Topic: Project Anti Bling - Bar Hoppin CB550

[sauce]

Hey yall from Lubbock, TX!  Just thought I would drop in and start a build thread.  I am new to the bike scene, but I have been wrenching for a while on rock crawlers.  Well, I recently moved from Sunny Reno, NV, land of plenty o' rocks to flat/windy Lubbock.  For my sanity, I must have a project.  I liked the looks of the bobberz and a friend found a few neglected CB550's.  So off I went to go pick these two "piles of crap" (wifes words, not mine).  Plans include a complete rewire, hard tail, stretch, rake (probably about 40 degrees), a new tank, and ?  I also planon doing this for less than $400 (My original budget was $100 but we all know how realistic that is)  So here is what I started with

1971 CB500



1974 CB550



Started stripping it down



My wrenching buddy Matt wanted to help with the project (he has a CB550 he is fixing up as well) and he wanted to learn to weld.  I had him weld the angle iron to the swingarm after we got everything lined up.  He did surprisingly well, I think I will call him sparky 





Stretched the back out.  I am using the swingarm as a jig because I was too lazy to make a stand for the frame



I will update this as I go along.  I look forward to getting feedback from everyone here and hope to share what I can.

[mystic_1]

Lots of love needed there, but I see lots of potential in your mockup.

Hope part of your budged is allocated towards a new drive chain. 


mystic_1

[sauce]

UPDATES!!!!

Got the front rake done tonight, I went with 40 degrees and a 4.5" ride height.  I also have the hardtail mocked up in conduit to see what bends I need to make.  Let me know what yall think.

Before (5" stretch)



After (5" stretch and 40 degree rake)



It makes a big difference.  I also ordered a peanut tank for it and it should be here this week.  I should have the hardtail burned in by this weekend.  I will keep updating this.

[fuzzybutt]

how are you going to get the proper trail back into it?

[sauce]

how are you going to get the proper trail back into it?

Right now I am sitting at 6.5" of trail.  I am going to ride it as is and see how she does.  If I don't like how it handles, I will get a bigger front tire.

[sauce]

I will fast track this, didn't seem like I had too much interest in the bike on this board so I kind of strayed away from here.  I took so much from this board, I wanted to give something back.  Let me know if you have any questions/suggestions.

[quote name='bsauce' date='Feb 19 2009, 03:48 PM' post='291344']
Here it is all burned in....





And here is how it sits today.  Frame is done for the most part...Just need to mount the tins, controls, plumb, and run electrics.  My buddy let me borrow a pair of drag bars to see what they look like.  I think I am going to keep the stock bars, what do yall think, stock bars or drag bars?  I will update as I go along.  Peace out.








[/quote]

[sauce]

I took a little break, went out pig hunting.  I am back at it this week.  Should have it wired and ready to fire by this weekend   What are your thoughts on the pipes.  I am trying to decide whether I should lengthen them, or keep them as is.  (I decided to keep them, still trying to decide if I am going to wrap them, thoughts?



That is not the seat spring I am going to use, I was just checking the height so I could order a set.  I also got the tag and taillight mounted.  I wanted to do something other than the overdone 32 ford tail light, but I got a hell of a deal on it!  I agonized over the placement of the tag, and i am really pleased with how it turned out.  Enjoy and lets hear your feed back  :twisted:

[750four]

shaping up real nice. What bars are you going with? Pipes look good btw.

[sauce]

Back from the dead...I have been traveling a ton lately and I am just getting back after this.  I have been waiting on a gas tank, actually 3 of them.  I bought a fatbob, a mustang, and the hap jones tank from black chop.  The fatbob was too ginormous, the mustang I waited a month and a half for and finally showed up at the person I bought it from house, and the hap jones tank came in a few weeks ago.  I tore everything apart, finished welding it up and now I am doing paint currently and hope to have this thing going shortly.  I will post up when I have a bigger update.

Well...a little more progress.  Wired it in permanently, mounted the tank, etc.  I ended up with an old wassel or hap jones tank.  Now it is down to the detail BS.  Hopefully I should be done soon.  Let me know what yall think

[sauce]

Did you guys ever notice how nothing in life is free? I have a free dog, that I think I have about $500 in to and this "free" motorcycle is costing a bundle to get going and I keep running in to problems! Argh, it is so maddening. My latest sagas include, the clutch is not working, meaning when I pull in the clutch lever, it is not disengaging power so I can put it in to gear. So now, I have to pull that apart to figure out what is going on there.

The next problem is the oil pump (I think). Some of you may know that Cb550's are a little different than 750's. Besides having a lower displacement, they also don't have an oil tank. Anyway, when I rev the motor, oil comes spewing out of the vent on the head of the motor. Anybody have any suggestions as to what this might be? I am thinking some junk got sucked in to the oil pump and is not allowing it to circulate properly, any other ideas?

I am getting so frustrated with this project! I just want to get out and ride and it is one thing after another with it :evil: My next project I will definitely start with better stock!

[sauce]

Well, I ordered a bunch of stuff from cycle exchange and got a chance to talk with Ken about my oil problem. He said he would just run as is, just make sure to put a hose and breather on it. His wife sent me the wrong order, but he was way cool about it. I would highly recommend doing business with him, The big news from today is I finally had a successful test ride, or should i say 3 test rides. I couldn't resist myself, I just took it out for another ride at 10 at night! I got the clutch adjusted properly, axle adjusters installed, carb floats adjusted, and did some other random crap. Now all that is left is front brakes, rear fender, license it and register and I am on my way! What a great day. Should be downhill from here

[sauce]

Well...I get a little bit closer everyday.  I got all of my electrical/lighting finished up.  I ditched the mini speedo and picked up a SIGMA BC1606L Bicycle computer.  It is much smaller and there is less cable to hide.  I also got a bar end mirror so now I am ready to go get it inspected!  I am insured through esurance ($75 for liability only  :lazy_beer: ).  I should have it fully legal by Monday.  I finally felt comfortable enought to take it for a long shakedown run.  I went out for about 50 miles today with my buddy Matt.  Coincidentally, he has been building a CB550 cafe racer.  I thought it was fun to see how two bikes with the same power plant could turn out so differently. 

