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My CB550 K3 Restore Project
heli_madken:
Hi Everyone,
I have just finished restoring a 1977 GL1000 K2 complete with Krauser luggage and a Vetter fairing -
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So its time to move on to my next project a 1977 CB550 K3 -
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The picture above was taken the day I bought the bike last February. Its very deceptive as the bike looks to be in good condition but in actual fact it was a complete mess, engine covered in crud which was almost tar like, exhausts shot, frame covered in surface rust, bodywork heavily scratched, wheels beyond saving, seat full of splits, would not idle steadily, cam chain rattling as well as the worst primary drive chain rattle I have ever heard.
Ok so the shop I bought it from saw this mug arrive and thought, "right one here soon palm him off with this piece of crap" snigger, snigger. The thing is that I fell in love with it straight away, it was in such a sorry state it just had to be rescued, and actually on the test ride it rode extremely well and sounded amazingly good on the move and was lots of fun to ride compared to the big heavy Gold Wing.
So a deal was struck and the owner retreated with a huge grin on his face and a few days later I took delivery. What I decided to do was get her initially in a state where I could ride and assess what has to be done so I spent a lot of money on a new exhaust from DS which is actually very nice. I spent two days with every conceivable degreaser I could find trying to get the crud off the engine and the rest of the bike, she has obviously had a hard life and been stored outside and not washed over the past two decades. I stripped off and fully rebuilt the PD46A's finding all sorts of nasty bodges as I went. Bought a new seat cover and refurbished the pan. Oil change, tried to fix the cam chain tensioner but the adjuster wont budge. Fitted a Dyna ignition system and new Dyna coils. Oh and replaced the extremely stretched and dangerous drive chain.
After lots of fiddling I got a good idle and the engine runs really nice but at low RPM sounds terrible. I didnt want to ride her too much but have had some fun but now its time for the work to start. I am going to do a bare frame restoration with a full strip down and refurbish of every component so this is going to take some time, especially as I have a full house to paint in between!. It is going to be hard work as every bolt I have tried to remove has been seized.
Some pictures to show the current condition after much cleaning.
Engine casings need further clean and painting -
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Frame is covered in surface rust but nothing that looks like it needs welding -
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Wheels and spokes are beyond saving so I will replace with alloy rims and stainless spokes -
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heli_madken:
Disc is good but calipers and brake lines need a full refurb -
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Tank and side covers need painting and some work on badges, I will paint the stripes rather than use graphics -
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Clocks need some work, considering the bike has only done 26k she is in a poor state -
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I am really looking forward to getting stuck in to this bike, over the next week I hope to have most components stripped off and have a good look at the frame.
Also looking forward to making new friends on this forum
Ken
Johnwebley:
Welcome. Nice GW.
the little one will repay kindness.
It will be a joy to ride.
Look forward to seeing the progress
Sent from my SM-A750FN using Tapatalk
SPR:
Welcome ... they are addictive and bonus points for getting the carbs sorted :)
Nurse Julie:
Welcome and good luck.
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