Topic: 1975 CB550F Project Penguin. A.K.A. David

[Zaipai]

So Murphy is present in your life as well;
Now I don't feel so bad!

Not only present, but has setup camp in my front yard!!

.: Scott :.

[75cb550 (kyle)]

thanks... now i feel like getting some gold ones just to be an @$$... just kidding.

Well if you don't some one else will. Just give me your address so I can swap out the tanks while your not looking!  

oh, you wouldn't want my tank. it's blasphemous

[Frankenkit]

what IS that tank, Kyle?  Is that in your sig?

[75cb550 (kyle)]

yup... guilty.. its a pre '75 HD "mustang" tank. brand new tank and petcock for $100 local. was way better then going through another used tank that might be as bad off as the last one... plus, i think it looks pretty good.

[Zaipai]

oh, you wouldn't want my tank. it's blasphemous

Well some would say mine is, so to each their own.. I think I fixed the problem with the tank, it does not leak now however I had to use the fuel shut off from the 400 tank I had. It should work ok until I get a new one. However right now the few I found range from $74 to $95 new ouch..

.: Scott :.

[traveler]

how is she on acceleration?  Does the nose come up a bit?

~Joe

[Zaipai]

how is she on acceleration?  Does the nose come up a bit?

~Joe

Well I have not really gotten on her since last fall.. It's some thing I plan to do this weekend. I was having break issues before so I did not want to get on it too hard, too many kids in the street etc...

More this weekend..

.: Scott :.

[75cb550 (kyle)]

how is she on acceleration?  Does the nose come up a bit?

~Joe

Well I have not really gotten on her since last fall.. It's some thing I plan to do this weekend. I was having break issues before so I did not want to get on it too hard, too many kids in the street etc...

More this weekend..

.: Scott :.

thats what our loud deep Honda horns are for..

[RAFster122s]

oh, you wouldn't want my tank. it's blasphemous

Well some would say mine is, so to each their own.. I think I fixed the problem with the tank, it does not leak now however I had to use the fuel shut off from the 400 tank I had. It should work ok until I get a new one. However right now the few I found range from $74 to $95 new ouch..

.: Scott :.

On my CA95 I can get a seal rebuild kit for my petcock. The CB550 might not have the same available.
Can the CB550 petcock be disassembled?
Generally it is seals (a flat one typically) and orings or collars that are needed to rebuild them.

Too bad the petcock isn't like the CB450K0 as Olypen has rebuild kits for these:
http://www.olypen.com/retro/PK-283-000.jpg

Go to http://www.olypen.com/retro/
Then go to Gas Tanks & Components

There's an ebay seller that has reported to have an OEM petcock for the '77 CB550 for $49 and $5 shipping

Do you need the early petcock with the fuel bowl at the bottom of the petcock & screws into the bottom of the tank or the later one that has a compression nut style attachment to the tank?

[Zaipai]

Your funny Kyle.. I do have a confession tho, I put the horn from the VT750 on there and it sounds like a very small car.. I need to get a new one some thing really loud..

.: Scott :.

[Zaipai]

Its the one with no bowl and the compression nut. It has 2 outlets for the fuel line, that is what I liked about it over the one I have now, I had to use a T and split the line. It does not cause any issues, I used it all last season no problem.
Yea, it can be rebuilt I did not find a kit for it tho.. I will keep looking cause the only ones I saw for that cheap were the kind that screwed into the tank..

.: Scott :.

[RAFster122s]

Your funny Kyle.. I do have a confession tho, I put the horn from the VT750 on there and it sounds like a very small car.. I need to get a new one some thing really loud..

.: Scott :.

I've wondered about putting a set of Hella air horns on my bike...
small compressor and slight delay from when you push the button but they will blast through any stereo cranked and be heard. Had a set on my '66 Volvo 122S Amazon

David

[traveler]

hmmmm.......no horn on my bike....

[75cb550 (kyle)]

i have a set off  a car. ive tossed around putting them on there

[RAFster122s]

With air horns you'd have to aim them so they aren't going to have the airstream carry water into them...
They are quite loud and can be very annoying to others. They do command attention...that is for certain!
A fairing on a bike would give them the protection from the elements that the diaphragm needs.

David

[Zaipai]

hmmmm.......no horn on my bike....

Need it in Rapid City? I put a horn on mine because we have kids and pets running in and out of the road because the parents are busy on the deck BBQ'ing and tossing back beers.. So for me its really needed. I am looking into the air horn (Thanks David) and some others. The biggest issue with the air horns are as David said, keeping them out the elements. I will figure some thing out.

