Topic: Need opinons - frame mods 1975 CB550

[ewendkos]

Hi everyone.  I'm about ready to get some frame work done.  Since I don't weld and I don't want this frame to be my first experience, I figured I'd find someone who does and pay them.

At any rate, I want to make sure that I know what I'm doing when I start talking and that I'm sure of what I want.

So seeing as how my frame currently looks like this:

And I'd like the end product to look close to this:

Here are my questions:
1.  Keep the swingarm or find another?  I've seen them around for as low as $50.  And if I do swap it out, should I go for the Hondaman rebuild?
2.  If I keep the swingarm, should I rebuild the end there?  New bushings?  I ask because if you look at the closeup pics, you can see what the PO did...

3.  I'll clearly need new rear shock mounts on top.  Should I have those welded on?  If so, what's the proper thread and length?  (I double checked all my manuals and couldn't find that information).
4.  Seeing as how I have the opportunity to do anything I want here, are there reasons (engineering or otherwise) to stick with Honda's original methods?
5.  Stock rear shocks, or shorties?  Any recommendations?
6.  Other things I should think about while it's with the welder?  Rear sets?  The frame still has the mounts for the center stand (one mount is pretty well bent) but the actual stand is no where to be found.  Ditch the center stand mounts?
7.  I have a pretty good idea of the way the frame should go back together, with some gussets for added support, but any other advice?

thanks!

[05c50]

Just a thought here, it might be easier and cheaper to find another frame and take it to a weld shop and let them make one out of two.

........Paul

[ewendkos]

Thanks Paul - that is definitely an option as well.  The good news is that since I live in GA, I don't have to worry too much about title - all I need is a bill of sale on something this old.  But I figured that since I already have this one, I could work with it.

If I were to go the new (to me) frame route, is there any chopping I'd need to do to get closer to that brat look I'm going for, or could I achieve it with shortie rear shocks?

[the technological J]

why not see if some one wants to trade? do u have any pics of it put together? how low is it?

[ewendkos]

I actually want to continue with this build so I don't want to trade - and I can't imagine someone wanting trade a stock frame for this one (though of course, I'd be open to that).

The reality is that since I can do anything that I want to, I just want to make sure that I know exactly what I want to do.