74' CB550 Cafe (Version 2.0)
- Thread starter mothgils
- Start date
JustinLonghorn
No Purple Hearts, No Blue Ribbons
Re: 74' CB550 Build (Version 2.0)
ha!
ha!
mothgils
Coast to Coast
Re: 74' CB550 Build (Version 2.0)
I have been slowly getting more things done to the 550.
Started tearing it down.
Here is a shot of my crappy battery setup. Originally the design was for it to pivot in case the battery needed to be removed. Well due to some procrastinating 2 years ago, I hurriedly made a mount to work before Barber Last 2011. I didn't end up with enough clearance and in order to get the battery out, you have to remove the rear wheel. Decided to cut it out and do it right this time. I will also be running a smaller battery.
I also am going to redo my electronics box. It is rusty because once again, I never painted it before Barber 2011 and just decided to rock it until now. The little push button you see is the the starter button. Thanks to Honda's crappy starter button not working, I wired this little guy up. Worked great!
I also ordered some Supermoto bars from DCC as I am looking to make my riding position a little more comfortable for longer rides. I have a spare set of controls so I plan to keep the clubmans all wired up in case I decide I want to switch back. Here is a before shot with the clubmans:
Here is a side shot with the new bars:
I threw the seat and tank back on to get an idea of the new look(keep in mind the seat will be changing slightly):
This last weekend I pulled the engine and started to tear into it:
Put the new work bench into commission:
That's it for now. I will be ripping more into the motor this week as well as finishing up the fab work. I will be doing more grinding and smoothing to prep the frame for powder coating. I am still trying to decide if I plan to keep my Cateye LED tail light underneath the hoop or I may run a stubby fender and relocate the tail light.
I have been slowly getting more things done to the 550.
Started tearing it down.
Here is a shot of my crappy battery setup. Originally the design was for it to pivot in case the battery needed to be removed. Well due to some procrastinating 2 years ago, I hurriedly made a mount to work before Barber Last 2011. I didn't end up with enough clearance and in order to get the battery out, you have to remove the rear wheel. Decided to cut it out and do it right this time. I will also be running a smaller battery.
I also am going to redo my electronics box. It is rusty because once again, I never painted it before Barber 2011 and just decided to rock it until now. The little push button you see is the the starter button. Thanks to Honda's crappy starter button not working, I wired this little guy up. Worked great!
I also ordered some Supermoto bars from DCC as I am looking to make my riding position a little more comfortable for longer rides. I have a spare set of controls so I plan to keep the clubmans all wired up in case I decide I want to switch back. Here is a before shot with the clubmans:
Here is a side shot with the new bars:
I threw the seat and tank back on to get an idea of the new look(keep in mind the seat will be changing slightly):
This last weekend I pulled the engine and started to tear into it:
Put the new work bench into commission:
That's it for now. I will be ripping more into the motor this week as well as finishing up the fab work. I will be doing more grinding and smoothing to prep the frame for powder coating. I am still trying to decide if I plan to keep my Cateye LED tail light underneath the hoop or I may run a stubby fender and relocate the tail light.
Re: 74' CB550 Build Brat/Cafe (Version 2.0)
Lets see if this gets back together sooner than the night before we leave for KY
Lets see if this gets back together sooner than the night before we leave for KY
JustinLonghorn
No Purple Hearts, No Blue Ribbons
Re: 74' CB550 Build Brat/Cafe (Version 2.0)
And the RACE IS ON!!!
And the RACE IS ON!!!
Re: 74' CB550 Build Brat/Cafe (Version 2.0)
Sweet 550 man. Looking forward to phase 2.
Sweet 550 man. Looking forward to phase 2.
whiteknucklz
New Member
Re: 74' CB550 Build Brat/Cafe (Version 2.0)
Looks awesome bud! We definitely need to ride when it gets warm!!!
Looks awesome bud! We definitely need to ride when it gets warm!!!
