Author Topic: 1975 CB550K1 550 Four (Read 16715 times)

CJK · « **on:** May 31, 2011, 10:25:57 AM »

Hello all, I recently bought my first Honda and plan to rebuild it so I figured I'd start a build thread. Hopefully you guys can help along the way and suggest stuff and all that. First let me tell you about the bike I got. It's a 1975 CB550K1 that is almost completely stock except the big fairing on the front with the "Polizia" sticker

, the front master cylinder was replaced with one from a Harley that the guy had lying around and the 1st owner changed the pipes from 4-4 to 4-1. The guy I bought it off is a motorcycle mechanic that buys bikes, fixes them mechanically then sells them. The bike is dirty/rusty as expected since it was located about 1/2 mile from the ocean

, needs paint and some love but starts up cold on the 1st kick

My plan for this bike is mostly to clean it all up, replace stuff that needs to be replaced and generally just make it look how I like it. I really like the mod FunJimmy did with retrofitting the R6 front end to his CB550, I hope to conquer the HondaMan performance mods this winter along with some new paint. Here are some pictures:

Bankerdanny · « **Reply #1 on:** May 31, 2011, 01:04:27 PM »

99% complete and running. Sounds like a great project base.

Have fun.

D.WHO · « **Reply #2 on:** May 31, 2011, 06:40:30 PM »

Nice, def looking forward to this. I have the same bike, '75 and everything, I have yet to start on it. Mine's the opposite of yours, your's is probably better off mechanically but mine is better off cosmetically.

CJK · « **Reply #3 on:** June 01, 2011, 12:09:40 PM »

Went to the DMV today, can't get it registered until late july or else I would have to pay to register it until august, then re-register it in august anyway. Front end is coming off tomorrow for clean up and inspection.

Stay tuned

twallace · « **Reply #4 on:** June 01, 2011, 01:57:03 PM »

Looks just like the one I picked up a couple weeks ago...love the paint!

CJK · « **Reply #5 on:** June 02, 2011, 07:56:02 AM »

Yeah the paint on yours looks a bit nicer than mine...the sun did a number of the top of the fuel tank.

avgjoe · « **Reply #6 on:** June 06, 2011, 03:43:58 AM »

I also have the same bike and am looking forward to getting it running again. And a seat. And exhaust. And ......

CJK · « **Reply #7 on:** June 15, 2011, 10:02:08 AM »

Woah! Finally back at the bike. I went and climbed Mt. Whitney early last week so I haven't had any time to work. Tank is getting drained and removed to get at cleaning up the engine today. Then I'm off to see a sneak peek of Green Lantern.

Greggo · « **Reply #8 on:** June 15, 2011, 05:25:52 PM »

Find that on craigslist? I think I saw that one.

CJK · « **Reply #9 on:** June 17, 2011, 10:30:57 AM »

Yup I did. Bought it for more than I shoulda paid but the guy was dead set on the price and he seemed pretty cool. It's pretty nice to be working on though. Stuff needs to be replaced like gaskets, O-rings, etc but that was to be expected. Looks like it's burning a little oil too but I'm not certain yet. All the exhaust heasders have become blued but I'm not sure why either. I know there is a tremendous amount of heat and that could cause it but i haven't fully diagnosed that either. Any ideas? I've been using this stuff called Duro Aluminum Jelly to remove the corrosion on the engine and it works quite well. it's a bit invasive but the corrosion is a PIA. Pics coming up soon.

P.S. If anyone is looking for an OEM front and rear fender as well as OEM turn signals, I'll be selling them soon.

CJK · « **Reply #10 on:** July 07, 2011, 10:47:54 PM »

Finally back at working on bike, been super busy with far too many things. But Update: Engine has been removed from bike, electrical and suspension soon to come off so that frame can be blasted and powder coated. Exhaust valves not looking too pretty as there are lots of carbon deposits and appears to be leaking oil from valve stems. pictures to come up tomorrow

Greggo · « **Reply #11 on:** July 08, 2011, 03:38:44 PM »

Blue pipes and excessive heat both point to a lean running condition. Does it have the correct carbs on there? Have you gotten into them yet?

CJK · « **Reply #12 on:** January 18, 2012, 04:26:01 PM »

Wow completely forgot about keeping this build thread :/ Anyway, if anyone even cares, between working part-time, tough semester in college, girlfriend and staying in shape I had no time so I put the project on the back burner. My semester ended in mid-December and I went back to working on it as much as I could (still not as much time as I would have liked).
Since mid-December, I have completely taken the bike apart. Here's my update/plans:

