Author Topic: '75 CB550F Family Blast From the Past (Read 7582 times)

TPColgett · « **on:** March 21, 2010, 03:42:52 PM »

So I'm picking up where my father left off. Here is the current condition of his '75 Cb550F bought brand spanking new in 1975 from university Honda. Like so many of his projects, he couldn't leave this one stock either. The rear shocks do have a Koni stamp on them, but until I pull them off i cant make out the part number. He had a local shop add the rear disk, and used a second factory shock tube for the second front disk. The fairing still has SHOEI logo on it, but the model number label inside is worn away. The 4 into 1 exhaust is a total mystery, even he cant remember where it came from, but I have fond memories of the one time he fired it up for me and made it shoot tongues of flame

Unfortunately its been sitting since 87, and its now falling into my care. So, the big question now is go for a down to frame preservation...or modernize his old work.....Thoughts comments and suggestions appreciated!

theofam · « **Reply #1 on:** March 21, 2010, 03:47:18 PM »

Give it a Simple Green bath, wax the tank and fairing, throw in a battery, and get it on the road! It looks great as is.

chronic_rider_550 · « **Reply #2 on:** March 21, 2010, 11:06:59 PM »

Looks AWESOME! Maybe throw some clip-ons on it, change the oil, plugs, seals, air filter, oil filter, and battery. Maybe recover the seat, paint everything that sexy honda blue. Maybe keep it how your pops had it but throw your own little twist on it. Looks like an AWESOME bike and it will be lots of fun!

TPColgett · « **Reply #3 on:** March 24, 2010, 01:41:09 AM »

Well, patience and cleaning in the garage lead to amazing finds! Not only did i find an extra head with a cam in it on the work bench, but under it I found the original rims, two different oil cooler kits, a replacement wind screen for the fairing and a set of Honda carb syncing gauges.... pictures later, maybe its time to consider a port job and top end rebuild >_< Pics of the loot to follow...

TPColgett · « **Reply #4 on:** March 29, 2010, 12:32:49 AM »

Life is totally getting in the way of my CB addiction, good thing my parts are coming in next week though.... no more excuses then >_< My first major problem though is my fathers last botched job at rebuilding the carbs. I turned the fuel to on and they pissed everywhere

Turns out there are several float bowl screws missing. I was thinking I'd take one example to the local hardware store and try to match it up for starters, but should I be looking for anything special?

traveler · « **Reply #5 on:** March 29, 2010, 05:19:44 AM »

If you decide to sell the mag wheels on your bike, please let me know, either through PM or otherwise, I will DEFINITELY buy them, unless they are cracked/damaged.

I am dead serious about that offer.

~Joe

MRieck · « **Reply #6 on:** March 29, 2010, 05:36:38 AM »

The exhaust is a Kerker.

traveler · « **Reply #7 on:** March 30, 2010, 04:10:04 PM »

No answer....I'll take that as a "no" then....

~Joe

TPColgett · « **Reply #8 on:** March 30, 2010, 07:51:13 PM »

theofam - Your thoughts echo mine.... which is why I'm now the happy owner of 2 gallons of green and purple, steel wool 0 through 0000 and a plethora of polishing products

chronic_rider_550 - Again your dead on >_< I need to find where the side covers have been stashed and get everything out for paint. Not so sure about the bars though, I've badly broken both wrists several times so finding something that fits the look and is still somewhat ergo friendly will be key

traveler - I love those Mag's, and apparently my dad does to, the first thing he said when I told him some one was interested was NO lol He bought them before '80 and were one of the first mods on the bike. If you do find a source for some let me know, I want another set for my other planned project...

MRieck - Thanks! That's one more piece of the puzzle identified. Turns out that most of the bolt on Mods were bought at a local shop that is still open today, and being 6 blocks from my house,I have a feeling there going to get tired of seeing me...

Progress is being made, by tonight the silicone should be dry and I can test out my new soda blasting cabinet, and the carb parts and sonic cleaner should be here tomorrow....

Checking the mail is now like Christmas morning

Photos will be up soon, lost the cable to the silly camera

Stev-o · « **Reply #9 on:** March 30, 2010, 08:50:15 PM »

Looks like a cool project, will be watching...

I have a similar bike, but it's a '76 and stock.

TPColgett · « **Reply #10 on:** March 31, 2010, 12:30:19 AM »

crappy cell pic of the fun to come...

traveler · « **Reply #11 on:** March 31, 2010, 05:09:06 AM »

Those mag wheels are made out of unobtainium.

~Joe

andy750 · « **Reply #12 on:** March 31, 2010, 06:21:37 AM »

Wow what a find! If you want to sell the Shoei fairing let me know! thanks, Andy

TPColgett · « **Reply #13 on:** April 02, 2010, 01:09:17 AM »

So finally with the picture progress, here are some of those garage finds

this is gonna come in handy...

The mostly complete head and cam... so many possibilities, which may become necessary if this amount of oil isn't normal...

