Author Topic: 1975 CB550F - Giving her some love  (Read 8797 times)

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Offline calj737

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Re: 1975 CB550F - Giving her some love
« Reply #25 on: September 29, 2014, 01:04:45 PM »
Either learn to do these thing (plenty of threads and YouTubes) or pay a shop. Makes absolutely no sense to risk safety for sake of "don't know how".
'74 550 Build http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=126401.0
'73 500 Build http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132935.0

"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of it's victim may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated, but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." - C.S. Lewis

Offline fuzzystyle

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Re: 1975 CB550F - Giving her some love
« Reply #26 on: September 29, 2014, 01:47:16 PM »
Completely agree with that, calj737. Safety is utmost priority. Want to thank you for letting me know about that JIS bit type too, I have seen them before but knowing what they are called is a big help.

I've been thinking about what to do with the wheels for a while now and haven't decided yet if I want them respoked or to replace them with forged rims and keep old ones as backups. I do like the look of the 750 rims

I feel they would hold a polish nice.
Going to start the process of finding parts and looking into rim fitments. If i end up deciding to respoke I will probably just build a new set, cause current rim chrome has some rust and pitting.
« Last Edit: September 29, 2014, 03:06:56 PM by fuzzystyle »

Offline goldarrow

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Re: 1975 CB550F - Giving her some love
« Reply #27 on: September 29, 2014, 02:01:41 PM »
Later 650 and 750 bikes come with comstar wheels.  Read up to see which one require less mods to fit earlier bikes
Life Is Full Of Challenges - And My Backyard Is Full Of SOHC4's

CB550 K0
CB750 K0, K2, K23 JDM, K45, K5
And the little ones z50r, xr50r, st90


750k5 http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=114817.0

Offline fuzzystyle

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Re: 1975 CB550F - Giving her some love
« Reply #28 on: October 14, 2014, 04:39:52 PM »
So I've been looking at eliminating the gap between the seat and tank so I figured why not get a new tank. I found one for 110 bucks shipped on ebay that was listed for a 77 550k. People on forums said it was a 78 750k which I believe cause of how wide/girthy. Anyways I just got it and started checking fitment to see what I got myself into and here we go.





I like the look of it, it's funny because my old tank is too short and this one is too long. So next up will look at see if I can move the seat back an inch or so and see how it all fits up, the front tank mounts work fine after grinding off half an inch off the pegs, but the rear rubber mount doesnt line up so might need some fabrication there.

So I am at crossroads of throwing some bondo to fill dents in old tank and bringing the seat forward or using this beast of a tank and moving seat back a little bit. I love the look of this tank and know if I painted it up right with side covers would look sweet. I might be able to get side panels to sit farther back a bit to try and fit more flush with end of tank.

Love it? Hate it? lemme know!
« Last Edit: October 14, 2014, 05:12:03 PM by fuzzystyle »

Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: 1975 CB550F - Giving her some love
« Reply #29 on: October 14, 2014, 05:44:08 PM »
I'm not the hugest fan of the bulbous 750K7-K8 tanks.
1975 CB550K1 "Blue" Stockish Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=135005.0)
1975 CB550F1 frame/CB650 engine hybrid "The Hot Mess" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,150220.0.html)
2008 Triumph Thruxton (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,190956.0.html)
2014 MV Agusta Brutale Dragster 800
2015 Yamaha FZ-09 (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,186861.0.html)

"There are some things nobody needs in this world, and a bright-red, hunch-back, warp-speed 900cc cafe racer is one of them — but I want one anyway, and on some days I actually believe I need one.... Being shot out of a cannon will always be better than being squeezed out of a tube. That is why God made fast motorcycles, Bubba." Hunter S. Thompson, Song of the Sausage Creature, Cycle World, March 1995.  (http://www.latexnet.org/~csmith/sausage.html and https://magazine.cycleworld.com/article/1995/3/1/song-of-the-sausage-creature)

Sold/Emeritus
1973 CB750K2 "Bionic Mongrel" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132734.0) - Sold
1977 CB750K7 "Nine Lives" Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=50490.0) - Sold
2005 RVT1000RR RC51-SP2 "El Diablo" - Sold
2016+ Triumph Thruxton 1200 R (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,170198.0.html) - Sold

Offline goldarrow

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Re: 1975 CB550F - Giving her some love
« Reply #30 on: October 14, 2014, 05:47:54 PM »
I think it goes well with your username fuzzystyle ;)

What makes a bike look nice is cleanliness and good paint
Life Is Full Of Challenges - And My Backyard Is Full Of SOHC4's

