Topic: 1976 cb550 Cafe Build "Boxed Project"

[Flexia]

Fairly new here to the forums.  Have been creeping though.  I introduced my self a few months back and now the time has come to start working on my  "Boxed Project"  Basically I bought a cb550 and parts mostly boxed up.  Who every had it before me must have got lost in the project and I picked it up from there.  I still haven't got thew the box of parts with it.  But it looks like most stock parts are there.  Also there is a harley rear hub that I don't think is going to be good for anything. But I guess we'll see






(with my other project that I haven't touched)


Once I started taking the bike apart I found that he didn't know what he was doing. Like the longer shocks that let the chain rub the swing arm.  The "modified frame" to fit the fiberglass tank that could have easily been trimmed.  The tank and tail is barley held on and the welded bracket for the tank mount is barley stuck on there. And also it seemed whoever did the front end fab knew somewhat what was going on.  Front axle has been tig welded to it factory CB bearings.  And also the steering stem is tigged to adapt to the stock bearing size.  But whoever installed the bearings didn't bother putting any seals in there.






Do you guys feel the frame need to be replace of the "tank fitment mod"??


My goals for the build are to use the Factory honda tank and make it a Cafe.  I need to figure out the front hub to accept the front brakes that are there and get it sitting good.  Then deal with the wiring and lights

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

There's some jenky things going on there.

[calj737]

I'm all for modifying stuff, and I don't shy away from welding stuff either. However, whomever welded that stuff should put their torch down and walk away. They need a grinder more than a TIG torch.

From the brief glimpses your pictures show, I'd scrap that frame. Every bit of it. The front axle; scrap it. If they modified a GSXR axle to fit the stock Honda hub, then they/you have no idea about what original material the axle was, was it heat treated, which alloy, etc. Welding on unknown alloys/metals that are structural is dangerous. And downright foolish to rely upon.

My opinion, and you may feel inclined to discard it. I may have a frame or know someone who does if you'd rather go for a less molested route.

[Flexia]

@calji737 it almost seems 2 people had touched it prior to me since the tig welds on the axel are nice and neat but the frame is junk.  I do plan on getting a stock axel for that front.  It's actually a zx9r fork from them 97ish.  Also I think I have a contact close by that's got a frame. It's a 550f I believe so the rear brake hardware will need to be different

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[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

@calji737 it almost seems 2 people had touched it prior to me since the tig welds on the axel are nice and neat but the frame is junk.  I do plan on getting a stock axel for that front.  It's actually a zx9r fork from them 97ish.  Also I think I have a contact close by that's got a frame. It's a 550f I believe so the rear brake hardware will need to be different

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I think you're doing the right thing to toss this frame to the curb. It and the axle are WAY too sketchy.

[Tews19]

So the frame was beaten to death to fit a tank on properly? Wowsa!

[Flexia]

So the frame was beaten to death to fit a tank on properly? Wowsa!

Yep. Funny thing is it had a legendary dunstall tank that has about 1/2 inch lip on it.  Could have easily been trimmed to clear the upper tubes.  And he could have at least centered it so it wouldnt need much on either side

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[palepainter]

Ya,  Previous owner basically annealed the front down tubes, creating a very weak spot in one of the most needed areas of that frame.  Frames are around.  If you were in the Denver area, I would give ya one.

Welcome to the party.

[Flexia]

Grabbed a frame.  77 f model so I'll have to figure the rear brake out.  I am thinking I can just cut the bracket off the modlested frame and weld it to the F model.  I plan on removing the passenger pegs too which tie into the brake on the F frame so swapping brackets will fix that too.

[palepainter]

Or, switch over to juice rear and grab F swingarm and rear hub.

[palepainter]

Definitely lots of options.   You have a great start .  Parts are everywhere.  Did you find a frame with a title?

[Flexia]

Definitely lots of options.   You have a great start .  Parts are everywhere.  Did you find a frame with a title?

No title with the frame but have the title for the main bike.  Shouldn't be an issue to move the VIN tag over

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[calj737]

The VIN tag is tied to the frame because the right side of the neck is also engraved with the matching VIN number. I'd discourage you from swapping tags. It's illegal and will make a future sale doubtful.