But more goodies!!! here are the two different oil coolers

The second one is quite a bit larger, no idea where they planed on having you mount it. Last but not least the original spokes, the original rear braking assembly is still MIA

TPColgett · « **Reply #14 on:** April 02, 2010, 01:24:32 AM »

So for the actual progress on the bike....

not a lot of room to work but seat, tank and carb's are off. The bike is actually unbelievably clean under their, a light rub down and some special attention to the chrome and we should be in business cosmetically.

The carb's are off and are definitely going to need work, but again cleaner than I expected

Perdy gummy in the float bowls though

and with my soda cabinet now ready for action it was time to give it a shot

Turns out my dogged determination to seal up every nook and cranny was a bit extreme. My tiny little 1HP shop vac nearly imploded my cabinet

but at least I got great results on the one before the day light gave out!

Well, carb kits are supposed to be in on Monday.... more progress then

TyMatthews · « **Reply #15 on:** April 02, 2010, 02:07:43 AM »

Dude, that custom soda blaster is tits! You gotta show me your set-up; I have so many things I want to blast down and re-paint... something like that would be a life-saver. I thought about building my own cabinet, but didn't have the know-how to get the air gun bits working. That setup looks pretty affordable! Is the shop vac just there to provide a means to release the pressure that builds up inside from constantly pumping air into it? If so, couldn't you just put some kind of HEPA filter on an exhaust port out the back or side, after running it through some baffles to trap additional bits of soda and metal that come flying out?

traveler · « **Reply #16 on:** April 02, 2010, 05:13:04 AM »

so far, so good.

I wonder why your dad let the bike just go to hell like that....depressing.

Keep at it.

~Joe

fasturd · « **Reply #17 on:** April 02, 2010, 07:00:09 AM »

The good thing is it is aged and used and its family. Shouldn't be too hard to resurrect.
I would keep all the vintage speed parts...But I am a total sucker for those things and as traveler says "unobtanium" is what they are all made of...lol. Anyone can have stock parts!!!

Be patient that thing will look great and is pretty much one of a kind. Check out my project 13 thread and my gallery thread I have been using vintage speed parts for a long time and they really set your bike apart!

Good luck and keep up the post.

fasturd · « **Reply #18 on:** April 02, 2010, 07:03:20 AM »

What mfgr made the rear caliper? I like to catalog that info. A few more pics of the set up would be interesting too.

SHELLFISH · « **Reply #19 on:** April 02, 2010, 07:19:58 AM »

That looks like the twin to my 1976 550F bought new by me!
I didn't know Honda had that shade of blue for 1975.
Your exhaust is a Kerker as is mine.
Interesting that your dad put twin discs up front back then.
ENJOY!

TPColgett · « **Reply #20 on:** April 03, 2010, 03:54:03 AM »

Quote from: TyMatthews on April 02, 2010, 02:07:43 AM

Dude, that custom soda blaster is tits! You gotta show me your set-up; I have so many things I want to blast down and re-paint... something like that would be a life-saver. I thought about building my own cabinet, but didn't have the know-how to get the air gun bits working. That setup looks pretty affordable! Is the shop vac just there to provide a means to release the pressure that builds up inside from constantly pumping air into it? If so, couldn't you just put some kind of HEPA filter on an exhaust port out the back or side, after running it through some baffles to trap additional bits of soda and metal that come flying out?

check out this thread, http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=65208.0

I cant take credit, but in my experience the little shop vac was to much, im just going to plug the hole i cut for it with a baffle. The air stuff was easy, all Orchard and home depot, but I already had a compressor set up to run it with. Id be happy to help you assemble your own, or you know where to find me

I'm posting at 4 in the morning due to extended play time on my newly cleared work bench with a sonic cleaner, 0000 steel wool and mothers mag and aluminum polish...

More pictures, including requested rear disc (a Grimeca dual pot I think) are in the camera, but now sleep

Zaipai · « **Reply #21 on:** April 03, 2010, 06:27:12 AM »

Nice progress so far.. I am going to check out that home made blaster so maybe next season when I break down my motor I can get a good clean up on it with out going broke..

.: Scott :.

fasturd · « **Reply #22 on:** April 03, 2010, 06:35:43 AM »

I should have known the Grimeca was pretty popular and trick at the time. I am going to take a look at the whole soda cabinet build. You guys have me jazzed to be able to do that at home!

TPColgett · « **Reply #23 on:** April 04, 2010, 11:50:32 PM »

Here is a pic of the rear caliper,

and the only marking I can find on the Mag's, look familiar to any one?

TPColgett · « **Reply #24 on:** April 05, 2010, 12:10:15 AM »

So I started with the 0000 steel wool and some Mothers mag and aluminum polish,

but my dad had a better idea...

All in all around $130 at the local Sears, and worth every penny!!! But now I keep thinking of what else I can use it on... I also spent some quality time learning what the insides of these carbs look like, and then dumping them in a sonic cleaner. Some before shots,

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Author Topic: '75 CB550F Family Blast From the Past (Read 7582 times)

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