Just bought a MINT 1978 CB550K

[Chris R.]

...and now I need help to make it into the cafe racer of my dreams.
I found this site and it seems very helpful but I was wondering if you guys can point me in the right direction for cafe racer tails, seats, rearsets and clip on's?
What should I be looking for and which ones fit the best?
The CB550 i have is all original and a one owner bike that he was still riding up until now.
It's being shipped form Norcal to me (Montreal) in the next week or so.
I'll post pics shortly.
Thanks
Chris

 

[MotorbikeBruno]

Sweet deal man. There's a lot of good guys who know some great things on this site. I had a 76' cb550k that I absolutely loved. Get some pics up when you get her. Clip-ons were a bit more of a pain in the butt to find for this one if I remember right, but there's a few posts about it (search for them) other than that, theres a fork tube diameter list on here too that's helpful.

Are you looking to just buy parts that "fit" or make your own tail and seat? Rearsets, Dimecity has some great parts and theres a member or two on here that have their own kits for rearsets too. Welcome to the addiction.

 

[Chris R.]

As requested, here are some pics of it.

 

[Chris R.]

To answer the question above, I'm looking more for parts that fit (rearsets, tail, seat, bars or clip on's, fenders) and removing the airbox and cleaning up the wiring. I want the bike to be rideable and not just pretty.
I would like to even do a track day or two with it...I'm a bit of a track rat.
Do most guys keep the factory wheels? Can you get sticky tires for this thing?

 

[blueandy]

i dont think i could cafe that bike. its in too good of shape...but hell, if thats what you want. tommaselli (did i spell that right) rear sets (high dollar) . Watch alot of the sell part threads on this site usually find a good deal from member on here. I removed my box and went with uni filters but if you have the cash you could rock k&ns, although most people would tell you to rejet. mine would run better if i rejetted. and the tire question ive been running shinkos on stock suspension right now and seems to hold the road just fine, can even get it to drift a bit on take off 1st into 2nd around a hard right bender by the house

 

[alexmac]

Beautiful bike! How much did shipping to Montreal cost? I am considering buying from the US as well. (I am in Vancouver)

 

[hillsy]

Please don't cut that bike up. Get yourself a less original one to chop.

Seriously - there's not a bottomless pool of mint original 550's left in the world. And also, anything you do to that bike to make it less original is going to de-value it.

If it was mine, I'd keep that bike in my lounge room

 

[MB]

Just bought a MINT 1978 CB550K

Plus 1. I cut up a cb350 that was really nice; there's tons around but this one was so nice. I sincerely regret it!

 

[evilaugust]

Just bought a MINT 1978 CB550K

Seriously, I'm usually not one to say not to cut something up. I'm all about originality, but that thing is beautiful. It would be sad to see it go.

 

[hillsy]

Crap - just realised this thread is 4 months old......