CB550k1 US Import - UK registration

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

I think my first move would be  to get it registered here in the UK. If you have the registration document from Australia they should issue you with an age appropriate VRM. Once you have that the change to Historic can be done afterwards.
Might be wrong.

[Sesman]

Sounds like a plan to me. I didn’t mean to alarm you juitz, but I also didn’t want you to wander into any unexpected surprises you might have navigated successfully with prior knowledge. My personal experience is based on the DVLA Inspectors comments. Basically he recounted a few anecdotes regarding heavily modified vehicles that no longer represented the image and originality of the original product. The owners failed to get an age related plate and ultimately had to register on a Q plate. I absolutely wasn’t suggesting the majority of the parts had to be original. I simply assumed you were going for an age related plate rather a ‘registration’. There are far more qualified and experienced folk on this forum who can advise. The worst that can happen is the unexpected…..

[juitz]

No worries at all Sesman and appreciate the advice!

Like I said, It's my first go around so will learn a lot. Ultimately, I want to get a bike on the road that I will hopefully enjoy for years to come. If that means a Q-plate for this build then so be it.

This build was never really going to be a stockish restoration project anyway. But my lack of research into the DVLA admin side of things has made things a bit more complicated than it should have been.

[juitz]

Hello again!

Can anyone suggest where to get a key for the petrol tank latch? 

What's listed on csmnl isn't what I have? My latch mechanism has a cover with a hwx type key. This is the only similar photo I could find online. Assume this is not original?

[Nurse Julie]

Yes, that photo is an original. If you have the type with a key hole latch, the tip of any Honda key will fit and open it. Have you got a photo of yours?

[Oddjob]

Is it a key like slot or is the hole more like a hexagonal ?

[juitz]

This is what I have.
[ Guests cannot view attachments ]

[Bryanj]

That was a special thing that came in from the US i think, you are probably better off getting the Honda locking assembly which was a mod, again caused by the Yanks breaking the original ones or you can fit the original thumb push type

[Oddjob]

I had one of those, hence why I thought it might be the hexagonal one. I do have a tank lock NOS lying around, can't remember if I have that type or the key slot type or both types. I'll have a look.

[juitz]

Thanks all, I'll take a look at replacements for the lock mechanism.

So for the next item, can anyone recommend a wheel building service/company? Have my front and rear hubs fully stripped now so looking to get new rims/spokes.I'll be replacing the rims with new units.

Also, having a bit of a read on wheel sizes and there's plenty out there but any recommendations? I'm inclined to keep stock sizes? My understanding is that they are:

Front tyre   3.25 x 19
Rear  tyre   3.75 x 18
Rims 1.85 front and rear for US models?

Any reason to deviate from this?

[Oddjob]

I prefer to upsize the rims, 2.15 as fitted to the 750 gives more tyre support IMO.

[Bryanj]

Build the wheels yourself its aint difficult just time consuming, or bring em to gloucester when i have a free saturday(ho ho) and i will show you how. Need all the bearings and spindles in

[juitz]

Build the wheels yourself its aint difficult just time consuming, or bring em to gloucester when i have a free saturday(ho ho) and i will show you how. Need all the bearings and spindles in

Time I've got. You've convinced me to do it myself then 😂

I'll also look at 2.15 rims.

Where do you recommend on buying parts. I do plan on powder coating hub and rims. There's central-wheels, anywhere else?

[Bryanj]

Depends on what quality you want,
Dave Silver does rims and spoke kits, Central Wheel will do various qualites of both, it all depends on your preference and depth of pocket. I did write a how to if i can find it again, the big problem to me is seeing people trying to use a dti for truing when Honda(and mot) say anything less than 3mm is OK

[Oddjob]

Why powder coat the rims? if they were new they'd be nice and shiny, you'd really only powder coat poor condition ones. In which case just trawl eBay for 750 rims if you want 2.15 rims or 500/550 for 1.85 rims