning to take the build very slow as I am getting married in a year and need to keep my priorities straight I want to thank you all in advance for all the questions I will be asking...

[Shenanigans]

Welcome to the site. The frame is not from a 550, it looks to be a later CB750K. They are not interchangeable, unfortunately. If you have a title or vin tag on the neck that says the bike is a 550 you have a title or vin from another bike! It looks like a good project, looks like it has aftermarket Andrews coils to. Remember, we love pictures!  

[UK Pete]

Hi Barry, enjoy your project
#Pete

[Barry]

Hey Shenanigans I checked the vin on the frame and it matches the title. CB550E 2109774. The vin on the frame is stamped or etched (not sure) But it is on the frame not a vin tag. What does this mean? Is there absolutely no way that these two are not interchangeable?

[Shenanigans]

There is supposed to be both the etched numbers and on the opposing side of the neck a vin tag. That is NOT a 550 frame. It looks to me like your bike is missing the vin tag. I think someone ditched the vin tag, ground the number off and restamped it to match a 550 title they had. You should take a picture of the etched vin on the neck and post it up.

See 750K frame:




550K frame (with a few mods and also with the vin tag removed) but notice how the 750 has 3 bars coming back from the neck, where the tank rests. The 550 has a single pressed tube.:

[Barry]

Wow... Not that I didnt believe you.  I guess that I didnt want to believe it.
Here's some pics of both sides of the neck.

[Barry]

How can I post up bigger pics like you did?

I feel like ive been duped. What should I do now, Legally?

[Shenanigans]

I think the neck looks a bit sketchy. I am sure some more experienced members could chime in. I cant really say what you should do legally, but if I was in that situation...

The first option would be try and find another frame or parts bike. Depending on where you are they might be readily available for cheap, that would also give you tons of extra/needed parts. Where are you? Are you close to Az? I have an extra 78 K frame. If you really want to make this bike I think that buying a parts bike would be the best bet. You have all the parts BUT the frame to work with on that bike...

You could always present the evidence and demand your money back.

Again, I dont know how it is where you live but a couple times I have just gone up to a cop and asked them to run the VIN to see if its stolen. Most likely the bike is so old that its not even in any system anymore.

This is something you might want to ask out in the main forum so someone who has been around the block a couple more times can chime in.

Dont let it get you too down. Worst case you have everything but the frame to work with, assuming its not currently "hot"

[Barry]

Hey thanks a bunch Shenanigans.

I am located in Jacksonville Florida. Thanks for offering the other frame. I did see one for sale today on cl for $250. I will def be more cautious when purchasing any more old bikes/frames.

There is a cop next door to us so I will ask him if he can run the vin number and what advice he can give me.

I am def going to keep this bike, like you said I've got everything except the frame...

Thank you.

[scottly]

Check the engine serial number against the title. Also, this will tell you just what motor you have. You can find the info on this site. Sorry, I can't link you to it; my eyes are still bleeding from all the research I have been doing. 

[seaweb11]

and get that wall paper hung up properly

[Barry]

@Scottly.  I did research the engine serial and found out its a 1972 cb750k2. Which does not match the title either...  Thanks though!

@Seaweb. What wall paper???

[scottly]

Oops, sent the question to the main forum before I saw this. You don't have a title for your bike, it seems....

[Terry in Australia]

There is a cop next door to us so I will ask him if he can run the vin number and what advice he can give me.

I am def going to keep this bike, like you said I've got everything except the frame...

I don't know how the law works there mate, but over here if it was stolen, the cops would take it off you, so you might be better off just throwing the frame away and getting another one, and not talking about it to your neighbor?

I've got a mate who's a cop and I asked him a similar question about running an engine number on a small block Ford engine I've been given, and he said that if it is stolen, I'd have to surrender it? Cheers, Terry.

[seaweb11]

@Seaweb. What wall paper???

1st photo at top of page

[Barry]

@Seaweb. What wall paper???

1st photo at top of page

oh that's in the back of the warehouse at work. It's a roll of vinyl for doing car wraps.