Author Topic: Meet my new 550f2  (Read 18734 times)

Offline mickwinf

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Meet my new 550f2
« on: October 22, 2017, 02:23:13 PM »
Hi guys and gals, after a dalliance with a gold wing i am back with the SOHC bikes i know best. Another ebay purchase from a guy in manchester who cleared out a garage before it was demolished. He didn't do anything with it so was in as found condition, but rolled ok and even the front brake was free and working although wheels and other chromework are quite rusty. On closer inspection it shows it was loved in the past as the frame has been painted at some time and was suprisingly good under the grime and the non standard paint job seems to be professionally done. When i put a new battery on the electrics were dead and there was evidence that someone had been searching for the fault with new wires and things loose and out of place. After some investigation i found the starter solenoid and the ignition switch were faulty, and were replaced with used items from my spares stash, result all electrics now work, engine turns over and sparks. Now i think would it start? Of course it does its a Honda! sounds pretty good and even ticks over! Plan is to make a tidy useable bike so might keep the paint as is, but will replace the wheel rims and mudguards etc. Not sure about the exhaust, it is the original but the front pipes are very rusty and may be too far gone, the silencer responded to wire wool and solvol and is sound.
Love the 500 and 550 have a 500 called Lazarus under restoration

Offline MarkCR750

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Re: Meet my new 550f2
« Reply #1 on: October 22, 2017, 07:33:57 PM »
Great to see another one being given a second chance, or maybe 3rd or 4th chance👍

PS please don’t keep the paint work, it’s hideous, I’m not even qualifying that with an “IMO”, it’s horrid 😄, a £4 tin of satin black would be an improvement!.
Suzuki GT250A (Nostalgia)
1977 K7 CR750 (lookalike, what of I’m not sure)
Ducati 900SS (Soul & Speed)
Ducati M900 Monster (Handling & character)
Thruxton 1200 (suits me)
James Captain 197 (pure adrenaline, i.e. no brakes!)
"Eff yir gitten awvestear yir gooin te farst"
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Offline Nurse Julie

  • 1977 CB550/4 Mongrel Brat. 1974 UK 500/4 K1. Honda CD250u.
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Re: Meet my new 550f2
« Reply #2 on: October 22, 2017, 07:37:11 PM »
That's a nice little project for you Mick, well done.
LINK TO MY EBAY PAGE. As many of you know already, I give 10% discount and do post at cost to forum members if you PM me direct.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/julies9731/m.html?item=165142672569&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.m3561.l2562

LINK TO MY CB400/4 ENGINE STRIP / ASSESSMENT AND REBUILD...NOW COMPLETE
http://www.sohc.co.uk/index.php/topic,14049.msg112691/topicseen.html#new

Offline Trigger

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Re: Meet my new 550f2
« Reply #3 on: October 22, 2017, 07:37:35 PM »
Is the OEM pipes in good order ? I think the F's are a very good bike and one of my favourites.

Offline petermigreen

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Re: Meet my new 550f2
« Reply #4 on: October 22, 2017, 07:42:05 PM »
Congratulations on the new machine.
Interesting paint job, looks like something you might have in your bathroom.
Peter

Offline Green1

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Re: Meet my new 550f2
« Reply #5 on: October 22, 2017, 08:11:52 PM »
Stick a few goldfish and starfish on there it will be a good conversation starter  ;)
Current bikes
Honda CB750k1 Valley Green Metallic
Honda CB750k1 Candy Gold
Honda CB550k Candy Jade Green
Honda CG125
Aprilia Pegaso 650
Moto guzzi 1200 sport
Kawasaki EX650R (Mine until dave pays for it)
Kawasaki ZXR400 J

Offline petermigreen

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Re: Meet my new 550f2
« Reply #6 on: October 22, 2017, 08:58:48 PM »
Still it beats boring old Green. ;D

Offline Green1

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Re: Meet my new 550f2
« Reply #7 on: October 22, 2017, 09:01:02 PM »
Nothing wrong with green it beats the predictable red  :P
Current bikes
Honda CB750k1 Valley Green Metallic
Honda CB750k1 Candy Gold
Honda CB550k Candy Jade Green
Honda CG125
Aprilia Pegaso 650
Moto guzzi 1200 sport
Kawasaki EX650R (Mine until dave pays for it)
Kawasaki ZXR400 J

Offline petermigreen

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Re: Meet my new 550f2
« Reply #8 on: October 22, 2017, 09:08:11 PM »
Who's got boring red? I've resprayed mine. Now got mermaids and dolphins!

Offline mickwinf

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Re: Meet my new 550f2
« Reply #9 on: October 22, 2017, 09:41:09 PM »
haha thought the paint would cause a few comments! will see..... Graham the exhaust headers are pretty rusty so not sure if i will do anything with them.
Love the 500 and 550 have a 500 called Lazarus under restoration

Offline mike the bike

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Re: Meet my new 550f2
« Reply #10 on: October 22, 2017, 09:53:55 PM »
Looks a good buy, you must have picked it up cheap as it was a dead bike. 

+1 on the tin of black paint but it's your bike, not mine.
Where's that 10mm socket got to?

Offline Seabeowner

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Re: Meet my new 550f2
« Reply #11 on: October 22, 2017, 10:25:07 PM »
Nice bike Mick. Should keep you busy over the winter. The 550Fs are defined like the 400/4 by their sweeping downpipes and it's a pity there are no repros. Motad etc just don't do it for me. But when your riding it, you aren't looking there. Headers in reasonable condition are rare and silencers rarer still. There was a couple of 550Fs down this way on ebay last week and some spares including a new complete 550F system. Was going to bid, but was withdrawn within the day.
Keep the paint and add a few fish.
Phil
1971  CB500K0  Candy Jade Green or Candy Gold
1973  CB500K1  Candy Ruby Red
1975  CB550F1   Shiny Orange
1978  CB550K     Excel Black

Online Spitfire

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Re: Meet my new 550f2
« Reply #12 on: October 23, 2017, 01:56:33 PM »
Nice to see another one will be brought back to life and be looked after, I always look at bikes like that and think that it is a shame as they were once someone's pride and joy.

Cheers

Dennis
1976 CB750F

1977 CB750F2 In bits

1964 BSA A65R In bits

Offline mickwinf

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Re: Meet my new 550f2
« Reply #13 on: October 28, 2017, 04:21:05 PM »
Had a couple of hours working on the bike today, have stripped it down to the frame and forks with only a couple of bolts shearing. Frame is definately good enough to use with some minor touching up, the caliper bleed nipple did shear off despite using heat, and the list of parts required is increasing! Still happy though.
Love the 500 and 550 have a 500 called Lazarus under restoration

Online Rozabikes Tim

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Re: Meet my new 550f2
« Reply #14 on: October 28, 2017, 05:35:55 PM »
Nice find. Good luck should be fun. Got to go with general consensus on paint. Perhaps Green1 would do you a cheep roller emulsion job with him being in the trade!
One day I'll have the time to restore it, not just talk and dream....

 

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