Author Topic: Gentlemans Express Cb550  (Read 20079 times)

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Offline Stev-o

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Re: Gentlemans Express Cb550
« Reply #125 on: August 08, 2016, 05:42:38 PM »


Honestly she was bombing around on it yesterday. She looks great on it too.

Pics or it didn't happen!
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline Camrector

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Re: Gentlemans Express Cb550
« Reply #126 on: August 08, 2016, 06:32:22 PM »
This was the only one I took Stev-o. That was the last time she was behind me :)


Offline Stev-o

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Re: Gentlemans Express Cb550
« Reply #127 on: August 08, 2016, 06:47:17 PM »
It happened!  Thx for posting.
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline HondaMan

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Re: Gentlemans Express Cb550
« Reply #128 on: August 09, 2016, 06:50:21 PM »
Ah, the sweet breeze of success!
Good job hanging in there with it!
:)
See SOHC4shop@gmail.com for info about the gadgets I make for these bikes.

The demons are repulsed when a man does good. Use that.
Blood is thicker than water, but motor oil is thicker yet...so, don't mess with my SOHC4, or I might have to hurt you.
Hondaman's creed: "Bikers are family. Treat them accordingly."

Link to Hondaman Ignition: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=67543.0

Link to My CB750 Book: https://www.lulu.com/search?adult_audience_rating=00&page=1&pageSize=10&q=my+cb750+book

Link to website: www.SOHC4shop.com

Offline FunJimmy

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Re: Gentlemans Express Cb550
« Reply #129 on: August 09, 2016, 08:54:30 PM »
This was the only one I took Stev-o. That was the last time she was behind me :)



What I like about this pic is the blatant use of your cell phone while riding.
In these parts your first offence would yield a $543.00 penalty.
Second offence = $888.00 and third, over $3000.00
You need a non-reflective visor.
You never see a motorcycle parked outside of a psychiatrist's office!

CB550 Cafe Interceptor a Gentlemans Roadster
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=27159.0

Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: Gentlemans Express Cb550
« Reply #130 on: August 09, 2016, 09:19:12 PM »
Ah but the exchange rate, Jim. ;) 

Ride safe out there!
1975 CB550K1 "Blue" Stockish Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=135005.0)
1975 CB550F1 frame/CB650 engine hybrid "The Hot Mess" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,150220.0.html)
2008 Triumph Thruxton (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,190956.0.html)
2014 MV Agusta Brutale Dragster 800
2015 Yamaha FZ-09 (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,186861.0.html)

"There are some things nobody needs in this world, and a bright-red, hunch-back, warp-speed 900cc cafe racer is one of them — but I want one anyway, and on some days I actually believe I need one.... Being shot out of a cannon will always be better than being squeezed out of a tube. That is why God made fast motorcycles, Bubba." Hunter S. Thompson, Song of the Sausage Creature, Cycle World, March 1995.  (http://www.latexnet.org/~csmith/sausage.html and https://magazine.cycleworld.com/article/1995/3/1/song-of-the-sausage-creature)

Sold/Emeritus
1973 CB750K2 "Bionic Mongrel" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132734.0) - Sold
1977 CB750K7 "Nine Lives" Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=50490.0) - Sold
2005 RVT1000RR RC51-SP2 "El Diablo" - Sold
2016+ Triumph Thruxton 1200 R (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,170198.0.html) - Sold

Offline Kickstart

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Re: Gentlemans Express Cb550
« Reply #131 on: August 10, 2016, 10:58:37 AM »
Ha!   I've got a few pictures laying around somewhere I took with my 100% manual Pentax 35mm camera... action shots while riding on the bikes, on a road trip with my buddies up to the Cabot trail around 1995/96. 

My one buddy was yelling at me to cut it out before I crashed... but hey I was immortal back then :)

Really nice pic Camrector! (even if it might be considered irresponsible)

- Chris
75' CB750F Orange flake (rider)
75' CB750F Blue (Project)
75' CB750F Painted black (Project)
No Reserve Racing #171 AHRMA

Offline HondaMan

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Re: Gentlemans Express Cb550
« Reply #132 on: August 10, 2016, 06:19:07 PM »
Ha!   I've got a few pictures laying around somewhere I took with my 100% manual Pentax 35mm camera... action shots while riding on the bikes, on a road trip with my buddies up to the Cabot trail around 1995/96. 

