CB550 cafe racers with stock airbox

[alexdecker]

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

[SumpMagnet]

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.

[Trigger]

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 

[K2-K6]

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

[ Guests cannot view attachments ]

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.

[alexdecker]

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

[Laverdaroo]

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!.

[Charlie J]

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.

[ Guests cannot view attachments ]

[ Guests cannot view attachments ]

[taysidedragon]

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.

[Kelly E]

Here's my 74' CB550 K with the stock airbox.

[alexdecker]

Thank you all for this. Please keep them coming if you got some nice images!

[alexdecker]

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.

[Trigger]

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 

[alexdecker]

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?

[Trigger]

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.

[Nurse Julie]

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.

[ Guests cannot view attachments ]

[ Guests cannot view attachments ]