1974 CB550 Build
- Thread starter alexcb550
- Start date
Looks good.
Take it out into some serious twisties and wide-open high-speed sweepers for about 100 miles or so, and tell us the truth about how it handles.
For some reason, I can't see the mating of near-vertical steering going well with that extended swingarm, although the rider position SEEMS to be pretty decent...
Take it out into some serious twisties and wide-open high-speed sweepers for about 100 miles or so, and tell us the truth about how it handles.
For some reason, I can't see the mating of near-vertical steering going well with that extended swingarm, although the rider position SEEMS to be pretty decent...
alexcb550
Active Member
The neck of the frame was not altered so I am not sure how you see it as vertical. The swing arm is not extended as it is the stock 550. It seems extended because my frame is shortened. I have about 500 miles on her so far and she handles beautifully although the rear suspension is a tad stiff but I will eventually put on some decent shocks. If it heats up a little more over here I will take it to the foothills and make a couple of videos.
https://youtu.be/OLxDSBML5k4
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
My little lump had everything done to it that could be bought back in the late 70s, short of a stroked crank and lightweight rods; it was Pops Yoshi 590 equipped with Martek ignition and nice light valvetrain. Back then, a set of smoothbores off a 750 was the best I could afford. Suspension was stock, but low miles and overhauled.
It would keep up with my KZ1000 to almost 80MPH, then the big KZ would walk away till the little wing ran out of breath just short of 120. Fun bike, and it handled WAY better than the KZ. In anything twisty, the KZ couldn't touch it. We tried it with various riders taking turns on both bikes, the CB always on top in the twisty stuff.
...and it's only a "decent" handling bike!
It would keep up with my KZ1000 to almost 80MPH, then the big KZ would walk away till the little wing ran out of breath just short of 120. Fun bike, and it handled WAY better than the KZ. In anything twisty, the KZ couldn't touch it. We tried it with various riders taking turns on both bikes, the CB always on top in the twisty stuff.
...and it's only a "decent" handling bike!
Fun video of the run, thanks for that. Nice job.
alexcb550
Active Member
Gave the 550 a face lift of sorts. I did not like how the previous colors cured "mostly because they were cheap and it was 2am" i redid the job with a pearl white, metallic gunmetal, the same red, and a high end clear. I am very happy with the results. Gonna let it cure for a couple of days then wet sand and buff.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
alexcb550
Active Member
She was seeping a small amount of oil between the barrels and head so I pulled the engine and rebuilt it. All the mating surfaces were soda blasted except for the lower as to not get a bunch of powder in the cases. That one was by hand snd it sucked. New ring set. New seals everywhere. Valves lapped and everything torqued and adjusted to spec.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