All that I have left to take care of is:

1.  Cover the Seat
2.  Take off the front brake (who needs it anyway)
3.  The number 1 carb float is too high and it is floating
4.  Ride the piss out of it! 

Let me know what yall think.




That is like super dooper high speed updated.  This is my last post as of today, sorry I didn't update more often.

[Flying J]

I love it. thanks for posting. I think i saw this build on another board. you mind adding the link? I want to do a rigid. Could you explain how you made sure the front and the rear stayed true without building a jig. I can cut and weld im just afraid something will be out of line when i get done. Your bike is exactly what i want though. A little chopper to cruise around town.

[Industrial Rat400f Killer]

This is a great build man, nicely done. This makes me want a welding machine really bad.

[mystic_1]

Something about the way you handled the lower rear rails looks real nice to my eye.  Makes the bike look like it's three miles long and two inches off the ground.

How's it ride?

mystic_1

[Ecosse]

yeah, this has great lines! like that green too.

[Zaipai]

Yea, nice work Sauce .. Love the way it turned out. Seems worth the effort and time. I also would be wondering how it rides, seems it should ride nicely. See you kept the drag bars, not sure how comfortable it is but sure looks nicer then the stock ones. Imo.

Great job!

P.S. Does your friend have a project post here for his Cafe build?? If not why? 

[BeSeeingYou]

Did you guys ever notice how nothing in life is free? I have a free dog, that I think I have about $500 in to and this "free" motorcycle is costing a bundle to get going and I keep running in to problems! Argh, it is so maddening. My latest sagas include, the clutch is not working, meaning when I pull in the clutch lever, it is not disengaging power so I can put it in to gear. So now, I have to pull that apart to figure out what is going on there.

Haven't you heard the saying that "the only thing more expensive than a cheap motorcycle is a free one".  Same goes for boats.  Don't ask me how I know.

[sauce]

I hate to cross post...but here is the link. for the original build


http://www.thechopperunderground.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=34437&hl=


The stretch/hardtail was the easy part.  I just extended the stock swingarm and used it as a jig (you can see it in one of my previous posts).  The rake was much more complicated.  I wish I could take credit for getting it true, but if you check this thread (sorry for another cross post) it has a good way to keep it true.

http://www.thechopperunderground.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=32326&st=0&p=274005&#entry274005

Something about the way you handled the lower rear rails looks real nice to my eye.  Makes the bike look like it's three miles long and two inches off the ground.

How's it ride?

mystic_1

I have a penchant for doing things correctly.  I take my time, do things right, and don't cut any corners.  With that being said the first real ride is always nerve racking on any project.  I was amazed at how well it rode.  It had plenty of power and tracked straight.  I was also worried about dragging in the corners and over bumps, so I tucked the pipes very close and partially under the frame to give me some wiggle room.  No dragging.  The only thing I would improve is a more comfy seat (in the works).  All I have is a metal seat pan.  It will be padded with a leather covering.  I will post it up when I am done with it.

Yea, nice work Sauce .. Love the way it turned out. Seems worth the effort and time. I also would be wondering how it rides, seems it should ride nicely. See you kept the drag bars, not sure how comfortable it is but sure looks nicer then the stock ones. Imo.

Great job!

P.S. Does your friend have a project post here for his Cafe build?? If not why? 

My bad, here it is.  He is as bad as I am at updating his thread

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=44623.msg479257#msg479257

[KB02]

That is a nice looking bike you've got there. How are you doing about sticking to your $400 budget? 

Looks like you decided to go with the drag bars. I would have said drag bars, too, but the stock bars looked pretty good as well. Keep us updated. This is a nice build.

[Cvillechopper]

I'm a fan.  Looks really well thought out and executed very nicely.  Good job!

[Toxic]

One of the nicest of it's kind that I have seen.

great work

[greenjeans]

I love it too...  Looks like a throw back.   GREAT stance - long and low.
Kinda on the fence about wrapping the pipes, looks good as is.   I know what you mean about the 32 tail lights,
but...when it comes down to it, you don't really see too many on motorcycles and if yo do, they usually work.
I like it.

[sauce]

That is a nice looking bike you've got there. How are you doing about sticking to your $400 budget? 

Looks like you decided to go with the drag bars. I would have said drag bars, too, but the stock bars looked pretty good as well. Keep us updated. This is a nice build.

Ask my wife   I try not to do things half ass, and the more I got in to the bike the more I spent.  For example, I could have used the stock throttle and clutch controls, but I wanted a cleaner look so I bought new stuff.  There goes $60.  I could have rode on the stock tires, but I replaced them and of course the tubes, there goes $200.  That is only two small components and I almost blew my $400 budget 

To get it to where it sits, I have around $2500 in parts.  After I sold a bunch of stock parts I have about $1800 in to it total.  It looks like there isn't a whole lot of bike there but things add up quick.  I have a spreadsheet of all of the stuff I bought for the bike, I will  post it up if anyone is interested.

The best part about the bike is it has been a tremendous learning experience.  I have had highs and lows and have most importantly know what not to do on the next time around.

[Frankenkit]

...so why are you taking off the front brake?   Doesn't it provide 70% of your overall stopping power?