Topic: 1976 cb550F. first bike build! need a project name!

[bruisedlee]

video:
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=972528517998#&ref=notif&notif_t=like

hi guys! new to the forum. here is my 550.

looked pretty much stock to start off with http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y268/lilbucu/ff2ba59d.jpg

the picture is a bit old but here are some specs:
threw this new steve carpy seat on real quick with zip ties to go to a moto meet up. just slapping stuff on until total rebuild in the winter  

1976 cb550 supersport
pod filters
aluminum megaphone muffler
dyna s ignition
tarozzi rear sets
tomaselli clip on handles
mini gauges
bumped up the carb jets
showa rear shocks (not pictured)
kick start only
rust

gonna hide the battery and electronics soon and clean the bike up sorta nice.

would like a tank like this:
http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/6297/79108045.jpg
what is the style called? any links?
that or a norton style tank (match the seat a bit better?)

also just picked this guy up for 400$ in good running condition!


its a 79.  i think its a standard? or is it a custom? i don't really know much about 650s.  can anyone tell me the differences in the frame between a custom and a standard? i wish it looked more like my 550 with straighter lines. is that all a matter of changing tanks and seat? what tanks fit? 550?

my plan is to put on 750 carbs for easier tuning... gotta read up on that because i don't know what year or kind of 750 carbs to look for. will a header and muffler from 1980 CB650 fit on my bike? (MAC).  i will throw little updates on this bike on here too.  its gonna be my "whateva whateva" project.

so many questions.

John

[RM81]

Welcome to the forum.  I like the seat.

The 650 is not a 79.   The tank, seat, and side covers are from 80-82.  I think the single front disc makes it an 80, and the dual front discs were done in 81 & 82.  I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong.  The 79 650 does have straighter lines like your 550.

Here's a link to some pics and specs.
http://www.sohc4.net/index.php?q=content/model-guide

[bruisedlee]

thanks RM81! yeah, i'm coming to realize that this is a 81 cb650.  dunno where on the frame to look for VIN number...   it has these funny front air forks. never played with them.

anyone know what the tach ratio for cb650?

will these electronic tachs work? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Custom-Mini-Electronic-Tachometer-Gauge-Harley-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQitemZ140422147441QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories#ht_1151wt_679

this is exactly what i'm looking for but it is listed for a harley.  i think it hooks up to the coils?

this might help to see if its compatible: http://www.speedwayinstruments.com/uploads/microTach_instructions_tachadapter.pdf

[bruisedlee]

look at what i picked up from ebay.  huge enduro alloy race tank. somoma#$%* is huge!!! it was made for a 750, but will fit with a bit of trimming to the mounts on the bike frame.  its just sitting on there for the pictures. will sit a bit lower once seat is trimmed (or new seat...).






i wanna pick up the roc city alloy seat to match the tank now!!  

old tank and seat are going on to my 650!!

[Flying J]

That is a sick tank! It does look a little big on the 550 but with the right seat i think you can pull it off. What did the tank cost ya?

[brett_bike]

That tank will look sick with the right seat, the Roc City alloy would be a good choice.  I'll be watching your build, should turn out cool.

By the way, would you be interested in selling the old blue tank?

[bruisedlee]

picked up a MAC header and exhaust for the 650!




and if anyone was curious here is what the 4-1 merge collector looks like:

kinda #$%*ty, but i paid 130 for the system.  not bad eh?

the factory exhaust was very badly leaking and rusted.  i'm pretty sure i'll have to rejet.  might as well pick up new carbs as i don't really like the CV ones on there.

[bruisedlee]

That tank will look sick with the right seat, the Roc City alloy would be a good choice.  I'll be watching your build, should turn out cool.

By the way, would you be interested in selling the old blue tank?

thanks!  sorry but the blue tank is going to go on the 650. fits nice too.

[bruisedlee]

That is a sick tank! It does look a little big on the 550 but with the right seat i think you can pull it off. What did the tank cost ya?

thanks, it looks almost comical big. or just exaggerated? either way, i think its looks cool, and it will leave me enough butt room cause i'm a smaller guy.  

the tank was about 350.  plus 150 for shipping from Australia  

[Roach]

Nice 550 build!!

how are the rearsets mounted? can it still kickstart?

thanks stu

keep us posted

[bruisedlee]

Nice 550 build!!

how are the rearsets mounted? can it still kickstart?

thanks stu

keep us posted

thanks.  the tarozzi rear sets are actually the kit made for a cb500 and are NOT a direct bolt on.  the bracket plate are mounted temporarily with just the included U bolt that goes around the frame.  the bracket plate also has a hole for a bolt. i need to weld a tab on the frame to use that hole.  i will wait to do this later as i also want to move the rear sets back a bit. i'll prob end up making custom brackets.  

the kick start works, but i don't have the full range of motion. the kick lever catches the toe lever. the rear set is actually bent a bit inward from my kick starts (its a kick start only bike).  luckily my bike starts easy.  this should be fixed when i move the sets back more.  i don't mind it bent inward so much.  can bend it back if need be.

the rear drum is also set up temporally, as it requires significant grinding to use the stock rear brake mechanism.  hard to explain, but i by passed all that for now by bending the rod and mounting it directly to the rear set.  

will finish the rear set during full bike tear down this winter!

[bruisedlee]

i could also buy this: http://www.fastfromthepast.com/servlet/the-1000/Lever-Arm-Straight/Detail

the ones i have bend outwards. i think this would make the kick lever clear. 

[Roach]

ah ic...

my plans to get the universal ones and put them on my passenger mounts.... only problem im finding is that I have to move my exhaust some how towards the wheel more for there to be clearance.

[rickmoore24]

Yeah!! Sick 550, it's as loud as my 750 with an open 4:1, I like it!

[FrankenFrankenstuff]

[/quote]
what kind of boots are those?

[bruisedlee]

ah ic...

my plans to get the universal ones and put them on my passenger mounts.... only problem im finding is that I have to move my exhaust some how towards the wheel more for there to be clearance.

well #$%*, i think i'm gonna try that too

[bruisedlee]

[img width=600 height=450]http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y268/lilbucu/photo-9.jpg[/g]

what kind of boots are those?
[/quote]

they are gucci boots.  they look like a cross between the alden indy boot with a slightly pointier toe box and a crepe sole like a redwing boot. about 5 old  

[brett_bike]

they are gucci boots.  they look like a cross between the alden indy boot with a slightly pointier toe box and a crepe sole like a redwing boot. about 5 old  
[/quote]

Dang, big baller.  With how much those boost cost, this project should be the top notch.  Either that or you don't have enough moneys left for the build and you need to go budget.

In all seriousness, a good pair of boots is worth their weight in gold.

And in response to you not wanting to sell me the blue tank - booooooooooooooo!!!!  Maybe trade me for my black '77, I want that blue.  It's dead sexy.

[FrankenFrankenstuff]

I want those boots....yeah yeah yeah the bike is cool too.

[FrankenFrankenstuff]

FYI the name of your project bike is now - "cafe racer Caricamenti del sistema del lavoro"  or Stivalone for short.