jag767
Over 1,000 Posts
Hey all,
Long time lurker and first time poster. I figured what better way to introduce myself than with a double bike build! Been building hot rods for years, and finally decided to take the plunge into something new. A friend and I are currently elbow deep in the crank case of a 1975 cb550f, which we plan on making a wild beast out of. So far everything has been cleaned and measured, just about half way done on the port/polishing on the head. Once its complete in the next couple of days motor should be going back together. The goal on this build is to get a little more spring in her step, while making a real wild custom ride.
As for the rest of the bike, everything is completely broken down, frame and tank went out for media blasting, and all the smaller aluminum components were blasted in our media cabinet. Still not sure if we are going to bring them all back to a high polish or going to go with a unique matt finish look yet, but as my partner in the build is a pipe maker with amazing ability to bring things down to a mirror finish, we're gonna have to weigh out the time vs reward on that one. Once I get some pictures up I'm sure some of you will really be in love with his work on the head cover. He's about 85% done cleaning up every nook around the tappet covers and bringing the whole thing to a mirror finish.
Now for the 175:
As the 550 is at my buddys shop, My garage was looking real lonely. What better way to give yourself a headache than to get another bike going at the same time! Picked up a 1972 cb175, definitely paid too much, but this one is for me, and i wanted this particular bike since i love good things in small packages.
The original plan was to just do some bolt on mods and call it a day, but, well, we all know how that goes. Long story short the parts lists now includes new controls, switches, bars, grips, throttle, cables, led halo headlight, tires, mirrors, rectifier/regulator, probe digital ignition, sparck wire harness, coil, seat, rear suspension, led tail light, digital tach, exhaust, rear controls, and im sure there is more I'm forgetting.
So once I looked at this mass of new shiny stuff, I decided theres no way I cant break this bike down to the frame and give it the love it needs to be in showroom condition. Bike will be broken down the rest of the way this weekend, frame and tank are getting blasted, then going to my friends body shop for some tlc. Going to keep the fork covers on this one since I really dig the look, also going to keep the plastic covers under the seat. Gives me more canvas for custom pinstriping. The fenders, signals, and electric start are all going buh bye.
As for the paint scheme, I'll be drawing a little inspiration from the hot rod world. Tank, air box covers, and fork covers are going matt black, and the frame will be Impulse blue metallic, same color my '04 gto was. The pinstriping will be in that same blue to give that old school chopped top hod rod look on a beautiful matt canvas. Since I'm going for a very simple/clean look, all the welds on the frame will be cleaned up, and a little body work will be done to smooth them out for finish paint. Fingers crossed my buddy will let me lay down the paint myself, I really want a show quality paint job on this one. Plan on sanding down to 5000 to really get that perfect finish.
The motor on this one is good, will just be polishing it up real purdy. As for time frame, I recon the 550 is about 30-45 days out, and with any luck I'll be riding this 175 before christmas and will be looking for another project bike for the new year.
Special thanks to Matt at Sparck Moto for being so helpful with all my questions on this project!
All the pictures for both of these are on my phone, will be putting them up very shortly.
Long time lurker and first time poster. I figured what better way to introduce myself than with a double bike build! Been building hot rods for years, and finally decided to take the plunge into something new. A friend and I are currently elbow deep in the crank case of a 1975 cb550f, which we plan on making a wild beast out of. So far everything has been cleaned and measured, just about half way done on the port/polishing on the head. Once its complete in the next couple of days motor should be going back together. The goal on this build is to get a little more spring in her step, while making a real wild custom ride.
As for the rest of the bike, everything is completely broken down, frame and tank went out for media blasting, and all the smaller aluminum components were blasted in our media cabinet. Still not sure if we are going to bring them all back to a high polish or going to go with a unique matt finish look yet, but as my partner in the build is a pipe maker with amazing ability to bring things down to a mirror finish, we're gonna have to weigh out the time vs reward on that one. Once I get some pictures up I'm sure some of you will really be in love with his work on the head cover. He's about 85% done cleaning up every nook around the tappet covers and bringing the whole thing to a mirror finish.
Now for the 175:
As the 550 is at my buddys shop, My garage was looking real lonely. What better way to give yourself a headache than to get another bike going at the same time! Picked up a 1972 cb175, definitely paid too much, but this one is for me, and i wanted this particular bike since i love good things in small packages.
The original plan was to just do some bolt on mods and call it a day, but, well, we all know how that goes. Long story short the parts lists now includes new controls, switches, bars, grips, throttle, cables, led halo headlight, tires, mirrors, rectifier/regulator, probe digital ignition, sparck wire harness, coil, seat, rear suspension, led tail light, digital tach, exhaust, rear controls, and im sure there is more I'm forgetting.
So once I looked at this mass of new shiny stuff, I decided theres no way I cant break this bike down to the frame and give it the love it needs to be in showroom condition. Bike will be broken down the rest of the way this weekend, frame and tank are getting blasted, then going to my friends body shop for some tlc. Going to keep the fork covers on this one since I really dig the look, also going to keep the plastic covers under the seat. Gives me more canvas for custom pinstriping. The fenders, signals, and electric start are all going buh bye.
As for the paint scheme, I'll be drawing a little inspiration from the hot rod world. Tank, air box covers, and fork covers are going matt black, and the frame will be Impulse blue metallic, same color my '04 gto was. The pinstriping will be in that same blue to give that old school chopped top hod rod look on a beautiful matt canvas. Since I'm going for a very simple/clean look, all the welds on the frame will be cleaned up, and a little body work will be done to smooth them out for finish paint. Fingers crossed my buddy will let me lay down the paint myself, I really want a show quality paint job on this one. Plan on sanding down to 5000 to really get that perfect finish.
The motor on this one is good, will just be polishing it up real purdy. As for time frame, I recon the 550 is about 30-45 days out, and with any luck I'll be riding this 175 before christmas and will be looking for another project bike for the new year.
Special thanks to Matt at Sparck Moto for being so helpful with all my questions on this project!
All the pictures for both of these are on my phone, will be putting them up very shortly.
