CB550Jas 
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Location: Milton Keynes, UK
Bike: '83 CB550SC
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« on: August 25, 2009, 09:38:22 AM » |
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I've just picked up an '83 CB550SC non-runner project 'bike off Ebay. Looks like it'll take a few months to get back to reasonable condition but the biggest hurdle will be sourcing parts as it was never sold or supported in the UK. So I guess I'll be begging and trawling for all sorts of stuff over the next few months and hope this forum will be as usefull as it looks!
Well I've got me manual, paint job will be started as soon as I can source decent decals and seat recover etc on the list.
Shame it doesn't work yet....
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ToddW
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« Reply #1 on: August 25, 2009, 11:44:19 AM » |
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Not having been a sold or supported bike in UK gives you a challenge. Having the internet gives you a solution. My 550 is in great shape and all stock so I can provide photos or some "on my bike it looks like..." type of advice. From the picture that you have, I'd think it has some decent prospects of being a good running bike in short order. Just some patience, some time on US eBay and a lot of shipping fees.  How does a non-UK bike end up in your neck of the woods on eBay? |
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'83 CB550SC
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CB550Jas
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Location: Milton Keynes, UK
Bike: '83 CB550SC
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« Reply #2 on: August 26, 2009, 01:59:45 AM » |
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That's great thanks for the offer of help! The 'bike was imported about 1998, no idea why... The picture actually looks better than the real thing, as you start digging things get a little messy - but I guess it is 26 years old. Will update the project as I go
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Brittles
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« Reply #3 on: August 26, 2009, 07:47:19 AM » |
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Good luck with the project.
Keep in mind that a bunch of 650 parts will fit your bike.
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John
'84 CB700SC
'04 XL1200C
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CB550Jas
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Location: Milton Keynes, UK
Bike: '83 CB550SC
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« Reply #4 on: August 26, 2009, 08:04:29 AM » |
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Yeah I had figured there must be some crossover - problem is identifying which parts! I've looked at bikebandit but they use their own numbers not the OEM Honda ones so I can't work out where the parts are shared. Any tips? Thanks
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Brittles
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« Reply #5 on: August 26, 2009, 08:13:31 AM » |
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Go to a website like www.powersedge.com (there are a bunch of different ones). In the quick parts look up enter a part number for whatever the part number is for your bike and the results will show all bikes that part fits (did that make sense?). |
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John
'84 CB700SC
'04 XL1200C
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ToddW
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« Reply #6 on: August 26, 2009, 11:42:10 AM » |
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I feel like such a dolt... I never considered that I could search out 650 parts for possible compatibility to my 550. Seems so obvious now...  Thanks Brittles. |
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'83 CB550SC
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tractor
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84 700sc +other bikes
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« Reply #7 on: October 27, 2009, 05:52:46 PM » |
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hi got a 700 sc us import in uk myself www.davidsilverspares.com lots of n.o.s for all hondas loads of parts cross over to our uk bikes so no prob getting bits just use above link and search by model ie cb550sc ...happy shopping  |
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CB550Jas
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« Reply #8 on: November 02, 2009, 01:35:14 AM » |
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Hi Tractor, yeah I've been spending money with them already! Just getting the frame back from the paintshop this week so the rebuild begins...
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niteman
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Waiting for the wet season to end
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« Reply #9 on: November 02, 2009, 08:16:24 AM » |
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CB550Jas - There are definitely crossover parts. My official Honda Service Manual I just recently picked up for my 83 cb650sc actually states on the cover that it's for '83 cb650sc and cb550sc.
Also, there was a another forum member on here from the UK. He went by LuminousPube and he also had a 550sc. I haven't seen him post anything for a while though.
Anyway, congrats on the bike and on finding this great site.
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'86 CB450SC traded
'83 CB650SC sold
'09 GSX650-F
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B83550nighthawk
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Bike: 1983 Honda 550 Nighthawk
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Zombie bike, coming back from the dead
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« Reply #10 on: November 02, 2009, 11:03:09 AM » |
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Good luck on the bike! I have a 1983 CB550SC that I am in the middle of redoing as well, and it can be a pain, but it looks like you have all the difficult parts already! As long as you have the (1) pull cable for the throttle and (2) side covers, pretty much everything else is out there either on ebay or regular parts suppliers.
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CB550Jas
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« Reply #11 on: November 11, 2009, 01:50:11 AM » |
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OK, the frame's finally back from the paint shop so we have now stopped stripping and begun rebuilding! Finished one of the forks but the Progressive springs I'd bought were too small in diameter and rattled around inside - so back to stock springs. The frame is matt black and one of these pics shows how I've polished the top fork brace. Now to paint strip the engine and respray...
