Author Topic: Cafenated 1974 CB550 Project : ) (Read 21161 times)

bhppy101 · « **on:** January 11, 2008, 09:25:22 pm »

Hi All!!

This is my first project post here at SOHC4.net. I usually post my projects in the appropriate forums like Suzuki, Yamaha, Kawwi, 2stokes and so on.

I bought my 1974 CB550 last weekend and I've started taking it apart. It runs perfectly as I bought it. I had a little dilema with the upper tree. The previous owner tried to fit 1" bars on the bike and hacked up the bar mounts on the upper tree.

I had a Zooki GS750 parts bike and I removed the whole tree assembly. It has a slightly different offset (maybe about 1-2mm) than the 550 so I couldnt just replace the upper part of the tree.

I have the front end of my 550 off and I'm doing the swap right now. It looks like I will have to weld some steering stops on the bottom tree to work with the 550.

I'll be posting pics as I go along...This project shouldnt take very long since she's a great runner. I dont have to tinker around with tuning issues!

drackett_19 · « **Reply #1 on:** January 11, 2008, 10:33:09 pm »

Sounds like a great project! lookin forward to some pics

bhppy101 · « **Reply #2 on:** January 12, 2008, 02:40:46 pm »

I got the front end put together....I took the rear wheel off today to replace the tube....while I had the rear off I started to polish the hubs....This pic is phase one of 3 of the polishing...I only did half so that you can see how oxidized the hub was before I started:

As soon as I get the rear wheel back on...I'll roll her outside and post some before pics

bhppy101 · « **Reply #3 on:** January 13, 2008, 03:36:50 pm »

Heres some pics of the bike in its current condition and some shots of the polished rear hub. The only thing I've done so far besides swapping the triple tree out is put some clubman bars...took of the gauges....and polished the rear hub. I will start building my seat tonight.

lentobensa · « **Reply #4 on:** January 13, 2008, 05:19:14 pm »

looking good!

keep us posted

bhppy101 · « **Reply #5 on:** January 13, 2008, 05:56:38 pm »

I'm finally almost done with my 2 -stroke Yamaha YDS3....now I can concentrate on the CB550!

Hope · « **Reply #6 on:** January 14, 2008, 03:07:15 pm »

I like the polished rear hub. Keep up the work & keep us updated with the build. We love pics of progress!

bhppy101 · « **Reply #7 on:** January 14, 2008, 05:01:17 pm »

I stripped the seat off and cut all the tabs off the frame. I shopped the rear end off and welded some 1/8" steel to cap off the back end then ground them down to fit the frame.

bhppy101 · « **Reply #8 on:** January 14, 2008, 07:05:55 pm »

I taped off the frame all the way across to have a conformed platform that I can fiberglass to.

I use 3M contact adhesive so that I can lay down foam blocks to the rear and shape the back of the seat.

bhppy101 · « **Reply #9 on:** January 14, 2008, 09:42:35 pm »

I glued down (4) 2" layers of foam stacked on top of each other on the back end. I usually rough draw an outline of what shape I want to go with before I start cutting. I use a serrated kitchen knife and star sawing at the foam to get a general shape.

Before I start hacking at the back end...I place the tailight that I'm using on the rear and trace a general area that it will be mounted so that it will leave me and area not to cut.

after getting the round about shape using the knife......I use my disc sander with 80 grit and star shaping it....just eyballing and keeping in mind where the center of the seat is. I mark a line down the center and use my rear tire as a center point. Once I get the shape that I like....It will be time to mask off the foam so that I can star fiberglassing.

FunJimmy · « **Reply #10 on:** January 15, 2008, 07:42:01 am »

Lookin good! I'm currently doing the same thing using a stock seat pan.
It's fun to see the final shape taking form.

FJ

valt · « **Reply #11 on:** January 15, 2008, 04:42:55 pm »

Quote from: bhppy101 on January 13, 2008, 03:36:50 pm

Heres some pics of the bike in its current condition and some shots of the polished rear hub. The only thing I've done so far besides swapping the triple tree out is put some clubman bars...took of the gauges....and polished the rear hub. I will start building my seat tonight.

