Oscar /// The '78 550 Build Thread

[iamandrewx]

First, thanks for checking out my build log. This is my first motorcycle AND my first motorcycle build. For this build my wife has dubbed it, "Oscar" - she said it belongs in a trash can. Haha! The bike is a '78 550K in pretty much unknown condition at this point. I am going to have to give it a once over to get it up and running, but I expected that. I wasn't (at first) expecting to have to source a new frame but after finding out that only a bill of sale was included with this bike that kinda changed up my budget and process a little. But there will always be unexpected issues - start to finish. I'm hoping to get a nice log together with link to individual posts so you guys can skip through the random chit-chat that will occur throughout.

Thanks for looking!

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I purchased this from a friends', co-worker's, husband. He saved this from being turned into a sandrail or something years ago when he worked at a shop in NM.

These first few are after removing a few stupid things like random hanging wires, throttle cables, etc.

I did things and took the pictures in a weird order. So, the ones above are with the harness and cables removed but tank and seat on.. these are tank and seat off but a lot of the cables still there haha. Oh well.... you get the idea.

Included with the boxes of random parts, lights, cables, nuts and bolts were 2 manuals. Looks like one is essentially a build guide and the other is more of a service manual. Super awesome because I have no idea what I am doing! Oh, and he also gave me a motorcycle jack... SCORE!

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FUTURE PLANS:

- up-swept tail and brat style seat
- mini gauges
- relocate the ignition
- Carpy 4-1 exhaust
- powdercoated frame and wheels
- OG scheme on the tank (or new tank)
- rejet and tune
- new tires
- tune up
- side covers
- LED light upgrade
- drag or moto bars


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TABLE OF CONTENTS
03/21/15: purchase date
04/29/15 "new" 4-1 exhaust and DIY tank painting

 

[iamandrewx]

reserved

 

[yorkie350]

Welcome into the madness mate gonna be lots of two steps forward one step back in any project but always here for Q & A's ??? she looks a good start point at least its a good idea to get it running first , I didn't on my first project struggled then especially with fresh painted / polished parts my latest project a cb550f '78 got her sparked up from the off then tore down to nothing haha : no better feeling tho when ya start putting it back together 8) look forward to ya thread mate remember pics are ya best friend of how it went together etc

 

[iamandrewx]

Appreciate the words. I'm gonna get it running on this frame and learn to ride on this frame before I source one with a title.

Plus side of this build is that I have two shop/mechanic service manuals that have step by step instructions for the build and maintenance!


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[yorkie350]

Sounds like a good plan mate ;D

 

[iamandrewx]

new exhaust is high-temp painted and installed.. also doing a little DIY tank painting on the cheap until next paycheck. then it's time to order some go parts!

 

[iamandrewx]

here are some new pictures:

i know, i know! function over form... but i'm waiting for my extra money and had some stuff laying around the house and felt the urge to tinker. it's not the best DIY job but better than before.

and here's the exhaust:

in a few weeks i should be ordering a tune up kit, bolt kit, carb gaskets (?), and complete motor gasket set.

 

[yorkie350]

Best way mate ime always lookin in back of cupboards n drawers for the odd something to save money :-[ ya exhaust looks well too 8) used VHT paint on mine yet to see how it holds up on the headers ya soon gonna be up n runnin look forward to ya updates

 

[iamandrewx]

Thanks brotha!


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[Hurco550]

Whatever happened to this bike? Still working on it?