Author Topic: Turbo CB550 Cafe Racer Project  (Read 9631 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline jon®2004

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 53
Turbo CB550 Cafe Racer Project
« on: December 29, 2009, 11:03:29 AM »
Hey All,

I wanted to share this project with other motorcycle enthusiast. The bike started out as a R&D project back in the 80's by a company named BEI. They wanted to manufacture turbo kits for Honda CB550's, using this bike as the test platform. The bike was completed over budget and was sold in the 80's for 5 grand (I think). I have all the history on this bike from the beginning, including all receipts and schematics.

In the pics of the bike from BEI you'll see that style wasn't a factor for these guys, and the bike was quite ugly. Along with the turbo the bike has an oil cooler, Mallory electronic ignition (run by a hand built belt/pulley set-up), Weber side draft carb feeding a custom intake, aluminum swing arm, oil pressure, temp, amp and boost gauges, remote oil filter set-up.

I'm 1/2 done with the project, and tried to take as many pics as I could along the way. I plan to keep all of the BEI set-up, but clean up the looks. I have a tank, seat and rear-sets from BCR (battery relocated under the seat), spoked wheels, clip-ons, along with polished aluminum bits, and late model R6 hand controls. I hope I haven't destroyed a piece of motorcycle history, but I think this is going to make a cool cafe racer.

Also any tips or ideas please post, I'm still debating on keeping the gauges and not sure about the color of the tan/seat.

I need help ID the carb as well, NO ONE can seem to ID it. I need a rebuild kit for it.

Visit my flickr site for more pics.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/niftygardener/sets/72157622970721525/

More updates to come.

jon®

Offline scunny

  • Old Timer
  • ******
  • Posts: 4,618
  • don't call me expert
Re: Turbo CB550 Cafe Racer Project
« Reply #1 on: December 29, 2009, 11:33:04 AM »
now thats a cool project, good luck with it.
past-cb100,ts250,cb500,cb500,gs1000,gs650g.phillips traveller
present-CB 650 retro
            VTR1000F3
           XL250S riverbed rocket
           TS250[sold]
           TS185[sold]
           XL125S[sold]
           MT50 (white)
           MT50 (red)[sold]
           KN250/XS400 project
           XR/XL250 bitsa under construction
           SL100[sold]
           XL250R
           pedal(pub bike) leaks oil
my gallery http://gallery.sohc4.net/members/personal/scunny

Offline Flying J

  • Old Timer
  • ******
  • Posts: 3,386
Re: Turbo CB550 Cafe Racer Project
« Reply #2 on: December 29, 2009, 12:29:07 PM »
im keeping an eye on this one.

Offline Toxic

  • Expert
  • ****
  • Posts: 1,200
Re: Turbo CB550 Cafe Racer Project
« Reply #3 on: December 29, 2009, 03:44:19 PM »
It looks like the headlight is held in place with modified connecting rods.  Now that's thinkin outside the box.

Some serious plumbing going on there.

What swingarm was used and what mag wheels are they?

You have the makings of a fascinating project.

skeetly

  • Guest
Re: Turbo CB550 Cafe Racer Project
« Reply #4 on: December 29, 2009, 04:00:24 PM »
Was this bike sold commercially?

Offline jon®2004

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 53
Re: Turbo CB550 Cafe Racer Project
« Reply #5 on: December 29, 2009, 05:44:39 PM »
The headlight is held with two CB550 connecting rods, pretty neat set-up.

The swing arm was custom build by a fab shop here in Southern Cali, I can't think of the name right now, but it was made back in '79 or '80.

The mag wheels are from a suzuki and kawi, I'm not using them and they are for sale. Both are in perfect condition and will work with a CB550.

The plumbing is crazy, there's oil lines going to the turbo, to the filter, to the cooler, all over.  I got a Ducati oil cooler that fits the space much better.

And no, the kit was never sold that I know of, the company ran out of money during R&D.

