Author Topic: new member looking for advice on do's and dont's (Read 7760 times)

cb550inct · « **on:** June 06, 2011, 03:20:02 PM »

Hi there, new to the group. I just bought a 1978 CB550 and i am starting to do some work on my bike and was looking for input. I really wanted a CB750 but after loosing 6 auctions on eBay and watching them go for 3k plus, I found a nice 550

I plan on turning this bike into a cafe racer (like everyone else here) and i recently bought some parts. I bought an exhaust from Lossa Engineering (Yoshi replica) new jets and his version of clubman bars.

I am reformed Harley rider, and love the classic styling of the Honda
Cb's, but i don't want to get carried away. I am looking for guidance on a couple of items.

1. Powder coat the frame, or just touch up
2. Paint the tins of keep the classic 70's look
3. tires , modern or classic
4. cafe seat, cut the frame or look for a bolt on.

I attached a picture of the bike in its current state.

jacquesleclochard · « **Reply #1 on:** June 06, 2011, 03:30:09 PM »

Welcome, and nice bike. It's gorgeous. I'd powdercoat it, keep the classic look (I like the paintsceme!), keep the tires classic, and not cut the frame. Just, don't do anything with it! LOL.

If you'd like a project to cut 'n grind, you should do so with a bike that's in a lesser state than this find. Good one!

dhall57 · « **Reply #2 on:** June 06, 2011, 05:08:49 PM »

My opinion, everybodies got one you know. Do the basics- oil change, tune up, brakes, tires if needed. Just check it over good and ride it ride it and than ride it some more. Good looking stock CB550, don't change anything and enjoy.

Leanier · « **Reply #3 on:** June 06, 2011, 05:32:51 PM »

Keep it as it is. Thats a great looking bike! If you want something to modify I'd fix that up sell it, and get a much lesser condition one. The comments you get with a great looking stock honda is a great feeling.

BobbyR · « **Reply #4 on:** June 06, 2011, 05:55:35 PM »

It would truly be a crying shame to take such a beautiful and all original bike like that and strip it down and cafe. Make this one the best it can be and find and old beater and make it a fine Cafe.

cookindaddy · « **Reply #5 on:** June 06, 2011, 06:00:06 PM »

What a nice bike!
Buy a piece of crap to make a cafe.
You have something very nice there.

OldSchool_IsCool · « **Reply #6 on:** June 06, 2011, 06:33:54 PM »

It's your bike, do with it as you choose. Cutting that bike tho would only decrease it's value.

If you do cafe it, all I have to say is:

DIBS ON THE PIPES!!!!

Johnie · « **Reply #7 on:** June 06, 2011, 06:39:47 PM »

Gosh...I blew that picture up and I am not sure if you realize what a gem you have there. Purely OEM and beautiful at that. You will be the envy of many as you ride around town. That bike you bought is worth more in the OEM condition it is in rather than chop it up. I agree...if you want a cafe buy a fixer upper for pennies and do with it what you feel. Great looker there...

Bankerdanny · « **Reply #8 on:** June 06, 2011, 06:46:49 PM »

I watched this bike.you did indeed get a gem. I'm in the keep it stock school. My own bike was in similar shape, which was why I bought it. But it's your bike, do what you want. the pipes have serious value.

MoMo · « **Reply #9 on:** June 06, 2011, 06:56:32 PM »

Welcome and another vote to keep it stock. It would be almost criminal to cut that beauty up. My .02...Larry

Deltarider · « **Reply #10 on:** June 06, 2011, 11:43:22 PM »

It's a 550K4, the last model of the 500/550 series. Keep it that way and it will be in a museum one day. For a better riding position you may swap the handlebars for eurostyle bars though.

skamagedon · « **Reply #11 on:** June 06, 2011, 11:47:32 PM »

Quote from: OldSchool_IsCool on June 06, 2011, 06:33:54 PM

It's your bike, do with it as you choose. Cutting that bike tho would only decrease it's value.

If you do cafe it, all I have to say is:

DIBS ON THE PIPES!!!!

lol

TwoTired · « **Reply #12 on:** June 07, 2011, 12:21:51 AM »

You are going to take a 33 year old museum quality survivor and hack it up into a cafe?