Engine has been cleaned and painted, stainless bolt set has been used to replace most bolts with anti-seize used
front suspension has been cleaned and rebuilt with 20w oil and new fork seals (keeping stock springs but adding PVC spacers to stiffen up if necessary)
Brake caliper will be worked on next week. Some rust in there that I will use #400 sandpaper to get rid of, new pads on way from Z1, seal is still fine, painted red then baked
Gauges have been disassembled, plastic faces are warped so those need to be replaced, needle will be re-painted, outside of gauges will be painted black with Appliance Epoxy, adding white LEDs for back lighting at night, adding LEDs on gauge faces for Oil, Hi-Beam, Turn Signals, Neutral lights
Tank has been hot-dipped and will be coated with POR-15 then painted white, Honda logos will be stripped of paint then painted red with black outline, new gasket for gas cap being ordered soon, gas cap possibly powdercoated black (not sure yet)
New 17T front and 37T rear sprockets from Z1 along with 530-100 heavy duty chain
Carbs will be taken apart + soda blasted + new seals, probably rejet carbs to 110 and raise needle 1 notch as recommended by HondaMan since I am running 4-1 exhaust headers, plus have Anti-Pod filter
need to order new rear shocks as the ones I had were not long enough, stock are 12.5" from middle of eye to bolt in clevis; I'll probably order about 13.25" because I want to raise rear end to decrease rake a little bit from stock 4.1"
ordered all new cables to replace nasty old ones, new throttle sleeve, grips, want to add single control switch on left side for horn, turns, headlights and kill, move ignition and electric start button to dash mount
tires will be K70 replicas, rims will be sand blasted and powder coated black, stainless spokes hopefully, new bearings + seals as well
no sidecovers in this bikes future so tabs will be ground flat, passenger pegs gone, and chain guard tabs too, then sandblast frame and powdercoat black
exhaust will need to be sandblasted as well as there is rust on it, thinking of painting headers black then slapping one of the exhaust silencers on it from either Carpy or the other Member here that offers them
all wiring/electronics will be sorted through and inspected, EE student so this will be easy, LED turn signals added for front, LED integrated brake/turns for rear, H4 headlight (55w/60w), HondaMan transistorized ignition
cafe bump from Sean at Roc City where electronics will be, battery will stay in Triangle

Sorry for the lengthy post, just my ideas for the build and now I dont have to keep them written down on paper on my cork board

Tews19 · « **Reply #13 on:** January 18, 2012, 06:13:50 PM »

Subscribed. Any new pics?

CJK · « **Reply #14 on:** January 18, 2012, 11:10:58 PM »

I am out of town until Tuesday, but I will get some going when I return. For now, it just looks like a garage and shelves of parts. Hopefully it will all return together the correct way and running

toytuff · « **Reply #15 on:** January 19, 2012, 06:27:53 AM »

I'm tuned in.

tt

CJK · « **Reply #16 on:** January 24, 2012, 04:35:40 PM »

Woohoo! Back from trip safely. College resumes tomorrow, which sucks because it will dip into my motorcycle time but I also have a large box of parts coming from Z1 :-). I will be painting the lower triple tree and gauges soon with epoxy paint as well as finishing touches on the fork lowers. Pics to come shortly.

CJK · « **Reply #17 on:** February 15, 2012, 08:18:13 AM »

Well here's the 1 month update: School + Work + GF been taking up most of my time. However, new gauge faces are being made on AI by a classmate, which will then be cut on the laser cutter at school by a different guy I know. Since I don't have that much time anyway I decided to just order a fiberglass seat from Sean @ Roccity Cafe. Once that arrives, I'll be taking my frame to a machine shop where another friend works to have the frame worked on. I will have him fab up a batter box low in the "Triangle", weld a loop on the back section plus put sheet metal to make a tray for electronics, weld some triangles in for support and sturdy the frame all around. I've just been ordering tons of parts anticipating the rain to come so I can have time to work on the bike. I found that CB900F shocks are 14.5" and feature an Eye-to-Clevis mount so I'm bidding on a set on eBay for <$65. Tank has been hot-dipped, just need to finish cleaning it up, toss it on the electrolysis then seal it up.

CJK · « **Reply #18 on:** February 15, 2012, 04:05:45 PM »

CB900F shocks ended up selling for far more than they are worth, so I passed on them. Think i'll look into some Hagons or Redwings.

Cheffish · « **Reply #19 on:** February 15, 2012, 05:10:12 PM »

I think redwings have a pretty bad rep. Splurge for hagons or something comparable. Post some pics!

CJK · « **Reply #20 on:** February 15, 2012, 08:55:29 PM »

Thanks for the tip on the Redwings. I was leaning towards Hagons anyway. Love that they custom build them for you. Pics coming up tonight of everything I've accomplished...not that much but still.

CJK · « **Reply #21 on:** February 15, 2012, 10:56:12 PM »

There's a painted engine, stainless bolts still haven't been installed, but I have them.

Here are the forks. Thoroughly cleaned inside and out and painted with epoxy paint, new seals and fresh fork oil.

Fork Tubes a little pitted but they should be fine for a while. Don't feel like dishing out more money on them.

Bunch of parts on racks begging to be worked on.

here's the tank post-dipping.

Anyone got any super great ideas for cleaning up this ugly guy? Maybe just throw it on electrolysis?

rb550four · « **Reply #22 on:** February 19, 2012, 06:05:01 PM »

That toilet bowl cleaner " the Works" seems to do a good job eating rust in hard to get places.

IRISHCBRACER · « **Reply #23 on:** February 22, 2012, 11:42:06 AM »

Subscribed

CJK · « **Reply #24 on:** February 22, 2012, 07:49:15 PM »

got the carbs all taken apart right now. PO wasnt lying when he said he rebuilt them with all new parts. All the internals are new and clean, outside just needs to be cleaned up and I think I'll replace some of the gaskets. But I was stupid and broke the metal piece that holds Carbs 1-2 and 3-4 together near the plate :/

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Author Topic: 1975 CB550K1 550 Four (Read 16715 times)