CB550 K0
CB750 K0, K2, K23 JDM, K45, K5
And the little ones z50r, xr50r, st90


750k5 http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=114817.0

Offline Stev-o

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Re: 1975 CB550F - Giving her some love
« Reply #31 on: October 14, 2014, 06:05:04 PM »
I'm thinking it's a no-go, it doesn't fit and looks odd.  I kinda like the K7 tank, I have one, but it's on my K7. 
If you had a gap before, you might have the wrong seat?
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline fuzzystyle

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Re: 1975 CB550F - Giving her some love
« Reply #32 on: October 14, 2014, 06:24:55 PM »
Previous owner put the brown tank on which he said was from a 74 something (450-550?) and that was why he said seat gap was there. I bought this tank cause I like the way it looks and the inside is super clean of rust. Getting it on the bike wasnt too difficult, but I do agree it looks a little odd but I feel the same way about the old tank. Out of the two I like the look of the new tank more but it kind of depends what I have to do to get it working.
Either way I am hunting for project bikes so they both will find good homes.

My "plan" when I saw this tank was to sand it down and polish the elevated top part/lid flap to be very shiny give it a chromelike stripe down the top, then hit the side panels, sides of the tank and head light bucket a candy paint job.
As far as the seat I definitely will be getting it reupholstered because neighbor's cats puts some holes in it, I just want to have the fitment sorted before going that path, because depending on the color of the seat that will affect my paint color choice.
On a side note, as far as the seat this bike won't be cafe/bobber style because I like having option of carrying a passenger. That will be my next bike which hopefully can find a nice cheap 750 for. My plan for the seat is to get some super thick leather in a style similiar to how it is now but in either black or brown (if I go for brown seat might do dark green paint)

Edit: Oh and as far as the seat I haven't seen any other sohc's with this exact seat so it is very possible to be the wrong one or reupholstered at one point. It has grown on me thou and is super comfortable.

Anyways I tend to babble, but this project thread is helping me decide the direction the bike will take and appreciate all your feedback
« Last Edit: October 14, 2014, 06:34:13 PM by fuzzystyle »

Offline kjs

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Re: 1975 CB550F - Giving her some love
« Reply #33 on: October 15, 2014, 09:05:35 AM »
Do you have any pictures of how you mounted the taillight? I like it.

Offline fuzzystyle

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Re: 1975 CB550F - Giving her some love
« Reply #34 on: October 15, 2014, 10:19:44 AM »
Do you have any pictures of how you mounted the taillight? I like it.
Thanks, I didn't want to drill holes in the fender and really like the lucas tail light DCC had so I just drilled the holes in the tail light assembly a little bit bigger/wider apart so that I could use the original taillight mount holes.  The holes were close but about a half inch or less too close together so just needed a little room. Then it was just bending the seat pan to have a dent to clear so the seat would close.



Those two bolts hold it all together, but had to put them in first then assemble tailight after it was mounted.
It may not be pretty and requires drilling holes in license plate
I also had to cut a v shaped notch out of top of license plate to get it sit so close to tail light
« Last Edit: October 15, 2014, 10:59:53 AM by fuzzystyle »

Offline fuzzystyle

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Re: 1975 CB550F - Giving her some love
« Reply #35 on: October 23, 2014, 10:15:11 PM »
After a lot of thought committed to the 750k tank

new tank has a gas vent hose so will just replace hose with stainless steel sleeved hose and outlet below airfilter housing, I can't think of a better place for it

A few drilled holes and some hammering and seat pan sitting further back, investigating modern foams and thinking of final shape, I kind of like the shape of seat pan.
also hit the tank with some paint remover, still needs some sanding paint/rust. just waiting on air compressor tank and will try my hand at painting with some candy/pearl in the clearcoat

not pictured is the royal gold and blue pearl
Going to be doing some test painting on other objects for basecoat with safety yellow alkyd enamel but might just spring for some automotive paint if it doesnt cure strong within a week
« Last Edit: October 23, 2014, 10:45:13 PM by fuzzystyle »

Offline Stev-o

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Re: 1975 CB550F - Giving her some love
« Reply #36 on: October 24, 2014, 03:35:34 AM »
That hose is not for a vent, it is for a drain for the area below the flip top if you spill fuel when pumping gas.
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline calj737

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Re: 1975 CB550F - Giving her some love
« Reply #37 on: October 24, 2014, 04:21:24 AM »
That enamel may not prove to be fuel resistant enough for use on a gas tank. Bear that in mind... Also, if you are painting a heavy flake, orientation of the part when applied can effect the outcome.

