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Author Topic: 1974 CB550 Four Restoration / Cafe Racer Build  (Read 9421 times)

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Offline wshipley

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1974 CB550 Four Restoration / Cafe Racer Build
« on: May 17, 2010, 07:39:30 PM »
Hello Everyone,

Well I am a little late at starting my project log, so here goes...

I wanted a new project to work on since my other bikes are practically brand new so I commenced the search, and came across this forum, and thought man those are some great bikes, so I started looking for one. About a month later I was able to purchase this on Craigs List for about $350, delivered, with a clean title, new battery, and Haynes Teardown manual.

As pictured in the ad.


Pics of the bike when I got it home.






















I then spent the next 10 days cleaning the carbs, and patching a hole in the exhaust pipe, btw the person who suggested to go down to Harbor Freight and buy an Ultrasonic Cleaner was a genius. Run 5:1 water and Simple Green in the cleaner it does wonders.   So I cleaned the carbs, left the existing gaskets and needles, used Kream Fuel Tank Cleaner/Liner to get the rust out of the tank, bought new plugs, fuel line, hooked up the battery and filled up the tank.  At first it did not want to start, but with a little starting fluid in the carbs and it roared to life. ;D  

Sorry no pics of the whole process.

A few other things that I found were wrong with the bike was:
Front Brake Caliper Piston Frozen
Master Cylinder Frozen as well

This will be my first rebuild so I'll have a few questions along the way.

« Last Edit: May 18, 2010, 09:30:29 AM by wshipley »
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Offline wshipley

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Re: 1974 CB550 Four
« Reply #1 on: May 17, 2010, 08:04:20 PM »
So after the bike was at least running, now it was time to tear it apart, and this is how the bike stands as of today.  I have got a lot of cleaning to do before I can start to paint the engine.











I will post up a few pics when I get something cleaned and painted.
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Offline Little_Horse

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Re: 1974 CB550 Four (Bayou Bike)
« Reply #2 on: May 17, 2010, 08:13:53 PM »
so what is the plan, resto, cafe, bob, or simply ride able again?
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"Little Horse Cycles" facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Little-Horse-Cycles/185809474769493

LHC is my start up cafe racer shop specializing in custom parts, bikes, restoration and recreation

The 500 builds http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=64250.0

Offline wshipley

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Re: 1974 CB550 Four Restoration / Cafe Racer Build
« Reply #3 on: May 17, 2010, 08:22:58 PM »
I am starting out with just a simple restoration and paint job get it registered and insured then take it out for a spin.  After that it will slowly be transformed into a Cafe Racer, I would like to pick up a tank and seat from BCR and replace the Exhaust.  Just have to complete that conversion a little at a time so I don't go broke.
« Last Edit: May 18, 2010, 09:30:56 AM by wshipley »
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Offline wshipley

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Re: 1974 CB550 Four Restoration / Cafe Racer Build
« Reply #4 on: November 03, 2010, 11:04:02 PM »
OK, So it has been awhile since an update.  I have gotten quite alot done:

Engine rebuilt and painted
Frame cleaned and painted
Tank cleaned and painted (still not sure on the color)
Carbs rebuild and cleaned several times
And bike reassembled

Sorry for no pictures of the process I was on a roll there for awhile, then the bike sat for most of the summer.

So here are some pics taken with my phone.











So after the rebuild the bike starts, but will not stay running.

Hey its progress.
« Last Edit: April 23, 2012, 09:53:43 PM by wshipley »
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Offline Little_Horse

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Re: 1974 CB550 Four Restoration / Cafe Racer Build
« Reply #5 on: November 04, 2010, 07:26:39 AM »
how many turns out are the mixture screws? I would start by checking that for your not staying running issue.
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"Little Horse Cycles" facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Little-Horse-Cycles/185809474769493

LHC is my start up cafe racer shop specializing in custom parts, bikes, restoration and recreation

The 500 builds http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=64250.0

Offline wshipley

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Re: 1974 CB550 Four Restoration / Cafe Racer Build
« Reply #6 on: November 04, 2010, 03:42:34 PM »
Mixture is set to 1 1/2 it is acting like it is not getting any fuel, I will check the fuel lines tonight.
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Offline MoMo

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Re: 1974 CB550 Four Restoration / Cafe Racer Build
« Reply #7 on: November 04, 2010, 03:49:30 PM »
Are the air filters on the bike?  If not,, you will have problems keeping it running, Larry
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Offline OneWheelDrive

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Re: 1974 CB550 Four Restoration / Cafe Racer Build
« Reply #8 on: November 04, 2010, 04:44:24 PM »
OOOOHHH, looks very nice w/ the red accents.  Great job!  Some classic red pinstriping on the tank would be nice too.
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1975 CB550 cafe
1971 CB500 stocker
2008 Ducati Hypermotard 1100S *sold*
1973 CB350F *sold*
1975 CB550K Project "Keeper" *sold*
2010 Ducati Monster S4RS *sold*
1976 CB360T *sold*
1974 CB550K *sold*
1973 CB750K *sold*
1978 CB550K *sold*
2007 Vespa LX150 *sold*

Offline Stev-o

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Re: 1974 CB550 Four Restoration / Cafe Racer Build
« Reply #9 on: November 06, 2010, 07:28:13 AM »
Nice project, you've done quite a lot in the past few months.

