Haddock's first Café build - CB550 - Done for now

[haddock]

Well... I decided to make a thread about my Honda CB550 build.

It started back in june when I sold my Suzuki DRZ400 because I wanted a cheap bike which I could park outside my apartment, without someone is trying to steal it.

Old bike:

I decided to go for an old bike, and convert it to a slick cafe racer within a small budget.

I've found a Honda CB550k3 which looked pretty original, and bought it for around 2400$ (bikes are expensive in Denmark)

Except the exhaust, the bike was pretty much like this when I picked it up.
Sadly I had to buy a new chain, indicator relay, front brake master, new braided brake line, new brake pads and connect the horn before it could pass the MOT - even though the seller told me it would pass with no problem.

Well, I was ready to start the project now, and so far I have mounted a new head- and taillight, removed a lot of the original parts, mounted a exhaust from Carpy (expensive stuff getting it from the US to Denmark).
I've have thrown away the old handlebar and put on some nice clip-on's.

This pretty much how it looks like atm.

 

[haddock]

Re: Haddock's CB550 - from stock to something else

Had to change the jets because of the new pod filters and exhaust.

Went from 92,5 jets to 110, and still needs some adjustments. I think it's running a little bit lean.

 

[haddock]

Re: Haddock's CB550 - from stock to something else

Got a small headache trying to fit all the old wires in the new headlight.

I've ordered some new wires, and when it's getting cold enough outside i'm thinking to do a minimal wire harness - maybe with the Motogadget M-unit.

 

[haddock]

Re: Haddock's CB550 - from stock to something else

Found a cheap black 16" HD wheel instead of the 18" rear rim. Also a small winter project.
Anybody know if I could go with the 5" Avon Mileage on a 3" rim?

 

[haddock]

Re: Haddock's first Café build - CB550

Got some small things done yesterday.

Dismounted the triple tree and started to cut off the unnecessary stuff.

After some time with the hacksaw:

Bought this crazy paint remover stuff today. Damn it smells.

After some hard work here is the result (I'm going to polish it later on)

 

[haddock]

Re: Haddock's first Café build - CB550

Painted the brake caliber with some rattle can spray also.

 

[haddock]

Re: Haddock's first Café build - CB550

The weather is getting cold here in Denmark, and it there is not long time before its getting to cold to do more work outside (need a warm garage!).

But today I had a couple of hours on the bike. I chopped the rear off, and tried to mount my hoop. Looking awesome I think, but maybe it should be a bit shorter.

By the way... If I stand behind the bike, the rear wheel is more to the right than to the left. Can't imagine that is normal?

 

[Bricks]

Re: Haddock's first Café build - CB550

Looking pretty good so far.

 

[zwade]

Re: Haddock's first Café build - CB550

looks like an awesome start, that DRZ was pretty sick

 

[haddock]

Re: Haddock's first Café build - CB550

Made some small progress today.
Removed the old seat hinges, and shaped the seat foam i've bought from a German eBay shop. I'm pretty happy with the looks so far.

What do you guys recommend for making the seat pan? (or bottom, dunno what's it is called). I've made a model in cardboard so far.

 

[Nugiz]

Re: Haddock's first Café build - CB550

Frækt den skal nok ende med og blive fin

Looking Swwwet

 

[haddock]

Re: Haddock's first Café build - CB550

Finally got some time for the old Honda.

Did finish my side mounted license plate holder, with LED bolts. Think the result is quite good - but the danish license plate is pretty big compared to the holder itself.

And bought this CB550F tank, which I will be using.

But what do I do with the petcock? There are two outputs on this one, and only one input for the carburators?

And any recommendations on choice of colour? The side shields is black with stickers. I was thinking about a light colour, but white seems a little boring. :S

 

[Fillionj]

Re: Haddock's first Café build - CB550

I had the same problem when I used an f tank on pd46a's, the f model carbs have two inputs for fuel. I'd imagine plugging one of the holes on ur tank is an option, which would give u only one line. When I used my k tank with f carbs I bought a simple fuel line T to split it off but that is the opposite of ur situation I guess.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Fillionj]

Re: Haddock's first Café build - CB550

I've seen some pretty dirty looking brushed metal tanks, not sure if ur into that but check some ideas out on google


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[Nugiz]

Re: Haddock's first Café build - CB550

fedt med nr plade lys men det ulobligt og montere det i pladen er det ikke+

 

[18Bravo]

Re: Haddock's first Café build - CB550

What do you guys recommend for making the seat pan? (or bottom, dunno what's it is called). I've made a model in cardboard so far.

Get some 14 gauge steel or whatever your equivalent there is. Heat it with a torch, and then place the rear area on an appropriately curved surface and carefully roll it until you get the radius you want.

Where in Denmark are you? That was one of my favorite countries to ride in.

By the way your work on that top yoke of your trees is beautiful.

 

[haddock]

Re: Haddock's first Café build - CB550

fedt med nr plade lys men det ulobligt og montere det i pladen er det ikke+

Det ved jeg faktisk ikke om det er. Men det er vidst ret ulovligt med sidemonteret nummerplade.

 

[haddock]

Re: Haddock's first Café build - CB550

Get some 14 gauge steel or whatever your equivalent there is. Heat it with a torch, and then place the rear area on an appropriately curved surface and carefully roll it until you get the radius you want.

Where in Denmark are you? That was one of my favorite countries to ride in.

By the way your work on that top yoke of your trees is beautiful.

I'm living about 25 km outside Copenhagen, in a city named Ishøj (not a very exciting place, but it works for me)

 

[18Bravo]

Re: Haddock's first Café build - CB550

I've actually heard of it. We did a mission near Copenhagen in '84 with your Jaegers. However, I spent most of my time on the mainland. (did a four and half hour swim from the North Sea to get there) I liked Herning, Arhus, and a few other towns so much I drove up from Berlin in '86 for a vacation. People seemed to dig the bike. Taxes were so high there very few poeple could afford large bikes back then, so I actually saw "biker gangs" riding around on mopeds.




But enough about my adventures. Let's see some more of your bike.

 

[Nugiz]

Re: Haddock's first Café build - CB550

If you come to denmark again then take you bike and driv in the north east thats where all nice road are birkerød. Gl Holte , Høsterkøb , furesø , and so on ,. and to get party then get ind to København v, Vesterbro lots og cafe racer dudes