74' CB550 Cafe (Version 2.0)

Well I figure it is probably time to put up a build thread. I bought a 1974 CB550 back in November from TurdFurguson who got 2 in a package deal for $400. I of course got the non-running bike. Anyway, I have finally started working on it. My original goal was to build a cafe bike complete with a custom single seat. My wife said that if I was getting a bike, she had to be able to ride too (I am ok with this because now I can build another bike...getting ahead of myself ;D ). I toyed with the idea of having a removable cowl so she would have a spot to sit but I came across www.wrenchmonkees.com and loved the style of their bikes and decided that was the direction I was going with. I posted it here in the Bob/Chop section because I don't know if I would classify it as a Cafe....maybe a Cafobber or Bafe?

So.....Now I am really getting into the project and the goal is to have it up and roadworthy this spring. I really want to make it to Troy's in July! This won't be a complete build as far has stripping everything to the frame. That will be in the works next winter. I know you might think that it is "half-assed" but this is my first bike. I just got my license this last fall and would really just like to get out and ride this next season.

I have a few photos from the start and will update this thread often....I sometimes can procrastinate so I am hoping that my brothers here on DTT will give me a foot in the ass every now and then ;D

Here are the 2 bikes when Jordan (TurdFurguson) picked them up in June 09.


Here is the bike when I brought it home in November (jordan stole some parts for his bike...part of the deal)



As you can see I have my work cut out for me....I have already rebuilt the carbs and have more of the bike pulled apart. I will update it with some newer pics tonight! Thanks for looking!!

Re: 74' CB550 "Wrenchmonkees" Style Build - Project Name coming soon

Horray! My bike bother finally got off his lazy ass

Re: 74' CB550 "Wrenchmonkees" Style Build - Project Name coming soon

TF came down and we did some work last night...mainly beer drinking and commenting that I will never get this done...haha!

Got the rear stripped down, undid the mess that is the wiring located in the headlight and managed to get them all pulled out of the bars. I am pretty much at the point to start rebuilding. I need to cut the frame and get the tubing necessary to to form/weld a hoop on the rear. Once that is complete, I am going to mock up a seat pan and then get one laser cut and form it here at work.









This is the look I am going for....I am thinking it would be classified more of a Cafe??

Re: 74' CB550 "Wrenchmonkees" Style Build - Project Name coming soon

i love, love, love the wrenchmonkeys style!!! cant wait to see the progress!

Re: 74' CB550 "Wrenchmonkees" Style Build - Project Name coming soon

rextec said:

i love, love, love the wrenchmonkeys style!!! cant wait to see the progress!

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thanks man...I promise to keep this thing updated! I think their style is a good cross between cafe and bobberish...perfect for what I want!



A while back I scored a Kerker 4-1 for super cheap but it was rather rusty. I just got done doing some sandblasting and I think it came out pretty good. A little bit of sanding by hand and it will be ready for paint.

From this:



To this:

Re: 74' CB550 "Wrenchmonkees" Style Build - Project Name coming soon

That pipe came out alright man. You should blast all the chrome off, and get it powdered. Shouldnt be much for just that pipe.

Re: 74' CB550 "Wrenchmonkees" Style Build - Project Name coming soon

VonYinzer said:

That pipe came out alright man. You should blast all the chrome off, and get it powdered. Shouldnt be much for just that pipe.

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Yeah I gotta sand the rest off but I am going to paint it with a satin black high-temp paint along with the headers.

Re: 74' CB550 "Wrenchmonkees" Style Build - Project Name coming soon

You'll need the flame proof (1200 deg) paint for the headers - I think that only comes in flat (??)

Re: 74' CB550 "Wrenchmonkees" Style Build - Project Name coming soon

hillsy said:

You'll need the flame proof (1200 deg) paint for the headers - I think that only comes in flat (??)

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Yeah I plan on using this : http://www.eastwood.com/satin-black-hi-temp-coating.html

Re: 74' CB550 "Wrenchmonkees" Style Build - Project Name coming soon

I did a little bit of surgery last night, well more of an amputation for now.

Before:


After:


Now to find some tubing to finish the rear hoop.

Re: 74' CB550 WM-Style Build

I will update tonight with some more pictures.

This last week and weekend, I pulled off the rear wheel and front and have the tires off. Wheels are ready for a good clean and some paint. I cut and ground off the stock seat hinge point, tabs for the chain guard, and a few others for side covers.

This next week I plan to get the tube I bought bent and get the rear hoop made, then touch up the frame with paint.
Then I can get the seat designed and built and the new battery box too!

