Honda-SOHC
SOHC.co.uk Forums => CB500/550 => Topic started by: alexdecker on February 27, 2022, 08:59:12 PM
-
Hey all
In my ongoing research about this bike, I quickly realised that everybody puts pods on, so they can take out the airbox. And that every build of this bike sort of look like the next one.
I have yet to find any builds that keep the stock airbox. Maybe some members here have a cool bike, or a pic of one they could showcase? Looking for inspiration here :)
- Alex
-
I fully intend to retain the airbox on mine.
Basically...my view is that I am retaining the side panels....so there is no real difference in look of having an airbox. If you plan opn having basically nothing but fresh air under the seat rails, with relocated battery etc. then an airbox is not going to look pretty.
As my project is a 750, I have an oil tank already there.
-
There is pictures of two flat tracker 550's with standard air boxes half way down this page >>http://www.sohc.co.uk/index.php/topic,24825.75.html
If you want to spend days trying to get your bike to run and spend £££ on jets for the carbs, work out why your pistons are burnt out and then still scratching your head why you have a flat spot. Then fit pods.
If you want a riders bike that starts easy, pulls well all the way through the rev range. Stick with a air box ;)
-
I didn't think of it much, but you're right in that clearing that space in the centre obsessively appears to bring uniformity into something that's started out trying to be different.
This one, different for obvious reasons as much of the components are altered, but I like the effect of the tank (750F1) has on the style
[attachimg=1]
It seems more in keeping with original cafè racer culture in lengthening the tank (traditionally a race type alloy item) that puts the rider further rearwards and makes the seat position more of that style with reset foot controls etc.
-
There is pictures of two flat tracker 550's with standard air boxes half way down this page >>http://www.sohc.co.uk/index.php/topic,24825.75.html
If you want to spend days trying to get your bike to run and spend £££ on jets for the carbs, work out why your pistons are burnt out and then still scratching your head why you have a flat spot. Then fit pods.
If you want a riders bike that starts easy, pulls well all the way through the rev range. Stick with a air box ;)
That's exactly it. I just want to keep the stock airbox. And if possible, not cut into the frame around the seating area. I'd like to use the stock seat pan and seat, and just shave it a little in size and get some nice leather on there. But I can't visualise it completely, and nobody seems to have done it. Or taken pictures of it at least.
I could of course be the first :) But gonna start in photoshop first :)
-
I wanted a stock air box and have bought side panels but the osh required trying to get all the bits second hand was cost prohibitive. I've still spent £150 on a filter set up but if I could find all of a 'used one' for sensible money I'd much rather have one. There was very little of anything on the bike and had already been robbed of the good bits before I got it so never even seen one complete!.
-
There is pictures of two flat tracker 550's with standard air boxes half way down this page >>http://www.sohc.co.uk/index.php/topic,24825.75.html
If you want to spend days trying to get your bike to run and spend £££ on jets for the carbs, work out why your pistons are burnt out and then still scratching your head why you have a flat spot. Then fit pods.
If you want a riders bike that starts easy, pulls well all the way through the rev range. Stick with a air box ;)
That's exactly it. I just want to keep the stock airbox. And if possible, not cut into the frame around the seating area. I'd like to use the stock seat pan and seat, and just shave it a little in size and get some nice leather on there. But I can't visualise it completely, and nobody seems to have done it. Or taken pictures of it at least.
I could of course be the first :) But gonna start in photoshop first :)
I don’t know if this helps, but here are a couple of photos of my bike with the stock seat that has been shaved down and re-covered. The frame has not been cut and the airbox is retained.
[attachimg=1]
[attachimg=2]
-
I modded my 400f by altering the seatpan, adding a foam hump and getting it recovered. Standard airbox and no cutting of the frame. Standard seat lock and hinges retained.
-
Here's my 74' CB550 K with the stock airbox.
-
Thank you all for this. Please keep them coming if you got some nice images!
-
There is pictures of two flat tracker 550's with standard air boxes half way down this page >>http://www.sohc.co.uk/index.php/topic,24825.75.html
If you want to spend days trying to get your bike to run and spend £££ on jets for the carbs, work out why your pistons are burnt out and then still scratching your head why you have a flat spot. Then fit pods.
If you want a riders bike that starts easy, pulls well all the way through the rev range. Stick with a air box ;)
Looking at this again - you don't have any rear fenders on. Only drive in the sunshine, or is there a hidden one somewhere?
Looking to clean up the look of my bike (smaller fenders, smaller signal lights etc.) but not trying to do cafe racers. More of a streamlined look, but still planning to take longer trips on mine. So spending a lot of time finding that perfect middle spot where it gets a little personalised flavour, but still works for more purposes then flashing it around town.
