Topic: 1975 CB550 n00b Project **Update**

[ShortBread22]

Hello everyone - I had been thinking about building one of these bike's ever since I graduated in May '09. I was talking to my dad about it and he asked what donor bike I was thinking of using. I told him a mid 1970s CB550 or CB500 would be ideal. To my surprise, the hold out had a 1975 CB550 just sitting in the shed for the last 20 years. I immediately began to work. So here it is. Comment at will, be nice.

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The 1975 CB550 donor.

[img width= height=]http://hphotos-snc1.fbcdn.net/hs103.snc1/4565_598568901352_39117053_34716104_6833793_n.jpg[/img]
Not to bad for sitting exposed for 20 years.

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I removed the cam cover to see if there was any rust anywhere. Lucky me there wasn't, I replaced it and she fired right up.

[img width= height=]http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs199.snc1/6740_605308799542_39117053_35018671_4008635_n.jpg[/img]
I made the bonehead move of taking of the front end when I had nothing to do. Lesson learned.

[img width= height=]http://hphotos-snc1.fbcdn.net/hs179.snc1/6740_605308824492_39117053_35018676_4975625_n.jpg[/img]
Here's a trophy for the wall.


Well enough for now, I'll continue later.

[Gorms]

Hey man good luck with the project.  Looks like a lot to handle and it is but I just went through it with something worse than yours.  Very rewarding.  Let me know if you are looking to get rid of those velocity stacks.

[chronic_rider_550]

Looks like a good project man  Keep us posted with your progress.

[dagersh]

Shagaledic!!!!!  Looks like it will be a great project!  Keep at it!

[ShortBread22]

Alright, after a winter of work and fooling around in the garage here is what I have to show for my efforts. The original bike's (the red one) frame had been modified for my mom some time ago. My dad lowered the seat by cutting the frame and welding the tubes back in. Also, he raked the front end, which was cool then I guess. I quickly realized this wasn't going to be a good look for the cafe and found another 75 CB550 on craigslist for $125. So anyways, heres an update.

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Even though my wrenching skills are pretty good, I have little to no body work experience to speak of.

[img width= height=]http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs199.snc1/6740_605308834472_39117053_35018678_583975_n.jpg[/img]
This tub and CLR saved me and unbelieveable amount of time and money.

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After seeing some of the prices on seats on the internet, I realized I was going to have to make my own. I used the stock seat pan as a base and went from there. Alos, here is the new black frame.

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Progress. I'm makin' it.

[img width= height=]http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs179.snc1/6740_605308859422_39117053_35018683_3371238_n.jpg[/img]
The finished skeleton for the seat.

[img width= height=]http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs215.snc1/8224_614413553542_39117053_35356314_3746488_n.jpg[/img]
I decied to go with a two tone on the engine.

Ok more soon, I have more progress to report on, but I don't want to have my post too long.