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Author Topic: 1976 CB550, The Brother Build  (Read 1928 times)

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Offline cb360j

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1976 CB550, The Brother Build
« on: March 27, 2019, 02:38:18 pm »
Yo, been on here lurking for a while. I have been a poster on Honda Twins, and Do The Ton for quite some time, but now that I have a major 4 cylinder project I figured I'd join up here.

I happened to be talking to my boss at work about my current CB360 build, and one of the engineers that I haven't talked to much popped his head in and mentioned how he had two CB550's. I asked more, and he said one was currently running and he rode it, but the other was a titled parts bike.
As a glutton for punishment I inquired more, then he told me if I came to get it, I could have it for free. He said he just wanted it out of his garage after 15 years, that he wanted the garage space back.

So last weekend I went and picked it up. Under the dust, the frame is actually still glossy and nice. The engine covers are fairly shiny, which means they will clean up super nicely. Inside of the tank is pristine, and the patina is utter perfection. It even has the original Honda key which I am super excited to see.
The plan is to get it up and running, no full restoration, definitely new wiring harness from Sparck Moto for sure, lots of elbow grease and cleaning and let it be an extra bike that one of my brothers can ride whenever they want. I get lonely riding by myself.


He said the parts that are taken, other than the obvious,that the carbs were swapped for a set off of a cb500. Does anyone know how I can tell if these will work for a cb550, or to ensure if they are in fact cb500 carbs?
I will post more pictures this coming weekend when I get my hands really into it. Thank you in advance
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Offline SF

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Re: 1976 CB550, The Brother Build
« Reply #1 on: March 27, 2019, 03:28:00 pm »
So you only got the parts bike? Looks like a great start my man!


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92 wr250 sold
98 zx6r sold
04 zx10r
73 cb350 twin
75 cb550f
75 cb550f
72 r5c
rgid springer bobber project

Offline calj737

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Re: 1976 CB550, The Brother Build
« Reply #2 on: March 27, 2019, 04:52:37 pm »
500 carbs will work fine on a 550. Changes to your induction and exhaust will effect them more.
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'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 cb360j

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Re: 1976 CB550, The Brother Build
« Reply #3 on: March 28, 2019, 04:19:25 am »
Yep only got the parts bike!

Thank you, I was wondering if they would work, as they seem to fit just fine in the intake boots.
My only concern thus far, is that just using my hand I can turn the engine over with the kickstarter and that is with spark plugs in. Will test the compression, but it would be nice not to have to take the top end apart for rings and a hone.... But that preventative maintenance may be worth it in the long run
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Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: 1976 CB550, The Brother Build
« Reply #4 on: March 28, 2019, 11:54:58 am »
Looks like you scored.  For a parts bike, that looks close to complete.
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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
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Offline przjohn

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Re: 1976 CB550, The Brother Build
« Reply #5 on: March 29, 2019, 05:38:08 am »
That's a great deal, best of luck with your project.
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Offline Gurp

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Re: 1976 CB550, The Brother Build
« Reply #6 on: March 29, 2019, 11:45:18 am »
Parts bike? Man thats nicer than alot of bikes I've had. Lol.
Congrats on a good score!
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slow Progress 74 cb550.

Poor boy chop 73 CB500 chop

Future project 77 Cb750 Amen Savior

Offline Bankerdanny

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Re: 1976 CB550, The Brother Build
« Reply #7 on: March 29, 2019, 11:57:38 am »
Nice. I have a correct OEM seat that is in very good shape (no rips and ready to install) that I would be willing to part with (time to thin the parts collection).
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"The problem with quotes on the Internet is that you never know if they're true" - Abraham Lincoln

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 cb360j

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Re: 1976 CB550, The Brother Build
« Reply #8 on: April 01, 2019, 07:10:46 am »
Thank you for the offer, I may take you up on it.
The one thing I don't like about the stock seats on these is how they fit. I don;t like how they look raised around the rear fender, though i know it is only for clearance of the rear fender, I think its ugly. I don't want to cut the frame, as it is a little to nice for it, and I am not sure my skills are up to the task of making a custom seat pan to match the lines of the frame with the fender installed while still utilizing the hinge and stock mounting pieces (though this may be the only option and time to learn a new skill).

Anyone have any ideas? Do Texavina seats fit any better?
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Offline cb360j

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Re: 1976 CB550, The Brother Build
« Reply #9 on: April 02, 2019, 08:19:57 am »
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Offline SF

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Re: 1976 CB550, The Brother Build
« Reply #10 on: April 02, 2019, 03:58:20 pm »
I know what you mean. I restored my mom’s 72 CB350 and just had the seat recovered after I shaved the foam down for her. Now she can sit with both feet on the ground.


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92 wr250 sold
98 zx6r sold
04 zx10r
73 cb350 twin
75 cb550f
75 cb550f
72 r5c
rgid springer bobber project

Offline Marissa

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Re: 1976 CB550, The Brother Build
« Reply #11 on: April 03, 2019, 08:47:36 pm »
More Candy Garnet Browns!!
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1972 Honda CB500 - infinite work in progress

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Offline cb360j

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Re: 1976 CB550, The Brother Build
« Reply #12 on: April 08, 2019, 11:12:03 am »
What should each cylinder read when compression testing?

Also, does anyone know the thread type for the spark plug holes?

Thank you
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Offline Bankerdanny

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Re: 1976 CB550, The Brother Build
« Reply #13 on: April 08, 2019, 12:21:02 pm »
The repair manual, which you can download from this site, has the compression range. I believe that the spark plug holes are a 10mm. Not all compression gauges have the 10mm adapter so try and confirm that whatever you buy does before you buy.
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"The problem with quotes on the Internet is that you never know if they're true" - Abraham Lincoln

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 cb360j

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Re: 1976 CB550, The Brother Build
« Reply #14 on: May 06, 2019, 03:34:07 am »
Finally started taking this thing apart to make a list of what needs to be done/bought/fixed. Took some photos of the frame and tank after I wiped them down a bit to show how clean they are.
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Offline LowCountry

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Re: 1976 CB550, The Brother Build
« Reply #15 on: May 09, 2019, 08:55:35 am »
     Looks very promising!     Will follow your progress with interest as i'm in the middle of my own '76 550K build/resurrection.
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