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Author Topic: 1978 CB550K: My second bike, my first project.  (Read 11335 times)

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Offline Beastman

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1978 CB550K: My second bike, my first project.
« on: August 17, 2010, 08:09:11 PM »
Here's the day I bought it.  PO was the original owner.  He had some extras on it for touring.  Brand new wiring harness, good tires, good paint, good chrome, small rust hole in one pipe, runs mint, passed inspection.  Seems to be a good buy at $1000...


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Offline Stev-o

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Re: 1978 CB550K: My second bike, my first project.
« Reply #1 on: August 17, 2010, 08:11:42 PM »
Great deal!  How many miles?
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'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline Beastman

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Re: 1978 CB550K: My second bike, my first project.
« Reply #2 on: August 17, 2010, 08:12:40 PM »
First step was to remove some excess...



More...


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Offline Beastman

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Re: 1978 CB550K: My second bike, my first project.
« Reply #3 on: August 17, 2010, 08:14:12 PM »
Quote from: meriggi on August 17, 2010, 08:11:42 PM
Great deal!  How many miles?

21,635 miles when I bought it.  Rode it 25 miles home, and have been working on it since.
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Offline Stev-o

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Re: 1978 CB550K: My second bike, my first project.
« Reply #4 on: August 17, 2010, 08:28:32 PM »
What are going to do about a rear fender? What other "mods" do you have in mind?
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'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline Beastman

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Re: 1978 CB550K: My second bike, my first project.
« Reply #5 on: August 17, 2010, 08:32:25 PM »
Quote from: meriggi on August 17, 2010, 08:28:32 PM
What are going to do about a rear fender? What other "mods" do you have in mind?

No fender for now.  I'm planning a full tear down/rebuild for the winter.  As for the rest of this summer and autumn, I wanted to give it a mild cafe look.

This seemed kinda cool:



So I made it happen:



New turn signals: Bikemaster "mini stalk" amber bulb with clear lens.  Rears are mounted on the frame.  Fronts had to be shaved down and stuffed into the existing stalks for now.



Mocking up my plate bracket:







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Offline Beastman

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Re: 1978 CB550K: My second bike, my first project.
« Reply #6 on: August 18, 2010, 08:52:40 PM »
Installed clubman bars today.  Having some minor issues with the throttle and clutch cables.  Working on that, rebuilding the master cylinder, and fork seals for now.  The bike will probably look like this until winter...


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Offline Syscrush

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Re: 1978 CB550K: My second bike, my first project.
« Reply #7 on: August 19, 2010, 07:33:37 AM »
Quote from: Beastman on August 18, 2010, 08:52:40 PM
The bike will probably look like this until winter...
Nothing wrong with that!  Looks awesome.
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Life is precious: wear your f'n helmet!
There's nothing more expensive than a free bike...
FWIW, I'm not a shill for Race Tech - I've just got a thing for good suspension and the RTCE's are the most cost-effective mod for these old damping rod front ends.

Offline Beastman

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Re: 1978 CB550K: My second bike, my first project.
« Reply #8 on: August 22, 2010, 06:06:32 PM »
Quote from: Syscrush on August 19, 2010, 07:33:37 AM
Nothing wrong with that!  Looks awesome.

Thanks!!
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Offline Beastman

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Re: 1978 CB550K: My second bike, my first project.
« Reply #9 on: March 30, 2011, 07:41:33 AM »
Figured I'd update since it's been a while.  The bike is ready for spring/summer riding.  Got a new exhaust.  Cleaned the carbs, rejetted, oil+filter.  New Stainless braided front brake lines. 

Still trying to figure out a permanent tail light solution, as this one gets knocked off by the tire.  Also trying to decide if I want to remove the gauges or not.  Here's some pics of progress:




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Offline TMHackCB500

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Re: 1978 CB550K: My second bike, my first project.
« Reply #10 on: March 30, 2011, 12:18:31 PM »
Liking the mild cafe' look right now.

One thing, not sure how picky the cops are by you but I know around my parts(Wisconsin) They'll pull you over if your plate isn't horizontal.  Apparently it's a state law so not sure if it's a valid concern for you or not.
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1982 Yamaha XJ550 Seca, 1977 Kawasaki KE250, 1972 CB500 Four(the newest project and my reason for being here!)

Offline Beastman

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Re: 1978 CB550K: My second bike, my first project.
« Reply #11 on: March 30, 2011, 02:17:16 PM »
Quote from: TMHackCB500 on March 30, 2011, 12:18:31 PM
Liking the mild cafe' look right now.

One thing, not sure how picky the cops are by you but I know around my parts(Wisconsin) They'll pull you over if your plate isn't horizontal.  Apparently it's a state law so not sure if it's a valid concern for you or not.

Thanks.  I didn't want to go too overboard with the full blown cafe look.  I just wanted to clean up the bike, and still be able to ride two-up with the lady.

