Topic: 550 Super Sport - before & after

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

I got this bike a few months ago. It was pretty tired and neglected when I picked it up. Top end poured oil out, wiring was absolutely mangled. The tank insides were the worst I've ever seen and took two weeks of nightly work to get the kreem stripped and the rust problem sorted. Overall I guess I have about 60 or more hours in it. Not perfect, the tank was not at the best starting point. Took a ton of wet sanding and buffing to get even presentable. I honestly can't remember everything but here's a short list:

Stripped to bare frame, painted frame
Replaced top end seals in motor, cleaned pickup screen, painted motor
Rebuilt carbs
Rebuilt wiring harness front to back (it was a disaster)
Rebuilt front brake caliper
Blade fuses
New Rectifier
New Grips
New filters
New spark plugs
New seat
Lined tank
New Avon rear
Hours of chrome & tank polishing
Complete tune up

+ a million other little things

It was fun, and I built it to sell so hopefully the new owner will enjoy the bike for a long time to come.

[CaféElite]

Looks good. Were you bored and just wanted something to keep you busy or is the 550 market that good right now?

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

Bored. Wanted to put the massive amount of information I'd filled my head with in the last year to use. I spent so much time preparing for my cross country trip that it was hard to get back into a normal groove of life afterwards. I still haven't found a job. My family thought I was crazy, but it's paid off ok. The market is kind of soft from what I remember when I bought my bike. Unless you're positive you can get in and out of the bike for little money I wouldn't risk it. I've been careful and patient when I needed to source parts. I got that Avon Roadrunner tire for 50$!

[TwoTired]

I like it.
Looks good.
Have you been riding it?
What happened to the mirrors?

[IainC]

Looks good. Sounds like you put a lot of work into it. I put a lot of time into my 350f when I had it, and when it sold I made a fair chunk of money. Alot less than I would have made working minimum wage, but it sure is fun.

[Flying J]

Looks good! Inspiring because i have the same bike in worse looking condition. What exhaust do you have on it?

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

I like it.
Looks good.
Have you been riding it?
What happened to the mirrors?

Thanks TT, if it had been the right color Super Sport I just might have had to keep it   If you're not meant to get everything you want in life I guess I'll never see my Sword Candy Blue 550.

I've put about 30 miles on it since I finished, honestly I just want to ride enough to sort it out and fine tune it before it finds a new home. Seems to be running a little hot, I think maybe I read the PD carbs ran leaner so I need to get that resolved before the new owner hauls it off. The mirrors were ghastly plastic things, I'm still working on that. Thinking of running a stock 'ears' style set if I can find them in a shorter length.

Looks good! Inspiring because i have the same bike in worse looking condition. What exhaust do you have on it?

The Kerker is probably going to stay with me. I have a MAC on the way that will probably go with the bike. This is temporary so I can sort out bugs while I wait for the new MAC. And I think I saw you posted a pic of your bike, you've still got the original 4-1 right? Just put that elbow grease to use, I'm sure it'll clean up!

[Stev-o]

Nice job.  What do you think you'll ask for it?

[Not that I'm interested, just curious of the value as it is similar to my '76 550F]

[TwoTired]

Thanks TT, if it had been the right color Super Sport I just might have had to keep it   If you're not meant to get everything you want in life I guess I'll never see my Sword Candy Blue 550.

Though I do like the blue, I would have had a hard time picking between the colors when new.  I like them both.

I've put about 30 miles on it since I finished, honestly I just want to ride enough to sort it out and fine tune it before it finds a new home. Seems to be running a little hot, I think maybe I read the PD carbs ran leaner so I need to get that resolved before the new owner hauls it off.

The F models didn't get PD carbs.  And those aren't what is on the bike in the picture.  However, the F carbs were tuned for the stock F exhaust, quiet and a bit more restrictive (making higher pressures in the exhaust.  Most of the after market pipes assumed K model jetting and carb set up.  Change the mains to 100s and move the needle up per the chart in the carb FAQ for a 74-76 K model.  That should cure lean issues.  Of course, the carb will no longer match the 069a set up number stamped on them.  So, some owner down the road may curse you for that. 

But really, I thought after you rode it for a while, you'd not be able to part with it. 

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

I actually don't even know what PD carbs look like. I assumed because it was a different model and the mounting plate looked different from my K that these must be PD's.

It's been a kick to ride around on, but the ole '74 would get too jealous and might start giving me a hard time if I kept it. I don't want to ride 2k miles away from home on a bike with a grudge against me 

[TwoTired]

There was a time when I drove a different bike to work each day of the week.  They were all happy with that.  It was when I only drove one per week that the others got ornery.  Hence, if you want them to keep running, just keep running them.

Cheers,

[Flying J]

My stock exhaust rusted off at the flange.  Im running an old mac i think on my 550f. My k has a kereker. whats wrong with your kerker? I had to replace the baffle on mine.

[traveler]

Looks like a pretty clean little 550.....What's it worth?  $1500?

~Joe

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

Nothing wrong with the Kerker, I plan on eventually putting it on my bike. That's why I have a replacement on the way.

I think I'll do better than 1500. Not delusional, I'll let it go for whatever the market dictates. So few of these bikes made it down and stayed in the deep south. Demand for nice machines is strong around here.

TT, did a little searching on the PD's and now I recognize those weird looking float bowls. Won't make that mistake agian.

[fastbroshi]

  I actually had my 550 on CL for a while and only got one nibble, and I took plenty of good pics, at least to me anyways.  I was asking $1500 which I though was reasonable given the amount of work I'd put into it, but I guess Dallas with its hustle bustle freeways and lack of curvy roads worked against me.   Seems everyone around here wants an RR to wheelie down the highway on.
  Where you're at I wouldn't doubt you get your asking price.

[000jeremy]

looks great, just like mine.  Must be a 77?  Any tips for cleaning up the motor, products, etc??

[mgbgt89]

I actually don't even know what PD carbs look like. I assumed because it was a different model and the mounting plate looked different from my K that these must be PD's.

It's been a kick to ride around on, but the ole '74 would get too jealous and might start giving me a hard time if I kept it. I don't want to ride 2k miles away from home on a bike with a grudge against me 

Haha.. EVERYTIME i bring a new bike home my 650 starts acting up. I've only had a few issues with it, And it has always been within a week of getting a new bike. When i got the 350 i could not, for the life of me get the front brakes working on the 650. Rebuilt everything, no luck. So i finished up the 350 and rode it for 2 months and the 650 sat. Went back to the 650 and had it working in 20 minutes.

When i brought home the 750, the electrics started acting up on the 650. Haven't really messed with it yet since its just my dummy lights and turn signals acting goofy for the time being.