Author Topic: Build or take apart (Read 3200 times)

M_a_t_t · « **on:** December 09, 2015, 04:43:50 PM »

I bought this 73 cb550 and I want to know what you guys think about using it to build off of or if I should use it as a parts bike and get another. I paid $100 for it.
And when I search cb550 sometimes it doesn't come up with 73 model year. Can someone tell me what I'm missing.
I've never owned a motorcycle before so as a begginer what's the suggestion.

goldarrow · « **Reply #1 on:** December 09, 2015, 04:52:40 PM »

Really depends on your goals and budget. Tell us more. And welcome.

calj737 · « **Reply #2 on:** December 09, 2015, 05:10:25 PM »

its not a '73, but you can confirm that by looking at the VIN tag on the steering neck, right side.

what are you missing?
2 wheels
tank
gauges
wiring
and so on. Looks to be in tough condition for a project or a parts bike. Me, I'd build it, but I like to start with wrecks that have little to no "restoration" value.

M_a_t_t · « **Reply #3 on:** December 09, 2015, 05:18:34 PM »

My goals for the bike would be a really nice stock bike. I can put probably do about 400 a month with the goal of being able to at least ride it by May time. And thank you. He gave me a seat it looks like the harness is all there but I haven't really checked it.

goldarrow · « **Reply #4 on:** December 09, 2015, 05:26:34 PM »

That's good on you that you wanted to build a stocker, many people would just cut it up and cafe it out. It would take a a lot of patients to find good parts. When you said 400/month with no time frame, that's plenty of $ to make a nice stocker bike.

The vin tag suggests '74 550.

M_a_t_t · « **Reply #5 on:** December 09, 2015, 05:31:31 PM »

There's no title but the guy said that I just had to post an ad to see if anyone claims it he said previous owner died so no one will claim it. Anyone have any experience with this type of situation?

goldarrow · « **Reply #6 on:** December 09, 2015, 05:33:08 PM »

Do search on Vermont title. Start off with that

M_a_t_t · « **Reply #7 on:** December 09, 2015, 05:39:37 PM »

Your suggesting getting re-titled from Vermont? I'll do some more research but do you know how much it would probably cost?

calj737 · « **Reply #8 on:** December 09, 2015, 05:42:27 PM »

Your project starts here:
http://manuals.sohc4.net/cb550/

And read this thread:
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,86697.0.html

This thread is filled with outstanding documentation and super clear photos that will provide countless tips and tricks. While your budget and goals may not be so lofty, its still incredibly well worth the time to read it.

M_a_t_t · « **Reply #9 on:** December 09, 2015, 05:55:54 PM »

Ok. Thank you guys for the input did not know the Vermont trick. Im definitely gonna go for.

M_a_t_t · « **Reply #10 on:** December 09, 2015, 06:03:21 PM »

It. And where do you guys suggest buying parts?

goldarrow · « **Reply #11 on:** December 09, 2015, 06:07:03 PM »

I wouldn't suggest spending any money on the bike until you got the title in hand. While you're working on the title, you could start strip the bike down to the frame, clean and inspect what can be salvage and what not, then decide what parts you need, check parts fiche online and go through each system at a time

przjohn · « **Reply #12 on:** December 09, 2015, 07:38:34 PM »

Being that you have never owned a bike and will have about $2,000.00 by May I would recommend buying a decent used bike then.

seanbarney41 · « **Reply #13 on:** December 09, 2015, 07:57:10 PM »

Do you want to learn to ride or do you want to learn to wrench? Cuz its gonna take a lot of time and money to make that even rideable, but by the time you are done, you will know a little something about wrenching. Riding? You will still know nothing. Not much riding expereience can be gained on a bike with no wheels. $:-\$
We can teach you how to wrench here on this forum. But the only way to learn how to ride is to actually do it. If you want to learn to ride, I would suggest taking the MSF class, save money to buy the newest, most dependable bike you can afford, and ride it as much as possible.
Most of us will likely still be here in a couple years and you are welcome to stop by and hang out anytime.

