Author Topic: Olivia's Face lift. 78 CB550 build. (Read 90217 times)

RustyOlive · « **on:** December 31, 2010, 04:02:12 PM »

Well.. I have riden this old girl long and hard.. LOL

actually, I've only had this 78 CB550 for a year now. Took her off the hands of a fellow co-worker for $500. I had planned from the begining to cafe her.. (oh yes.. she has a name.. "Olivia").. but I wanted to enjoy my summer riding and we had great weather that was hard to resist, and I met some really cool people to ride with.. So the build got put off, till now.

I started this week taking her apart. I had planned to do this build in three winter stages. This winter cafe the tail section. make a seat and mod a new swing arm to fit a 18x5.50 rear rim and 180/55/18 tire. yes.. Olivia is getting a booty! If I still have time. I may put another 550 engine in while I try this 650 cam idea in this engine. but I like to find more info and time before attempting that.

The next winter I want to install GSXR front end, swap out for a super sport tank.. and finalize any other pressing mods.. the following winter I want to set asside for a complete tear down, paint, spit polish and lick clean if I have too..

for now.. chapter one...

RustyOlive · « **Reply #1 on:** December 31, 2010, 04:04:39 PM »

oh yeah.. some photos would be good i guess.. LOL.

and maybe a lil I made last summer..

[youtube=425,350][/youtube]

RustyOlive · « **Reply #2 on:** December 31, 2010, 04:10:07 PM »

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #3 on:** December 31, 2010, 04:16:39 PM »

Love the vid mate....

Mick

RustyOlive · « **Reply #4 on:** December 31, 2010, 04:28:17 PM »

RustyOlive · « **Reply #5 on:** December 31, 2010, 04:29:38 PM »

the imposter · « **Reply #6 on:** December 31, 2010, 04:49:30 PM »

awesome video- i just bought a 75 cb550 and i cant wait to make a video of my own. happy riding

brandEn · « **Reply #7 on:** December 31, 2010, 04:59:15 PM »

Thats a nice video, what band is that playing? Good blue's rock vibe going on there.

RustyOlive · « **Reply #8 on:** December 31, 2010, 05:06:29 PM »

thank you gents..
the song is "keep Me" from the Black Keys.

brandEn · « **Reply #9 on:** December 31, 2010, 07:23:42 PM »

Thanks for the info. They are pretty amazing and only 2 members. drums and guitar. Wow. Gonna get one of there CD's.

Quote from: RustyOlive on December 31, 2010, 05:06:29 PM

thank you gents..
the song is "keep Me" from the Black Keys.

RustyOlive · « **Reply #10 on:** December 31, 2010, 07:42:04 PM »

i'm a big fan of the "Rubber Factory" Album.. ;-)
and the new album that just came out a few months ago is really good too.. hell..all of them are good. HAHAHAHA

b82ta · « **Reply #11 on:** January 01, 2011, 10:42:16 PM »

looks like you're finally makin some progress! 'bout freakin time... GET SOME PICS OF THAT RIM UP!!! I wanna see that beast!

RustyOlive · « **Reply #12 on:** January 01, 2011, 10:58:33 PM »

you always did like my rear rim adam... HAHAHAHHAAHAHA
it time sir.. it's coming soon... i hope.... lol

DanielB · « **Reply #13 on:** January 02, 2011, 06:18:38 PM »

AWESOME video and GREAT pictures! Very cool.

What kind of tires (and size) are those you are running?

kerryb · « **Reply #14 on:** January 02, 2011, 08:02:48 PM »

Great video, good tunes too.

Are you planning a swing arm swap, or modify the stock one? 180 seems like a lot of tire.

RustyOlive · « **Reply #15 on:** January 02, 2011, 08:37:18 PM »

@Daniel, I am/was running Metzeler Lasertec tires.
130/80/18 rear. of the top of my head. the front is 100/30/19.. might be wrong.. I'll check when I'm out in the garage again.

@Kerryb,
180 rear is a big tire.. but thats the plan i'm going for. I was going to put gsxr wheels on the bike. But decided to go with spokes instead of mag.(keep a little vintage flare) Plus I want to keep it a 18" rear. So I have a 18x5.50 rim, nipples and spokes orderd from Buchanan's. And off set drives from Cycle X.
The Ducati Sport Classic is my inspiration, along with Squirley's cafe http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=34836.0

The plan so far is to build a swing arm. much like this one >

DanielB · « **Reply #16 on:** January 02, 2011, 09:43:09 PM »

Quote from: RustyOlive on January 02, 2011, 08:37:18 PM

@Daniel, I am/was running Metzeler Lasertec tires.
130/80/18 rear. of the top of my head. the front is 100/30/19.. might be wrong.. I'll check when I'm out in the garage again.

Stock wheels also?

RustyOlive · « **Reply #17 on:** January 02, 2011, 09:53:31 PM »

Quote from: DanielB on January 02, 2011, 09:43:09 PM

Quote from: RustyOlive on January 02, 2011, 08:37:18 PM
@Daniel, I am/was running Metzeler Lasertec tires.
130/80/18 rear. of the top of my head. the front is 100/30/19.. might be wrong.. I'll check when I'm out in the garage again.

Stock wheels also?

yes sir.

cwchan · « **Reply #18 on:** January 03, 2011, 09:01:31 AM »

If you're going to get rid of some parts i might be interested. I have a 78 550k as well and i'm not too far away from you. Do you plan on doing under seat electrics and clear out the "triangle"?

RustyOlive · « **Reply #19 on:** January 03, 2011, 09:28:45 AM »

hey cwchan.
I not sure yet. I freind of mine has a 550 as well. and needs parts. I told him he can first dibs.
I have a few other extra parts from anoter bike.. Is there anythg in particular you are looking for? might have it.

yes. the plan is to tuck everything up under the seat. picking up a gel batt thats half the size of the original.

tweakin · « **Reply #20 on:** January 03, 2011, 11:09:54 AM »

Now thats the way to do a video, with great music also! Keep it up.

RustyOlive · « **Reply #21 on:** January 03, 2011, 12:47:02 PM »

thank you tweakin... I already can't wait to get this bike finished.. and do an all new and better video.. HAHAHAHA

RustyOlive · « **Reply #22 on:** January 03, 2011, 07:00:12 PM »

had an hour to kill tonight.. so I took out the grinder and got to some cutt'n.

RustyOlive · « **Reply #23 on:** January 03, 2011, 07:00:39 PM »

RustyOlive · « **Reply #24 on:** January 03, 2011, 07:03:26 PM »

chopped a little off the end.

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Author Topic: Olivia's Face lift. 78 CB550 build. (Read 90217 times)