Just an FYI-
'74 550 Build http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=126401.0
'73 500 Build http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132935.0

"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of it's victim may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated, but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." - C.S. Lewis

Offline fuzzystyle

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Re: 1975 CB550F - Giving her some love
« Reply #38 on: November 20, 2014, 01:10:42 PM »
So things are getting weird, just the way I like it!
Did a pretty ghetto job but I like the way it came out. Hunting around for some replacement seat chrome strips but my only source at the moment wants like 24 bucks each.




I am waiting until I get all the rust out of the tank before painting, I soaked it with phosphoric acid but it immediately flash rusts pretty badly, so that is my current battle. Got my hands on industrial air pump and also bought a hair drier, hopefully that will help with the flash rusting. Even atomizing oil into the tank would end up rusting quickly. Livin and learning!

Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: 1975 CB550F - Giving her some love
« Reply #39 on: November 20, 2014, 08:24:19 PM »
Mooooo!
1975 CB550K1 "Blue" Stockish Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=135005.0)
1975 CB550F1 frame/CB650 engine hybrid "The Hot Mess" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,150220.0.html)
2008 Triumph Thruxton (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,190956.0.html)
2014 MV Agusta Brutale Dragster 800
2015 Yamaha FZ-09 (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,186861.0.html)

"There are some things nobody needs in this world, and a bright-red, hunch-back, warp-speed 900cc cafe racer is one of them — but I want one anyway, and on some days I actually believe I need one.... Being shot out of a cannon will always be better than being squeezed out of a tube. That is why God made fast motorcycles, Bubba." Hunter S. Thompson, Song of the Sausage Creature, Cycle World, March 1995.  (http://www.latexnet.org/~csmith/sausage.html and https://magazine.cycleworld.com/article/1995/3/1/song-of-the-sausage-creature)

Sold/Emeritus
1973 CB750K2 "Bionic Mongrel" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132734.0) - Sold
1977 CB750K7 "Nine Lives" Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=50490.0) - Sold
2005 RVT1000RR RC51-SP2 "El Diablo" - Sold
2016+ Triumph Thruxton 1200 R (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,170198.0.html) - Sold

Offline calj737

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Re: 1975 CB550F - Giving her some love
« Reply #40 on: November 21, 2014, 07:24:05 AM »
Pour a gallon of Denatured Alcohol into the tank immediately, and slosh around vigorously, even underside of the top. It will evaporate all moisture and then dehydrate the surfaces and itself leave no moisture behind whatsoever.
'74 550 Build http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=126401.0
'73 500 Build http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132935.0

"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of it's victim may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated, but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." - C.S. Lewis

Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: 1975 CB550F - Giving her some love
« Reply #41 on: November 21, 2014, 08:01:52 AM »
Pour a gallon of Denatured Alcohol into the tank immediately, and slosh around vigorously, even underside of the top. It will evaporate all moisture and then dehydrate the surfaces and itself leave no moisture behind whatsoever.
Great tip. I'd follow up after cleaning the tank by coating it with Caswell's epoxy.
1975 CB550K1 "Blue" Stockish Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=135005.0)
1975 CB550F1 frame/CB650 engine hybrid "The Hot Mess" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,150220.0.html)
2008 Triumph Thruxton (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,190956.0.html)
2014 MV Agusta Brutale Dragster 800
2015 Yamaha FZ-09 (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,186861.0.html)

"There are some things nobody needs in this world, and a bright-red, hunch-back, warp-speed 900cc cafe racer is one of them — but I want one anyway, and on some days I actually believe I need one.... Being shot out of a cannon will always be better than being squeezed out of a tube. That is why God made fast motorcycles, Bubba." Hunter S. Thompson, Song of the Sausage Creature, Cycle World, March 1995.  (http://www.latexnet.org/~csmith/sausage.html and https://magazine.cycleworld.com/article/1995/3/1/song-of-the-sausage-creature)

Sold/Emeritus
1973 CB750K2 "Bionic Mongrel" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132734.0) - Sold
1977 CB750K7 "Nine Lives" Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=50490.0) - Sold
2005 RVT1000RR RC51-SP2 "El Diablo" - Sold
2016+ Triumph Thruxton 1200 R (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,170198.0.html) - Sold

Offline Bankerdanny

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Re: 1975 CB550F - Giving her some love
« Reply #42 on: November 21, 2014, 08:19:07 AM »
I'm not a fan of coating a tank with no known leaks. It doesn't help and if done wrong, which is easy, it will cause problems.

