My 1978 Honda CB550 Cafe Racer

[stidds2369]

As I stated in my hello thread, I don't currently have a Ducati Monster it is the next bike I am going to buy. However I did say that I have a CB550 Cafe Racer.

I bought the bike as a barn find and although it wasn't trashed it also wasn't in the best of order.

I had a picture in my head of how I would like the bike to look and then set about building the bike.

I have never built a bike before and I did all of the work myself which included rebuilding the engine and all of the welding etc. The only bit I didn't do myself was powdercoat the rims (although I did lace and true the wheels).

The main changes are a CB500T tank, self made Seat Unit, rebuilt engine using a CB650 cam, frame cleaned up of all redundant frame tabs and LED idiot lights installed, factory wiring loom extended with all wires and electrics now living under the seat unit. The exhaust is actually made up from 2 downpipes from a CB550, 2 downpipes from a CB600 and the 4 into 2 collector is from a CB650.

I had great fun building it and sorting out the numerous problems.

But now I want to do a similar Cafe theme but with a Monster (probably a 900), as I think the Monster is already half way toward a Cafe Racer and is as standard one of the best looking bikes around.

I hope you guys like my bike....

[Vintagerider]

Super nice!

I have a '75 CB400ss that I parked a couple years ago and should be able to start putting it back together next spring!

[philb]

Very nice!

PhilB

[Ohm3d]

is that a bcr tank and tail? very nice! I just picked up a 77 cb550 basket case that I am going to start building this winter

[stidds2369]

Originally Posted by Ohm3d

is that a bcr tank and tail? very nice! I just picked up a 77 cb550 basket case that I am going to start building this winter

The tank is from a 1974 Honda CB500 Twin which I modified to fit the CB550K and the seat unit I made my self from fibreglass and gel coat.

I think the only major bits I bought not made were tank, rearsets, exhaust and bars. Pretty much everything else was made by me or converted to fit.

BCR stuff is pretty nice, but extremely expensive and needs finishing before use, i.e. the tanks have a filler coat on them that needs too be sealed inside with a tank sealant, flattened off and painted. I just figured I could do the same job but with less outlay, for example BCR 4-2 exhaust costs $900 + shipping, to achieve the same look it cost me a bit of thinking time and about $100.

[irbrandie]

This is amazing! I loveeeeeee cafe racers!

[leonpd]

simply GORGEOUS ! Is she still single ?