Author Topic: CB550 Cafe build - 1st bike build, but not 1st build (Read 196963 times)

Syscrush · « **Reply #700 on:** October 02, 2011, 05:49:07 PM »

Lookin' good!

lucky · « **Reply #701 on:** October 02, 2011, 09:14:24 PM »

Very nice and expert TIG work on that frame!!

So sorry to hear about your accident! Hand injuries are the worst. Take good care of your self.

scunny · « **Reply #702 on:** October 03, 2011, 12:40:30 AM »

ok I'll bite "Snuff N Go" principle more info please, I did a google and got nowhere fast.

Tintop · « **Reply #703 on:** October 05, 2011, 04:48:05 PM »

Quote from: scunny on October 03, 2011, 12:40:30 AM

ok I'll bite "Snuff N Go" principle more info please, I did a google and got nowhere fast.

Snuff N Go was a kit you could get to baffle pipes on a hot rod. It was a plate on a shaft that you could turn so it was either open or closed. The originals were pretty crude.

Tintop · « **Reply #704 on:** March 25, 2014, 06:56:07 PM »

Thought I would post this to my old thread, as it involves the 550.

I've been offered an 83 CB1100F (with 6K+), mint although some stuff has been chromed that was originally polished. So what I would call 'over restored'. In order to buy it I'd have to sell the 550.

Hate to let go of something I put so much time, effort, and money

into, but and 1100F.

Thoughts?

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #705 on:** March 25, 2014, 07:12:45 PM »

I really like the 1100F's....

Doesn't help much does it....

bwaller · « **Reply #706 on:** March 25, 2014, 07:29:25 PM »

Is that the one with the extended swingarm?

Eyeballs everywhere huh?

Tintop · « **Reply #707 on:** March 25, 2014, 08:05:43 PM »

Don't think so bw, from what I was told today it's stock with a bunch of bits that have been chromed. I'm going to get some more info tomorrow, and ask for some photos.

Me too RR, it's why the interest. The Canadian version had the gold Comstars, although all the pics I found show the 83 with cast rims. If it's the blue paint scheme, and gold rims it will be very hard to say no.

tweakin · « **Reply #708 on:** March 25, 2014, 08:15:49 PM »

Quote from: Retro Rocket on March 25, 2014, 07:12:45 PM

I really like the 1100F's.... Doesn't help much does it....

+1, thats on my short list.

Tintop · « **Reply #709 on:** March 26, 2014, 02:43:11 PM »

Quote from: bwaller on March 25, 2014, 07:29:25 PM

Is that the one with the extended swingarm?

Eyeballs everywhere huh?

Sounds like it might be bw. What do you know about it?? It's red, with cast wheels, bikini fairing, and a chromed extended swingarm. From what I understand the wheels & fairing would make it an American bike. The US bikes also had different bars. Also has a Corbin seat, which is OK by me.

bwaller · « **Reply #710 on:** March 26, 2014, 03:56:49 PM »

I saw it at CMR last fall. Denis had it for a spell but Bar owned it at that point. I love those bikes but I wasn't thrilled with the covers or the longer arm to be honest, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Both those things can be altered if it doesn't suit anyway. It's just a baby, 30km or so as I recall?

I don't remember the wheels or h-bars, but did have a Corbin.

PM on the way.

Tintop · « **Reply #711 on:** March 26, 2014, 06:34:30 PM »

PM rec'd & replied to bw.

Syscrush · « **Reply #712 on:** March 28, 2014, 05:41:11 PM »

Quote from: Tintop on March 25, 2014, 08:05:43 PM

The Canadian version had the gold Comstars, although all the pics I found show the 83 with cast rims. If it's the blue paint scheme, and gold rims it will be very hard to say no.

Yeah, it's basically impossible to say no to the gold boomies...

I've gotta say, though - I can't imagine why you'd trade your beautifully customized 550 for an original 1100F. I know it's a desirable bike, but your 500 is YOUR bike - it's a product of your vision. Also, I think that 550's generally have more charm than 1100's. Yes, the 1100 is faster, but who cares? That 550 will do 100mph.

Tintop · « **Reply #713 on:** March 29, 2014, 06:46:05 PM »

Had lots of time to think about it on the way down and back from Mike R's. Going to pass on the 1100. Biggest problem with the 550 is it's LOUD!! Doubt it would even pass a race track db test.