Not sure how much hassle I'll get from the cops about the plate.  It's supposed to be horozontal here in MA too, and on the left side  ;) only problem is my seat wont open if it's on the left.  I might try to incorporate a bracket into my new tail light idea.
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Offline Beastman

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Re: 1978 CB550K: My second bike, my first project.
« Reply #12 on: April 11, 2011, 06:30:39 AM »
Had my buddy shoot some video of me testing my carb tuning abilities.  Went up to 95 main jets, and moved the needle clip 2 notches richer.  The bike seems to be happy.

TestRuns
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Offline Willy D

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Re: 1978 CB550K: My second bike, my first project.
« Reply #13 on: April 28, 2011, 05:50:55 AM »
That looks really nice. thanks for posting the video, i am considering buying an exhaust like that and it really helps to give some idea of what it sounds like.
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Offline jaydog

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Re: 1978 CB550K: My second bike, my first project.
« Reply #14 on: April 28, 2011, 07:21:43 PM »
Looks nice! What exhaust did you go with? I just bought a 78 550K myself And I am trying to decide what to do with it long term. I am working on some clean up now.
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1978 CB550K
I bought it because it is the same age as me!

Offline Really?

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Re: 1978 CB550K: My second bike, my first project.
« Reply #15 on: May 03, 2011, 10:25:15 AM »
That sounds so right!
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I don't have a motorcycle, sold it ('85 Yamaha Venture Royale).  Haven't had a CB750 for over 40 years.

The Wife's Bike - 750K5
The Kid's Bike - 750K3

Offline Beastman

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Re: 1978 CB550K: My second bike, my first project.
« Reply #16 on: May 03, 2011, 10:34:58 PM »
Quote from: jaydog on April 28, 2011, 07:21:43 PM
Looks nice! What exhaust did you go with? I just bought a 78 550K myself And I am trying to decide what to do with it long term. I am working on some clean up now.

It's a yoshimura replica built by MotoGPwerks.  They are a CA shop that made a limited run for forum members only.  Not sure if any more will be produced.
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Offline hyde7278

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Re: 1978 CB550K: My second bike, my first project.
« Reply #17 on: May 04, 2011, 06:49:35 AM »
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78 CB550 (FOR PARTS)
76 CB550F

Offline DanielB

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Re: 1978 CB550K: My second bike, my first project.
« Reply #18 on: May 04, 2011, 07:21:51 AM »
That sounds so good. Nice work.
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1977 CB550K - Project Thread: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=80164.0

Other toys: 2003 Cobra | 2002 WS6

Offline ajinreno

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Re: 1978 CB550K: My second bike, my first project.
« Reply #19 on: May 04, 2011, 02:41:13 PM »
I just bought his last one! Woohoo!
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Offline cb550inct

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Re: 1978 CB550K: My second bike, my first project.
« Reply #20 on: June 08, 2011, 08:28:56 AM »
I have the exact same bike, i just bought it two weeks ago. I think i found the same exhaust from Lossa engineering He reccommeded using #120 jets on a 550 i will be installing it next week.  Hopefully i will post a video.
Nice Job with you bike
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1978 cb550k
1998 Harley Springer Softail
2004 Harley Heritage Softtail (sold)
2001 Vespa 150 (sold)
1980 Kawasaki Kx 80  (first Bike)

Offline cb550inct

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Re: 1978 CB550K: My second bike, my first project.
« Reply #21 on: June 08, 2011, 08:35:55 AM »
Just couple of other quick questions.

Have you tried mounting turn signals to the fromt headlight bucket.

And did the exhaust give you any trouble on installation...i assume the center stand has to come off
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1978 cb550k
1998 Harley Springer Softail
2004 Harley Heritage Softtail (sold)
2001 Vespa 150 (sold)
1980 Kawasaki Kx 80  (first Bike)

Offline hyde7278

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Re: 1978 CB550K: My second bike, my first project.
« Reply #22 on: June 08, 2011, 11:32:09 AM »
cb550inct

Definitely looks like Lossa is selling the same pipe as Chris was making (chris is prob making them for him) On the one I got from Chris the #2 pipe (from the left sitting on the bike) didn't line up perfectly, I was able to get it with alittle persuasion. I'm in Stratford CT if you need a hand when you are installing it, just PM me.
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78 CB550 (FOR PARTS)
76 CB550F

Offline cb550inct

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Re: 1978 CB550K: My second bike, my first project.
« Reply #23 on: June 09, 2011, 03:53:09 AM »
Thank you Hyde, Ill let you know if I need help. Its been two weeks since i paid Lossa for them and so far all i have is a shipping #, I cant wait to get them. I work at a honda car dealer in torrington and one of the techs here is helping me with the exhaust and carbs
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1978 cb550k
1998 Harley Springer Softail
2004 Harley Heritage Softtail (sold)
2001 Vespa 150 (sold)
1980 Kawasaki Kx 80  (first Bike)

Offline hyde7278

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Re: 1978 CB550K: My second bike, my first project.
« Reply #24 on: June 09, 2011, 07:39:30 PM »
just let me know. A good tip for you is to remove the stock exhaust mounting studs (a tech should have a set of stud removers for this) and replace them with allen head bolts (there 6mm bolts not sure the tread pitch but I think its 1.00)
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78 CB550 (FOR PARTS)
76 CB550F
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