Introduction and Build: CB550F

[StreetSpirit]

Yello all,

New on the board but not quite new to building bikes. This is my 6th rebuild/resto in the last couple years, but the first one that will be a cafe racer. Started with old dirt bikes, moved on to a couple of metric cruisers that I got for free or nearly free, did an FZR600 streetfighter, and I'm currently finishing up a GS450 scrambler. Now for the CB550F. Picked her up yesterday running but in need of love for $500. Had been set up for touring duty with a very ugly windshield and solo seat that will be going on ebay.

The goals for this project are pretty basic. Clean and de rust the bike, fab a racey seat/tail, mini gauge, some rearsets, pods, and sport bars, update the suspension/brakes etc. I will likely do a front end swap, and am considering a monoshock/alu swinger out back but I'm not sure it's worth the effort. The paint on the tank is in such good shape I would feel bad adding knee dents and such, but maybe a custom tank will happen if I'm feeling ambitious with the welder. At this stage, any advice on stiffening or lightening the frame or improving engine performance would be much appreciated. Also, let me know if you have any parts for me or need anything off the bike. I'm based in DC and I'd also love to ride if anybody is around.

 

[joeyputt]

Welcome Brother! The CB550 is a great motorcycle and you got an awesome deal on yours!

 

[seth.sundquist]

im lovin how you say the goals for this bike are pretty basic and then go on to list every change that could be made to the bike as your to do's

 

[StreetSpirit]

Hehe, it's all pretty standard stuff though.

Simpler, lighter, louder, and faster than stock is the goal here right?

Anyway, I made some good progress stripping her down today. The previous owner is a sonofabitch for what he did to this bike, I tell ya. Pretty much every mod he did makes me cringe. For example, the linkage where the throttle cable attaches to the carb was pulled apart and the cable was actually glued on... Pretty sure I can come up with a better solution than that...

Anyway I went and ran a comp check and I want to decide if she's going to get rings or not. 34k on the clock so its possible though not likely that they've been done once already. My crappy automotive compression tester showed readings of 125-130-132-137, and this is cold, without looking at the valve clearance or anything like that. Should I be worried about those numbers? I went back and rechecked cylinder 1, poured in some oil and got a reading of almost 140 which could mean the ring is on the way out. Thoughts or sage advice? The numbers are lower across the board than I get with the same tester on my gs450 (150psi) but not obviously blown.