My one buddy was yelling at me to cut it out before I crashed... but hey I was immortal back then :)

Really nice pic Camrector! (even if it might be considered irresponsible)



Me, too: I have an entire scrapbbook (100s of shots) mostly while riding this whole country, with the Vetter windshield in the corner of most of them. But...it was back when we used something called "film" and the cameras were smaller than today's cellphones, very easy to use with your left hand (upside down), so long as you could see thru the viewfinder while rolling!  Of course, the actual yield of usable pictures was about 25% because the film speed was slower than a Honda Cub 50 and the shutters even slower to cope with it.

I'd bet I'd crash today trying to do it, the cameras are too hard to use in comparison. ;)
See SOHC4shop@gmail.com for info about the gadgets I make for these bikes.

The demons are repulsed when a man does good. Use that.
Blood is thicker than water, but motor oil is thicker yet...so, don't mess with my SOHC4, or I might have to hurt you.
Hondaman's creed: "Bikers are family. Treat them accordingly."

Link to Hondaman Ignition: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=67543.0

Link to My CB750 Book: https://www.lulu.com/search?adult_audience_rating=00&page=1&pageSize=10&q=my+cb750+book

Link to website: www.SOHC4shop.com

Offline flatlander

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Re: Gentlemans Express Cb550
« Reply #133 on: August 11, 2016, 11:40:17 AM »
i've got a little waterproof, digital point-and-shoot cam. carry it on a shoulder strap, and in my left jacket pocket. i can pull it out with my left hand and shoot. success rate is low because of hit-and-miss framing and often funny focus and exposure but you do get a few good and fun pics that are usable.

Offline Camrector

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Re: Gentlemans Express Cb550
« Reply #134 on: August 15, 2016, 09:45:36 PM »
Well we are back from our weekend in Cleveland for the Mods vs Rockers event. Bike performed great. It was fantastic to get her on the open road and see how she performed. Easily broke the ton a few times, beautiful linear power curve all the way up, and handled like a dream.
You guys were right about the wooden feeling from the rear suspension. Just felt kinda dead. Cant wait until the Works shocks arrive. Pilot jet also I believe could come down 1 more step too. After long stretches of 80 plus mph riding, she would stumble a bit once stopped at a light.
We stayed with friends Brian and Molly owners of Skidmark Garage. Brian is also the host of a new show coming out this fall "Wrench Against the Machine", a bike build competition set in Cleveland and LA. Teasers that I saw looked awesome. It will air in Nov. on the Esquire channel.
James and Lee from Bedlam Werks also stayed with us as well. Super great dudes. If anyone ever finds themselves in Athens GA, hit these guys up. They are a blast.


Arrived at Skidmark. Max, Nick and myself


Dudes. Bedlam, Angerstreet, Skidmark.



Nicks camera skills!

Great weekend.

Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: Gentlemans Express Cb550
« Reply #135 on: August 15, 2016, 09:58:19 PM »
Sounds like a good road trip and opportunity to shake down the bike.

I had several friends compete on WATM.
1975 CB550K1 "Blue" Stockish Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=135005.0)
1975 CB550F1 frame/CB650 engine hybrid "The Hot Mess" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,150220.0.html)
2008 Triumph Thruxton (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,190956.0.html)
2014 MV Agusta Brutale Dragster 800
2015 Yamaha FZ-09 (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,186861.0.html)

"There are some things nobody needs in this world, and a bright-red, hunch-back, warp-speed 900cc cafe racer is one of them — but I want one anyway, and on some days I actually believe I need one.... Being shot out of a cannon will always be better than being squeezed out of a tube. That is why God made fast motorcycles, Bubba." Hunter S. Thompson, Song of the Sausage Creature, Cycle World, March 1995.  (http://www.latexnet.org/~csmith/sausage.html and https://magazine.cycleworld.com/article/1995/3/1/song-of-the-sausage-creature)

Sold/Emeritus
1973 CB750K2 "Bionic Mongrel" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132734.0) - Sold
1977 CB750K7 "Nine Lives" Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=50490.0) - Sold
2005 RVT1000RR RC51-SP2 "El Diablo" - Sold
2016+ Triumph Thruxton 1200 R (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,170198.0.html) - Sold

Offline HondaMan

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Re: Gentlemans Express Cb550
« Reply #136 on: August 15, 2016, 10:18:45 PM »
...I love it when a plan comes together... :)
See SOHC4shop@gmail.com for info about the gadgets I make for these bikes.

The demons are repulsed when a man does good. Use that.
Blood is thicker than water, but motor oil is thicker yet...so, don't mess with my SOHC4, or I might have to hurt you.
Hondaman's creed: "Bikers are family. Treat them accordingly."