After the alcohol rinse pour in some Marvel Mystery Oil and turn the tank this way and that to coat the inside to protect from rust. You won't need to remove it later, just fuel up as usual, the MMO won't cause any problems as it mixes with the gas and burns off.
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Current: '76 CB750F. Previous:  '75 CB550F, 2007 Yamaha Vino 125 Scooter, '75 Harley FXE Superglide, '77 GL1000, '77 CB550k, '68 Suzuki K10 80, '68 Yamaha YR2, '69 BMW R69S, '71 Honda SL175, '02 Royal Enfield Bullet 500, '89 Yamaha FJ1200

Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: 1975 CB550F - Giving her some love
« Reply #43 on: November 21, 2014, 09:01:08 AM »
I'm not a fan of coating a tank with no known leaks. It doesn't help and if done wrong, which is easy, it will cause problems.

After the alcohol rinse pour in some Marvel Mystery Oil and turn the tank this way and that to coat the inside to protect from rust. You won't need to remove it later, just fuel up as usual, the MMO won't cause any problems as it mixes with the gas and burns off.

Danny,

FYI - coating the tank with Caswell epoxy does actually help (serve a useful purpose) -- it prevents rust.  Unlike other tank coatings, I have not heard of any Caswell failures.  I HAVE had other linings fail and clog my carburetors, but never Caswell.  Just my $0.02.  I realize it's not for everyone.  I didn't apply it to my 550 tank before painting so I have a little bit of flash rust (immersed in gasoline).  I plan to rectify that this winter.
1975 CB550K1 "Blue" Stockish Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=135005.0)
1975 CB550F1 frame/CB650 engine hybrid "The Hot Mess" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,150220.0.html)
2008 Triumph Thruxton (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,190956.0.html)
2014 MV Agusta Brutale Dragster 800
2015 Yamaha FZ-09 (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,186861.0.html)

"There are some things nobody needs in this world, and a bright-red, hunch-back, warp-speed 900cc cafe racer is one of them — but I want one anyway, and on some days I actually believe I need one.... Being shot out of a cannon will always be better than being squeezed out of a tube. That is why God made fast motorcycles, Bubba." Hunter S. Thompson, Song of the Sausage Creature, Cycle World, March 1995.  (http://www.latexnet.org/~csmith/sausage.html and https://magazine.cycleworld.com/article/1995/3/1/song-of-the-sausage-creature)

Sold/Emeritus
1973 CB750K2 "Bionic Mongrel" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132734.0) - Sold
1977 CB750K7 "Nine Lives" Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=50490.0) - Sold
2005 RVT1000RR RC51-SP2 "El Diablo" - Sold
2016+ Triumph Thruxton 1200 R (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,170198.0.html) - Sold

Offline fuzzystyle

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Re: 1975 CB550F - Giving her some love
« Reply #44 on: November 27, 2014, 03:47:49 PM »
Thanks for tips! Denatured alcohol worked awesome. Happy with how seat came out, primed a few pieces but it tough with airbrush

« Last Edit: November 27, 2014, 03:51:52 PM by fuzzystyle »

Offline seanbarney41

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Re: 1975 CB550F - Giving her some love
« Reply #45 on: November 27, 2014, 06:13:02 PM »
That seat is so #$%*ing hideous that I kinda like it. :D
If it works good, it looks good...

Offline fuzzystyle

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Re: 1975 CB550F - Giving her some love
« Reply #46 on: November 27, 2014, 06:16:48 PM »
That seat is so #$%*ing hideous that I kinda like it. :D
Lol thanks Sean, exactly what I was going for

Offline fuzzystyle

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Re: 1975 CB550F - Giving her some love
« Reply #47 on: January 08, 2015, 03:08:27 PM »
So technically these are DOHC but figured I'd share anyways.
Look what I found!!

1980 CB750F with engine
1982 CB750F without engine.

And of course my run-around-town 1975 CB550F

I figure one with engine will tuned/geared for highway crusing, and the one without engine I may and try get a big bore 750, or some crazy powerful engine  and run velocity stacks and drag exhaust and racing carbs. What do you think?
« Last Edit: January 08, 2015, 03:11:03 PM by fuzzystyle »

Offline fuzzystyle

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update! magneto maybe?
« Reply #48 on: July 27, 2016, 11:57:25 PM »
found a magneto on ebay for 50 bucks, didn't know it was such a common part, anyone have experience with? it looks lighter then stock rotor.
Here some pics of her, been too distracted give her proper paint




« Last Edit: July 28, 2016, 02:17:29 PM by fuzzystyle »