Bought a cb550 for a cafe build...what have I got myself into?!

tangerine911S · 05-16-2009, 02:45 PM

I may have gotten myself in over my head! Time will tell. Went for a little drive today and came back with 2 (!) 1977 Honda cb550's. One bike is 100% complete, appears to be totally original, has 38K miles, and runs pretty strong. The other bike lacks the front forks and wheel. Everything else is there although the engine is out of the frame. Bike says it has 16K miles and the engine looks really celan and leak free from the outside. Has at least some compression as I can hear it when I crank the kick start. Both gas tanks are crappy on the inside and one leaks gas. Planning on replacing the tank eventually so not a problem.

So what did I get all this wonderful stuff for? The incredible sum of $260. I feel like I got the deal of a lifetime. I have twice the parts I need to build the bike and my choice of two engines to use or interchange parts if I choose to rebuild it. If I have bit off more than I can chew, I'm only out $260. Some more parts removal planed for tomorrow and some powerwashing. I'm psyched. Gotta stay motivated! Pics to come.

Tim Hancock · 05-16-2009, 03:21 PM

Sounds like the perfect way to start. Congrats!

jyl · jyl's Garage

These CB threads are just hurtful. I wish you guys would stop, not.

Bill Douglas · 05-16-2009, 05:13 PM

Brian. You know the rules (pic's please).

bell · bell's Garage

You got a freaking deal.....those bikes are starting to sell for big bucks if done properly (I've seen them go for 3-5k if not more)

DanielDudley · 05-17-2009, 03:46 PM

If you have the space and inclination, you could wind up with an awesome bike for peanuts.

I saw a killer Kawasaki the other day. Man I wanted it. A beautiful 650 twin. A freind of mine destroyed a nice cow like that a few years ago by leaving it in a leaking shed until it was one ugly mess. Make that Honda a Doll.

tangerine911S · 06:39 PM

Got the battery, air cleaner and box, carbs, lights, wiring harness, and cables off today. Powerwashed the grime off and its starting to look good. Took some pics I will upload later. Gonna shoot for getting the engine out tomorrow and breaking into it. I couldnt get the trans sprocket cover off because 3 of the 4 phillips screws are seized and I dont want to strip them. I did break the chain so I can still got the engine out with the chain coiled up on top of it. Tips for those seized bolts besides some penetrating oil and maybe some heat? Im gonna have a bunch of questions I know so I registered with the sohc forums. Wish me luck

maxnine11 · maxnine11's Garage

Looking forward to some photos. Sounds like you got a good deal!

re: seized bolts with Phillips heads
everybody that works on old Japanese bikes runs into the same problem, and everyone (i think) has one of these impact drivers:
http://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/catalog/shopcart/TOOL/POR_TOOL_CAT291_pg8.htm
Clean out any dirt embedded in the fasteners' heads slots, select the appropriate tip from the set, and give it a good smack with a hammer.

Tip- sometimes setting the tool to 'tighten' and giving it a whack or two helps break the fastener loose.

good luck,
max

Crowbob · 05-17-2009, 07:58 PM

Saw a 1983 almost pristine Yamaha SX400 Heritage Special: $450 asking. I thin is gonna be screaming deals on all kinds of stuff that burns gasoline, or was meant to when new. Really, I think things will sell for pennies that used to sell for dollars. At it's lowest point, the market price for a LOT of stuff will be one decimal point to the left of what it was a year ago. Bottom out two years from now, maybe less, I bet.

varmint · 05-17-2009, 08:36 PM

ten years ago people were dumping these bikes on the curb like old couches.

then some guy figured out how to convert them into cool cafe racers. wish i'd grabbed a couple back then.

nynor · 05-18-2009, 05:19 AM

very nice find. i am totally jealous.

Eric 951 · 05-18-2009, 05:56 AM

Brian,

nice score! Now we need pics. As max mentioned for your seized bolts--impact driver. Got mine at Harbor Freight for 7 bucks--great tool. Check out SOHC.net for more info than you can stand on the CBs.

Sarc · 05-18-2009, 06:16 AM

Good luck and I'll be looking forward to the updates...

Here's a link that has certainly inspired me:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/doug_goodenough/sets/72157594349938594/

tangerine911S · 06:44 AM

Sarc,
Funny you should mention that. I went through every one of those pics. He also has a thread on SOHC4.net which details his build.

tangerine911S · 05-18-2009, 07:22 AM

Here are some pics of the teardown and the extra parts piled up. In a pretty sorry state at the moment but just what I was looking for.

tangerine911S · 06-14-2009, 07:10 PM

Got a lot of stuff ordered and lots of polished aluminum parts done. This is the most complete part so far. Trying to decide whether to powder coat my frame gloss as I orignally planned or semi-gloss to match the wheels. Love the semi-gloss for the wheels but not sure about the frame. Thoughts?

nynor · 06-14-2009, 07:27 PM

gloss. any dirt and oil comes off of easier. ask me how i know.

jhynesrockmtn · 06-14-2009, 07:32 PM

Nice, nice deal. I sold my very decent CB400F for $2,800, it was just a bit too small and would love to pick up a CB550F at some point.

tangerine911S · 08-13-2009, 07:20 AM

Its been a while and I have made some progress. I rebuilt the wheels with new SS spokes, powdercoated rims, and polished hubs. There is a lot of work in these wheels. The frame has been modified and I am currently prepping it for paint...POR-15 probably. The battery and all of the electronics are relocated under the tail. The tank and seat are mocked up and I played with paint schemes using duct tape. The fork tubes are polished, as are all the controls. I also completely rebuilt the carburetors and cross drilled the rotor. Its all coming together...

Tim Hancock · 08-13-2009, 07:34 AM

Awesome!!! What size of Avons did you use? I just bought a set for my 450 project. IIRC, I went with a 120/80/18 in the rear and a 100/?/ 19 for the front.