Author Topic: Pitcures of my bike I drove over 325 miles for!!!!!!!! (Read 2516 times)

Tews19 · « **on:** July 06, 2011, 06:39:19 pm »

Well the adventure began around 850 pm last night from Waukesha to Ham Lake Minnesota to pick up my new 1978 CB550k..... Drove the 325 miles and arrived at 2am and stayed at an American Inn....

She has roughly 3700 miles.. An affluent family owned her and provided me with the coolest looking title ever, from 1981......Had 700 miles on her when the gentleman bought her...The daughter was concerned who was buying the bike and wanted to be there to ask me a few questions and see the last of his motorcycle collection leave...

The daughter inherited the bike who GAVE it to her daughter's 21 yr old Bf who did not want it....

As of right now all I know is that I need to get the Carbs working properly... I have to turn off the fuel supply everytime I turn the bike off because she leaks non stop.

Anyways, here are a few pics...

I think the exhaust system is the original from the factory.. I tried to take pics of the the lettering... I may want to get rid of them for a 4-1.... Not to sure yet because the bike is clean... Well at least for my standards....
Luggage racks will be off tomorrow as well... Those are for sale if anyone is interested....

Can you see the gas leaking?_________________

Not sure how this dent could have happened?

----

CycleRanger · « **Reply #1 on:** July 06, 2011, 06:41:07 pm »

Wow, a real beauty. You really scored!

sixthwisconsin · « **Reply #2 on:** July 06, 2011, 06:47:32 pm »

That is a GREAT buy for $700! You really did well. I paid $500 for mine in no where that condition. Good job!

fatkid · « **Reply #3 on:** July 06, 2011, 06:48:13 pm »

GOOD LOOKING . IT WILL BE A FINE RIDE

Stev-o · « **Reply #4 on:** July 06, 2011, 06:55:30 pm »

Yes, that appears to be the original exhaust and seems to be in great condition. In an eBay bidding war, those pipes could bring in nearly half your investment.
However, your bike is most valuable in original conditioners. In Texas, that bike could easily bring 2-3 times what you paid! (I just sold my 550F w/14K miles for $1900 cash in one day).

betterthanurs916 · « **Reply #5 on:** July 06, 2011, 07:04:06 pm »

Wow. I paid $2000 for someting that didn't look quite as nice as that...

Tews19 · « **Reply #6 on:** July 06, 2011, 07:07:52 pm »

yeah I read your post about you selling your bike Stev-o.. Did one guy really offer you half of what you listed it for to your face or on the phone?

In regards to the luggage, I want to remove it but I do not have the mounts for the turn signals... Will I have to order new turn signals for the front and rear?

Holden · « **Reply #7 on:** July 06, 2011, 07:15:39 pm »

Looks great. With an original bike like that, the value will only go up. Get it running well and it could easily fetch 3 times what you paid for it. You can get brand new copies of the original turn signal mounts for only a few dollars.

CycleRanger · « **Reply #8 on:** July 06, 2011, 07:16:03 pm »

Someone here can probably sell you replacement blinkers. If not they're cheap enough from ebay.

It's amazing the original owner would buy all that luggage and then never ride the bike.

bill440cars · « **Reply #9 on:** July 06, 2011, 07:24:01 pm »

Beautiful bike, Congratulations on YOUR purchase! Well Done!

sopo400f · « **Reply #10 on:** July 06, 2011, 07:24:25 pm »

Those are some pretty pipes!
You are one lucky dog!!!!

TwoTired · « **Reply #11 on:** July 06, 2011, 07:29:14 pm »

Why don't you get it running first and then start removing stuff? You might find the utility of those luggage bits pretty convenient, especially for trips.

For sure get it running before you change the exhaust. You will have to rejet/change the set up of the carbs for a 4 into 1 (which won't make the bike faster anyway).

You have the potential for an excellent rider there. If you change everything at once, you won't know how the bike should perform with changes.

I'd say you got a good buy. Basic maintenance, and you've got a reliable rider. Hot rods are not known for reliability.

The stock rear turns mount on the grab bar, which is unique for the 77-78 K models. The front turns mount on the upper fork covers (which may have been removed for the vetter). Those vetter quickslivers are very nice for trips and cold weather, and really help delay the onset of fatigue. I have one on my 76 Cb550F. Love it! I like the looks of it, too.

Cheers,

Tews19 · « **Reply #12 on:** July 06, 2011, 07:36:04 pm »

Quote from: TwoTired on July 06, 2011, 07:29:14 pm

Why don't you get it running first and then start removing stuff? You might find the utility of those luggage bits pretty convenient, especially for trips.

