Author Topic: 1976 CB550  (Read 2241 times)

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Offline Badfish

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1976 CB550
« on: June 20, 2011, 09:26:22 PM »
Picked up this 1976 CB550 a few weeks ago.  The plan, basically keep it stock with a mild cafe twist.  Fix anything that wears and keep a record of her progress. 
Bike when purchased had < 11,ooo miles.  Very clean with minimal signs of age.  Basically garaged as I was told, and will be under my ownership.  Replaced the front tire to match the rear, which was new by PO.  Carbs were rebuilt by PO, who also replaced battery and air filter.  I basically have done some minor maintenance so far and changed a few things from stock.  Replaced bars with drag bars, installed a used Mac 4:1, even though the original pipes were nice, they had more than a few small holes and I personally like the 4:1 better.  Replaced headlight, tail light and turn signals.  Found a parted bike for a rear fender and bobbed it down by 5 inches.  All replaced factory parts are now tucked away nicely in a tote.
Bike still could use some mild tuning, but basically..... just been riding it.
Pictures of how I got it and how it is:

Offline Badfish

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Re: 1976 CB550
« Reply #1 on: June 20, 2011, 09:29:45 PM »
more

Offline Badfish

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Re: 1976 CB550
« Reply #2 on: June 20, 2011, 09:30:34 PM »
more

Offline Badfish

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Re: 1976 CB550
« Reply #3 on: June 20, 2011, 09:32:00 PM »
another

Offline Badfish

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Re: 1976 CB550
« Reply #4 on: June 20, 2011, 09:32:51 PM »
another

Offline Badfish

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Re: 1976 CB550
« Reply #5 on: June 20, 2011, 09:36:33 PM »
After changing the bars, lights and exhaust, how it sits now  ( I still have yet to clean and polish it):

Offline Badfish

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Re: 1976 CB550
« Reply #6 on: June 20, 2011, 09:37:29 PM »
another

Offline Badfish

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Re: 1976 CB550
« Reply #7 on: June 20, 2011, 09:38:29 PM »
Last one for tonight.

Offline CB.DFL

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Re: 1976 CB550
« Reply #8 on: June 21, 2011, 12:38:33 AM »
I just bought the same bike, looks awesome. What are your plans with the seat? are you going to keep it original?
4 cylinders give me a hard on

Offline Badfish

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Re: 1976 CB550
« Reply #9 on: June 21, 2011, 06:51:11 AM »
Thanks, that's great.   Not sure yet. It's in good shape, has a couple of small blemishes. I like the cafe style seat that's all leather. Going to shoparound. See what's there. Keep it for now.  You?

Offline CB.DFL

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Re: 1976 CB550
« Reply #10 on: June 22, 2011, 12:41:03 AM »
just today i bought a Honda seat from a scrap yard to make a cafe looking seat out of. the seat pan in need minor adjusting to make it fit right.. cheap.easy.
4 cylinders give me a hard on

Offline elmarko

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Re: 1976 CB550
« Reply #11 on: June 22, 2011, 04:33:47 AM »
nice find. a just got a 1975 550 and Aim having fun with it. since you changed the mirrors would you like to sale the mirrors that came with the bike? let me know.
thanks mark g
email elmarko1@juno.com

Offline Badfish

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Re: 1976 CB550
« Reply #12 on: June 22, 2011, 08:17:03 PM »
CB.DFL - this is what I had in mind

Offline Badfish

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Re: 1976 CB550
« Reply #13 on: June 22, 2011, 08:18:29 PM »
OOP's....didn't attach

Offline CB.DFL

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Re: 1976 CB550
« Reply #14 on: June 23, 2011, 12:59:02 AM »
that look is awesome. i was thinking of something similar, just with a little more mild bump. im looking forward to seeing yours
4 cylinders give me a hard on

Offline Toxic

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Re: 1976 CB550
« Reply #15 on: June 23, 2011, 03:41:56 AM »
Great looking bike.  Don't make any mods to it that you can't undo.  Eventually if you want to sell it it will be worth alot more as a stocker.

Congrats on the ride

Offline Badfish

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Re: 1976 CB550
« Reply #16 on: June 23, 2011, 06:48:25 AM »
Thanks Toxic.  That's the idea and why I'm keeping all parts.  No plans to sell, ever, really.


CB.DFL - ya, Not sure what look for sure.  A more mild hump would look good.  Need to find a used seat and shop around for a local shop to do the leather.

Offline Badfish

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Re: 1976 CB550
« Reply #17 on: June 23, 2011, 06:49:56 AM »
Wanted: new condition factory brown right side cover.  Let me know what you have.

Offline Coyote13

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Re: 1976 CB550
« Reply #18 on: June 23, 2011, 06:55:35 AM »
For your sidecover problem. Not painted, but that is not a difficult problem to solve.

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=74022.0;topicseen
'78 CB750K.  Throttle ripper.
'71 CB100.  Grocery getter.
'01 XL883.  Panty dropper. Gone but not forgotten.

Offline Badfish

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Re: 1976 CB550
« Reply #19 on: June 23, 2011, 08:10:46 PM »
nice idea....61 pages to sift through....I'll assume he's making the 550's......anyone got a line on the paint code and source??