Newbie here from Ontario!

[taylorm35]

Hi Everyone!

Super newb here. I have been riding for about 7 years now but over the last year and a bit I have been trying to get into project bikes. I am hoping that I can get some good advice from people on where to start as this is been the biggest obstacle. I have done a lot of research on what bike I want to work on (CB550/750) and think it is about time to reach out to other hobbyists/professionals for help! I have read a lot of good things about this forum and am happy to now be a part of it!

My plan is to start small, get it up and running, safetied and then start turning it into a looker. Was hoping i could get some advice on what tools/other necessities I should pick up before getting started.

Thanks for any help!

 

[SilkySmooth750]

I'll start with the first piece of advice I got when I started a few months back:

A nice metric socket wrench set. I got one for myself and found that I also needed to add more sockets to the collection to fit everything on my CB750, the more metric sockets the merrier!

I'm sure others will have some ideas for you too.

Welcome to the site and thanks for introducing yourself, I just hit the ton @ 100 posts with this reply to you!

 

[Tim]

Lots of metric box wrenches. Canadian Tire usually has some on sale (they have a good set on now). Multiples - you can't have too many 10mm wrenches

I'd go with the Honda 550 over the 750, but that's my personal bias. I owned the 500, 550 and 750. Loved the 500 and 550. You can rebuild the engine in the frame, plenty of power, smooth, good handling, look sharp - especially the earlier 550 with the chrome gas cap like the 500.

Where in Ontario are you? I'm in Toronto with a few other folks and there are a good number of us in the area.

 

[lurkmaster2000]

the 750 is a huge monstrous heavy beast, I would go with the cb550, or cb400 "4" SuperSport much easier to deal with and just as fun, or small twin like a 360


Get a great running bike first, dont start with a box of parts or something that doesnt run at all.

 

[yorkie350]

Welcome aboard mate u got the best idea get her up n running then start with strip n polish ime on my first project caferacer '72 cb350f wish ide got her running before painting n polishin cos now struggling with running mite have to pull motor back out aghh i got plenty of ideas n tips by lookin thru site we are here to help good luck with project have a great xmas hey get santa to treat ya to some tools my missus fell for that one last year yup result haha cheers mate

 

[taylorm35]

Lots of metric box wrenches. Canadian Tire usually has some on sale (they have a good set on now). Multiples - you can't have too many 10mm wrenches

I'd go with the Honda 550 over the 750, but that's my personal bias. I owned the 500, 550 and 750. Loved the 500 and 550. You can rebuild the engine in the frame, plenty of power, smooth, good handling, look sharp - especially the earlier 550 with the chrome gas cap like the 500.

Where in Ontario are you? I'm in Toronto with a few other folks and there are a good number of us in the area.

Thanks everyone for the replies and advice on some tools to start with!

I actually got a gift card for canadian tire today, will definitely put it to use on the metric box wrenches and socket wrenches.

I would prefer the 550 as well, but it seems difficult to find, 750's seem to turn up more, albeit they are already decent looking bikes and out of my price range.

I am Burlington. Since you are from the area, do you have any suggestions on where to look for a project bike? I have been looking all over kijiji and craigs list, haven't given a call to any salvage yards yet though.

 

[Tim]

There's a good deal on metric box wrenches on right now at Can Tire. Not the big set for $36 which has both SAE and Metric, but rather the $14 set of just metric. If you don't have any, I'd buy 2 sets.

 

[taylorm35]

Perfect, thanks!

 

[VonYinzer]

Welcome to DTT. Buy every single tool you can afford. Wrenches, sockets, screwdrivers, allen keys, etc...

Possibly the most important tool you'll own is an impact driver. Buy one now. Buy all the bits you can for it and a good deadblow hammer to use it. You WILL need it.

I'm also with Tim in the 500/550 vs 750 debate. The 550 is lighter, easier to service and modify, and nearly as fast as a 750. Drop in a 650 cam, oversized pistons and proper carbs and the little four will haul ass.

Good luck and keep us posted.




And, Yorkie...

Ya have to remove those pics man. They take up half the page everytime you post. Hahaha.

 

[cqyqte]

Welcome to the addiction! North of Toronto here, buy a rubber covered keyboard, one that is impervious to dust and oil and greasey fingers. Oh yeah the metric wrenches and sockets are a must. Buy them when ever you see them on sale, many of mine have become specialized tools for particular applications by being bent, cut, ground down, welded to special brackets, you name it. Hell in a pinch I've bored out sockets to use as chrome covered spacers.

The keyboard is a must because if you can't fix a part, you'll need to search the net for a replacement or that special trick to cobble it back into service and you don't want to have to stop and degrease your paws before the searching. You've already found the best tool, and that is this site, there are several more but the names will be presented once you determine which project to select. Good luck with your choice whatever it ends up being.

 

[taylorm35]

You guys are awesome, thanks for the tips. I picked up a set of metric wrenches that were on sale at ct for $16 down from 45.

I actually have an impact driver already, need to get some extra bits for as i only have what came with it.

Hope you guys from Canada don't mind I added you to my buddies list so I can ask some Canada specific questions regarding parts distributors etc.

Hope you had a good holiday too!

 

[Drewski]

Welcome to the Fray!! ;D Mississauga checkin' in here!!

Great suggestions all around! I'd add that a good way of organizing the tools would be helpful also. It doesn't seem to matter that I have 6-10mm wrenches when I can't find one when I need it!

As well... buy a runner if you can. Nothing like knowing it runs!! 8)

Have fun!!