So choices were surgery to the Swarbricks, or a new pipe. Figure the costs are about the same, so surgery it is. Next winter I'll pull the engine and have Mike do some port work, and add a 590 kit.

So that's decided, and it's back to throwing money at the sidecar.

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #714 on:** March 29, 2014, 09:40:05 PM »

You took the easy way out Brian, should have bought the 1100 and kept the 550....

Tintop · « **Reply #715 on:** March 30, 2014, 06:41:31 AM »

The 1100 was the US version RR, which is not a nice as the Cdn / Euro bike. Our's had the gold Comstars instead of the heavier cast wheel, as well as rearsets, and clipons. This bike had also had a lot of covers & pieces chromed, and the swingarm mod'd. Not a good investment at the price asked.

Syscrush · « **Reply #716 on:** March 30, 2014, 09:25:22 AM »

I agree that the Canadian version is a much cooler/better bike. Still doesn't compare to your 550, though. Why bother with the 590? Does it need an engine rebuild, or you just want a bit more pep?

I thought you made some kind of restrictor/baffle for your Swarbricks - I guess it didn't cut the sound down enough? It shouldn't be too difficult to make inserts with some perforated pipe and pack 'em with glass. I found your post admiring what was done for the Pepsi Racer.

You should get your hands on a Hindle Stealth core muffler plus their noise reducing insert. I'm sure that you could do something like this x4 for your bike and have something that works well for the street. You could even buy their inserts, I think they're only about $50 each:

http://www.hindle.com/pdf/Noise_Reducer.pdf

They might sell you some of their tapered perf cores, too. Can't hurt to ask. It's still a family operation, and the Hindles are nice people.

Tintop · « **Reply #717 on:** March 30, 2014, 11:34:26 AM »

Problem with the Swarbricks is they already have a reverse cone tip welded on, and the pipes were coated. So the reverse tip has to be removed (which damages the coating

) before anything else can be done. Not a quick fix, and not going to be cheap.

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #718 on:** March 30, 2014, 02:36:54 PM »

Quote from: Tintop on March 30, 2014, 06:41:31 AM

The 1100 was the US version RR, which is not a nice as the Cdn / Euro bike. Our's had the gold Comstars instead of the heavier cast wheel, as well as rearsets, and clipons. This bike had also had a lot of covers & pieces chromed, and the swingarm mod'd. Not a good investment at the price asked.

Yes, we had the "Good" models as well Brian, my red and white 900F2c Boldor had the gold boomerang comstars and it looked way better than the previous model with the old comstars..

Syscrush · « **Reply #719 on:** March 31, 2014, 01:07:45 PM »

Quote from: Tintop on March 30, 2014, 11:34:26 AM

Problem with the Swarbricks is they already have a reverse cone tip welded on, and the pipes were coated. So the reverse tip has to be removed (which damages the coating ) before anything else can be done. Not a quick fix, and not going to be cheap.

Understood.

But if you wanted cheap, you could find a nice CBR125R with EFI and ABS for $2k.

Do you still have the VFR? What year is that bike, again?

Tintop · « **Reply #720 on:** March 31, 2014, 02:43:16 PM »

VF750F was an 84, and it's been sold. I have 1 1/2 83 VF750F's stored in the trailer at the moment. Street project, or maybe just sell on as a race bike project with spare frame, suspension, and bits. Have titles for both frames.

slikwilli420 · « **Reply #721 on:** May 20, 2014, 12:28:57 PM »

Hey waterjet buddy. Just finished your thread and the wow factor is through the roof. Ive been browsing heavily the last 6 months or so and don't know how I missed this one. Outstanding.

Tintop · « **Reply #722 on:** May 20, 2014, 01:00:13 PM »

Thanks, it was a fun build.

Tintop · « **Reply #723 on:** April 19, 2015, 09:09:22 AM »

A new riding season is almost here, so the 550 moved to the centre of the shop. New Renthal SBK bars, and a Carpy coated 4-1 pipe, with baffle, and the all important plate 'sticker'. Really like the change in the look with the new pipes. Engine seems to like them as well. Fired right up with fresh Shell 91, and settled into a nice 900rpm idle.

Couple of pics -

brandEn · « **Reply #724 on:** April 19, 2015, 10:42:36 AM »

That pipe looks great.

News:

Poll

what colour for my Swarbrick pipes?

Author Topic: CB550 Cafe build - 1st bike build, but not 1st build (Read 196963 times)