Author Topic: New Bike - is it an import and why is the sidestand so bl**dy short !  (Read 3673 times)

Offline madoc

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Just bought this:

CB550F-2108190


Is this a U.S. import ? The V5 gives no clue but it's unrestored and very very clean (i.e. non rusty)
I don't think it is, as the stickers are in french/german/english ?

And
Why is the sidestand so short that the bike sits over alarmingly .. ? Is it just like that .. I see bits of wood shoved under the stand in other photos ?

And
The seat is actually shot (it's nearly broken in the middle) - will any CB550 (K/F) seat fit ?

And
Is there anything I should immediately panic over and check ?
and I'll do the usual oil/air/filter, tappets etc etc

As  bloke with a shed of brit singles and russian twins then it's alarmingly quiet and civilised ..

cheers

John
« Last Edit: March 28, 2012, 09:07:41 AM by madoc »

Offline Bryanj

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Re: New Bike - is it an import and why is the sidestand so bl**dy short !
« Reply #1 on: March 28, 2012, 09:14:21 AM »
Not US and not original colour or seat cover.

Has UK indicators and rear light but not sure about rear light bracket.

Need picture of side stand to say if its been modified or not.

As to seat there are basically 2 different ones and they dont interchange as the hinges and length are different

Offline madoc

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Re: New Bike - is it an import and why is the sidestand so bl**dy short !
« Reply #2 on: March 28, 2012, 09:32:52 AM »
It is an import of some kind, I think, as the logbook stub says it was registered in 1990.. sorry just thought to check that

Here is the stand:



Are there differences between import/UK model seats or just between K and F

Offline LesterPiglet

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Re: New Bike - is it an import and why is the sidestand so bl**dy short !
« Reply #3 on: March 28, 2012, 09:44:42 AM »
Nice find.  ;)
'Then' and 'than' are completely different words and have completely different meanings. Same with 'of' and 'have'. Set and sit. There, their and they're. Set/sit. Bought/brought FFS. Bloody Americans.


Les Ross. Certified by a Professional

Offline madoc

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Re: New Bike - is it an import and why is the sidestand so bl**dy short !
« Reply #4 on: March 28, 2012, 10:02:52 AM »
eight hundred of your english folding currency.
not cheap enough to be a bargain but about right.

The clutch cover looks like it was chromed but it's chipped/cracked/flaked ?
Is it an alloy cover ? Can I just strip it and polish it ?



Offline Bryanj

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Re: New Bike - is it an import and why is the sidestand so bl**dy short !
« Reply #5 on: March 28, 2012, 10:11:40 AM »
Side stand is the wrong one, it should have a bolted on rubber bit on the end.

It should tell you on the V5 when you get it if its an import.

As far as i know there is no difference UK to import seats

Clutch cover was not originaly chromed, stripping and polishing will not be easy(impossible on the bike) probably easier to get a used one and polish that

Offline z1100r

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Re: New Bike - is it an import and why is the sidestand so bl**dy short !
« Reply #6 on: March 29, 2012, 12:55:53 PM »
There is something wrong with that - unless its a photo illusion.....looks like its ran into a wall. The forks are practically vertical. I would check the yolks out. I thought I read somewhere that UK bikes all had black painted light/number plate brkts. My UK K3 did.

 Compared to Brit and Rusky jallopies its a Rolex.

Offline LesterPiglet

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Re: New Bike - is it an import and why is the sidestand so bl**dy short !
« Reply #7 on: March 29, 2012, 01:24:02 PM »
My F has the black tail light bracket, and it doesn't have a rubber on the sidestand tho I don't know if it's original. Still keeps the bike upright at the correct angle....I think.
« Last Edit: March 29, 2012, 01:25:42 PM by LesterPiglet »
'Then' and 'than' are completely different words and have completely different meanings. Same with 'of' and 'have'. Set and sit. There, their and they're. Set/sit. Bought/brought FFS. Bloody Americans.


Les Ross. Certified by a Professional

Offline Tomb

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Re: New Bike - is it an import and why is the sidestand so bl**dy short !
« Reply #8 on: March 29, 2012, 05:28:30 PM »
I've had a few F's but never had a sidestand with the rubber foot flip up thingy. :-\

The rear light bracket reminds me of a CD175 bracket thats been chromed.
Tom
'73 CB550 with CB500 engine café racer
'62 CB77 Sprinter
'70 CD175
'78 CB550 with sidecar
'80 Z50R
And a load of old Yamaha 1100's

Offline mickwinf

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Re: New Bike - is it an import and why is the sidestand so bl**dy short !
« Reply #9 on: March 29, 2012, 07:38:10 PM »
i think the rubber end was US models only as was the chrome number plate bracket
Love the 500 and 550 have a 500 called Lazarus under restoration

Offline madoc

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Re: New Bike - is it an import and why is the sidestand so bl**dy short !
« Reply #10 on: April 02, 2012, 02:30:11 PM »
The forks are ok; it's the image.
A "proper"sidestand didn't sort it out; it still leans too far for my liking. Oh well.

It's now MOT'd.
Charging sorted by a new reg/rectifier and a few wiring bodges sorted with proper connectors and the soldering iron.
Valve clearances fine. Timing sorted,  oil changed, new oil/air filter, carbs balanced and cam chain tensioner duly, er, tensioned.

Just a new seat needed .... old base is broken ...


Offline z1100r

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Re: New Bike - is it an import and why is the sidestand so bl**dy short !
« Reply #11 on: April 02, 2012, 02:37:31 PM »
What size is your rear tyre and what is the free length of the rear shocks. Is it all std..?

 

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