Thanks for the interest guys!
jon®

Offline Flying J

  • Old Timer
  • ******
  • Posts: 3,386
Re: Turbo CB550 Cafe Racer Project
« Reply #6 on: December 29, 2009, 06:49:47 PM »
wasnt this for sale on craigslist a few months back??

Offline 754

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 29,058
Re: Turbo CB550 Cafe Racer Project
« Reply #7 on: December 29, 2009, 09:37:51 PM »
Looks like a CalFab swingarm.
Maker of the WELDLESS 750 Frame Kit
dodogas99@gmail.com
Kelowna B.C.       Canada

My next bike will be a ..ANFOB.....

It's All part of the ADVENTURE...

73 836cc.. Green, had it for 3 decades!!
Lost quite a few CB 750's along the way

Offline RustyOlive

  • rustyolive.com
  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 713
Re: Turbo CB550 Cafe Racer Project
« Reply #8 on: May 27, 2012, 08:00:00 PM »
Neeeeeeed more info.... :-)
Untitled by cameron.bateman, on FlickrRustyOlive, on Flickr

Offline jon®2004

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 53
Re: Turbo CB550 Cafe Racer Project
« Reply #9 on: May 27, 2012, 08:31:41 PM »
Lol, talk about a late reply.
Yes it is a cal fan swing arm..
Here's the update on the bike. I finished it a while back, minus paint. Road it once but had an issue with overfilling the oil. Also had issues with the battery not charging. I have a new rectifier but have yet to install it. The bike kinda got put on the back burner until i finish my pre unit triumph. I'm also thinking about maybe selling it.

Thanks for the interest.
Jon

Offline Flying J

  • Old Timer
  • ******
  • Posts: 3,386
Re: Turbo CB550 Cafe Racer Project
« Reply #10 on: May 27, 2012, 08:43:23 PM »
If you sell let me know. Im interested in a turbo 550.

Offline Greggo

  • Somebody's
  • Old Timer
  • ******
  • Posts: 4,164
  • Helmets Save Lives. Period.
Re: Turbo CB550 Cafe Racer Project
« Reply #11 on: May 27, 2012, 09:14:40 PM »
Sweet bike!  I'd like to see lots of pics of the turbo set up, the manifolds, and any other detail shots you can provide.  I'm doing a turbo CB550 also.

Offline jon®2004

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 53
Re: Turbo CB550 Cafe Racer Project
« Reply #12 on: May 27, 2012, 09:34:24 PM »
I'm in so cal I you wanna come by to check it out.. Pm me.
Jon

Offline jiggliemon

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 62
Re: Turbo CB550 Cafe Racer Project
« Reply #13 on: May 27, 2012, 11:43:11 PM »
I'm in so cal I you wanna come by to check it out.. Pm me.

Where in SoCal?  I'm in Menifee, CA

Offline jon®2004

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 53
Re: Turbo CB550 Cafe Racer Project
« Reply #14 on: May 27, 2012, 11:47:32 PM »
Vista..

Offline jon®2004

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 53
Re: Turbo CB550 Cafe Racer Project
« Reply #15 on: September 22, 2012, 09:47:08 PM »
For those who were watching this, the bikes FOR SALE!
If interested email me at closefabrication@yahoo.com
Thanks guys.

Offline Gurp

  • I'm no.......
  • Master
  • *****
  • Posts: 2,084
  • Once was a...
Re: Turbo CB550 Cafe Racer Project
« Reply #16 on: September 23, 2012, 06:29:12 PM »
Wow. This will be a great buy for someone. Wish i wasn't so poor or it would be in my living room.
slow Progress 74 cb550.

Poor boy chop 73 CB500 chop

Future project 77 Cb750 Amen Savior

Offline Cortydean

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 50
Re: Turbo CB550 Cafe Racer Project
« Reply #17 on: March 18, 2013, 08:53:54 PM »
So what ever happened to this bike?  Did you sell it?