'75 CB550K1 Gulf - Round...3, the fun stuff

Re: '75 CB550 - the "Le Mans Special"

Awesome everything. I was super stoked to see your bike on pipeburn, I follow that site religiously. Bravo.
 
Re: '75 CB550 - the "Le Mans Special"

just watched and heard the test run video, sounds awesome man, perfect!
 
Re: '75 CB550 - the "Le Mans Special"

That things sounds real sick, man. Congrats on getting her on the road!
 
Re: '75 CB550 - the "Le Mans Special"

I just set that as my desktop img. its like a calendar girl.
 
Re: '75 CB550 - the "Le Mans Special"

Very well done, but most of all, it looks like a "ton" of fun, haha. I always wonder how ride-able some of these creations are. Glad to see you actually fit the bike and vice versa. Some of these builds look great until you see the 6'5" owner on the bike, and you know he'll be selling it soon, ha. Good luck (you may not need it) with bike-of-the-month for June.
 
Re: '75 CB550 - the "Le Mans Special"

Thanks for the kind words guys...and gals ;)



DC74inc said:
Ok... so what would a bike like this sell for!?
Couldn't tell ya. It would take more than it's worth for me to part with it though.
 
Re: '75 CB550 - the "Le Mans Special"

DC74inc said:
Ok... so what would a bike like this sell for!?

People here that work on their own bikes and build their own parts would never pay what this bike is worth, and many will say that the price I am about to suggest is way too high. However, I will say it like this: Consider the value of the bikes original purchase price to Ringo, the parts/supplies cost he has invested, and the time he has invested; the overall finished look of his design and its uniqueness; and the right buyer (someone who wants a bike that is truly one of a kind, who has the money to buy such a machine, and who has no skill or desire to build his/her own) finds the bike, I think its value could be more than $7000 and go as high as say $12000. Think of guys that buy this kind of custom, and bikes you have seen built with far less design skills and build quality, that sell for MUCH larger figures. Hell I am willing to bet, if Brad Pitt wanted this bike, you could sell it for 25k easy!

Like Ringo has said though, this bike means more than “almost” any dollar amount could buy. I am also sure though that there is some amount…..I mean he has built one of the planets badest bikes once….I am sure he could do it again, and even improve it from there.
 
Re: '75 CB550 - the "Le Mans Special"

Just wondering did you keep the 115 jets, I just finnished a full port and polish on my 76 cb550. I stepped the jets up to 105's when i did pod filters, wondering if your finding the 115 alittle ritch? Have to say it again man amazing job.
 
Re: '75 CB550 - the "Le Mans Special"

Ya know, I actually bailed on the 115s at the last minute. Swapped them for 110s. Full throttle is really nice at the moment. There's some mid-range funk that ought to be sorted out by moving the needle a position or two.


Oh, and for anyone interested, I finally know how much the tank holds. Filled it before going for a ride with t71, and we both reckoned there was about a gallon already in it, and I fit 4 full gallons on top of that. A 5 gallon tank! And I would've been happy with 4...not that I can do any real distance on it with the seat though...
 
Re: '75 CB550 - the "Le Mans Special"

Wow... 5 gallons! Thats nuts. Doesnt look like more than 3.5 or 4. Very cool. Also, as far as cost, I know youve said you have 3k invested and 150 hours or so of fab time. If you assume a shop rate of $40 an hour youre at $9000 just to break even. In an open market, with buyers from all walks I could easily see this bike go for 10 - 15k. All it takes is one collector with deep pockets who wants a cool accent piece to his 500k GT40 for magazine shoots. Where theres a checkbook, theres a way. That said, I hope ya never sell it Chris. At least not until I figure out how to get to MT and convince you to let me ride it. Hahaha.
 
Re: '75 CB550 - the "Le Mans Special"

40 an hour! man that is crazy cheap! i charge 75 and i am about 25 under everyone in the area
 
Re: '75 CB550 - the "Le Mans Special"

Yup, $85 here and I'm cutting it deep.

Five gallons....holy smokes! Ya know, once I was sure the tank sealer is doing it's job I'd buy a couple chunks of anti-slosh foam and cram in there. You may lose a tenth of a gallon overall but it'll help keep that 4.9 gallons remaining under much better control. I've got it in the SuperIII tank, had it in the R1 and just put some in the Sprint and it makes a huge difference.
 
Re: '75 CB550 - the "Le Mans Special"

Thats my point... At the lowest rate Ive ever come across hes still in the 10k range.
 
Re: '75 CB550 - the "Le Mans Special"

Yeah I about shit myself when it ticked past four gallons on the pump!

Mike, you better find a way to come out west! You're welcome to my beer and my bike anytime man! And no, I don't think I could sell it anytime soon...

Swag, I'm intrigued by this anti-slosh foam. I thought about incorporating some baffles into the tank, but didn't get around to it when I was doing all the glassing. It does slosh quite a bit. Any particular brand/store I could get this stuff at?
 
Re: '75 CB550 - the "Le Mans Special"

Yeah, I used fuel cell foam in the bike engined car I built. It works great but you do lose a little capacity. Also, you have to drain the tank for winter storage and/or replace the foam each season. I used my foam for two seasons and did not have any issues.

It also helps in case of an accident. If the tank bursts it sends a mist of fuel into the air which easily ignites. With the foams, it's like a fuel wet sponge (literally) and thus less likely to immediately burst into flames.

--Cheers, Chris
 
Re: '75 CB550 - the "Le Mans Special"

Ringo, I looked through your build thread and I truly am impressed. I love the bike it looks beautiful. The styling is so damn tasteful. Well Done Sir. ;)
 
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