CB500 twin tank on CB550K3

[stidds]

I have a CB550K and as my original tank was shot to bits (quite literally there are so many holes in it), I purchased a tank from a CB500 twin.

I thought I would show some pictures and share some findings with anyone who is thinking of the same swap.

The 500 tank is slightly longer than the 550 but only by about 1.5". So it pretty much sits the same on the bike.

What you will find is that the frame mounts (rubber hockey puck things) will have to be trimmed by about 1/4" and also the metal mounts on the frame will have to be trimmed by the same amount.

What I did find is that the petcock on the 500 tank is near the rear of the tank and on the 550 tank it is near the middle of the tank. This meant that the petcock fouls one of the carburetors, now I started thinking that I would have to have the petcock bung moved (read new one welded in), then I realised that if you turn the petcock very slightly to the rear (i.e clockwise) and raise the rear of the tank about 1/2" then it fits very nicely.

All in all a very easy swap.

I hope I have helped someone.

Here are some pictures..... on the one from last picture you can see how much I had to turn the petcock to clear the carbs and in the last picture you can see how much I had to raise the rear of the tank.

 

[BR]

Looks good on there stidds. I always liked those tanks. Where'd you find the Orange overflow hoses??? I may need some in that color for the build Im working on now.

BR

 

[stidds]

BR

I got the orange overflow pipes on Ebay UK.


Sean

 

[willy D]

Thanks for posting this! I have been looking at these tanks for a while wondering how much trouble it would be. Just got a tank in and I am going to try to get it mounted this weekend.

 

[stidds]

Glad I could be of some help Willy. I hope it all goes well.

 

[willy D]

I wanted to add to this post to show what i had to do to get the 500t tank to fit on my 550K. I don't think you have to move the petcock, but because of the seat i was using, i went ahead and did. I used a hole saw to cut out the threaded pipe, then drilled a new hole and welded it back in. then plugged the old hole with a round slug.

 

[willy D]

I also wanted the tank to sit further forward than the stock mounts would allow, so i cut the curved part off then used some strips of sheet metal to bend around and allow the tank to move forward. in the back i welded on a flat piece of steel and used some rubber bushings meant for auto shock absorbers to mount the back of the tank to the frame.

 

[willy D]

Heres a picture of the completed modifications. the paint is just spray can paint to see what it looks like. I also had to shift my seat back about 1 1/4". I will post more on that mod later.

 

[bikeboy]

BR

I got the orange overflow pipes on Ebay UK.


Sean

you wouldn't still have the link/seller info would you Sean? I could use some of that too.

nice work on those tank mods too. very clever, and well-executed.

cheers
ian

 

[stidds]

Here you go Ian, these are the guys I bought them from, I think I bought 4mm but search their items for what you need.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/6mm-ID-VACUUM-TUBING-SILICONE-HOSE-ORANGE-1-METRE-/320593348561?_trksid=p4340.m263&_trkparms=algo%3DDLSL%252BSIC%26its%3DI%26itu%3DUCI%252BIA%252BUA%252BFICS%252BUFI%252BDDSIC%26otn%3D8%26pmod%3D320669999357%252B320669999357%26po%3D%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D9105357751678890044

 

[bikeboy]

cool. thanks mate.


ian

 

[Tim]

These are the perfect kind of posts / threads as they will get picked up by Google and next time someone searches for 'CB500T tank on CB550' they'll find the info.

Still one of my fave tanks and bikes.