Re: 74' CB550 WM-Style Build

Update:

I have been working more in the bike, little by little, over the past week. I will add some more pictures shortly.

I made a list of stuff that I still need to complete on the bike. My goal is to be able to ride the bike on Memorial Day weekend but a friend of mine is doing a combined VW/Audi show and bike show mid-May. Gotta love working under pressure.


1) Clean up frame rust spots and hit with frame paint
2) Cut your frame and build seat bracket
3*) design rear fender/plate combo
4) design/build box for electronics/battery
5*)Sand and Paint exhaust
6) Drill holes in clubmans after checking locations
7) Run wires through handlebars and back out
8 Paint headlight housing and reinstall
9) Buy 110 jets
10) Put together rest of carbs
11) Check/replace Spark Plugs
12) Check and tighten points
13) Tighten coil and check wires
14) change oil
15) get battery and hook it up
16) Re-attach all wiring and test circuits
17) attach carbs
18) attach exhaust
19) wire up all lights
20*) paint tank
21*) paint fork lowers
22*) clean up/replace front caliper
23*) drill front brake rotor
24*) build seat
25) fire it up

*= can be done at anytime

Re: 74' CB550 WM-Style Build

Some Pictures:

Stripping the tank. This is with some Loctite Spray-on Gasket/Paint remover. Slow process.


As you can see, this thing has been many colors. It looks like the base was a metallic silver but I could be wrong.



VHT High Temp Header Paint on my Kerker megaphone


Sanding the headlight bucket





Does anyone have any good sites to look at color chips? I was originally going to go with a stock Flake Sunrise Orange but am slowly going an different direction.

Re: 74' CB550 WM-Style Build

good work so far. I love your inspiration. I can't wait to see the beast come July!



off subject but I just bought a pair of grey chucks last night ;D

Re: 74' CB550 WM-Style Build

troybilt said:

good work so far. I love your inspiration. I can't wait to see the beast come July!



off subject but I just bought a pair of grey chucks last night ;D

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Thanks man! Still planning to come out to W. Va. this summer!

yeah the chucks are my favorite pair of shoes.

Re: 74' CB550 WM-Style Build

I really dig the wrench monkees style too. They def have an eye. I've been on a bit of a gravel crew kick lately. http://www.gravel-crew.com/ they have some pretty cool stuff lots of bratsyle and jap bobber stuff. they have one that is kinda a cross between a board tracker and a bratstyle bobber

Re: 74' CB550 WM-Style Build

thompson- yeah I am familiar with the gravel-crew too. I dig their style but I am going to use clubmans for more of a drop position.

Well, I have failed at doing updates but I have been making progress, slowly but surely. Thanks to Troy for some advice/question answering for me on using the appliance epoxy on various bits. Luckily, I have sandblaster at work so I could fix some botched paint sections. I figured out NOT to use my compressor to blow the parts off before the alcohol wipe. For some reason it was causing lots of fisheyes. Anyway, enough rambling, on the the pics.

Some various parts that have been painted; headlight bucket (primed), headers and megaphone (VHT Flat Black)





Fork bits, front caliper mount, speedo/tach mount painted with black appliance epoxy.



All done in my "custom" makeshift paint booth... ;D


Rear hoop bent and formed to correct width along with the slugs to sleeve it to the frame. (today I will be cutting the hoop to create an angle with the rear hoop...pics later)




Finally, stripped and sandblasted the tank. It's ready for a little layer of bondo to smooth and take care of minor dents and then paint. w00t!


More to come later....the clock is ticking

Re: 74' CB550 WM-Style Build

Nice man!!! Keep it up! Lookin' forward to seeing this ride on the road!

Re: 74' CB550 WM-Style Build

VonYinzer said:

Nice man!!! Keep it up! Lookin' forward to seeing this ride on the road!

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Thanks Von!

Hold on to your hats! I have a second update for this week! Its kind of hard to believe it's not weeks in between as usual. Anyway, I made some relief cuts to the rear hoop and then built a fixture with extra material here at work to hold the sucker in place. Going to weld it up tomorrow and then take it home and shorten the length!

Before cuts


After cuts and held in fixture (just threw it together)



The cuts were my first time doing it. I drew it out on AutoCAD and then taped the template on the tube and cut away. It will look better after being welded and then smoothed out. Stay tuned!

Re: 74' CB550 WM-Style Build

Well here is the finished hoop. I after getting it welded, smoothed, and cut to length, I am not liking the angle. I made it too steep. I am bummed. Don't get me wrong, I tried it on there before I welded it and thought it looked good. Oh well, you live and learn. I am going to use a Press Brake at work today to bump the angle. If that doesn't work, i will make another rear hoop.