Late last year i got the urge to get back into motorcycles after being out of them for about 18 years. For some strange reason I like old stuff. I guess it goes back to wanting stuff you remember from when you were either too young or couldn't afford at the time. I have a 68 GTO and a 68 Firebird that i restored, and i knew I wanted some kind of old bike. My first road bike was a CL125, not sure of the year, but it the tank was red and white. I rode that bike from the time I was 14 till 16 when i got my first car. I started checking the internet for old Honda's that reminded me of my CL. At first I was looking for a CB750, but then I came across this 76 cb550. The first time i went and looked at it, the seller and I were too far apart on the price. It was not running, the carbs were apart and in a box, so i was looking to buy it at a parts bike price. He was really attached to it, told me a lot of stories about how he used to ride, where he got it, and how much he missed riding but he couldn't as he had some health issues that kept him from riding anymore. I was reminded after watching American Pickers, that sometimes you have to walk away because its not about the money to some people. I left without making an offer that I thought would insult him. About a week later, he called me back and we were able to make a deal.
Here is what it looked like when i got it home and cleaned it up.
