Topic: '75 CB550F cafe- my first build

[Zpack]

   Hi all, this is my first post- and my first build project. I have always been a dirt-biker but my brother got my into the cafe scene a couple years ago. This is my first street bike, and I'm pretty happy with it. I finished it last year and have since been riding the crap out of it- I don't believe in garage bikes .
   Anyway I picked up this 1975 CB550F in barely running, but rideable condition. I thought it was ugly as sin but I knew it had a lot of potential. It had some electrical problems, the headlight switch was aftermarket and broken, and the starter didn't work. Also it had some ignition problems so cylinder #1 only fired about half the time. It had a few other mechanical problems but most of the trouble was cosmetic. Here are the before shots:


This is the condition I bought it in, no changes.


The paint was in bad shape:


Leaking oil and dirty carbs:


I have nightmares about this taillight:


The previous owner added the clubmans, most of the stock switches didn't work:


So this is what I had to work with, I had never done this before but I decided to just jump in. It has been a while since I did it, and this is already a long post so I'll just skip to the after shots . If you have any questions about the build please ask!

Nice and clean:


I fabbed the exhaust after the 4-to-1s myself, the taillight is from a Ducati Monster- the mounting bracket is custom:


I fixed all of the stock switch gear, I had the decals custom made:


A view of the racing stripe. I did the paint myself, It was scary but not as hard as I expected. The taillight is all LED with integrated yellow turn signals:


A lot of polishing- my fingers are still sore . I made the license plate bracket also:


Still need new gauge faces:


Tail light lit up:


   I couldn't wait till winter to do it so I lost about 3 months of prime riding season, but oh well. There is still a little to be done- I really want to paint the engine, but that can wait 'till winter. So what do you think? I just picked up an '80 CB750F that needs similar treatment so any feedback is appreciated

[TyMatthews]

It looks really nice!  I have a '75 550F super sport (check my sig for the project thread link) which I'll be doing a lot of the same things you did.  I also plan on painting the fenders, switching out the taillight (stock is HIDEOUS), smaller turn signals, tighter rear mirrors, etc. 

Question: where did you get those mirrors?

[Zpack]

  Thanks Ty! Good luck on your build- there is no better way to learn than on the job the mirrors are from Dennis Kirk, only $19!
Here's the link:http://www.denniskirk.com/jsp/product_catalog/Product.jsp%3bjsessionid=A2NAR0DX4KJ2JLA0WTVSM4VMDK0NCIV0?store=null&skuId=392719&mmy=

[Stev-o]

WOW - very nice! I love the color...unique.

I have a '76 550F that I am restoring to stock.

[75cb550 (kyle)]

clean build. i like the placement of the front turn signals

[Ogri]

It looks better I guess..shame that the original paint is gone. I've got to say that I really don't like the tail-light; its modernity is out of place and to be brutal; it's just plain ugly - especially the side view. Every other line on the bike is full, rich, smoothly curved and voluptuous, then you get to the pointed, hard-edged, aggresive styling of a light designed 30 years after the rest of the bike.

The licence plate holder is good & is where it would be on a chopper, but the bike isn't a chopper. So it's a bit like having a dirtbike with apehangers, or a sissy bar; kinda jars the senses.

Still, there are, alas, no rules, so if you like it then nothing else matters. I'm only offering an opinion because you asked for one.

[Zpack]

  Thanks for the input Ogri, if I did everything right the first try I wouldn't learn anything! Its funny though because all of the things you mentioned you didn't like happen to be some of my favorite features of the build! I was wanting something unique and definately not stock, I wasn't going for a categorically styled cafe bike- hell if I thought pink spots looked good, that's what I would have done! But I certainly appreciate the classics, when I can afford it I want to restore an all stock Norton or BMW, that will never have a modern taillight I can assure you!

[finchasers]

Nicely done, ZPack.  Your paint turned out fantastic, way better than mine.  You say you did it in the summer and I think that is the key if you don't have a heated paint shop.  Who knows what went wrong with all my layers of bondo and primer and house of Kolor bases and finals... clear coat cracked up a bit.
I put a monster tail light on my CB650 but tucked it up under the seat since I removed the rear fender.  Tucking it helped alleviate the modern look that Ogri didn't care for.
Did you put some green tint on that monster light?  It's great. 

I can't wait to see what you do with the 750.
Good on ya.

[Captainkirk]

Nice! Still have the original exhaust?

[Zpack]

I do still have the original exhaust but it is pretty rotted out. It may be salvagable but it would take a lot of careful tig welding

[Zpack]

  Thanks Finchasers, I'm sorry your paint didn't turn out. I have heard that spraying in the cold is bad, it was about 85 and low humidity when I sprayed. I used all DuPont paint, it was pricey but I didn't want to do it twice.

[Stev-o]

  Thanks for the input Ogri, if I did everything right the first try I wouldn't learn anything! Its funny though because all of the things you mentioned you didn't like happen to be some of my favorite features of the build! I was wanting something unique and definately not stock.

You did nothing wrong, if you like it, that is all that matters!
Although I like these bikes stock, I think your taillight likes good.

[bmarshall]

What type of exhaust is that?

[75cb550 (kyle)]

you cant go wrong if YOU like it... it's not like these are million dollar bikes here. i got mine for $600 running. if you want to put a gumball machine on the back, power to you. not to say i dont love the looks of a factory honda. i plan on having one of each at some point (when i have the time/money to). and it will sit perfectly still next to my rattle can/gangster/rat bike.  sorry to rant a bit... Miller High Life is doing most of the talking.

[Captainkirk]

you cant go wrong if YOU like it... it's not like these are million dollar bikes here. i got mine for $600 running. if you want to put a gumball machine on the back, power to you. not to say i dont love the looks of a factory honda. i plan on having one of each at some point (when i have the time/money to). and it will sit perfectly still next to my rattle can/gangster/rat bike.  sorry to rant a bit... Miller High Life is doing most of the talking.

Ahhh; so he talks to you as well!
I get some of my best work done when we're having a conversation!

[75cb550 (kyle)]

you cant go wrong if YOU like it... it's not like these are million dollar bikes here. i got mine for $600 running. if you want to put a gumball machine on the back, power to you. not to say i dont love the looks of a factory honda. i plan on having one of each at some point (when i have the time/money to). and it will sit perfectly still next to my rattle can/gangster/rat bike.  sorry to rant a bit... Miller High Life is doing most of the talking.

Ahhh; so he talks to you as well!

I get some of my best work done when we're having a conversation!

yeah im saving up for his mini fridge

[Zpack]

  The exhaust started out as a MAC 4to1 from Dennis Kirk, I took off the muffler and brought it in to a muffler shop where a guy charged me $10 or $15 to bend a piece of 2.5" pipe to match the bend of the MAC. After I had that, I welded on a stainless steel exhaust tip-resonator from a diesel truck, welded on the mounting tab, wraped it up and that's how it turned out

[TyMatthews]

  Thanks Ty! Good luck on your build- there is no better way to learn than on the job the mirrors are from Dennis Kirk, only $19!
Here's the link:http://www.denniskirk.com/jsp/product_catalog/Product.jsp%3bjsessionid=A2NAR0DX4KJ2JLA0WTVSM4VMDK0NCIV0?store=null&skuId=392719&mmy=

Only $19?  Done!

[traveler]

Can't see what there is to bash on it....I think the bike looks great.

~Joe

[claes]

looks very nice !