For sure get it running before you change the exhaust. You will have to rejet/change the set up of the carbs for a 4 into 1 (which won't make the bike faster anyway).

You have the potential for an excellent rider there. If you change everything at once, you won't know how the bike should perform with changes.

I'd say you got a good buy. Basic maintenance, and you've got a reliable rider. Hot rods are not known for reliability.

The stock rear turns mount on the grab bar, which is unique for the 77-78 K models. The front turns mount on the upper fork covers (which may have been removed for the vetter). Those vetter quickslivers are very nice for trips and cold weather, and really help delay the onset of fatigue. I have one on my 76 Cb550F. Love it! I like the looks of it, too.

Cheers,

ya you are correct. I think I need to get the carbs corrected. I purchased her to do a cafe, but honestly guys this bike makes me feel like a kid gettign the BMX bike they always wanted when a kid...

I am going to keep her stock but the luggage will be removed... Once I get the mounts for the turn signals...

Spanner 1 · « **Reply #13 on:** July 06, 2011, 07:48:53 pm »

There has been a lot of debate here about 'hacking-up' very nice original looking SOHC bikes.
I, for one, sincerely hope you don't modify that bike ........... or you could keep it nice and stock and find/rescue a neglected bike and modify it as you please. These old bikes are becoming more and more hard to find in such good condition in the 'form' they left the factory.
BTW....... that 'ding' in the front mudguard may be from a since removed crashbar, the weight of Vetter fairing tends to bottom-out the forks and 'ding' the fender into the crashbar mounting, that's how it was on my 750A with c/bar/vetter anyway.

Tews19 · « **Reply #14 on:** July 06, 2011, 07:53:26 pm »

Spanner I am with you.... I am not going to cut her up.... I wish I knew how to do the carbs to stop the leaking and make her run great.... The luggage will be coming off... Can't stand them

VTCBike750 · « **Reply #15 on:** July 06, 2011, 07:54:15 pm »

Awesome find, Im definitely jealous. Keep it stock and modify a beater.

Congrats and enjoy. I miss my 550

VTCBike750 · « **Reply #16 on:** July 06, 2011, 07:55:54 pm »

Quote from: Tews19 on July 06, 2011, 07:53:26 pm

Spanner I am with you.... I am not going to cut her up.... I wish I new how to do the carbs to stop the leaking and make her run great.... The luggage will be coming off... Can't stand them

what part of that carbs are leaking? from the float bowls? carbs boots?

Spanner 1 · « **Reply #17 on:** July 06, 2011, 07:57:04 pm »

Lots of carb help in the Carb FAQS.... read and read lots

Tews19 · « **Reply #18 on:** July 06, 2011, 08:12:29 pm »

I know it may not be cost effective but where would be the best place to get a carb rebuild kit... Everything is original so I figure why not rebuild the carbs... I was told from the shop it is leaking from the bowl dur to the float sticking... Hence the reason why gas is coming from the air line?

from the air box...

VTCBike750 · « **Reply #19 on:** July 06, 2011, 08:21:48 pm »

Clean up the carbs and make sure that the floats move smoothly. May not need a rebuild kit. You can use thing guitar string to clean the jets. Then sync if needed.

You might not need to remove carbs from the bike, just the float bowls and giggle the floats. They may just be stuck.

Another thing to think about is Seafoam, if the bike has been sitting for a while, with fresh gas to clean things up.

burmashave · « **Reply #20 on:** July 06, 2011, 08:34:45 pm »

Wow. Sweet. Congrats.

Tews19 · « **Reply #21 on:** July 06, 2011, 08:37:05 pm »

Well if someone would like to show me how to do my carbs, i am a visual hands on learner. I can pay you as well...

jacksonc · « **Reply #22 on:** July 06, 2011, 08:37:25 pm »

If you want a cafe then you could sell that to somebody who really wants a sohc touring bike for good money and then modify a bike that isn't so nice to start with

or you could buy a 400F which is already a cafe style

jaguar · « **Reply #23 on:** July 06, 2011, 09:07:09 pm »

don't mod that bike!

owning any old bike you are going to have to know carbs at one point or another.
get a manual.....can down load from here.

print out the diagrams of the carbs.
more then likely they will just need to be cleaned rather then buy a "kit"

Tripps · « **Reply #24 on:** July 06, 2011, 09:35:01 pm »

really nice bike, I agree about keeping it stock. Anyone know if they'd fit a 78 750K? I'd love to have them if they did.

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Author Topic: Pitcures of my bike I drove over 325 miles for!!!!!!!! (Read 2516 times)