1977 CB550F Restore to Cafe build to Road Racer...

[NBJ10er]

This is my first post on on here and although I've been riding off-road my whole life, this is my first on-road project. My vice has always been hitting the track and those lovely kickers, but due to becoming more injury prone, I'm settling into a different sport. Something about gliding thru turns has molded my project from just a rebuild road bike into the prospect of taking this to the vintage road race circuit. The bike was almost done before I made this maneuver, I wanted to post a few pics and talk about it a little more. Any advice from some seasoned road racers would be welcomed!!

Completely torn down
Powder coated frame and other parts to look smart
New Buchanan wheels and spokes - gorgeous
New wheel internals
New Avon Tyres
RaceTech suspension
Stock brakes at the moment...will have to be addressed
Stock electricals, but new Dyna electronic ignition- smooth
Drag bars, but will need clip ons for racing???
New Wiseco .5mm oversized pistons w/ Cometic gaskets is the only engine mod i've done, sounds amazing and super quiet

What else can be addressed in the motor to have more fun on the track, and make reliable? Cam, crank etc. The motor is now back in the frame and electricals ran, thoughts on the direction from here?

Here are some pics of the build

 

[canyoncarver]

Nice first post. Welcome to DTT. I dig the bike. I'm got a 75' 550 torn down in my garage that will be my winter project.


As for engine mods, some guys stick an SOHC 650 cam in there for more lift.

 

[Mugen_Stumpo]

WOW... nice job with all this PC 8)

 

[NBJ10er]

Nice first post. Welcome to DTT. I dig the bike. I'm got a 75' 550 torn down in my garage that will be my winter project.


As for engine mods, some guys stick an SOHC 650 cam in there for more lift.

Thanks! Been working on this girl for a while, I should be able to ride it before the weather turns but then it'll be in the garage taking the final few steps to becoming a road racer. I've gotten other feedback about the cam as well.

 

[NBJ10er]

Thanks! Been working on this girl for a while, I should be able to ride it before the weather turns but then it'll be in the garage taking the final few steps to becoming a road racer. I've gotten other feedback about the cam as well.

 

[teazer]

Nice bike. Choose a race organization that has races in your area. We raced with AHRMA and WERA and the rules were a slightly different, so we built the bike for AHRMA. To race, things like lights and stands have to be removed and all manner of parts have to be drilled and lock (safety) wired.

AHRMA has a couple of classes that bike could fit into. They have a full on race class SUPERBIKE that allows extensive modifications and they have a Historic Production class that allows very few changes from stock and that's a good place to start. Go to www.ahrma.org and download a copy of the rules and think about what the rules allow you to do in terms of changes.

Cams and porting and CR carbs are all possible in the right class but not necessary to get you out on track. Do a race school and organize a few track days to get used to the bike and to find out how much faster racing is that fast street riding. It is a rush and it's very mental sport. Get a transponder and set up a race record - I can send you a document we use. Have fun.

 

[NBJ10er]

Great thanks! I was just speaking with a couple guys over the weekend about both AHRMA and WERA. From what I read, the 550 is a good engine for road racing and the 550 frame is preferred. I'm planning on doing some track days over at MidOhio Sports Car Course. All help is appreciated to get started next spring/summer.