My CB550 Four k1 journey

[Jond99]

Hi all

Joined about a month ago after purchasing my 550 K1. It’s A 75’ model in Flake Sunrise Orange, it’s fairly good condition but as with anything this age there a few jobs I’d like to do, some not necessary.

[Jond99]

One of the first jobs is to relocate the ignition barrel back to its original location.



Next up is some plumbing, currently doesn’t appear quite right!




Some work in progress from the wizzard of guages, more to come on that when they’re finished


I’d also like to do the lower bar conversion, but need to do some more research on that.

[Johnny4428]

Nice project Jon. Strange pipes, and strange colour too. Good luck with it!

[Jond99]

Nice project Jon. Strange pipes, and strange colour too. Good luck with it!

Thanks.

Yes, pipes are not OE which was a shame, I’d like to get something more like the original 4 into 4’s. Colour, to my none expert eye looks pretty close to Flake Sunrise Orange from the pictures I’ve seen, possibly it isn’t.

[Bryanj]

Same pipes as 500 standard, Delkavik is good as complete kit

[Bryanj]

From dss uk site, everything will transfer but new cables and top brake hose would be better.

[deltarider]

Routing of fuel tubes is prone to cause issues. I envy those little clamps though. Where can I get them?

[Jond99]

From dss uk site, everything will transfer but new cables and top brake hose would be better.

Thanks Bryan

[Johnny4428]

Nice project Jon. Strange pipes, and strange colour too. Good luck with it!

Thanks.

Yes, pipes are not OE which was a shame, I’d like to get something more like the original 4 into 4’s. Colour, to my none expert eye looks pretty close to Flake Sunrise Orange from the pictures I’ve seen, possibly it isn’t.

Sorry Jon, the light and the pictures themselves are not the true representation of the colour.

[K2-K6]

Routing of fuel tubes is prone to cause issues. I envy those little clamps though. Where can I get them?

They are used on automotive applications, common on German cars, often on Audi VW vehicles. Small "Knipex twingrip" pliers make them very easy to move around.

Alternatively, I like these type "single ear stainless hose clamps" that have a very compact profile/space requirement/broad clamping surface amalgam to work exceptionally well with small hoses.
A little more difficult to use, should have a dedicated "setting" tool .... but can effectively be set with a old style nail puller type plyer to "crimp" them.

With those type, you can latch them, slide into place and gently squeeze them to closure (it bends two kink into that ear shape) which makes one of the most secure and neat hose clamp arrangement I've used. They are super neat and use, effectively, an uninterrupted band to gently caress  the rubber hose uniformly all around it's circumference.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

I bought some on ebay, I think it was a selection box of different diametrs.

[Seabeowner]

From dss uk site, everything will transfer but new cables and top brake hose would be better.

If you want throgh the bars wiring check with DSS that they have the holes. I used the ones they listed for the 550F which did have holes but now seem OOS. These are for a 750 so not sure if ok, but do have the holes:
https://www.motorcycleproducts.co.uk/chrome-78-handlebars-25-rise-holes-for-wiring-honda-cb750k/1/015257