L0st D0gma
New Member
Re: 74' CB550 Build Brat/Cafe (Version 2.0)
Love the bike! Wanted to thank you for posting your build. I stumbled on this thread while gathering inspiration for my project with Google. I'm a bit of a noob so when folks like you document their work, it's a huge help. Thanks for the info!
Quick couple questions: Is your frame painted with the same epoxy paint as the wheels? How has that paint held up on the wheels? Ideally I'd like to powder coat mine but my tight budget means I need to find a reasonable alternative.
Love the bike! Wanted to thank you for posting your build. I stumbled on this thread while gathering inspiration for my project with Google. I'm a bit of a noob so when folks like you document their work, it's a huge help. Thanks for the info!
Quick couple questions: Is your frame painted with the same epoxy paint as the wheels? How has that paint held up on the wheels? Ideally I'd like to powder coat mine but my tight budget means I need to find a reasonable alternative.
mothgils
Coast to Coast
Re: 74' CB550 Build Brat/Cafe (Version 2.0)
Thanks man! Glad you like it. I will try and post and update here in the next day or two.
When I modified the frame I just rattle canned the paint with Krylon Semi-Gloss Black. It is almost ready to be blasted and will be getting powder coated. The epoxy on the wheels and forks has held up great! I highly recommend the appliance epoxy. We have also painted a buddies frame with it and it turned out great!
L0st D0gma said:
Thanks man! Glad you like it. I will try and post and update here in the next day or two.
When I modified the frame I just rattle canned the paint with Krylon Semi-Gloss Black. It is almost ready to be blasted and will be getting powder coated. The epoxy on the wheels and forks has held up great! I highly recommend the appliance epoxy. We have also painted a buddies frame with it and it turned out great!
mothgils
Coast to Coast
Re: 74' CB550 Build Brat/Cafe (Version 2.0)
Nope. The swingarm was stock and the forks were stock length and not lowered. what is probably throwing you off is the frame being chopped. I shortened the rear quite a bit when I put the hoop on.
This time I promise to make a new updated post. I just picked up a 750 dual brake front end that will be modded a bit to go on there and have changed my plans yet again for it.
jrtaylo1 said:
Nope. The swingarm was stock and the forks were stock length and not lowered. what is probably throwing you off is the frame being chopped. I shortened the rear quite a bit when I put the hoop on.
This time I promise to make a new updated post. I just picked up a 750 dual brake front end that will be modded a bit to go on there and have changed my plans yet again for it.
Re: 74' CB550 Build Brat/Cafe (Version 2.0)
Hate to be that guy...but:
any updates? ;D
I'd love to see your new seat, I'm going to hopefully start working on a brat 550 soon. I liked your original seat, but it didn't quite seem to fit with the loop. Did your second seat pan come out differently?
Thanks.
Hate to be that guy...but:
any updates? ;D
I'd love to see your new seat, I'm going to hopefully start working on a brat 550 soon. I liked your original seat, but it didn't quite seem to fit with the loop. Did your second seat pan come out differently?
Thanks.
mothgils
Coast to Coast
Re: 74' CB550 Build Brat/Cafe (Version 2.0)
Thanks for the push!
Below are the updates!
Also, thanks on the seat. The old hoop and seat combo were done intenionally. I wanted it to look different with the higher hoop.
Anyway..on to the updates!
I had originally planned to have it back together for the Spring Thaw in May...didn't happen. When the beginning of April hit and I knew my procrastination had taken over, I had to look for an alternative. I had the 350 project and stumbled upon a friend of a friend who decided to quit his 350 project, so I bought everything he had for an insanely low low price.
I found a running bike that I wanted to purchase so I managed to sell my 350 and all the parts shown above to get enough money to purchase this:
I running (needed a tune up) 1976 CB550 Super Sport. I repainted the tank and side covers (still need to be redone again, this winter), cleaned/rebuilt the carbs, installed a new factory wire harness, newer updated turns and that's about it. It is my daily bike plus it ran great down to the Thaw (Indy to Red River Gorge, KY and back) and I rode it last month out to Mid-Ohio and back.
