Author Topic: CB550 refurb  (Read 151224 times)

Offline McCabe-Thiele (Ted)

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Re: CB550 refurb
« Reply #240 on: June 21, 2025, 09:48:28 AM »
Very nice paint finish Johnny, I guess Islanders need to be self reliant whenever possible. ;D
Honda CB400NA Superdream (current money puddle)
Honda CB500 K1 (second money pit)
https://www.sohc.co.uk/index.php/topic,28541.0.html
Honda CB400 four super sport (first money pit)
Link to my full restoration http://www.sohc.co.uk/index.php/topic,23291.0.html
This is a neat 500 restoration in the USA.
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,151576.msg1731556.html#msg1731556

Offline Johnny4428

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Re: CB550 refurb
« Reply #241 on: June 21, 2025, 10:10:58 AM »
Thanks guys! It’s the old story - if you want a professional job you pay a professional to do it. After asking a couple of local guys a while back to do the 750 tank and sides for me they weren’t keen on taking it on. So I thought how difficult can it be?😳 I’ve always had that have a go attitude and most of my success in the things I do have been preceded by at least one or two failures! Thankfully still learning. I’m not very skilled at anything really but I do have a little knowledge in several different things. Plus a little common sense.🤣 I do think if I can do it…….
1952 Cymoto on Triumph bicycle.
1961 Matchless G3
1974 Honda CB550K1
1978 Honda CB550K3
1999 ST1100 Pan European 50th Anniversary.
1975,1984,1986 Honda C90’s
1973 Honda CB750K3
1977 Honda CB550 (almost)

Offline taysidedragon

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Re: CB550 refurb
« Reply #242 on: June 21, 2025, 11:44:55 AM »
It looks professional to me Johnny. Nice work. 👍
Gareth

1977 CB400F
1965 T100SS

Offline Orcade-Ian

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Re: CB550 refurb
« Reply #243 on: June 21, 2025, 05:03:06 PM »
Hi Johnny,
Just picked up again on your thread - was the paint with the rubbish in, that stuff I collected from Hull?  Like the new result though - top man!  Looking forward to meeting up with you next Friday to give our leader and his good Lady a special Orkney Tour - hope this mist clears away!

Ian
1953 BSA Golden Flash 650 - still a basket case
1960 Norton Model 50 Featherbed 350
1960 Ducati Elite 200 (nearing completion)
1972 Honda CB 350/4
1975 Honda CB 550/4 F1
1976 Honda CB 400/4 F1
2020 Honda C125 Super Cub
2026 Honda ADV 350

Offline DomP

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Re: CB550 refurb
« Reply #244 on: June 21, 2025, 05:07:14 PM »
Looks like a great finish, hopefully yours hardens. My 2k lacquer hasn't so I'm looking at the prospect of stripping it and starting again, one dribble of petrol stripped the top layer off today
1975 XS650B
1976 CB550F1 current project
2012 Triumph Daytona 675

Offline Johnny4428

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Re: CB550 refurb
« Reply #245 on: June 24, 2025, 06:16:01 AM »
Hi Johnny,
Just picked up again on your thread - was the paint with the rubbish in, that stuff I collected from Hull?  Like the new result though - top man!  Looking forward to meeting up with you next Friday to give our leader and his good Lady a special Orkney Tour - hope this mist clears away!

Ian
Yes Ian that was the dark green paint, my own fault for not straining the paint. The RS paint don’t need any straining. I am still going to use the dark green to paint a random spare tank that I have to see how it comes out, but decided it was darker than I wanted for the K1. Catch you soon Ian.
1952 Cymoto on Triumph bicycle.
1961 Matchless G3
1974 Honda CB550K1
1978 Honda CB550K3
1999 ST1100 Pan European 50th Anniversary.
1975,1984,1986 Honda C90’s
1973 Honda CB750K3
1977 Honda CB550 (almost)

Offline Johnny4428

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Re: CB550 refurb
« Reply #246 on: June 24, 2025, 04:41:16 PM »
I was dreading today’s job but could not prolong it any further!😂 Job done,  tank decals on! I was wondering why these decals are the way they are - open ended and not joined at ends. I suspect it’s to do with the contours of the tanks? Final lacquering at the weekend hopefully. No problem with lacquer hardening Dom.
(Meant to attach pic but must have got distracted)🤭
(Now it seems to think my pic is better upside down)I give up for now!
« Last Edit: June 25, 2025, 07:11:21 AM by Johnny4428 »
1952 Cymoto on Triumph bicycle.
1961 Matchless G3
1974 Honda CB550K1
1978 Honda CB550K3
1999 ST1100 Pan European 50th Anniversary.
1975,1984,1986 Honda C90’s
1973 Honda CB750K3
1977 Honda CB550 (almost)

