Topic: 76 550K back after 10 years (3-22 exhaust update!)

[Ryan66]

Joined this page I believe 10 years ago when I bought my 76 550. Loved the sound and the look of the cafe bikes specifically the 550. Reseached for weeks on here and began tearing it down to start my cafe build. Long story short I sold it because i couldnt afford all the nickel and dime parts. So lost interest and sold it in 2012 I think. So in the last few months ive gotten the itch again so i began looking for another 550. A buddy of mine who has a few knew that also. He bought a project bike because it had a set of nice gauges on it. He texts me telling me he has a project bike for me. I asked for pics of course. Could not believe my eyes when i saw them. It was my old bike and was still mostly complete and and the way i left. Its tore down partly but i think most everything is there. So i had to get it back obviously. Its home now and looks mostly complete. Ive ordered some random parts i can see that are missing. Guess its meant to be and i gotta keep it now and ready to do a nice cafe build now that i can afford it. Crazy how things work out sometimes. Heres a few pics of the day i brought it home. The day i sold it. And its current state.

[Jimcg]

Great to hear and see! Looks like a fun project.

Take your time and promise to keep it this time. 🙂

/Jim

[rb550four]

  (Sniff) That was a very touching story  , Ryan66.
    I'm not even sure if I can read it a second time. It reminds me of that saying ," if you love something , set it free, and it will come back to you".
 And it came back! ( sniff)  What are the chances?
   Makes me feel like sharing the original '70's movie " Love Story" or something, with all my 550's.
 but they already know, I could never set them free.

I'm glad it came back too you, this is something special, treat each other kindly.

[Ryan66]

So I'm missing the junction panel fuse panel that goes under the side cover. Mines a 76. Will any year work or are there differences?

[Ryan66]

Slowly but surely getting things to continue on my build. Picked up another doner bike for the alot of the wiring and it has a titled frame. If it weren't so cold here I could be in the garage lol

[Ryan66]

Slowly moving along. But getting the motor out has me motivated now.

[Ryan66]

Got it stripped to the bare frame now. Think I'm gonna tackle the motor next. Fresh gaskets and orings. Compression check first

[Ryan66]

Random Facebook marketplace exhaust find today. New never ran only mounted. I'm told they are quite rare. 20min from my house!

[Ryan66]

Not what I was wanting to see upon teardown inspection. Cam journal is fubared. Got hot or something got in there and grooved it very badly. Luckily I have another stuck parts engine I can teardown and hope for the best.