matthewg123
New Member
Greetings to all from Portland, Maine!
I have been lurking in the dark 'round here for the past few months, checking out the monthly winning bikes, DIY projects and wishing I was working on a project of my own, until two weeks ago I stumbled across a 1978 CB550K on Craigslist in the boonies west of Portland. The list was for a 1982 CB750 Custom, and the '78 550k, both for 500.00 OBO. I was the first to respond and was able to snag the little gem for 300 bones. I tried for 280.00 but another gentleman was awaiting their phone call to come and look, so I paid the lady and loaded 'er up and was on my way.
The PO had hosted a pit party (sand pits) last summer and one of his buddies got hammered and well... hammered the 550k into a telephone pole, denting the tank, pipes, rim, forks, blinkers and for the past year been sitting in the garage as a sobering reminder why alcohol, friends and your motorcycle don't mix. After unloading her in my driveway a couple shots of starting fluid into the air box and some jumper cables attached to my non-running Civic, she fired up and idled. No fuel from the tank was reaching the carbs to keep them running, but I was thrilled that my 300.00 investment had started up!
I have since found eBay replacements for the front end (tree, rotor, forks, rim, spokes) so I can finally get back on two wheels this summer!
My plans are as follows:
sandblast tank, frame, swingarm and pegs for painting (dark green, I think)
polish every bit of aluminum until my fingers bleed)
rebuild front rim out of new parts/current rim
superbike bars, modern controls/switches
potentially rear seat loop?
newer +2 seat, maybe rear cowl?
new tires, brakes, SS cables,
drill front rotor, modify rear drum plate with holes
dual lamp headlight ( http://www.ebay.com/itm/110884846576?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2648#ht_2595wt_821 )
I believe those lights will require custom brackets, since they're 8 inches across. Thoughts?
carb rebuild
engine rebuild (cylinder jugs painted to match frame)
4/2 or 4/1 exhaust
I have the frame nearly completely stripped (the weather in Maine has been crap for a week) Next comes the tank, and swingarm!
I couldn't be happier. I sold my 2001 Shadow Sabre 1100 last spring to go on vacation... Which was greatly regretted seeing the faces on all the folks on their bikes all summer! Let the fun begin!!
I have been lurking in the dark 'round here for the past few months, checking out the monthly winning bikes, DIY projects and wishing I was working on a project of my own, until two weeks ago I stumbled across a 1978 CB550K on Craigslist in the boonies west of Portland. The list was for a 1982 CB750 Custom, and the '78 550k, both for 500.00 OBO. I was the first to respond and was able to snag the little gem for 300 bones. I tried for 280.00 but another gentleman was awaiting their phone call to come and look, so I paid the lady and loaded 'er up and was on my way.
The PO had hosted a pit party (sand pits) last summer and one of his buddies got hammered and well... hammered the 550k into a telephone pole, denting the tank, pipes, rim, forks, blinkers and for the past year been sitting in the garage as a sobering reminder why alcohol, friends and your motorcycle don't mix. After unloading her in my driveway a couple shots of starting fluid into the air box and some jumper cables attached to my non-running Civic, she fired up and idled. No fuel from the tank was reaching the carbs to keep them running, but I was thrilled that my 300.00 investment had started up!
I have since found eBay replacements for the front end (tree, rotor, forks, rim, spokes) so I can finally get back on two wheels this summer!
My plans are as follows:
sandblast tank, frame, swingarm and pegs for painting (dark green, I think)
polish every bit of aluminum until my fingers bleed)
rebuild front rim out of new parts/current rim
superbike bars, modern controls/switches
potentially rear seat loop?
newer +2 seat, maybe rear cowl?
new tires, brakes, SS cables,
drill front rotor, modify rear drum plate with holes
dual lamp headlight ( http://www.ebay.com/itm/110884846576?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2648#ht_2595wt_821 )
I believe those lights will require custom brackets, since they're 8 inches across. Thoughts?
carb rebuild
engine rebuild (cylinder jugs painted to match frame)
4/2 or 4/1 exhaust
I have the frame nearly completely stripped (the weather in Maine has been crap for a week) Next comes the tank, and swingarm!
I couldn't be happier. I sold my 2001 Shadow Sabre 1100 last spring to go on vacation... Which was greatly regretted seeing the faces on all the folks on their bikes all summer! Let the fun begin!!
