Topic: 1977 CB550 K cafe racer build

[traveler]

I got a little bit more completed today.  I used starting fluid and tried to start my bike...she fired right up, and came to a screching growl, I gavee her a bit of throttle and she jsut shrieked to 8,000 RPM in the blink of an eye!  These 4 into 2 MAC's are NICE!!  So, I knew then it was a fuel problem I have been having.  I pulled the tank off and held the tank out and turned the spigot on.....nothing but a dribble.....hmmm ....I pulled the spigot, removed the spigot filter, which BTW fell in the tank and is in there dancing around, hehe .....won't hurt anything......someday I'll take it out.  Anyway, I then re-installed the spigot, after cutting that plastic pipe that sticks up off about halfway up.....now when I turn the spigot on, fuel streams out of it like it like it is supposed to......now I'm just waiting on my clear K&N filter I ordered a couple of days ago to show up so I can get the bike running under it's own power.  I don't dare turn unfiltered fuel on into my carbs......don't want to clean them again!

Next, I pulled the rear wheel, and sanded up and finished the cush drive and mounted my new alloy 37 tooth sprocket.  As you can see form the pics, I painted the washers gloss black, just to be different.  Here are a few pics



















And here is a quick mockup with my brake plate on the wheel.



Now the bearings and new tire have to be isntalled on the Lesters and then re-install the wheel.  This bike is about 90%+ done!

Can't believe it.

Comments?

~Joe

[Zaipai]

Man, that looks awesome. I can't wait to see it done. I know you have some things to do, like that tire for example.. however its very cool.

.: Scott :.

[traveler]

Thanks, Scott.  Just can't believe she is so close to being done!

Hearing her "bark" to life made it all worth it!   And now that the fuel issue is resolved, I can see the end coming.

Damn thing might actually work!!!!

~Joe

[Zaipai]

These bikes never die, you just have to be patent with them and things will work out very nicely..

I am glad, I am happy for you that you are almost done. It will have been all worth while when you
are out zipping around on her. Also, well worth every penny..

Great job Joe..

.: Scott :.

[traveler]

thanks

[traveler]

Well, got the rear Lester wheel installed.  Here are a few pics.

















A little carb work, some little detailing, and this bike is done.

Comments?

~Joe

[Little_Horse]

congrats it looks awesome. We need a ride report and a video of you riding as well as some on board footage with no less then 10 camera's for the all out epic first ride video  .

[Industrial Cafe]

I see why you wanted the Lester's so bad, they really look the part on that bike.
perhaps a bobbed front fender is in order?

[traveler]

Well....I tried to tell guys....let me show you my vision, before you shoot it down.

FWIW....I like it.

~Joe

[Zaipai]

Comments?

~Joe

Joe what can we say, its fantastic! Just a hella bike. You could eat of those rims. Wow.. just Wow.. I agree no less then 10 camera's!!

.: Scott :.

[Zaipai]

I see why you wanted the Lester's so bad, they really look the part on that bike.
perhaps a bobbed front fender is in order?

Yes, I would... However I am not sure that is what Joe is going for. Either way its fantastic!

.: Scott :.

[tweakin]

Well done Joe!  I figured I would give you props here also.

[traveler]

thanks, fellas.

~Joe

[Industrial Cafe]

could you imagine how "hum-drum" it would have looked with a 16 in the back?
       I've always said, "the wheels make the ride" and that thing looks REAL good with the 18 and 19''

[Zaipai]

could you imagine how "hum-drum" it would have looked with a 16 in the back?
       I've always said, "the wheels make the ride" and that thing looks REAL good with the 18 and 19''

For sure, a 16" would not give it the stance that he wanted.. Those lesters just set it off nicely.

.: Scott :.

[traveler]

I see why you wanted the Lester's so bad, they really look the part on that bike.
perhaps a bobbed front fender is in order?

Yes, I would... However I am not sure that is what Joe is going for. Either way its fantastic!

.: Scott :.

...Just seemed like the thing to do.

[Zaipai]

Looks like you are up big guy..

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=70045.0 


.: Scott :.

[traveler]

With reservations....I HUMBLY accept.

~Joe

[Zaipai]

With reservations....I HUMBLY accept.

~Joe

I hear ya, but at the very least it will give your ride more exposure and believe me it should be on the front page your work on it is outstanding!!!

.: Scott :.

[traveler]

Against a restored sandcast and a gorgeous gold 750, no chance, but appreciate the thought.

Not what I was really looking for anyway.....I just wanted a neat old CB with a cafe conversion.

~Joe

[Little_Horse]

Just because the majority view on this forum is stock is better doesn't mean you bike isn't great. I like it, although I like cafe bikes so what can I say... be happy I am sure a few of us rebels on here will vote for you  .

[boulder74]

Well, got the rear Lester wheel installed.  Here are a few pics.

















A little carb work, some little detailing, and this bike is done.

Comments?

~Joe

You finished yesterday and I found the thread today...read in it's entirety, better than DVR :-)

BAD A$$  !! 

I'm in the process of slowly converting my '73 CB500 to a cafe style and you gave me a ton of great ideas.  Love the battery you did but it says on their website that it's no good for below 45 F.  So does that mean you have to take it out and store it inside from late fall to early spring?

Also, what's the fork stabilizer add riding wise? Is it really necessary?

SWEET cycle!!

[traveler]

Thanks.

Stick around.....alot of guys on here can help you get where you want to on your bike.....make an introduction.

Whenever you raise the rear on a motorcycle, you DECREASE rake and add trail, and it makes the bike more "twitchy" and quicker to toss around.....the fork stabilizer is there so you can make adjustments to keep the bars from "tank slapping" or shimmering when at speeds over about 60 MPH.  Basically is adds back what I took away by raising the rear.

Also it just "looks right" on a serious cafe racer!

P.S. pulling the battery in the winter is always a good idea.

~Joe

[cb550fcafe]

Against a restored sandcast and a gorgeous gold 750, no chance, but appreciate the thought.

Not what I was really looking for anyway.....I just wanted a neat old CB with a cafe conversion.

~Joe

Don't be so sure Joe, you've got my vote! I like what you built.

That first ride is awesome! Its addicting, makes me keep building more of them.

[boulder74]

Against a restored sandcast and a gorgeous gold 750, no chance, but appreciate the thought.

Not what I was really looking for anyway.....I just wanted a neat old CB with a cafe conversion.

~Joe

Got my vote