Link to Hondaman Ignition: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=67543.0

Link to My CB750 Book: https://www.lulu.com/search?adult_audience_rating=00&page=1&pageSize=10&q=my+cb750+book

Link to website: www.SOHC4shop.com

Offline Camrector

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Re: Gentlemans Express Cb550
« Reply #137 on: August 15, 2016, 10:41:12 PM »
Don: that's awesome. I wish I could share more details of the show with everyone, but alas sworn to secrecy lol. But I'm sure you know the premise and particulars. Stoked!

Mark: I'm trying my hardest to follow your break in instructions!! Honest I swear!!

Offline sinister902

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Re: Gentlemans Express Cb550
« Reply #138 on: August 16, 2016, 05:16:13 AM »
I made sure not to wear a reflective visor so nobody could call me irresponsible for the photos lol.

Offline HondaMan

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Re: Gentlemans Express Cb550
« Reply #139 on: August 17, 2016, 05:24:36 PM »
Don: that's awesome. I wish I could share more details of the show with everyone, but alas sworn to secrecy lol. But I'm sure you know the premise and particulars. Stoked!

Mark: I'm trying my hardest to follow your break in instructions!! Honest I swear!!

Well, part of those do include the "...occasional run to higher RPM before 1000 miles...".
;)
See SOHC4shop@gmail.com for info about the gadgets I make for these bikes.

The demons are repulsed when a man does good. Use that.
Blood is thicker than water, but motor oil is thicker yet...so, don't mess with my SOHC4, or I might have to hurt you.
Hondaman's creed: "Bikers are family. Treat them accordingly."

Link to Hondaman Ignition: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=67543.0

Link to My CB750 Book: https://www.lulu.com/search?adult_audience_rating=00&page=1&pageSize=10&q=my+cb750+book

Link to website: www.SOHC4shop.com

Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: Gentlemans Express Cb550
« Reply #140 on: August 18, 2016, 10:41:42 AM »
Cam,

Did you re-use the stock tank trim or find a substitute?
1975 CB550K1 "Blue" Stockish Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=135005.0)
1975 CB550F1 frame/CB650 engine hybrid "The Hot Mess" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,150220.0.html)
2008 Triumph Thruxton (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,190956.0.html)
2014 MV Agusta Brutale Dragster 800
2015 Yamaha FZ-09 (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,186861.0.html)

"There are some things nobody needs in this world, and a bright-red, hunch-back, warp-speed 900cc cafe racer is one of them — but I want one anyway, and on some days I actually believe I need one.... Being shot out of a cannon will always be better than being squeezed out of a tube. That is why God made fast motorcycles, Bubba." Hunter S. Thompson, Song of the Sausage Creature, Cycle World, March 1995.  (http://www.latexnet.org/~csmith/sausage.html and https://magazine.cycleworld.com/article/1995/3/1/song-of-the-sausage-creature)

Sold/Emeritus
1973 CB750K2 "Bionic Mongrel" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132734.0) - Sold
1977 CB750K7 "Nine Lives" Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=50490.0) - Sold
2005 RVT1000RR RC51-SP2 "El Diablo" - Sold
2016+ Triumph Thruxton 1200 R (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,170198.0.html) - Sold

Offline Camrector

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Re: Gentlemans Express Cb550
« Reply #141 on: August 18, 2016, 11:36:24 AM »
New trim from an eBay seller Don. I think it came out great for $7. I used the same sellers seat trim product as well. Besides the frame, tank, and rear hub everything on this build is new or NOS.
« Last Edit: August 18, 2016, 11:40:08 AM by Camrector »

Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: Gentlemans Express Cb550
« Reply #142 on: August 18, 2016, 03:15:05 PM »
New trim from an eBay seller Don. I think it came out great for $7. I used the same sellers seat trim product as well. Besides the frame, tank, and rear hub everything on this build is new or NOS.

That NOS trim is unobtainium.  Those replacing it usually use something close.  This looks pretty damn close.
1975 CB550K1 "Blue" Stockish Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=135005.0)
1975 CB550F1 frame/CB650 engine hybrid "The Hot Mess" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,150220.0.html)
2008 Triumph Thruxton (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,190956.0.html)
2014 MV Agusta Brutale Dragster 800
2015 Yamaha FZ-09 (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,186861.0.html)

"There are some things nobody needs in this world, and a bright-red, hunch-back, warp-speed 900cc cafe racer is one of them — but I want one anyway, and on some days I actually believe I need one.... Being shot out of a cannon will always be better than being squeezed out of a tube. That is why God made fast motorcycles, Bubba." Hunter S. Thompson, Song of the Sausage Creature, Cycle World, March 1995.  (http://www.latexnet.org/~csmith/sausage.html and https://magazine.cycleworld.com/article/1995/3/1/song-of-the-sausage-creature)

