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Join Date: May 2006
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CB550 Cafe Racer...DONE!
Hey guys,
I bought 2 cb550's about 6 months ago with the intention of making one good bike to turn into a sweet cafe racer. Original thread is here: Bought a cb550 for a cafe build...what have I got myself into?! with some early progress pictures. Well, I am done and very happy with the results. Every nut/bolt/piece on the entire bike has been replaced, restored, polished, painted, powdercoated or otherwise modified with the exception of the bottom end of the motor and transmission. With that exception, I took the bike down to its absolute most deconstructed state possible. Oh and I am pretty good at polishing aluminum at this point( ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() (rain drops on the tank) ![]() ![]() ![]() Last edited by tangerine911S; 10-31-2009 at 07:36 PM.. |
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![]() ![]() On this picture you can just see where I hid the rear turn signals. They are bright LED strips hidden under the rear edge of the seat and only visible when they are on: ![]() ![]() ![]() |
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Custom User Title
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Barrie, Ontario Canada
Posts: 2,954
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looks good!
So what was more fun the riding or the building of it? |
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Join Date: Sep 2006
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PRETTY MUCH PERFECT
very nice job Ed |
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Nice work.
Got her done just in time to park it for the winter. That's got to suck. Maybe you can take it down south and run it.
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Pete 79 911SC RoW "Tornadoes come out of frikkin nowhere. One minute everything is all sunshine and puppies the next thing you know you've got flying cows".- Stomachmonkey |
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Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Magnolia State
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OUT-FRIGGIN'-STANDING!!!!!
Just curious...is the shift pattern reversed? (1 up and 4 down...can't tell from the linkage.) NOW...go out and get rid of those chicken stripes on the rear tire ![]()
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Jim 1987 Carrera 2002 BMW 525ti 1997 Buell Cyclone cafe project 1998 Buell S1W: "Angriest motorcycle I've ever ridden." |
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that is a hot bike. great job!
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1973 911T |
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least common denominator
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: San Pedro,CA
Posts: 22,506
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Very nice.
With no front fender doesn't stuff fly up in your face? Oh, and I hate you ![]()
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Gary Fisher 29er 2019 Kia Stinger 2.0t gone ![]() 1995 Miata Sold 1984 944 Sold ![]() I am not lost for I know where I am, however where I am is lost. - Winnie the poo. |
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Hard to say. Building it was fun and frustrating at times but riding it is really a blast! Especially now that I got the carb jetting just right since I put pod filters and the 4-1 exhaust.
Quote:
Shifting is normal. The linkage acuates from the bottom of both the rearset and the shift shaft. Won't be leaning it over too much yet. Its my first bike afterall. I just got my permit last week. I have ridden bikes before though and I actually feel very comfortable on it. No sweat. |
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' mind showing us a shot under seat for battery placement, etc? What work did you do...I'm sure you didn't powder coat, but paint etc. Looks better IMO than the Norton you patterned it after in the original thread. Kudos.
EDIT: Oh yeah...what is the semi-circle panel at the rear of the tank? Access for tank bolt?
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Jim 1987 Carrera 2002 BMW 525ti 1997 Buell Cyclone cafe project 1998 Buell S1W: "Angriest motorcycle I've ever ridden." Last edited by Dueller; 10-31-2009 at 02:47 PM.. |
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Model Citizen
Join Date: May 2007
Location: The Voodoo Lounge
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Nice job. Looks just right - how does it corner now?
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"I would be a tone-deaf heathen if I didn't call the engine astounding. If it had been invented solely to make noise, there would be shrines to it in Rome" |
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Hell Belcho
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Oz
Posts: 9,249
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Very nice. Where did you find jets for it? I had a '77 and the only jets available were for '76 and older. I'd like to see how you ran thee elctrical as well.
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Saved by the buoyancy of citrus. |
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Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: N. Phoenix AZ USA
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Very nice looking!
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2013 Jag XF, 2002 Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins (the workhorse), 1992 Jaguar XJ S-3 V-12 VDP (one of only 100 examples made), 1969 Jaguar XJ (been in the family since new), 1985 911 Targa backdated to 1973 RS specs with a 3.6 shoehorned in the back, 1959 Austin Healey Sprite (former SCCA H-Prod), 1995 BMW R1100RSL, 1971 & '72 BMW R75/5 "Toaster," Ural Tourist w/sidecar, 1949 Aeronca Sedan / QB |
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Quote:
Quote:
I actually called and found a shop that had them about an hour away from me for cheaper and they sent them in an envelope for free and got them next day. Last edited by tangerine911S; 10-31-2009 at 03:00 PM.. |
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least common denominator
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: San Pedro,CA
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Quote:
But seriously, I don't know what your plans are for the future however you could make a living off building bikes if you had to.
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Gary Fisher 29er 2019 Kia Stinger 2.0t gone ![]() 1995 Miata Sold 1984 944 Sold ![]() I am not lost for I know where I am, however where I am is lost. - Winnie the poo. |
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Yup...a clean cut East coast Carpy!
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Jim 1987 Carrera 2002 BMW 525ti 1997 Buell Cyclone cafe project 1998 Buell S1W: "Angriest motorcycle I've ever ridden." |
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1980 911 SC
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Nice job! Looks great. I hear Route 100 calling your name.
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Life's a Beach |
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Theres a full size battery under there along with all the wiring (rectifier, fuses, flasher, starter solenoid, etc). It was all orignally in the open triangular space under the seat. I shaved all the brackets and removed the inner fender for a lighter look.
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