Topic: New Member from Poughkeepsie NY with '78 CB550 Barn Find

[FlyingLowStevo]

FlyingLowStevo here !  This bike was sitting for about 25 years in the woods under a tarp... last registered in'92 : )
Owner died and left estate to local Humane Society from which I bought her for $200 about a month ago. Go down in the basement and fool around for an hour or 2 everyday. This week the engine finally Unseized. Got squirted in the eye with Penetrating oil flying out of sparkplug hole! Did the happy dance like I just hit an oil geyser. Meanwhile got her pretty well stripped down. Thankful for guys on YouTube who've done it cause I'm no mechanic but it's not brain surgery right?
Been lurking around SOHC4 Forum and glad you guys are here cause I'll need lots of advice for this build. Doing the Cafe Racer thing, but not sure about Clip ons (maybe too low? ), maybe go with straight bars w/ a slight bend. Also wondering about rearsets, how far back to go and how they work. The rear peg holes are like 11" back, seems too far for me at 5'-5".
Any advice here appreciated.
Back for more soon...
Happy Holidays!



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[Jwexperience]

550's are nice bikes, good work getting it un-stuck. I'm outside of Syracuse and have a 750f cafe of my own, they're very sharp when done right.


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[pjlogue]

Welcome FlyingLowStevo.  Great find!  From the looks of the rims it hasn't been sitting in the woods for long.  I grew up in Poughkeepsie and a bike there under a tarp for 25 years would be unrecognizable.  Bike looks to be in fair shape.  Fun winter project. Is Dutchess Recreational on 55 still in business?  I used to get a lot of parts there for my bikes. 

-P.

[Scott S]

 Those look like Koni shocks, too. Good shocks and rebuildable. A member here is an iKon rep and can hook you up with servicing those if needed.

[Scott S]

 Also, if you're short, look into 400F bars and foot pegs. Sportier bars and "mid set" pegs for a great riding position.
 And keep the stock air box.

[BomberMann650]

Welcome to sohc4 and Moory Christmoos!
Looks like you got yourself a fine project.  I'm excited to see what you choose for the build!

As for bars and sets - bent back drag bars do look good on these bikes.  But clubmans are the period correct choice.

You might like the foot position of a Raask rear set!

[DaveBarbier]

Welcome and nice 550. I've got a '78 of my own and I've done the cafe thing too. I'm about an hour south of you in CT.

Check out my build thread in my signature if you're interested. I'm a hair over 5'5" and have clipons and used to have rear sets but they made my hands numb because I couldn't support my body weight with my feet well enough. I now have modified passenger foot pegs where the stock ones go. That brings them back and lower a tad and it feels very comfortable.

People tend to like super bike bars here. Go ahead and remove the airbox

[FlyingLowStevo]

Welcome FlyingLowStevo.  Great find!  From the looks of the rims it hasn't been sitting in the woods for long.  I grew up in Poughkeepsie and a bike there under a tarp for 25 years would be unrecognizable.  Bike looks to be in fair shape.  Fun winter project. Is Dutchess Recreational on 55 still in business?  I used to get a lot of parts there for my bikes. 

-P.

Yah I think your right, couldn't have been outside for all that time... even though i found alot of acorns and tree particles stuck deep in crevices while deconstructing... not that much rust, considering.
And Dutchess Rec's still there... brought my other bike 88 NX250 there for inspection recently.
Where you located now, Pjlogue ? Squirrel hole ?


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[FlyingLowStevo]

Welcome to sohc4 and Moory Christmoos!
Looks like you got yourself a fine project.  I'm excited to see what you choose for the build!

As for bars and sets - bent back drag bars do look good on these bikes.  But clubmans are the period correct choice.

You might like the foot position of a Raask rear set!

Thanks BomberMann
Will check out Raask & Clubman options.
Concerned bout low bars hitting front of tank though...


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[FlyingLowStevo]

Those look like Koni shocks, too. Good shocks and rebuildable. A member here is an iKon rep and can hook you up with servicing those if needed.

Good eye, Scott!
So I take those are aftermarket shocks?
How will I know if they need a rebuild?
Thanks Bro



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[BobbyR]

You have plenty to work with and plenty to do. I am an hour south of you in Westchester.
   

[FlyingLowStevo]

You have plenty to work with and plenty to do. I am an hour south of you in Westchester.
 

Thanks neighbor!


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[Scott S]

Those look like Koni shocks, too. Good shocks and rebuildable. A member here is an iKon rep and can hook you up with servicing those if needed.

Good eye, Scott!
So I take those are aftermarket shocks?
How will I know if they need a rebuild?
Thanks Bro



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 Yes, aftermarket and desirable. Very good shocks. Just test them for function, check for leaks, rust on the shafts, etc. Member Noblehops is an Ikon (the modern Koni) representative:

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,162623.0.html

[BomberMann650]

Keep the seat, it has a cupholder!

[Stev-o]

Welcome from Texas.  Start a new thread in the Project Shop section....

[pjlogue]

I sent you a PM.

-P.

[whitjonw]

Got squirted in the eye with Penetrating oil flying out of sparkplug hole! Did the happy dance like I just hit an oil geyser.

Ha..ha ha ! Had the same thing happen to me when I got my '74 CB750's engine free. The contents of what was in No.1 cylinder shot straight into my eye and my face and front of my shirt. I was pissed that happened for a fraction of a second but turned to extreme happiness at it being free !!

Excellent find and good luck with your new bike and getting it back on the road  !! 

[jaguar]

I'm up in Albany if you need anything.

[FlyingLowStevo]

Got squirted in the eye with Penetrating oil flying out of sparkplug hole! Did the happy dance like I just hit an oil geyser.

Ha..ha ha ! Had the same thing happen to me when I got my '74 CB750's engine free. The contents of what was in No.1 cylinder shot straight into my eye and my face and front of my shirt. I was pissed that happened for a fraction of a second but turned to extreme happiness at it being free !!

Excellent find and good luck with your new bike and getting it back on the road  !! 

Thanks Bro!


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[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Welcome from Texas.  Start a new thread in the Project Shop section....

Definitely.

[grcamna2]

Welcome to the forum Stevo,sure is nice you've got the engine freed-up already. Look out for squirrels !

[FlyingLowStevo]

Welcome to the forum Stevo,sure is nice you've got the engine freed-up already. Look out for squirrels !

: ) 


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[grcamna2]

Welcome to the forum Stevo,sure is nice you've got the engine freed-up already. Look out for squirrels !

: ) 


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  Lol  Better make sure to replace that entire seat foam otherwise That squirrel will be back this Winter to collect !

[RAFster122s]

Best not be on the bike if they come to collect...
welcome to the sohc4 forums and your journey to bringing her back on the road.  If it is a 77-78 bike you are ahead by having the pinned rocker shaft cam/rocker cover, the earlier covers would wear rocker shafts eccentrically into the cover.
How does the inside of the gas tank look?  The carbs will need foat bowls dropped to see what is hiding there too...
New points, condensors (Stay Away from Daichi components!!) Go with honda's TEC  or NipponDenso...
Air filter, tubes, tires, oil filter, plugs, fork oil, motor oil for motorcycles 4T version.

David

[Johnie]

Welcome to the forum Steve. I am currently doing a 78 CB550K project if you want to check it out in the project section. http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,160819.msg1870498.html#msg1870498