Sold/Emeritus
1973 CB750K2 "Bionic Mongrel" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132734.0) - Sold
1977 CB750K7 "Nine Lives" Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=50490.0) - Sold
2005 RVT1000RR RC51-SP2 "El Diablo" - Sold
2016+ Triumph Thruxton 1200 R (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,170198.0.html) - Sold

Offline Camrector

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Re: Gentlemans Express Cb550
« Reply #143 on: August 18, 2016, 06:21:25 PM »
I'd definantly agree. The thickness is nearly perfect. It is plastic "chrome", but really looks super good and won't rust  :)

Offline Camrector

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Re: Gentlemans Express Cb550
« Reply #144 on: September 01, 2016, 06:28:41 PM »
BOTM!!! Thank you all! Really means a lot to Nick and myself. Again thank you guys!
Works tracker shocks arrived today. First impression is they are super light. I got the aluminum bodies. Build quality looks excellent. Plenty of adjustments as well. I'll put them on this weekend and report back.

Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: Gentlemans Express Cb550
« Reply #145 on: September 13, 2016, 12:07:24 PM »
Gymkhana 9 -- fresh from Buffalo, your neck of the woods. . . (with a nice Lemmy tune at the end)

« Last Edit: September 13, 2016, 12:09:22 PM by CB750 Cafe Racer Fan »
1975 CB550K1 "Blue" Stockish Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=135005.0)
1975 CB550F1 frame/CB650 engine hybrid "The Hot Mess" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,150220.0.html)
2008 Triumph Thruxton (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,190956.0.html)
2014 MV Agusta Brutale Dragster 800
2015 Yamaha FZ-09 (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,186861.0.html)

"There are some things nobody needs in this world, and a bright-red, hunch-back, warp-speed 900cc cafe racer is one of them — but I want one anyway, and on some days I actually believe I need one.... Being shot out of a cannon will always be better than being squeezed out of a tube. That is why God made fast motorcycles, Bubba." Hunter S. Thompson, Song of the Sausage Creature, Cycle World, March 1995.  (http://www.latexnet.org/~csmith/sausage.html and https://magazine.cycleworld.com/article/1995/3/1/song-of-the-sausage-creature)

Sold/Emeritus
1973 CB750K2 "Bionic Mongrel" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132734.0) - Sold
1977 CB750K7 "Nine Lives" Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=50490.0) - Sold
2005 RVT1000RR RC51-SP2 "El Diablo" - Sold
2016+ Triumph Thruxton 1200 R (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,170198.0.html) - Sold

Offline Camrector

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Re: Gentlemans Express Cb550
« Reply #146 on: September 13, 2016, 12:30:34 PM »
Ugh take that down quick!!!! That's about a block away from Nicks ( Sinisters) shop and he drives a focus!!  ;D ;D

Really cool though.

Offline sinister902

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Re: Gentlemans Express Cb550
« Reply #147 on: September 13, 2016, 12:32:43 PM »
I totally went and peeped the tire marks by central terminal after they finished filming.

Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: Gentlemans Express Cb550
« Reply #148 on: September 13, 2016, 12:40:22 PM »
Nick was a special consultant.
1975 CB550K1 "Blue" Stockish Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=135005.0)
1975 CB550F1 frame/CB650 engine hybrid "The Hot Mess" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,150220.0.html)
2008 Triumph Thruxton (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,190956.0.html)
2014 MV Agusta Brutale Dragster 800
2015 Yamaha FZ-09 (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,186861.0.html)

"There are some things nobody needs in this world, and a bright-red, hunch-back, warp-speed 900cc cafe racer is one of them — but I want one anyway, and on some days I actually believe I need one.... Being shot out of a cannon will always be better than being squeezed out of a tube. That is why God made fast motorcycles, Bubba." Hunter S. Thompson, Song of the Sausage Creature, Cycle World, March 1995.  (http://www.latexnet.org/~csmith/sausage.html and https://magazine.cycleworld.com/article/1995/3/1/song-of-the-sausage-creature)

Sold/Emeritus
1973 CB750K2 "Bionic Mongrel" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132734.0) - Sold
1977 CB750K7 "Nine Lives" Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=50490.0) - Sold
2005 RVT1000RR RC51-SP2 "El Diablo" - Sold
2016+ Triumph Thruxton 1200 R (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,170198.0.html) - Sold

Offline sinister902

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Re: Gentlemans Express Cb550
« Reply #149 on: September 13, 2016, 12:41:45 PM »
not the first time I've been called special.