What you can do, is to obtain a registration for that frame from VT. Then, use that registration within your state to ultimately "transfer" ownership to yourself legally.

Or, you can cut the neck off the damaged frame and transplant it to the new frame (by a skilled welder). This would at least be more legitimate.

[Flexia]

Thanks for the info Calj737. That may be dangerous though because bikes pop on on cl all the time for $200-300 all the time with no title

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[palepainter]

In some states, they will accept the fact that your old bike has a title.  If it is an instate title, you probably wont have to get a vin verification.  In AZ, we could get a dismantling permit and then a new VIN issued by the state.   

[Flexia]

So I sold the fiberglass tanks now and can spend that on the bike.  I'm thinking rims and new spokes.  But I need to figure out what sizes I want to run.  I really want to run a 18 in the front but if I buy a front rim I want it to be maybe 2.5in wide.  So then that forces me(in my head at least) to buy a wider rear rim. And that leads me to ask what size rims are you guys running here in the cafe builds

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[calj737]

You can run a 3.25 pretty safely on the 550 rear, with a 130/140 tire. A 2.15 or 2.5 front is fine too, but a 2.15 is easier. Will support many 120 tires safely. I run a 3.5 front and 4.25 rear with a 120/140 tire setup. The 3.5 is mated to a GSXR front end though-

[Flexia]

It seems a 120 for a 18 is hard to find for the front.  What tire you running? And the more I look at 550 builds the more I want to stick a 4.25 on the rear.  Seems the swingarm will accept it but sprocket and break stay will need modified. 

I think I need to put the wheel delema on the back and work on swapping the frame over and get it sitting how I want.


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[calj737]

Pirelli Sport Demon is a good choice, 120/18 for the front is easy. Up to a 150 will fit on the rear without a sprocket change, but you will have to modify the brake torque arm.

[Flexia]

Pirelli Sport Demon is a good choice, 120/18 for the front is easy. Up to a 150 will fit on the rear without a sprocket change, but you will have to modify the brake torque arm.

You talking about running a rear tire on the front? 

[calj737]

No, they offer a 120/80-18 as a front. Or a 120/70-17.

[Flexia]

Cal I still cant find the 120 front tire you mentioned.  I wonder if they quite making it now since its not on their website. 

Anyway a bit of progress over the week.  Got the frames swapped over and motor out ready to start cutting my rear frame of and adding my own loop and braces.  I have friends in the machine shop world so I took my front hub to get some spacers made to adapt to the front disk of the inverted forks.  Also trying to keep the speedo drive.  Still on the wheel dilemma.  If I cant find a 120 I will prob end up with a 110 front and 130 rear.   And then if I only go with those sizes Ill be sticking with Sunrims 2.15 in the front and 2.75 out back.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Cal I still cant find the 120 front tire you mentioned.  I wonder if they quite making it now since its not on their website. 

Anyway a bit of progress over the week.  Got the frames swapped over and motor out ready to start cutting my rear frame of and adding my own loop and braces.  I have friends in the machine shop world so I took my front hub to get some spacers made to adapt to the front disk of the inverted forks.  Also trying to keep the speedo drive.  Still on the wheel dilemma.  If I cant find a 120 I will prob end up with a 110 front and 130 rear.   And then if I only go with those sizes Ill be sticking with Sunrims 2.15 in the front and 2.75 out back.

Depending on the seat you plan to use, you may want to add some angle on your frame hoop/loop, to prevent tire clearance issues.

[calj737]

Yeah, I don't see the 120-18 any longer. They do offer the 110-18 or swap models to a 120-18
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/28007/d/pirelli-street-bike-sport-touring-front-tires?N=4294963681&source=tire-picker

[Flexia]

Had some progress this week with the frame. Also I'm waiting on my rims and spokes form Buchanan. Hopefully this week I can get the rear hub apart and to powdercoat.  Once I have the wheels on I can figure out exactly how it will sit and if I need to adjust then rear frame section