70CB750 · « **Reply #14 on:** December 10, 2015, 04:53:36 AM »

Wrenching for prolonged time can make you lose interest. Wrenching while you have somehting to ride will give you some day dreams, trust me on that.

Not sure where you are at, but winter is the time to get a rideable bike for decent price.

If you like the vision of this bike, keep it, find something to ride and start collecting parts for your project.

M_a_t_t · « **Reply #15 on:** December 10, 2015, 05:30:19 AM »

I would like to learn to wrench and ride which is what I was thinking I would get out of this bike. I can't ride in the winter anyway. And I very much enjoy taking apart

knowsnothing · « **Reply #16 on:** December 10, 2015, 07:18:35 AM »

I agree with the others. Save your pennies and get something complete that only needs a tune up/minor repair. Once you have that, you can use this as your side project and wrench until your heart is content.

As it stands, it will probably take a year or more to get it on the road safely. Once you have the knowledge and the expeirence, the next project will take half the time.

I did the same thing as you, bought a bike to learn to wrench. Over paid and got something that needed more work than i realized. I took it apart partly because i needed to and partly to learn about the insides. I also like taking stuff apart. 5 years later its still in pieces (but slowely coming back together). While that was going on, I also picked up 2 other bikes in better shape that only required minimal repair to get on the road. I finished those first because not having something to ride sucks.

Good luck

M_a_t_t · « **Reply #17 on:** December 11, 2015, 03:39:38 AM »

I think I'm just gonna part this out and use the money to get a more complete bike.

calj737 · « **Reply #18 on:** December 11, 2015, 05:35:02 AM »

Quote from: M_a_t_t on December 11, 2015, 03:39:38 AM

I think I'm just gonna part this out and use the money to get a more complete bike.

You probably have barely more than you paid for it in parts value. Don't know what you expect to raise, but in that price range, all bikes will need loads of work. Me, I'd just bite the bullet and use the winter to start rebuilding the bike in front of you. Who cares about the total investment, it's a project to learn on, a bike that when done you'll really enjoy, and have great memories with.

Not all projects should be weighed in financial terms.

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #19 on:** December 11, 2015, 08:03:33 AM »

Since you're only n for $100, you could keep it to work on long term or part it. You should buy something rideable now to get some seat time while you build your first one or you won't be riding anytime soon.

seanbarney41 · « **Reply #20 on:** December 11, 2015, 01:09:53 PM »

+1 on the parts value. All the expensive parts are gone from yours. You might squeeze $2-300 out of it with lots of time and effort packing and shipping, not any real profit there. If you really want a 500/550, just find another better one and save that one for parts.

M_a_t_t · « **Reply #21 on:** December 11, 2015, 06:43:37 PM »

I was thinking that getting a different bike that needs a little done to it and working on this as a project on the side sounded good I was looking at https://muncie.craigslist.org/mcy/5354480877.html it seems a little high in price to me but its a complete bike. It's been on Craig's list for awhile guy just reposted his ad.

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #22 on:** December 11, 2015, 11:16:10 PM »

That price is high -- I assume it is titled. Plus it is only a 125cc, slower than many scooters; good only for putting around and not a highway-speed bike. You will grow out of this bike extremely fast.

M_a_t_t · « **Reply #23 on:** December 12, 2015, 05:46:50 AM »

I don't travel on the highway ever and when I do I would probably just take my van. I sense I'm being indecisive about this. I don't know I live with my parents so I can't really get away with having more than one on the lot anyway... $:-\$

70CB750 · « **Reply #24 on:** December 12, 2015, 07:16:22 AM »

Small bikes are great to learn on, seriously. 50cc 2 stroke was the typical startup when I was a teenager.

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Author Topic: Build or take apart (Read 3200 times)