To the Thaw:
A shot from Mid-Ohio
I have since then swapped to some lower superbike bars
My plan is now to keep the 76 SS as a daily and ride it around while I take my time and finish the '74 correctly.
I have changed gears from doing a brat style bike. This bike will now be a cafe inspired bike complete with half-fairing, custom rearsets, clip-ons and small cafe-styled seat (I will build it myself out of steel).
I had motor work done a few months ago (new valve seals, lapped valves, new exhaust guide valves, cylinders honed, pistons glass bead-blasted and new rings) and will finish putting it back together with all new gaskets.
Did some painting on the motor as well.
I have ground off all the old battery and electronics tray mounting points. I also re-did the seat mounting points to make the seat sit flush with the frame.
I made a new battery box for my Antigravity 8-cell and mounted it below the swing arm (insert pic).
I will keep updating this with progress and new parts.
51D7H3K1D said:
Thanks for the push!
Below are the updates!
Also, thanks on the seat. The old hoop and seat combo were done intenionally. I wanted it to look different with the higher hoop.
Anyway..on to the updates!
I had originally planned to have it back together for the Spring Thaw in May...didn't happen. When the beginning of April hit and I knew my procrastination had taken over, I had to look for an alternative. I had the 350 project and stumbled upon a friend of a friend who decided to quit his 350 project, so I bought everything he had for an insanely low low price.
I found a running bike that I wanted to purchase so I managed to sell my 350 and all the parts shown above to get enough money to purchase this:
I running (needed a tune up) 1976 CB550 Super Sport. I repainted the tank and side covers (still need to be redone again, this winter), cleaned/rebuilt the carbs, installed a new factory wire harness, newer updated turns and that's about it. It is my daily bike plus it ran great down to the Thaw (Indy to Red River Gorge, KY and back) and I rode it last month out to Mid-Ohio and back.
To the Thaw:
A shot from Mid-Ohio
I have since then swapped to some lower superbike bars
My plan is now to keep the 76 SS as a daily and ride it around while I take my time and finish the '74 correctly.
I have changed gears from doing a brat style bike. This bike will now be a cafe inspired bike complete with half-fairing, custom rearsets, clip-ons and small cafe-styled seat (I will build it myself out of steel).
I had motor work done a few months ago (new valve seals, lapped valves, new exhaust guide valves, cylinders honed, pistons glass bead-blasted and new rings) and will finish putting it back together with all new gaskets.
Did some painting on the motor as well.
I have ground off all the old battery and electronics tray mounting points. I also re-did the seat mounting points to make the seat sit flush with the frame.
I made a new battery box for my Antigravity 8-cell and mounted it below the swing arm (insert pic).
I will keep updating this with progress and new parts.
Re: 74' CB550 Build Brat/Cafe (Version 2.0)
Looks great! do you do all your painting yourself? I'll admit I'm disappointed that your switching to cafe style, then again I've got to pave my own way! Watching you do it all is just too easy. I'm sure the bike will come out great, keep us post.
Looks great! do you do all your painting yourself? I'll admit I'm disappointed that your switching to cafe style, then again I've got to pave my own way! Watching you do it all is just too easy. I'm sure the bike will come out great, keep us post.
mothgils
Coast to Coast
Re: 74' CB550 Build Brat/Cafe (Version 2.0)
Sorry man...there are a lot of bikes that are similar styling to the "brat-style" I had going. I was going to do that so it would be comfortable for longer riding but I have my '76 for that. This is now going to be a fun/fast bike to rip around on.
As far as the painting, the blue is just rattle-canned. I will be attempting the paint work on the tank and fairing for the '74. Just haven't nailed down an exact paint scheme yet.
51D7H3K1D said:
Sorry man...there are a lot of bikes that are similar styling to the "brat-style" I had going. I was going to do that so it would be comfortable for longer riding but I have my '76 for that. This is now going to be a fun/fast bike to rip around on.
As far as the painting, the blue is just rattle-canned. I will be attempting the paint work on the tank and fairing for the '74. Just haven't nailed down an exact paint scheme yet.
