My CB550 K3 Restore Project

[heli_madken]

Thanks Ted, I enjoy reading your posts hope everything works out for you.

I could not leave this alone so pulled some very late nights and worked between packing to get it done. Some minor imperfections but these will polish out when I get to the flatting stage. In the end I did not go the flake look as my wife said it 'looked too girly' and I trust her judgement!
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Happy with the results not sure how close to original it is but I like it

[heli_madken]

Hi Everyone,

Happily ensconced here in Scotland and managed to find time to finish off my 550 project and had my first shake down ride today.

The roads around here are glorious and relatively quiet so had great conditions for a first ride. all went very well the bike rides and sounds fantastic, well chuffed. No leaks or any other problems at all.

I completely overhauled the front brake back in February with new slave and master seals but at the time try as I could it would not bleed so when the removals guys came to take her away she had no front brake at all. We had all sorts of delays and our stuff was in storage until mid April. When the container finally arrived I had to ride the bike down a ramp to unload and expected no front brake but was amazed to find a good firm lever! So if you are having problems bleeding a brake just put it in a container and leave it for a couple of months and it will sort itself out.

I am really happy with how my bike has turned out and looking forward to some good rides around some fantastic Dumfries and Galloway roads, thanks for all the help I was given during the rebuild everyone -
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[Johnny4428]

Looking fantastic, enjoyed the entire write up on this project, also like this colour on the 550k3. Same colour as my 750k3 will be eventually. Give us a shout if you ever venture this far north.

[heli_madken]

Thank you! After messing about with flake I have found that the colour from RS-Bike Paints has enough sparkle in it for my taste and I am really pleased with how the bike looks in its new colour.

[Johnny4428]

I have a question regarding rear pillion grab rail, it doesn’t look like the right part, I’m sure it should have a bit more of a curve upwards towards the rear, in fact in your pics it looks as if the grab rail is actually holding up the rear of your seat? Maybe just the photo angle.

[heli_madken]

Yes its a bit of a mystery and obviously off another bike. I didnt notice until I had it chromed and put it back on the bike, I actually went back to my original photos to check in case Agbrigg Chroming had sent me the wrong one. As it is it is useless as you cant get your fingers round it, not had any luck trying to find an original.

Unless of course the seat is wrong 

[Nurse Julie]

To me, it looks like the seat is incorrect. I can't ever remember a K3 seat having a hump on the top at the back like that or a slant at the back. My knowledge isn't very good with K3's though. Edit... I know diddly squat about USA K3's

[heli_madken]

It is a UK bike, I think the seat is original, its a metal pan (which was as rusty as the rest of the bike!) with the document store and tool roll holder.

Looking at this picture the grab rail on my bike is definitely wrong as Johnny4428 suggests, the original has a more pronounced upward curve at the back -
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Bit of a mystery why a PO would choose to change to this one, like the rest of the bike it was rusty as hell so it didnt seem to be a new replacement

Edit - just occurred to me, someone had also drilled the rear mudguard to move the light cluster further up 'US style' which would obviously foul the standard grab rail, I wonder if they then found a shorter grab rail to suit, muppet! At some point I want to replace the rear mudguard to original as well.

[Johnny4428]

The seat does look like an original, the grab rail might be just preventing it from sitting on its rubber buffers. Mine has the doc holder and tool tray as it should. Still looks good, sorry! I don’t mean to pick faults with somebody’s pride and joy, you’ve done a tremendous job.

[heli_madken]

You need to update your profile location now 

Well spotted! all done 

[Johnny4428]

I take it it will be Fort William not Port William.🤔

[heli_madken]

No its Port William, a small village located on the south west coast of Dumfries and Galloway not far from Stranraer. 

[Johnny4428]

Oops! Sorry! Thought it was a typo, not heard of it.

[heli_madken]

No problem, its on the South West  300 route, I see bikes riding past all the time having a great time

[Johnny4428]

That’s interesting, just checked it out, population of 460. Looks a very picturesque little place. I learned something today.