I really like the way it looks just like that! I recently a 74' 550, and I have been trying to figure a way to mount brake light and rear turn signals without having the rear fender on. Also what turn signals are you using up front? Or do you have any at all?

lentobensa · « **Reply #12 on:** January 15, 2008, 04:59:06 pm »

that is great - I have been playing with fibeglass on a scale boat recently.

My advice would be to have someone pose on the bike so you can have a good look at it in different situation - covering it with plastic bag for more appropriate color might also help getting the visual masses honed in. Looking great though.

bhppy101 · « **Reply #13 on:** January 15, 2008, 05:07:10 pm »

I'll be using mini stalk signals both front and rear...If you want to mount a tail light and remove your rear fender...just go to home depot and get some 1/8" flat steel 1.5" wide....bend it in a U shape to fit under the seat in the back of the frame and drill some holes and bolt it where tour stock rear signals mount.

If you are looking for a cheap small tailight....they sell rectangular ones about 5" across and 2.5" tall at most auto parts stores for less that $8

AOD · « **Reply #14 on:** January 15, 2008, 07:19:45 pm »

Hey bhppy101, thanks for the link to this forum, I just registered here!

Your new project looks awesome already, and if it's anything like your previous work, it'll be really nice when finished!

When I see the pictures of your CB with the modified rear frame, I want to cut mine...but I don't on the other hand. Argh!

~Adam

bhppy101 · « **Reply #15 on:** January 15, 2008, 07:58:31 pm »

WAZ UP Adam!!!

Glad you made it in!

I did some more foam shaving.... taped off the foam and layed about 7-8 layers of fiberglass matt and resin.

bhppy101 · « **Reply #16 on:** January 15, 2008, 08:00:37 pm »

Quote from: AOD on January 15, 2008, 07:19:45 pm

Hey bhppy101, thanks for the link to this forum, I just registered here!

Your new project looks awesome already, and if it's anything like your previous work, it'll be really nice when finished!

When I see the pictures of your CB with the modified rear frame, I want to cut mine...but I don't on the other hand. Argh!

~Adam

Do you plan on ever having a passenger? if not.....CUT IT OFF!!!.... If you plan on building your own seat...it will allow you to make the rear of the tail slimmer!

bhppy101 · « **Reply #17 on:** January 15, 2008, 11:15:47 pm »

After the glass cured...I trimmed and used my disc sander to knock down the high spots.

Next...its time for filling (body filler) and tons of sanding!

bhppy101 · « **Reply #18 on:** January 18, 2008, 06:33:28 pm »

I finished filling....shaping....and sanding. I got it primed and its ready to paint!

bhppy101 · « **Reply #19 on:** January 20, 2008, 06:04:05 pm »

It just got dark...nut I wanted to take some pics with my progress. I painted my CB550 today charcoal metallic....with black trim and silver pinstripes. I'll be building the seat pan tonight to fir my fiberglass seat so I can foam and upholster it.

More pics tomorrow in the daylight.

FunJimmy · « **Reply #20 on:** January 20, 2008, 06:08:54 pm »

Man, you work fast. It takes me all winter to do that.

bhppy101 · « **Reply #21 on:** January 20, 2008, 06:14:34 pm »

....thanks!

I still need to polish the cases and forks.....modify the exhaust.....and wire up lights.

Usually if I'm really into a project....I can get it done in a week or two of evenings.

Jeff · « **Reply #22 on:** January 20, 2008, 06:34:10 pm »

Damn that's just looking unbelievably awesome. Top notch!

Jeff

c91x · « **Reply #23 on:** January 20, 2008, 10:03:04 pm »

is that rattle can?

bhppy101 · « **Reply #24 on:** January 20, 2008, 10:04:57 pm »

Quote from: c91x on January 20, 2008, 10:03:04 pm

is that rattle can?

No...Its PPG and House of Kolor

News:

Author Topic: Cafenated 1974 CB550 Project : ) (Read 21161 times)

bhppy101

bhppy101

bhppy101

lentobensa

bhppy101

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lentobensa

bhppy101

AOD

bhppy101

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