'77 CB550 The "Sake Bomber"

Busted Knuckles

Been Around the Block
This past summer I came across this bike. Bought it from a garage tinkerer, and I have to say, he did a pretty decent job. She looks good, but is a little rough around the edges. I was riding it a couple weeks ago and snapped a throttle cable, so I figured "what the eff, why not tear it all apart and see what I come up with?"

Here's what she looked like when I brought her home.

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Just happened to have a CBR929rr laying around...

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And besides...this front end looked so, I dunno, OLD!

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Not too bad for a little while's work...

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Stay tuned...more to come!
 
'77 CB550 Winter Project.

Oh no...you have to run All Balls tapered bearings. Speak to Alex there...he's a Jedi with that stuff. This is just a dry fit anyways to get an idea of fitiment and stance.
 
'77 CB550 Winter Project.

Christmas time has taken its toll on me shop time-wise. I did get my frame hoops for mine and my wife's bikes in the mail(Thanks Cafegoose). I also scored a set of CBR1000 Repsol wheels from a co worker who is now running BST carbon wheels on said CBR. I got them to primarily mock up the bike with the forks...but now after seeing them on the bike, I'm kind of thinking a Repsol Cafe would be baaaaaad ass!
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Re: '77 CB550 Winter Project.

Looking good. 8)

If your not going to need that old spoke front rim.... I'm intrested.
 
'77 CB550 Winter Project.

I'll let you know, Mossy. I may use it on my wife's bike I'm building, the whole front end, that is.
 
Re: '77 CB550 Winter Project.

Haha, I love the fact that a broken throttle cable was all it took to set you off into a custom build. I think a Repsol Cafe would be a pretty tits bike. Keep us posted please.
 
'77 CB550 Winter Project.

Well, the parts are slowly trickling in. I got my V-rod headlamp assembly tonight (ok, I know, not exactly classic "cafe" styling...but I just LOVE the look).

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Other stuff should be in this week as well.

New throttle assembly and cables
Motogadget control module and bar switches (I've got to pare down this rats nest of a wiring harness)
Tank sealant kit

Question for anyone out there reading this boring thread of mine. I saw that there's a company that makes a replica of the boxed swingarms for the 750ss'. Will one of these fit on my 550?
 
Re: '77 CB550 Winter Project.

Be very carefully with that Harley headlight....
If it leaks any oil on your front tire, you could be in big trouble. ;D
 
'77 CB550 Winter Project.

I heard about that, but luckily I haven't had that problem yet! This thing IS leaking blinker fluid, though...I've GOT to get that handled.
 
Re: '77 CB550 Winter Project.

Mossy21 said:
Be very carefully with that Harley headlight....
If it leaks any oil on your front tire, you could be in big trouble. ;D

This ^^ is hilarious.

And I agree that the headlight looks great. Keep at it, I'm working on a 71 cb500 at the moment, enjoying where you are taking this one.
 
'77 CB550 Winter Project.

Well as cool as it looks, there's NO flipping way the 1000 rear wheel/tire combo will fit.

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'77 CB550 Winter Project.

Who knows? The rim itself clears, but there's no way in hell the 190 tire will fit...not even sure a 180 would fit. I would LOVE to run a modern wheel just because it's a little bit different, and I HATE truing spokes. But if I have to run spokes...I have to run spokes....
 
'77 CB550 Winter Project.

I've got a swingarm, but the 190 rear tire is about an inch too wide. I'm bidding on a 600rr wheel as we speak, and will have them powdercoated to match each other.

Bradj recommended a zx6 swinger, so I got one of those last week, I wanted a boxed arm, and this one fits with minor mods. I'm still torn on whether to run the stock swinger or the boxed one. I'm sure I will spend countless hours just staring at it till I decide.
 
Re: '77 CB550 Winter Project.

sweet, because that orange looks awesome.
i think a boxed swinger will be a great upgrade
 
'77 CB550 Winter Project.

I like how your messing with those CBR wheels on your ride. Not a classic. But its different and looks good when properly done... Something I'd like to do myself.

Reminds me of Rusty Olive's rear setup. Believe he ran a CBR on his rear. You should look into his build or contact him, if you don't know about him. Might give you more of a clear setup instead of buying parts to fit that rear setup.
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'77 CB550 Winter Project.

MexiChriS said:
I like how your messing with those CBR wheels on your ride. Not a classic. But its different and looks good when properly done... Something I'd like to do myself.

Reminds me of Rusty Olive's rear setup. Believe he ran a CBR on his rear. You should look into his build or contact him, if you don't know about him. Might give you more of a clear setup instead of buying parts to fit that rear setup.
RustyOlive.com

Thanks! I'm sure I will...
 
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