Face Lift off the shelf but What is it

Frankenfe

Coast to Coast
1974 CB550 K0 Given a new look with mostly from aborted parts from other projects...a new lease on life.

Beyond getting "Roadworthy"...... Seat, Drag Bars, 2.5" Mini Gauges, Bates/Lucas Tail Light, Vintage Lowering Shackles, Egg/Bullet Chrome Turn Signals Hid the Horn./CB750 Front Fender (Smaller Lip)
 

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And After

So What is it??

Brat ?
Rat ?
Euro ?
Cafe ?
Low Rider ?
 

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AzHonda said:
I like it! It's exactly the same style I like my bikes.

Have always had an appreciation for "Patina".

Shes's in Good Shape with a dash of earned Maturity, with a little "Devil" in her too....wait a minute it's a "BILR" as in MILF..lol
 
Thank you for not turning yet another vintage bike into an ugly, unrideable monstrosity. <G>
 
Garage Rat said:
Why do you have to name a style?

It's just a good looking old bike.

madd750 said:
no need for labels, it's a nice bike!

I'll admit I really don't care what people call it, this post was just a fun way to introduce the bike. It's funny though, some people get the faded Tank, Side Covers & Headlight Bucket...and some people don't.

I will also admit I helped the wearing in the Knee areas to get both side to look similar. Then Satin Cleared it all and put new chrome auto door edge guard on the Tank.

It probably is the most fun and comfortable bike to ride, that I have had in awhile.
 
I think it needs good paint to be finished the whole rat rod thing is lost on me patina is art world talk for dead paint but what you got done looks nice
 
bradj said:
I think it needs good paint to be finished the whole rat rod thing is lost on me patina is art world talk for dead paint but what you got done looks nice

To each their own, that's what makes any hobby interesting. There must be some appeal to patina in vehicles or so many people wouldn't be trying to fake it.

This build is what I would call a "Rejuvination" never will I "Restore" it. To me a restoration is a slippery slope, it requires every piece being brought back to like new quality, otherwise parts don't jive. This bike is intended to be an honest bike, cleaned and detailed to its best. I like the contrast of the clean nice chrome against "patina" a bike with "character", one that begs to be ridden.

Some Pics to explain.

Ever wandered an old junk yard and "Heard the Whispers"? Wondering the stories they could tell...I guess I'm what some would call a romantic.

Should Clint get Plastic Surgery like Burt?
 

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Which Jacket would you want to wear?
 

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Would these rifles be more "appealing" re-blued and the stocks refinished?
 

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Evidently someone thought this old school desk looked better painted. I wouldn't have touched it & I'd leave the trunk alone ...
 

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The point here I think is real patina, from 30+ years of use, cleaned up and protected again, is pretty cool. Taking sandpaper etc. to a fresh re-paint to look old is cheesy and fake. If you can't put the miles on the bike to actually age it, you don't derserve it. I really like the look of the bike you did, you cleaned it and brought it back to useful and it earned its age marks. You can now put a few thousand miles a season on it to add to that. If you had painted the bike all up nice and new then took sandpaper to it to look old, that would have been kind of dumb I think. All the examples you like, I like too but I bet the patina is earned on all, none are reproduced on new items, and if they are they are fakes and worthless.

My .02
Cheers,
 
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