Author Topic: Project Mousercycle - 1974 CB550K0  (Read 2130 times)

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Offline hsr

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Project Mousercycle - 1974 CB550K0
« on: August 07, 2011, 07:22:37 AM »
Hello all,

Figured I would announce my project too.  My first Honda since a Z50 back in 1976.  Have had several Kawasaki’s and a couple of Yamaha and this is only my 2nd street bike.  I picked up this 1974 CB550K0 a couple of weeks ago after a long (Craigslist) search that involved seeing many bikes in much worse shape than this one at higher prices.

It’s complete, but not stock.  Side covers are on the back of my car in the one picture.  Emblems were all shaved.  The last time this bike saw the light of day was fall of 1988.  Parked in a barn by the previous owner when he got his first Harley.  In the seat pocket was the expired registration and insurance card matching his story.  The bike came with a well worn Cylmer manual, a frozen front brake and a lot of work ahead.

Not going to bore with disassembly.  Will post “in progress” pictures as it starts going back together.  Plan is for a modified stock and not the full blown café look.

Thanks for all the knowledge found here already.

Fresh out of the barn and off the trailer.



One of my 8 year old daughters instantly named the bike "The Mousercycle" because of this previous tenant.  He left a nice nest in the tool tray and airbox and there was a bunch of baby mouse carcasses in the exhaust when I shook out the muffler.


The chrome is pretty rough.  In the first pic below, I hit the top of the exhaust with some chrome polish and a rag real quick to see if it would clean up at all.



« Last Edit: August 07, 2011, 07:35:39 AM by hsr »

Offline fergie

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Re: Project Mousercycle - 1974 CB550K0
« Reply #1 on: August 07, 2011, 09:53:48 AM »
The 550's are a great bike. handle better than the 750 and have enough power for the hwy. Looks like a cool project.
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Offline hsr

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Re: Project Mousercycle - 1974 CB550K0
« Reply #2 on: August 10, 2011, 11:20:54 AM »
Bike is fully disassembled.  Frame was the only part I couldn't fit into the blast cabinet, so had to farm that out and just got it back on Monday.

Have been cleaning parts as time will permit.  Compare these photos to the chrome exhaust that was on the bike when I brought it home above. 

BTW, is this a Kerker exhaust?

Used my $2 rust removal kit from Dollar Tree.

Offline hsr

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Re: Project Mousercycle - 1974 CB550K0
« Reply #3 on: August 15, 2011, 06:43:21 PM »
Little more progress.  Here is my engine two cans of over cleaner and a quart spray bottle of Simple Green later.







Yes, that is my son's old skateboard I've been using as my motor dolly.

After.  I shot it with some left over Eastwoods Alumablast.  If you look at the pic behind the alt, you can see the difference to the original color.  This is lighter, but I'm okay with it.






Offline hsr

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Re: Project Mousercycle - 1974 CB550K0
« Reply #4 on: August 15, 2011, 06:46:57 PM »
Was also able to get the tank stripped.  Disappointed to find the Logo brackets were broken off under the bondo.

Amazed at how clean and straight it ended up.








Offline Mcwilliams570

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Re: Project Mousercycle - 1974 CB550K0
« Reply #5 on: August 15, 2011, 09:07:33 PM »
Looking good so far. I am about ready to start on my 74 550 will be watching how yours is going. Oh and thanks for the tach cap I got from you a week or so ago but after I tore the motor down saw my cam was bad so got a 650 one and now need a 650 tach cap thingy lol.
My CB550 project http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=101182.0

Project UFB Cb550 http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=112143.0

Like a 10 dollar hooker on Friday night its going to be ridden.

1974 cb550
1975 cb550
2005 vmax
2009 vmax-sold
1981 gl500i

Offline Tews19

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Re: Project Mousercycle - 1974 CB550K0
« Reply #6 on: September 23, 2011, 11:36:18 AM »
Did you do that all by hand? Or did you use a buffer? Looks great damn
1969 Honda CB750... Basket case
1970 Honda CB750 survivor.

Offline lucky

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Re: Project Mousercycle - 1974 CB550K0
« Reply #7 on: September 24, 2011, 05:48:56 AM »
Looks like you are doing good work on that project!