Offline DomP

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Re: CB550 refurb
« Reply #247 on: June 24, 2025, 10:56:27 PM »
Ive messaged CCR paints who said I 'may' get lucky by flatting the lacquer with 800 grit wet and dry and spraying a fresh coat of 2k over it.  He thinks I cant have activated the can properly but I did it exacts as instructed and shook it for what seemed half a century.
1975 XS650B
1976 CB550F1 current project
2012 Triumph Daytona 675

Offline Johnny4428

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Re: CB550 refurb
« Reply #248 on: June 25, 2025, 07:02:39 AM »
That’s a bit of a pain in the rear Dom, I would be tempted to give it a go although without assurance that it’s going to sort the problem. If it’s not hardened by now it’s probably not going to. Hope you get it sorted.
1952 Cymoto on Triumph bicycle.
1961 Matchless G3
1974 Honda CB550K1
1978 Honda CB550K3
1999 ST1100 Pan European 50th Anniversary.
1975,1984,1986 Honda C90’s
1973 Honda CB750K3
1977 Honda CB550 (almost)

Offline Johnny4428

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Re: CB550 refurb
« Reply #249 on: June 28, 2025, 08:16:21 AM »
This company was recommended by Julie to me and they didn’t disappoint. Home through the door from Italy 3 days from ordering up to Orkney that’s pretty good. Not cheap, but what the heck when it’s the cherry for the cake that’s just been iced!😜
1952 Cymoto on Triumph bicycle.
1961 Matchless G3
1974 Honda CB550K1
1978 Honda CB550K3
1999 ST1100 Pan European 50th Anniversary.
1975,1984,1986 Honda C90’s
1973 Honda CB750K3
1977 Honda CB550 (almost)

Offline Laverda Dave

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Re: CB550 refurb
« Reply #250 on: June 28, 2025, 09:25:31 AM »
Great progress Johnny and amazing delivery time to Orkney from Italy.
Does all this activity point to a summer running-in session 😎👍
1977 Rickman Honda CR750
1999 Honda VFR 800FX
1955 750 Dresda Triton
1978 Moto Morini 350 Sport
1978 Honda CB400/4 'The Flying Banana'
1982 Laverda 120 Jota
2020 Royal Enfield Interceptor 650
1990 Honda VFR400R NC30

Offline Johnny4428

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Re: CB550 refurb
« Reply #251 on: June 29, 2025, 08:37:57 AM »
Certainly Dave! Bike is ready just waiting for the weather to improve now to put the final couple coats of lacquer on. I’m working with natural ventilation system for my painting so just trying to avoid dust storms!😜
1952 Cymoto on Triumph bicycle.
1961 Matchless G3
1974 Honda CB550K1
1978 Honda CB550K3
1999 ST1100 Pan European 50th Anniversary.
1975,1984,1986 Honda C90’s
1973 Honda CB750K3
1977 Honda CB550 (almost)

Offline Johnny4428

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Re: CB550 refurb
« Reply #252 on: July 27, 2025, 06:43:27 AM »
“Jade” is almost ready for a shake down. After fitting the tank back on yesterday, just an all over check for any loose fasteners etc before hitting the road required, hopefully later on today. She’s not a concours restoration but will be used as much as I can.
1952 Cymoto on Triumph bicycle.
1961 Matchless G3
1974 Honda CB550K1
1978 Honda CB550K3
1999 ST1100 Pan European 50th Anniversary.
1975,1984,1986 Honda C90’s
1973 Honda CB750K3
1977 Honda CB550 (almost)

Offline Craizeehair

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Re: CB550 refurb
« Reply #253 on: July 27, 2025, 08:59:21 AM »
That’s a super looking bike, I love that colour. I’m liking the look of these more and more, I think I want one!

Great job.

Offline Jond99

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Re: CB550 refurb
« Reply #254 on: July 27, 2025, 09:42:27 AM »
Xxxx
« Last Edit: May 30, 2026, 12:21:24 PM by Jond99 »