Looks like my seat cover has showed up at the post office, my wife is going to try and get it today, if not I will run out tomorrow and get it. Our post office closes at 10am on Saturday so I will have to get an early start if I want to get there before they close.

On to the electrical issues tonight. I sure hope I can fix it tonight so I can focus on the seat next..

.: Scott :.

[Industrial Cafe]

http://www.wolo-mfg.com/motorcycle.htm

[Zaipai]

Thanks Brian,
 That Chrome Bad Boy looks sweet.. More chrome = faster bike..

.: Scott :.

[traveler]

Gotta be honest with ya Scott.....I really think disassembling your bike later for powdercoat is un-necessary......she looks good now.....finish her up, and enjoy her!

If the engine is strong, any performance gains you wnat can be remedied with a front sprocket and maybe some '77-'78 clutch paltes and Barnett springs.

I know you're going to do it anyway....but PERSONALLY, I woudn't do it.  She looks great the way you have done her now.  If fact, withthe seat, she SHOULD be July BOTM material.....(if we can get some completed pics that is)

~Joe

[theofam]

I'm w/ Joe.  Ride that thang for awhile.  It looks great as is!

[RAFster122s]

So, what's this talk about powder coating and stripping things down? Where'd that come from. I think what you have looks great and should run it until it needs redone in 6-8 years...
If you put a chrome trim on the bottom of the new seat you could use a chrome pinstripe tape on the bottom of the tank to tie it all together. Go with a 3M pinstriping tape and clean the paint well before pinstriping and then when done apply a good coat of wax on the tank.

Did you clear coat over the chrome Honda decal on the tank?  Just wondering how hard it would be to redo and replace with the chrome gold. That would look sweet. The silver or chrome pinstripe (1/4" I'm thinking) would tie in nicely on the bottom of the seat and give you a nice look I think and complement the tank well.
You have gold black and chrome going on and they don't clash and it looks nice.

For me, I'd redo the stock seat and ride it that way, as I like the stock looks but the cafe nicely done looks good too.  I'm not as much of a conformist to go with the cafe flow since it's so popular.

The uni high flow filter that goes in the stock airbox I'm told gives you the added breathing without the carb jetting issues present with going to pod filters. You then just work on the airbox to match the openings for each carb so they are all the same size and smooth any restrictions or obstructions or flash in the airbox... I've read that pays dividends.

It looks great and I hope you are able to get the new seat soon.

Ultimately, do what you like as you are the only one you have to please. (other than your wife...)

David

[njcafe84]

What tail light and license plate bracket is that? Was it a direct bolt on application or did it require modification? Same question about the blinkers?

[Zaipai]

What tail light and license plate bracket is that? Was it a direct bolt on application or did it require modification? Same question about the blinkers?

Yes they were both just bolt on replacements. The rear had to have brackets made (home made) because I did not want the bar that the originals sat on that goes around the seat.. Other then that its direct bolt on. The turn signals have running lights as well, however I don't have those hooked up, just the turn signals. The tail light and license plate are all in one and bolt on with 3 bolts you would probably need to drill 2 holes for the bottom 2 screws, the top screw fits in the hole left by the old light, just need a big washer.

I can't find the tail light on the old bike barn site, I suppose they don't carry it any longer. The turn signals I got from ebay both of them I picked up about 3 years ago so not sure they are around any more.

.: Scott :.

[Zaipai]

Thanks Joe and David, BoTM? Naw.. Its not nearly that good. The powder coat was some thing I was going to try and do over the winter while I have the motor out since the gold I wanted on there was metal flake and the gold I have on there is not. However it will have to wait, its going to take what I have as a budget on motor up grades. But that's Phase 3 of the build. Between now and then is Phase 2, basically getting rid of what works and what does not and getting some upgrades like Stainless brake lines etc..

As for the logo on the tank, yea I clear coated over it so... I got the seat today. Its not the best quality but it will work nicely, however its about 2 inches longer then my seat, and my seat is about 2 inches too long for the frame, so I believe I have a K seat and not an F seat since I know I have an F frame and tank.. Sigh.. I am iching to get out and ride it so for now I will just deal with it the best I can and worry about getting the correct seat and trimming the seat cover back during Phase 2..

.: Scott :.

[Captainkirk]

Scott....
Forget about the powdercoating and RIDE THAT THANG!!
Hell,it's gonna get dirty and scratched anyway. Enjoy it while you can, it looks great!