Project B. Wade - '77 CB550

[kclecknerDAY]

Hi all. I am building a modernized Cafe on a '77 CB550 plateform for a friend. The is my first cafe, but from what I have read on here I am confident I will have all the help I need.

Here is the basic idea
Stock motor - maybe a 650 cam
Carpy exhaust
Velocity Stacks
re-jet and tune carbs

CBR 600 or vfr front end
VFR single sided rear'
Upgraded sprocket for city gearing (main use)
Upgraded brakes (spiegler)
Clip ons

This is what I am starting with.

 

[mikewerx]

That's a good looking machine to start the buil with. Looks pretty much is great condition. Best of luck!

 

[kclecknerDAY]

Thanks! There not much wrong with her other than some neglect by the previous owner. Nothing some TLC and elbow grease cannot fix.

 

[kclecknerDAY]

A little weight reduction is in order to start with.

 

[fade2nada]

Let me know how that single sided swing arm works out! Sounds like a solid build.

 

[canyoncarver]

sounds cool - signed on

 

[DreadRock]

Nice looking start I'm on board !

 

[kclecknerDAY]

Thanks! Will keep you updated on the VFR Swinger. Here are some more pics of the progress.

 

[kclecknerDAY]

More Pics

 

[kclecknerDAY]

still moving along

 

[Tifun]

This is very close to what my original build plan was. I ended up selling the single sided swingarm(VFR). It just looked to out of place for what I wanted. I think with the frame it just doesn't flow all that great. Here's a pic of another local who did a Ducati ss swingarm as inspiration on his CB550. I support this though

 

[kclecknerDAY]

That looks nice! How hard was it to go the Ducati route? Does it fit straight away or require spacers/frame mods?

 

[kclecknerDAY]

Almost done with the deit portion of the build. Going to start on the de-tabbing and frame clean up next.

 

[Tifun]

He had to cut the rear of the frame off and rebuild it for the mono shock to work. Outside of that I believe he machined the swingarm width down to a narrower width and had to machine some brass bushings. I did a few measurements for the vfr setup and I think it was an easier swap than his. I sold it all before I went any further. Wish I would have now haha.

 

[kclecknerDAY]

Sorry it has been a bit since I posted last. Have been really busy at work. I will have some pics this weekend of the build status. I detabbed the frame, fabbed an under seat pan, seat pan, and formed the foam pad for the seat. Had a bad bit of news from the mechanic though. Appears the previous owner destroyed the head and cylinders trying to machine them. Have to go on the hunt for some replacements.

 

[MJPriceisright]

agh was hoping to see some single sided swingarm action here!! oh well, ill still follow along!

 

[kclecknerDAY]

Sorry, Owner changed his mind

 

[kclecknerDAY]

Sorry I have not posted in a while. I have been working here and there on the 550, but the engine stalled things a little. This is also a dual effort now as I have a Honda CB750 (1980) that we are building along side it. I will have pictures soon.

 

[reflexsilver]

PICTARS!

 

[kclecknerDAY]

I cut out the Honda logo on the back of the seat pan to act as the brake light.