My Introduction, My 2nd bike, But My 1st Bob/Chop Project 78'

My Names Danny, I'm From Chicago, but currently live in Tennessee. I've been "Doing" Honda Cars since i was 15. After Getting my pride and Joy Stolen in the City, I decided at 23 i wanted to get away from the for a while So i Move to Tn by my Family and Next thing I knew... I had a Kid on the way... Just like that, Poof, Kid! Hahaha, just trying to make a long story Short. No, Not by my sister or cousin, hahaha. He (My Son, Sebastian) is worth every day of it though.

I bought my 1st Bike @ 22 y/o and SOLD it at 24, My 06' Harley Sportster 883r, when i found out I had a Little one on the way. Ive been wanting another Bike for a while... So after a little Searching and a lot of Staring... I finally came across a Project that Ran and Drove that i felt was a good starting point for me, so I bought it! Mind you I am a Single Father w/ Split Custody of my 2yr old son. So I'm Ballin' on a Budget!

I found a 1978 Honda CB550 / 750, Hardtail. That was in need of a Lot of Love, But Runs and Drive Right Nice. Basically a Stock Motor and trans from a CB550, Frame is from a CB750 that was Welded into a hardtail. Welds are Strong, But UgLy! She's got a few mods, Most are Budget and junkyard mods, but I'm OK with that. i plan on making her my OWN. Check her out.

My Old Sporty










Kick Start Video

Loooks like a fun project, whats the wire running from the top of the engine to the fork for?

Looks like a damn good start! What did they put over the seat, a trash bag?? Hahaha Looking forward to see what you do with it.

that's for the Tach.

Originally Posted by wahunterinrok

Loooks like a fun project, whats the wire running from the top of the engine to the fork for?

If your talkin about the loosely hanging wire, it was the start of an electric air horn. Or it could be my tach wire Or my wire for the non working electric start... hahaha

The seat is a piece of wood with an old leather screwed onto it, that is one of the 1st things i asked too. hahaha She'll be replace before long.

~Im gonna be cleaning up the wires, heat shrinking them and tucking better.

~Gotta fix my foot pedal / tail light. I ordered a new sensor, it only works when i pull the front brake (which doesn't work, due to a bad caliper). I'm really wanting to pull off all together...


~The headlight is busted, so i ordered a new 7" Clear Glass h4 housing to replace it


~And some New Fork mount brackets to pull the old sleeves off.


~I also ordered 2x mandrel bent U's to redo the exhaust, since its only spot welded and uneven on both sides.


~Next Things on my List are -> Seat, Tail Light, and I'm Debating if i want some new Bars (I've always had a thing for Z bars).

~I'm going to run and pick up a new Mig Welder this week, so I can clean up all the welds and make sure they're nice and strong. Plus I'm building a Turbo set-up for my project car so it'll come in handy for my intercooler

I've been debating on a color for my tank and fender (Rear) Front will be removed before long... I think I've decided on GREEN, it's just a matter of which green now. I'll be spraying it myself also.

looks like a really good base to start with

it sounds really cool in the video

Sweet Starting Point, I built a CB550 Cafe racer. that motor is pretty strong for what it is. Are u gonna rock it flat black or is there a paint scheme your thinking about doing?

Thanks for all the Kind words.
As far as Bike its Self:
The frame is gonna stay Flat or Satin Black.
The Front Fender is Coming off Or Being swapped out at least.
I am gonna smooth out the the Tank and Rear fender and I'm thinking Green Paint... Or Maybe Gold... Clean and Simple, Thats the way i like em.

The Little Man and I went Shopping and Picked up a Couple new tools...

Nice Project, what part of Tennessee you from, I'm in the Nashville area. Gotta 550 project of my own that's almost done.

Im over above jackson tn

A hardtail, sporty tank and kick ass sissybar that you can strap fuckin near anything to! Great start on a great chopper/bobber.

Thanks a lot, I'm wokin on cleanin up a bunch of stuff and changin her up a bit. gotta wait for my parts to finish coming in and the weather to break. I got her put away till all the rain and snow stops. waiting for my new seat and tail light still, then i'll pull her back apart.

Havent had to much free time. I put a new-er motor in the ol' ladys car, a Bigger motor in my car and bought an suv to drive my son around in. been pretty busy. finally got a nice night to work on the CB...

Cant see your last picture but the rest look like you got a good bike. Honda motors are tough as nails. I would chop that hartail off and start from scratch on that one but other than that you shouldnt need to do too much work.

It was a really nice day out, a little windy, but Nice. Played outside w/ my little man all day, But Did get a little work done while he was asleep. I painted a couple small things and mocked up my tail light.



Out with the Old, In with the... New Old...


(Tail light, not adjusted 100% Just gettin an idea )

Got my 2 dents Smoothed out, getting everything ready for paint. Filled 6 un needed holes on the rear fender. have been cleaning the frame up for a fresh coat of Black. Fender and Tank are going Gunmetal. Bars and headlight are done. working on the harness next, gonna clean it up A LOT. I have a Good Speedo, Tach, and the Bracket on the way. Been working on it after work after my son goes to sleep at night. lol

Couple pics:

Got my New (to me) Gauges and bracket in, the wires straightened up (Mocked up, Gotta go back thru and Sodder and replace them), The Red Circle in the last picture is the last "Cluster" of wires i have to cut out. There is still plenty to do on it. I'm adding quick connects for my blinkers and tail lights, so they can be removed as needed.

Side Note: Zip Ties are for Mock Up. After I Replace and Sodder everything it'll all be heat shrunk.














Does anyone have a diagram handy they could post up?
Im missing a wire from my foot pedal Brake Sensor.

Fixed the Wiring. Gotta pick up a pack of connectors for my tail light (quick release). so i can remove the tail light and fender as needed with out having to cut the wires. Everything is Soldered and Heat shrunk. Clear Zip ties are for mock up. still gotta pull it back apart to paint the frame.

Little Bit of an Update... had the afternoon off so i played w/ the bike a bit. gotta finish up my seat mount and set my tank where i want it and shoot some holes. Frame should be ready for paint next week.

I'm Debating if i want the sissy bar or just rear fender mounts...





I made my spring mounts outta a stock honda spare tire lug wrench and 2 washers... lol. before.