CB550-4 cafe' build

jk333 said:
spoken like a pro. thank you. :)
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lol, not a pro by any stretch, but I've done a lot of this type of polishing so I kind of have my own technique that works for me. The biggest secret is patience. Even now I'm constantly tempted to skip a step or not sand as much on each step as it really needs. The results you get are 100% dependent on the effort you put in.
 
A couple more pics of the completed bike. It's put away for the winter now. :( Can't wait to really put some miles on it next summer! I actually have two projects in mind for next year. One involves a 1978 Honda CR250 motocrosser, cafe' style of course!

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I'm a big fan of how this turned out. Matching the existing color of the tank was cool and the exhaust coming out the side is cool too. Well done.
 
Thank you gentlemen! The thing is a hoot to ride. Even though it's slow compared to my other bike, it handles so well and invokes so much attention from people that the "giggle factor" is off the scale. lol

I'm not sure what kind of bars they are, they were already on the bike when I started. Some kind of flat bars. They have a slight pull back.
 
session101 said:
where did you come across that seat? and how much?
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The seat/tailpiece is a Roc City Cafe Racers piece, "Interceptor" model, $122.50. The actual seat I made my self and had a local upholsterer cover it in brown leather, over 1" foam.
 
paint color choices

Just finished reading through your build. Inspiring! I started and have a slow moving 75 550 cafe build going on myself but am getting caught up in the little things. I am going to start a new thread for my own build, but wanted to know f you can tell me what brand / color paint you used on the block?

Thanks a bunch!
 
Thanks! That bloody paint was one of the biggest expenses when it came to the engine lol. I went through 7, yes 7 cans of paint before I found the color that matched, and it's a near perfect match for the factory paint. It's Dupli Color Engine Enamel, Cast Aluminum. Make sure it's the CAST aluminum. If you use the "aluminum" it's way too shiny.

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Awesome ... See ... I bought 2 cans of just the aluminum (not cast)... and I don't have the time for experimenting. The color of your block looks perfect so your input will be very helpful ... Much appreciated.

Funny you mention about the priciness of paint ... I spent $60 just on the wheels ... They are Lester aluminums and I've put 15 or so light coats on them, ... And they've got Soooo many nooks and crannies so I feel like half the paint went into thin air trying to get the nooks and crannies ... They are done and I LOVE em .. Pic of my wheels here ...

http://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-7-dAagKIYhA/TwJDE0FzqSI/AAAAAAAAHt0/ORuEV8bU9Yg/s1024/wheels-ready.jpg

I started prepping my covers tonight for polishing ... Finished the 400 grit ... All based on the info you've been sharing so thanks for making it easy on us dudes who have never taken on this type of project.
 
My pleasure! Always like to help in whatever way I can. Make sure you post a link here to your build thread.
 
Nice build, Cool exhaust !
I see you are running "open" carbs, I have the same on my CB500.
http://www.dotheton.com/forum/index.php?topic=33182.0

Are you driving it without an rear fender ?
Won;t that throw a lot of sust etc into the carbs ?
 
Tetter said:
Nice build, Cool exhaust !
I see you are running "open" carbs, I have the same on my CB500.
http://www.dotheton.com/forum/index.php?topic=33182.0

Are you driving it without an rear fender ?
Won;t that throw a lot of sust etc into the carbs ?
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Thanks. I added a sheet aluminum inner fender after the pictures were taken. I still have a bit of aluminum work to do.
 
Seeing as I eliminated all of the tabs and brackets for the fenders and electrics and I was looking for a certain look I used a simple flat sheet of aluminum. I still have a bit of fabrication work to fill in the gaps under the seat. No pictures sorry.
 
that's what I'm looking to do with mine. Still considering the front fender, and wondering if I shouldn't have cut the chain guard tabs off the swing arm...
 
03rangerxlt said:
that's what I'm looking to do with mine. Still considering the front fender, and wondering if I shouldn't have cut the chain guard tabs off the swing arm...
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You can fabricate a cool looking chain guard with some aluminum flat bar and a bit of time. I used steel pop rivets to attach the guard to the mounting brackets. There are pictures on this thread.
 
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