1974 Honda 550~Four – Café Racer or Bobber?

[linkpimp]

Hey team,
I just thought I would share my latest project, I’ve got a 37 year old motorcycle that I picked up a few weeks ago (cheep!) ie $200

As is (not running) but it did run the last time the owner tried it, (17 years ago).. Or at least that’s what I told.

Regardless, let’s move on to pics shall we..


Here what I get to work with..

Overall, IMO not a bad looking bike

 

[linkpimp]

Let the teardown commence:

I started with the carbs, why, well because when I open up the master cylinder to look, I saw this! I don't even know what the hell this is?, a mixture of water, fluid, and IDK??

So that’s why

Dam thou, this is ugly too.. lol.. oooo well anther fun project to keep me up a nights, well for a few months anyway..

 

[linkpimp]

OK.. after an overnight bath in the cleaner (Simply Green) this is what I have now, a clean bank of carbs to start with..

 

[linkpimp]

As many of you know, I’m a little different. Yeah lets go with that.. so please keep this in mind as your watch my progress unfold, I’m going to be doing (things) to this bike that well some of you might not like.. lol.. sorry, I got to be me..

So with that said, here’s some more shoots;

Yeah…. I polished, and polished and polished some more..

Then I painted them, Ooohh PLEASE… don't be soooo shocked.. Its what I do.. hahahaaa Yes, I used the right kind of paint too, no worries..

 

[linkpimp]

And then when you add the two together you get this

I’m also working on the bike itself too,

Here’s half of the front rim, I’m about 60 percent on this side

This is what awaits me on the other side..

But for the life of me.. I’m such a fricken dork!.. I know I’m going to end up painting the rims, hubs, spokes so why am I doing this.. answer.. I’m a dork who just wants to see it all shined up, before I paint it all up..

 

[linkpimp]

I also tested the head, Yep, I can and will polish that..

I’m waiting for a bunch of parts to show up, I’m going to be rebuilding the motor and so while I have it apart I’ll be painting and or polishing it up..


Basically.. I’m thinking the engine compartment in black and chrome, that will go with anything..

 

[linkpimp]

For the bigger picture / use of the bike, I’m thinking / struggling with the following.

“Old School” Cafe Racer

 

[linkpimp]

Or

 

[linkpimp]

“Old School” Bobber!

 

[linkpimp]

I’ve been doing tons of research, and either way I go, I’m looking at spending $1200 for all of the parts, so it’s a toss up.. Either way the overall theme will be painted in a “of course” WWII, ie. pin up on the tank, etc, etc..

So that’s all I’ve got team..

As always, it a pleasure to be, and thank for your time..

I’m keep you updated as progress proceeds..

Link..

 

[RogerB]

Wow, looks great so far! I vote for the old school bobber, love the classic look of those!

 

[INyooper]

First thing that I thought of was cafe racer ...not that it's my thing, but the bike just screams it (listen ...you don't hear that??? ). Love the pics!

 

[Dockem]

Looks like a nice renovation project! More than I'd be willing to get into.

Whatever you end up with, you'll really have something that you'll be proud of. Thanks for the pictorial.

 

[schafe]

My vote goes for the cafe look. That Image of the 250 (Ducati?) cafe racer is true stylin. In the late 60's I tried to do that with a 250 Benelli. It looked great, but I pushed it pretty hard,and it kept boiling its oil and lunching its piston. OH WELL! Those days the ride-to-repair time ratio wasn't so good.

 

[sepe]

Man I LOVE old school bobbers but I think that old Honda would make a great cafe racer. If it was an old Triumph, I'd be saying bobber. I have seen some nicely done Honda bobbers but they just look cafe racer to me.

 

[kevinj110]

Cafe it, bobbers and chops look funny with wide engines.

 

[Lucas156]

cafe racer!

 

[bigretic]

Cafe all the way. Nice project. I did a 66 honda 2 years ago. Will be starting another this summer. Here's what I wound up with:

Start:

Finish:

 

[OiRadio47]

Cool project. I vote cafe racer.

 

[CVMA544]

No cafe,

No bobbing,

CHOP IT

LONG BIKES RULE