Topic: New Project, 1977 cb550k

[robdrobd]

Hey folks,

Haven't been on in a while, but I just acquired a new bike and wanted to share. Its a 1977 cb550k, only 6,500 miles. I haven't done a full cafe yet and was thinking this would be a good candidate. However, it is in pretty nice shape and may be a good straight up restore. What do you think? I won't tell you the price from craigslist because I don't want any hate mail

[Toxic]

I already hate you,  well maybe jealous is a better word. LOL
Awesome looking bike.  Too nice to cafe but it's your bike your project.

Restoring it would be a better investment as it doesn't look like it would require much.
They hold their value better, in case you are ever in the mood to sell it.

How does a bike get to be 35 years old with such low mileage,  Amazing.

[robdrobd]

More pics

[robdrobd]

one more...just to make you angry.

[orange550]

one more...just to make you angry.

I wonder when they started with the KMs on the speedo?

[robdrobd]

uh oh, are you saying the guy is yanking my chain about the mileage?

[Tews19]

I would defiantely not chop that up. WAY TO NICE... Mine is that shape. If you are selling anything like the exhaust or fork ears PM me a price please. Great looking ride once again.

[FuZZie]

IF that is a transplanted Canadian model and it looks like it. your 6,500 miles could be km so you may have only 4000 miles.  You'll need to check that

@ orange550 required by law for 77 model year I believe.

[Tews19]

My 78 has KM as well but it is still in the Miles form. States MPH and inside in Km. Still a sweet bike. My gauges are the same..

[CoachDoc]

At first blush it almost looks restored already. Definitely stay stock, and I'd love to see the end product.

[lone*X]

Keep it stock.  Too good a looking bike to chop up.  I am already feeling crappy due to stuff going on at work, so make us all mad, what was the bottom line?

[robdrobd]

Ok, scroll down for price. If you don't want to know...don't scroll

















It was listed for $800 on CL. I offered $400
 and the deal was over.

[FuZZie]

Don't feel bad he could have countered, It looks nice and you got a good price... lots of room to fix it with out risk. 

[wedoo2]

I am not really a purist, and I am not that fond of the paint scheme, but I would not chop that up.  Look at the resto CoachDoc did before you decide.  Someone's garage is missing that baby tonight.  And it has been in a garage.

[robdrobd]

I hate the orange on black too. But if I did a true restore, I believe that's the only color scheme for 1977. But my wife tells me I have been wrong before (I don't believe her though.)

[78whiteorbs]

+1 on keeping her stock- I wouldnt butcher up something that nice- plenty of beaters to be had .
Not a purist by any means but I can appreciate something in exceptionaly good condition and pass it on to someone who really appreciates such and buy two or three beaters to tweak up this way and that.
Just my opinion.

[Stev-o]

Another vote to keep it stock. If you are intent on building a cafe, buy another one and flip this in the spring. You could triple your investment!

[orange550]

uh oh, are you saying the guy is yanking my chain about the mileage?

No I was just seriously wondering. I'm in Canada, my 74 550 doesn't have KMs, but I wish it did. I'm always doing the math in my head as I run down the road. I used a GPS to fins out where 50, 80, and 100kms are. BTW - my gauge was 20% off. I was only going 50 mph when the GPS said 60 mph. Found that interesting. And the GPS is matched perfect to my mini van.

[robdrobd]

I am pretty torn on this one. The bottom left pipe is rusted out, but the rest of the bike seems pretty good. The low miles was the biggest plus. The engine looks brand new. I don't really like the four pipes and would switch them out for a Mac or something if I decided to keep it.

[trent]

I'm always torn myself. But I have a 1974 350 four that I decided was in to nice of shape to do any cutting. I will change a few things to make it more"me", but they will be reversible. Right now I am working on a 1976 750 for a friend and he wants to go a bit farther than I do.. It's hard I know, but I'm with the others in that it's too nice to chop up, make some money on it and find a thrasher to do that. Good luck!

[robdrobd]

Well, I think I may do a quick clean up next week, take it for a spin, and see where we are at. I'll ake some better pics and take some more advice from the forum.

[Xnavylfr]

I hate to throw a wrench at you but it is very easy to change guages at the same time it is almost impossible to find out how many miles is on it without a teardown and MIC. everything.
I would sway toward the the guage ,but that is just ME!
Clean it up and ride it. You will find that a good set of STOCK exhaust will cost almost as much as the bike cost and after market pipes will be around 300$..

I agree with the others clean it and RIDE, get you something with a lot of missing body parts to CAFE.

Xnavylfr(CHUCK)

[orange550]

I would clean it and ride as well. Get it all squared away mechanically, then put a bunch of miles on it. You might change you mind one way or another through that.

ON my '74 I had planned to do a bunch of modding, but I got more into getting it running perfect and making sure everything was top notch. I wanted to do a few road trips and I wanted it reliable as possible. Well after putting a whack of miles on it, I realized I loved it the way it was... especially the riding position. So plans to change the bars, for example, were kiboshed. And truth be told, I'm even thinking about getting the original 4 into 4 pipes. Never thought I'd ever consider that before.

[robdrobd]

I think I am going to clean it up, get it running nicely, and let it go. I would rather create something from a beater than destroy a good bike. Keep this post around or pm me if you might be interested when I am done. I won't be doing much. Some cleaning, lower left pipe needs replacing, clean carbs, new battery. Basically I'll do the 3000 mile check up.

[Stev-o]

I'll buy it, I'll buy it! Dibbs.