Make sure your fuel lines are as vertical as possible, this fuel is gravity fed.
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'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline wshipley

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Re: 1974 CB550 Four Restoration / Cafe Racer Build
« Reply #10 on: December 03, 2010, 01:48:58 PM »
Its alive.....


Well it was, something locked up in the transmission, and now I have to tear it all down again.
« Last Edit: April 23, 2012, 09:59:43 PM by wshipley »
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Offline immortal

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Re: 1974 CB550 Four Restoration / Cafe Racer Build
« Reply #11 on: December 05, 2010, 04:52:15 PM »
Thats a really nice project, awesome price too...I wish I could find one like that for around that price here in southern CA.
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Sometimes...the hard thing and the right thing are the same thing!

1976 CB750F "Pegasus Bike"

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=80492.0

Offline wshipley

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Re: 1974 CB550 Four Restoration / Cafe Racer Build
« Reply #12 on: July 09, 2011, 03:57:21 PM »
Sorry for the long delay, but with the heat of summer it is hard to work in the garage.  Well I had the bike running, but then when I was using the kick starter something came loose and now the transmission is jammed and I have to take the engine completely apart again.  I will post some pics when when the engine gets pulled.
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Offline wshipley

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Re: 1974 CB550 Four Restoration / Cafe Racer Build
« Reply #13 on: September 12, 2011, 02:53:28 AM »
Well I got the engine pulled and fully disassembled by myself in 4.5hrs and found that one of the shifting guides fell off and broke two teeth in the transmission. Got a new one on order from eBay.
« Last Edit: April 23, 2012, 09:51:41 PM by wshipley »
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Offline wshipley

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Re: 1974 CB550 Four Restoration / Cafe Racer Build
« Reply #14 on: September 18, 2011, 10:27:34 PM »
Got some work done on the bike today.
New buffer



Engine tore out.



Nice and pretty buffed engine parts, I am getting rid of the blacked out engine.






« Last Edit: April 23, 2012, 10:05:01 PM by wshipley »
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Offline scuba steve

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Re: 1974 CB550 Four Restoration / Cafe Racer Build
« Reply #15 on: January 18, 2012, 02:25:54 PM »
hey wshipley how is your project coming? Im in new orleans and have been working on a 77 550 for a little while now and finally have it running well
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Offline wshipley

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Re: 1974 CB550 Four Restoration / Cafe Racer Build
« Reply #16 on: January 24, 2012, 06:05:23 PM »
Quote from: scuba steve on January 18, 2012, 02:25:54 PM
hey wshipley how is your project coming? Im in new orleans and have been working on a 77 550 for a little while now and finally have it running well

Need to get an air compressor to finish sandblasting and polishing the engine.  As of now the bike is in pieces in my garage, thinking about selling it any offers, its got a title.

I will re-attach the missing photos soon.
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Offline wshipley

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Re: 1974 CB550 Four Restoration / Cafe Racer Build
« Reply #17 on: April 23, 2012, 10:07:10 PM »
Ok
After a very long delay I am going to start on the bike again, I just picked up a small sandblasted and air compressor to take all the paint off the engine. Will post pics soon.
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Offline wshipley

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Re: 1974 CB550 Four Restoration / Cafe Racer Build
« Reply #18 on: April 24, 2012, 01:31:26 PM »
Ok I got some sandblasting done today.  I was able to blast two out of four parts today.  Here is what I used.









I will blast more in a few days, have to go to work.
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Offline LesterPiglet

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Re: 1974 CB550 Four Restoration / Cafe Racer Build
« Reply #19 on: April 24, 2012, 01:49:40 PM »
I wish I could  go out and buy sandblasters.  :-\
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'Then' and 'than' are completely different words and have completely different meanings. Same with 'of' and 'have'. Set and sit. There, their and they're. Draw and drawer. Could care less/couldn't care less. Bought/brought FFS.


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Offline wshipley

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Re: 1974 CB550 Four Restoration / Cafe Racer Build
« Reply #20 on: April 24, 2012, 03:01:16 PM »
Quote from: LesterPiglet on April 24, 2012, 01:49:40 PM
I wish I could  go out and buy sandblasters.  :-\

The sand blaster was only $34.99 it was the air compressor at $119.99 that was expensive, btw I an just using the cheap play sand from the hardware store.
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Offline LesterPiglet

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Re: 1974 CB550 Four Restoration / Cafe Racer Build
« Reply #21 on: April 24, 2012, 03:03:56 PM »
I did mean the compressor. :) One like that would probably cost me £150
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'Then' and 'than' are completely different words and have completely different meanings. Same with 'of' and 'have'. Set and sit. There, their and they're. Draw and drawer. Could care less/couldn't care less. Bought/brought FFS.


Les Ross.            Certified by a Professional
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