-
Yep, only ride in dry weather on the flat trackers in the pictures. If you are out and it starts to rain , you will end up with a wet arse but, the car behind will stay well away from your rear end . Can not find joy in wet riding anymore ;)
-
Yep, only ride in dry weather on the flat trackers in the pictures. If you are out and it starts to rain , you will end up with a wet arse but, the car behind will stay well away from your rear end . Can not find joy in wet riding anymore ;)
The head light mount you are using is not factory, are they? Did you buy them or make them yourself? And may I ask what you did with the tail light? I am keeping the original blinkers myself, but need another tail light. I noticed you mounted the back signal lights directly on the frame, with no soft material in-between the frame and the signal light. Could that not pose a problem potentially?
-
The sliver 550 has stock head light brackets and no Indicators / blinkers with a tail light on a side mounted bracket/
The black one has after market head light brackets , indicators mounted direct to the frame but, they are Stanley OEM indicators which have rubber mounted bulbs inside and also has a side mounted tail light.
-
This is my bike, the black one Trig is referring to.
It's a fantastic bike, rides like a dream, handles superbly and is ultra reliable.
[attachimg=1]
[attachimg=2]
-
Here's some more pics of Triggers bike.
[attachimg=1]
[attachimg=2]
-
Thank you so much for the pictures - that helped a bit. Those Stanley indicators look a lot like stock, but its of course a very untrained eye looking from here :)
Are you both using the stock electrical system, or did you do any upgrades to that? Can't figure out if its good enough for me really. I wanna take some longer trips on my bike, but I hardly ever ride with the light on during daytime, and with a proper charged battery, I have had no problems, as long as I rode et regularly. I even let it sit for three months during the winter, before I took it apart, and it came to life on the same battery.
I guess the reason for upgrading should be stronger lights maybe? Or just the ability to ride with them on always.
-
Stanley made indicators for Honda so, yes they are stock on the black 550 :o
I run standard points and everything electrical on all our bikes with no problems whatsoever and thousands of miles every year. All I have done is upgrade to stronger head light bulbs and always ride with the lights on.
Julie's black 550 had a new £25 battery on it when i built it 4 years ago and is still going strong. The bikes sit in storage for five months during the winter months with the batteries removed.
If a battery lets you down , then kick start it to get you home and put a new one on. If a battery lasts 5 years and cost £25, that is only £5 a year ;) I consider that cheap as, just had to get a Land rover battery replaced at £350.00 :o
-
Batteries….My 1200BMW battery finally went west in France last year after 6 years loyal service. An French ‘accumulator bandit’ had my trousers down for £180😭. I’d intended to replace it before the tour, but never got round to it.
-
Stanley made indicators for Honda so, yes they are stock on the black 550 :o
I run standard points and everything electrical on all our bikes with no problems whatsoever and thousands of miles every year. All I have done is upgrade to stronger head light bulbs and always ride with the lights on.
Julie's black 550 had a new £25 battery on it when i built it 4 years ago and is still going strong. The bikes sit in storage for five months during the winter months with the batteries removed.
If a battery lets you down , then kick start it to get you home and put a new one on. If a battery lasts 5 years and cost £25, that is only £5 a year ;) I consider that cheap as, just had to get a Land rover battery replaced at £350.00 :o
Haha, sorry. I am still accumulating Honda knowledge, and as you surely have picked up, both in this thread and all the others, I still have quite a long way to go. Stanley made Honda indicators - check! :)
Can I ask what headlight bulbs? And what tail light? Glad to hear about the stock thing. I am keeping the airbox on mine, and wanted to keep the electrical system if possible. so glad to hear it works out! Usually only read horror stories about it :o
-
I think it has a Cob LED bulb in the head light and a tail light like this one >>> https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/132443865497?hash=item1ed6450199:g:LwIAAOSw-09aPjWN
I think all the horror stories you read are owners that don't know how to set up the electrics or are being sold modern parts. If you keep the electrics simple then, it is easy to understand and repair.
-
Batteries….My 1200BMW battery finally went west in France last year after 6 years loyal service. An French ‘accumulator bandit’ had my trousers down for £180😭. I’d intended to replace it before the tour, but never got round to it.
Is it a modern BMW as, a lot of modern cars and bikes need to be re-programed for a new battery. And on the new Range Rovers, you can not even change the brake pads without having it connected to a dealer program :o
-
Nah. 1200LC. I Just swapped it over, turned it on/off a couple of times and it was away. Interesting about the programming, though..
-
Morning Graham et al,
wher did you get the reg plate holders that you two have on your bikes that fixes on the rear spindle bolt? I've looked everywhere and can't find one that looks any good and then saw yours. Thy're just the job.