 My first project bike???
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,680
Learned Hand
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OP
Learned Hand
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,680 |
Going to look at this 1977 Honda CB550F (SuperSport) on Saturday... Looks like most of the original parts are there and also looks like a good number of parts available on eBay and other places. The faring would have to go, and the forward foot bar. Was tagged as recently as 2006. Would take it back to the original Red and rebadge it. Thoughts? 
Thom
I might be wrong, I sometimes am.
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 Re: My first project bike???
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,068 Likes: 1
Saddle Sore
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Saddle Sore
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,068 Likes: 1 |
Quote:
Thoughts?
Well Thom , I'm at an impasse on this one . I'll sit up all night with my peyote bucket and Johnny Winter album and come up with a name for her . 
.....pop.....pop.....pop.... 
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 Re: My first project bike???
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,616
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,616 |
Cool! 
SOLD: 07 Black BA, 39mm FCRs, TPUSA stage 1 head, TPUSA 813 cams, TPUSA 10.8:1 pistons, TTP #3 igniter, Specialty Spares Long Cannons, Tsukayu Hard Bags. 82HP/55tq
NEW: 19 Goldwing Tour DCT
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 Re: My first project bike???
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
It's got a kickstart... jump on it (pun intended)! Seriously, if the price was right, I'd be all over that thing.
Live to love, love to live.
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 Re: My first project bike???
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,836 Likes: 5
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,836 Likes: 5 |
I say "cafe" The old CBs seem to be an excellent platform for a cafe racer. If I had two quarters to rub together I'd have me one.
2004 Triumph Speedmaster (J Lo) 2006 Yamaha Stratoliner (Adele)
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 Re: My first project bike???
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,680
Learned Hand
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OP
Learned Hand
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,680 |
Barry,
I have seen lots of Cafe racers built on the old CBs. I am thinking about a straight restoration for two reasons.
1. Big changes may be beyond me, yet. This is my first attempt at this, I have been watching around here for years as guys pick up these old bikes (and cars and trucks) and make them beautiful again. I know enough to know what I don't know and so I am planning on taking it slow and getting help where I need it. 2. I just love the old standard bikes. These UJMs are such a part of the fabric of my misspent youth that I am eager to see one in my garage.
Thom
I might be wrong, I sometimes am.
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 Re: My first project bike???
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 476
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 476 |
looks like a good start....bringing it back to stock showroom would be nice. i've been looking at the old parallel twins..cb350
If it isn't broke, I haven't messed with it.
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 Re: My first project bike???
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,836 Likes: 5
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,836 Likes: 5 |
Those, sir, are fine reasons. Go for it and best of luck.
2004 Triumph Speedmaster (J Lo) 2006 Yamaha Stratoliner (Adele)
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 Re: My first project bike???
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,680
Learned Hand
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OP
Learned Hand
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,680 |
Picked up the CB550 this afternoon. Including the orginal front indicators and a new OEM muffler that the guy had in his garage. Pics to follow.
Thom
I might be wrong, I sometimes am.
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 Re: My first project bike???
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1
Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1 |
Great stuff Thom. You'll be surprised at how much repop gear is out there to move your project along.
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. Herm Albright (1876 - 1944)
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 Re: My first project bike???
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
Can't wait to start seein' the updates as you restore that little gem there, Thom! 
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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 Re: My first project bike???
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,680
Learned Hand
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OP
Learned Hand
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,680 |
Phase one: getting the work space ready. Spent a good deal of the day cleaning in the garage and explaining to my brother-in-law that NO I had not tried to start it, and that I probably would not try to start it for several months. No sense risking damage until I know what is going on in there.
Just ordered the Clymer manual and my first NOS parts... gotta replace the foam grips with the original rubber because they are so crusty I cannot hardly stand to push the thing around the garage.
Thom
I might be wrong, I sometimes am.
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 Re: My first project bike???
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,736 Likes: 7
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,736 Likes: 7 |
My advice Thom, is to read that manual front to back a couple times before you try to do much to the bike. It's okay to skip over some of the super technical stuff like complete engine breakdown, but reading the general maintenance sections first will make it less overwhelming when it's time to spin wrenches. Sell the parts that you don't want on ebay, somewhere someone is looking for all the things you don't want. Good luck, and have fun with it!
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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 Re: My first project bike???
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,680
Learned Hand
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OP
Learned Hand
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,680 |
Thanks Dave ,I will. I did remove that ugly-butt faring today and polished a little bit of chrome... just to make myself feel better. I can already tell the electrics are going to be fun since the right turn signal had two black wires running to it.  I can't do much right now anyway since my restoration buddy is off in Spain on her junior year spring break trip and would kill me if I did too much without her. I have also been watching lots of YouTube videos of different procedures to get a feel for what I might see. I specifically picked a Honda because of parts availability and because they are some of the most restored bikes out there so there is LOTS of free information and step by step guidance as well as a whole LOT of "what not to do" advice.
Thom
I might be wrong, I sometimes am.
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 Re: My first project bike???
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,531
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,531 |
Quote:
I say "cafe" The old CBs seem to be an excellent platform for a cafe racer. If I had two quarters to rub together I'd have me one.
+1 CAFE 
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 Re: My first project bike???
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,068 Likes: 1
Saddle Sore
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Saddle Sore
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,068 Likes: 1 |
She has a name . Got a PM from Thom around 3 AM , here it goes : " Eliza Doolittle - because she is a little rough and we are going to slowly turn her into a lady. " 
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