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ToddW
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« Reply #12 on: November 11, 2009, 06:18:37 AM » |
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You've got a lot of work ahead, but I'm impressed that you've opted to do the full rebuild. I'm interested in seeing the progress as you progress. Have you sent a message to teamnaptime as he's working on his 550 bobber project? Lot's of the 550 parts won't be going back on his bobber. Just a thought.
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'83 CB550SC
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CB550Jas
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Location: Milton Keynes, UK
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Posts: 84
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« Reply #13 on: November 11, 2009, 06:46:37 AM » |
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Yep I've already nudged him about spares! Not sure what else I will need at this stage - I think it's only really exhausts that I'm struggling with - the system is after market and a little rusted with a scratch on one muffler. But I don't want to go back to stock pipes - too quiet! I may end up painting this system for now.
The tank and panels have all been painted, got new bars, headlight and indicators. Should take about 2 months I think - getting too cold to spend too long in the garage now!
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B83550nighthawk
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Zombie bike, coming back from the dead
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« Reply #14 on: November 11, 2009, 06:51:15 AM » |
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Looking good so far! I am running into the same there here in the Midwestern US, if I want to get any work done today I am going to have to break in the new wood stove and build a fire in it! But sadly, am waiting on my turn signal stays to come in before I can do anything else on the front end, and am determined to not have too many parts off it at once lest I forget where they go. I have been taking pics before I disassemble though so should be ok.
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hppants
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"Aging is inevitable. Maturing is an option!"
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« Reply #15 on: November 11, 2009, 11:16:06 AM » |
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Is the triple clamp polished or is that the glare from the flash?
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2005 FJR1300
96 CB750 - sold
84 CB700SC - sold
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CB550Jas
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« Reply #16 on: November 12, 2009, 01:43:53 AM » |
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It's polished, I'm doing all the aluminium apart from some of the engine covers I want black. Lot of work with a Dremel, but you can get it looking like chrome eventually. Wanetor was the one that got me started on that...
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CB550Jas
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« Reply #17 on: November 20, 2009, 02:21:27 AM » |
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Well, I've got the rebuilt forks on now. Although my next job should be stripping the paint off the engine block I couldn't resist trying the new headlight and mini indicators. I've used a round headlight which is a CB900 replica and bushed it to the existing brackets with cut down rubbers from the old indicators. The new indicators are Highway Hawk, I like it! Now down to the dirty work.....
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hppants
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"Aging is inevitable. Maturing is an option!"
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« Reply #18 on: November 20, 2009, 06:18:31 AM » |
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Coming along nicely - your skills are very nice. One question - you seem to like the brushed/polished look. How do you plan to keep the metals from oxidizing and dulling over time? I spend a lot of time polishing just a few pieces on my bike - you will have your work cut out for you.
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2005 FJR1300
96 CB750 - sold
84 CB700SC - sold
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CB550Jas
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« Reply #19 on: November 20, 2009, 07:06:06 AM » |
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Yeah I had been wondering about that! I've used Mothers Wax for the final polish and I'm hoping that will protect the finish to some extent. I'm considering trying a laquer coat but I doubt that would work. As this bike will probably get sold shortly after being finished and never ridden in the wet I may just stick with the polishing routine, will have to wait and see how it oxides I guess. Keeps me out of the pub I guess!
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B83550nighthawk
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Zombie bike, coming back from the dead
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« Reply #20 on: November 20, 2009, 08:18:37 AM » |
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After you get done with the Mothers just use a good coating of a quality car wax. I twill still need to be slightly polished at least once a year, but nothing like the initial one! Its all part of taking care of your ride and keeping it looking good I would say. |
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CB550Jas
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Location: Milton Keynes, UK
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« Reply #21 on: March 01, 2010, 02:05:42 AM » |
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OK Here's the beginning of the Nighthawk 2010 rebuild quiz, lots of chances to win amazing prizes and demonstrate your knowledge of all things CB550... so here's the first question of many:  |
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CB550Jas
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Location: Milton Keynes, UK
Bike: '83 CB550SC
Posts: 84
Join Date: Aug, 2009
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« Reply #22 on: March 01, 2010, 02:09:58 AM » |
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What have i done wrong here then? (front right Engine mount) doesn't look right!
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B83550nighthawk
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Zombie bike, coming back from the dead
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« Reply #23 on: March 02, 2010, 09:03:15 PM » |
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I'll try and take a look at mine tomorrow and get back to you.
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ToddW
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« Reply #24 on: March 02, 2010, 11:16:31 PM » |
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Sorry for the crap pics, I can take more if needed. Just let me know the details you need.
The bike is in for the winter, so excuse the dust. Also adding the left side in case it helps.
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'83 CB550SC
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