Author Topic: Pitcures of my bike I drove over 325 miles for!!!!!!!! (Read 2587 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.

TwoTired · « **Reply #25 on:** July 06, 2011, 09:54:54 PM »

You don't need a carb "kit". All the metal bits are reusable (usually). For the PD carbs, only the bowl gasket (big oring) gets hard with age. It might still be ok to reuse. If not, it will weep a bit and the bow interface.

The biggest concern would be the carb coupler front and rear. Not easy to get at all. And, if you don't take the carbs out properly, they get chopped up.

I'd drop the outer bowls to look inside first. Maybe you can clean them without removal of the entire bank. Otherwise, pulling out the pressed in pilot jets is much easier with the carbs on the bench. I recently got an official carb removal procedure, that looks to make the carb bank removal/install easier. It begins with taking out the air filter box.

Cheers,

cameron · « **Reply #26 on:** July 06, 2011, 09:56:29 PM »

Awesome.

If you chop that I will hate you forever.
If anything, trade it for an already-effed-up bike.. and screw with that to your hearts content!

BeSeeingYou · « **Reply #27 on:** July 07, 2011, 12:06:55 AM »

Thank goodness for the stupid 21 year old boyfriend.

Nice score. Was this a case of you knew somebody who knew somebody? If that had been listed on CL I would think there would have been a race to get it at that price.

immortal · « **Reply #28 on:** July 07, 2011, 01:00:22 AM »

Amazing, congratulations!

Lostboy Steve · « **Reply #29 on:** July 07, 2011, 05:14:00 AM »

First off, thats an insane price for a beauty of this kind. Did you hold him at gun point during negotiations? Great find / purchase! Second, on my 77 cb550k there's a sticker on it that discourages the mounting of a front fairing. Did these bikes come with this? And if so, why the sticker on mine?

Tews19 · « **Reply #30 on:** July 07, 2011, 05:20:38 AM »

I did not know the family who was selling the bike... I did find it on CL in Minneapolis last week when I was looking at old ads.. The bike was listed May 26th.. The kid was actually really nice and so was the family.... I am not going to say any ill words about them.... When I saw the bike in person I was kinda bummed that it was in such nice shape....Then reality kicked in and I realized I have a gem in front of me.....I reallly appreciate everyones input. Next week I will be heading to the bike show with heron Tuesday night..... I am going to look at the floats in the service manual.. She is very drivable now and I do not want to mess her up... For this reason I may just pay the bike shop to fix her up..

Stev-o · « **Reply #31 on:** July 07, 2011, 06:10:37 AM »

You may need headlight parts once you take the fairing off. I've never had a fairing and never will, but I'm pretty sure the headlight gets modified when the fairing is installed. Should be an easy fix to bring it back to stock.

Search eBay, parts are readily available.

nhodges · « **Reply #32 on:** July 07, 2011, 06:29:16 AM »

Congrat! It looks great; $700 is a steal. I paid a little less for my 750, but it looked awful and didn't run.

Lostboy Steve · « **Reply #33 on:** July 07, 2011, 06:33:26 AM »

Don't feel bad. I look at it this way; if you are going to keep this bike nice and take good care of it than that's a fine trade off for getting it cheap. Now, if you got it cheap to cut the rear frame off and make it a hard-tail chopper or some crap that's a different story, unless it was a total rat.

MoMo · « **Reply #34 on:** July 07, 2011, 06:52:46 AM »

Very nice find, you will need the rear grab bar and all t/s parts as well as front fork ears, t/s, h/l shell and h/l to remove the fairing and luggage. Another member said to ride it for awhile with the luggage on, I agree-I have bags and fairing on my daily commuter and wouldn't be without-I can stop and pick up most anything I need...Larry

jneuf · « **Reply #35 on:** July 07, 2011, 07:52:14 AM »

Are you going to be selling the luggage? If you are, I wouldn't mind it!

I could use a little extra storage on my daily rider!

welnamark · « **Reply #36 on:** July 07, 2011, 08:03:08 AM »

Nice find. I purchased a similar 550 about 5 years ago here in MN with around 7k miles for $1000 in REALLY nice condition as well. I have since riden it around the country and it now has 20k miles. I have fitted hard bags too it. I find that when people buy a bike their first inclination is to strip it to naked, but once they ride it for awhile and want to use it for touring they often end up looking for the same fairings and bags that they've already sold.

I'm partial to the Hondaline bags. I used to have a Vetter on mine untill i bought a GL1000 to use for touring.

Let me know if you have any questions about the 78.

Congrats!

Bankerdanny · « **Reply #37 on:** July 07, 2011, 08:06:38 AM »

Very cool. I have that same luggage rack on my '77, but without the fairing and trunk/panniers. I put a windscreen on mine a couple of weeks ago as I have been logging a fair amount of highway time and plan circling Lake Michigan with the Michigan crew during their leg of the Rally.

Two Tired is right that the fairing would make a huge difference in comfort. I know I would love to have that trunk for the rally. I had a generic trunk on my FJ, which I used for commuting and light touring. It was incredibly usefull. I could do a light grocery shop or just about anything that didn't require a car sized trunk.

I know you said you plan on keeping it stock (thanks for that by the way). If you still have an itch to build a SOHC cafe bike, spiff up this one and ride it for the rest of the summer, then sell it in the Spring. I guaranty you will get enough to by 2 bikes, a beater to cafe and a nicer one to ride while you fix up the other. That's actually been my plan with my 550 since I bought it in March. I was going to sell it in June after the Chicago leg of the Rally and the local Mods vs Rockers. But since the weather was so terrible when GZ was here in May and my bike was acting up then, I decided to hold on to it so I can ride with the Michigan crew. I am thinking I will sell it after Rockerbox and split the proceeds into a project GL1000 (I have my eye on 2 right now) and then something else to ride for the rest of the season.

News:

Author Topic: Pitcures of my bike I drove over 325 miles for!!!!!!!! (Read 2587 times)