Ouch.

dave500 · « **Reply #13 on:** June 07, 2011, 12:41:35 AM »

each to their own and its your bike,,but im with the save it as it is thoughts,,surley a lesser condition bike could be found to murder?or a partially finished project?but not that one,too many have been bastardised and never returned to their former glory,you could flip this for a good earn and have more dough for cafe stuff maybe.

davesee · « **Reply #14 on:** June 07, 2011, 03:07:45 AM »

tell you what, we'll trade and you can cut mine up!

beauty.

Stev-o · « **Reply #15 on:** June 07, 2011, 03:47:19 AM »

Restore it! As said before, that bike is in far too good of condition to cut up.

And FYI - not everyone on this forum is building a cafe bike.

cb550inct · « **Reply #16 on:** June 07, 2011, 04:17:36 AM »

Thank you for all the input, you guys are saving me allot of money. I think my plan of a couple of quick fixes to make this a very enjoyable daily rider. The exhaust has several holes in it i would probably keep it just to restore the bike to its original condition.

I am adding clubman bars and I plan on looking for a bolt on cafe seat, so far the best one I found is on Benji's cafe racer bolts right to the frame no cutting. I could mount rear turn signals to the grab bar mounts. Ill keep the paint original, its growing on me. The last since the exhaust is full of holes ill put the new Yoshi replica exhaust on and re jet with #120. Don't worry everything will be in a box to convert this back to stock.

So I'm sure my wife doesn't like this, but i will look for a beater 750 and carve it up.

cb550inct · « **Reply #17 on:** June 07, 2011, 04:38:08 AM »

I think this is my goal, If you look closely, the front turn signal mounts are still attached and the frame is intact. This bike has the the bolt on seat from benjis

flopshot · « **Reply #18 on:** June 07, 2011, 05:41:56 AM »

ditto on leaving it alone. ever try to find a 69 Camaro that hasn't been chopped up into a crap azzed drag car ?
that's a nice bike there and there are plenty out there that are beyond hope for restoration and at a lower cost.
enjoy what you've found.

canibeyou2 · « **Reply #19 on:** June 09, 2011, 09:43:21 PM »

well, it's been three days now. what have you done to it so far? i have the feeling that you are not leaving it stock. as they say, 'it's your bike'. have fun with it.

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #20 on:** June 09, 2011, 10:51:52 PM »

Quote from: Stev-o on June 07, 2011, 03:47:19 AM

Restore it! As said before, that bike is in far too good of condition to cut up.

And FYI - not everyone on this forum is building a cafe bike.

Yep, far more stockers here than cafe's, actually, i can't wait for the cafe fad to die, they are like arseholes, everyone has one, and they mostly end up on fee bay within months. I see a future with very few good frames and plenty of spare engines.

cb550inct · « **Reply #21 on:** June 10, 2011, 04:18:47 AM »

My new exhaust has been shipped(the original is full of holes and i probably will sell it, I don't have the time or patience to fix it. The Clubman bars should be here today. So I will not cut the frame, keep it simple something fun to drive everyday, And to all the people who say leave it completely alone think about this the motorcycle industry is based on upgrades and personalization, Harley, triumph,Honda,BMW,and ducatti would not make a dime if people did not personalize their bikes, I did not buy this bike to turn a profit or to donate the bike to a museum. I bought it because i have been selling Honda cars for years, love their products, and i love to ride.

pat english · « **Reply #22 on:** June 10, 2011, 04:55:05 AM »

this is funny..you asked for advice then kinda said youre guna do it youre way....(and thats how it should be anyways).chop that #$%* up and sell the parts you dont need..you end out with a bike you like and might get back the money you paid for it.end out with a free bike...

Spanner 1 · « **Reply #23 on:** June 10, 2011, 06:52:35 AM »

The statement 'dont have the time or patience to fix it 'is very telling

and not a good omen, don't think we'll ever see the finished product on this bike ....... IMO.

cookindaddy · « **Reply #24 on:** June 10, 2011, 07:14:24 AM »

spanner - I think he is talking about the original muffler when he says "don't have time or patience". I don't blame him for that, I don't think that you can do any kind of a fix on a rusted out pipe.

Cut the guy some slack, he did ask for advice, he got some and he now has a plan that suits him.

We all had to start somewhere. Isn't it great to have a lot of old opinionated farts (myself included) to bounce ideas off?

cb550inct - Welcome and good luck with your project. Post some pictures as you go along. We'll be glad to offer free advice!

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Author Topic: new member looking for advice on do's and dont's (Read 7760 times)

pat english