Topic: Newbie From ATL

[72BlackonBlack]

Hey, my name is Matt and I'm new to all motorcycles in general. I have always been a car guy, but after my bother bought a 2010 Honda Phantom I have been wanting a bike myself. I recently just purchased a 1976 Honda CB550 that has been bobbed and I'm taking my riding class this weekend.

I know a lot of people would perfer the bike be set back to stock, which wouldn't be hard... But I am thinking of leaving it like it is (minus the gaudy rear view mirrors), and possibly adding a set of forward controls.

Here it is:



And here is a pic of my car that the bike is complementing:

[FuZZie]

I like it, and welcome! I'd do a bit of work ... something to more match the car.

I would lose 6" of the back fender and chrome it to match the front then add a spacer to keep the level look of the brake light.
Like you said the mirrors need looking after maybe a smaller handle bar (look at stock 76 550f maybe)
Lots of cleaning and polishing and don't forget to shot body bits to match car with lots of clear.

Good luck with it!

[72BlackonBlack]

Well, I'm not exactly trying to "match" the car... Just compliment it...

I am looking to see about doing something with the rear taillight. I might get rid of that unit, and add a flushmount custom light later on.

I have several sets of handlebars, from stock, to drag bar, to 15" ape hangers that were on it when I purchased it. I will fiddle around and swap them in and out just to see which I'm most comfortable with once I start riding the bike. I kinda like the ape hangers because my arms are perfectly straight out when sitting on the bike, but I also love the chopper look with lower handlebars and forward controls, so you are leaning forward a bit and your legs are out forward... I'll just have to play with the look as I go along.

Right now it has the typical charging issues. When I get back home after this week I'm going to start going through all of the charging system piece by piece... But I am probably going to switch to a modern solid state regulator/rectifier anyways.

[Madman9050]

flat black=super cool

[72BlackonBlack]

flat black=super cool

I can't tell whether that is sarcasm or not... But anyways, flat black is the way the bike came. It probably is going to stay that way for a while till I work out some other things, but I do intend on getting it painted after I clean up the engine and everything else.

[Madman9050]

It's not sarcasm my bike and my car are both flat black personally nothing looks more menacing than a loud black machine coming at you on the highway

[WhyNot2]

I like this bike.............................

[72BlackonBlack]

Well, I officially passed the Motorcycle Safety Foundation's Basic Skills class and testing, so I'm off to get my license tomorrow when the DDS opens up.

Now, after taking the course, I think I am definitely going to switch the handlebars to the set of drag bars that I have for my other bike, a 1990 Yamaha Radian.

[bluezboy]

Congrats on your bike and passing your test. There are handful of us Atl area riders here, check in at the Gerogia Riders page. We'll be in touch when we do the next ride, hopefully in a few weeks.Vern

[bjatwood]

Welcome aboard Matt! Love the car AND the bike! Very cool 

[72BlackonBlack]

Well, after riding around these past few days, I have decided to go ahead and ditch the mini ape hangers, and go to a flat drag bar. I think I will like it much better as I was too upright with the mini apes, and I would like to feel more connected to the bike... I'm going to swap them out this weekend and see how I like them.