Topic: new project 74 CB550

[Eddie]

Hi all !  new here. Heres my CB550 that was given to me. thinking about doing a hard tail to it.  Will post picks as it progresses.

[Eddie]

oops...heres the pic

[fergie]

Cool project. I personally woudnt do the hard tail thing. Very uncomfortable to ride. But its your bike.

[CoachDoc]

That bike could also be an exellent stock restoration. A little polishing, rust removal and what have you and you'll have an almost mint condition 550, save for the aftermarket exhaust. Looks like a good one.

[Eddie]

I like the look of a lowered steched bike. Thought with a good seat and seat shocks it would be alright.  ??   Open to suggestions.  Anybody know anything about the exhaust?  I did get it fired up and it sounds pretty cool..

[Cheffish]

Looks like a mac 4-2 exhaust. I don't think anybody makes a hardtail for a 550 so it will be alot of work but is definitely doable. I wanted a hardtail too but changed my mind. You might wanna think twice about it if this will be your only bike. Maybe think about a bratstyle?  Either way, it's your bike so do whatever you want. Good luck with it.

[Stev-o]

First off, welcome!

Second, that bike looks way too good to chop up!! If it's a good runner w/title it could be worth up to $1500 or more. Flip it and buy a real project bike.
But, as been said before, it's your bike. And remember, original cond bikes are more valuable than modded versions.

[Eddie]

I also have 2 72' 350's ones a CL the a CB. The cb has 7k miles and the CL has 9k on it. The 550 has 15k.  All 3 bikes were free. The 550 wasnt running when I got it. Got it fire up., pops a little on the right side...but should be a easy fix. The first bike , the CB, was the one I was going to bobber...but its too nice.Now my son wants to cafe it.  Then got the CL out of a barn...hasnt run in 23 years....alittle work, lots of cleaning....now its too nice AND the wife wants to ride it...it's that funky green /goldish color. Soooo got the 550 and said "thats mine".   Ardcore choppers will hardtail it for around $500...frame work only...I'll do the rest. They do some very nice work.

[Cheffish]

Ardcore does exceptional work. And $500 is very reasonable. Use the search function here and you'll find a 550 bobber that was just recently completed and looks amazing. Also if you haven't checked it out go to xs650choppers.com. They're all Yamahas of course, but it's a great place to get ideas and inspiration. Now hurry up and get that frame to them so I can see a mockup shot!

[fmctm1sw]

First off, welcome!

Second, that bike looks way too good to chop up!! If it's a good runner w/title it could be worth up to $1500 or more. Flip it and buy a real project bike.
But, as been said before, it's your bike. And remember, original cond bikes are more valuable than modded versions.

Case in point:  http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1972-Honda-CB750-Vintage-Chopper-soft-tail-Original-/200639097528?pt=US_motorcycles&hash=item2eb705aab8  Not a single bid.  I saw this bike when it was perfectly original down to the exhaust.  Walked into the place with cash in hand but another guy had already set up some kind of financing deal for it...

[Eddie]

I can see why nobody bid on that bike....fugly imo..lol   Was thinking more like this pic

[Eddie]

Been awhile....did a partial mock up of rear fender bracket. Seat bracket is done and the swing arm is streched 2". Need to finish the rear brake rod as well.