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Like most issues in life, constructing a customized motorbike is actually a course of. It begins with a imaginative and prescient, and (hopefully) ends with a practical expression of velocity and elegance—however you’ll should get your fingers soiled to get there. Lacing wheels, trimming tabs and constructing {an electrical} system are only a few of the much less glamorous duties you’ll have to deal with your self if you wish to construct a customized motorbike at house.
Whereas we gained’t liken ourselves to the proficient full-time builders we usually function on Bike EXIF, we all know what it takes to construct a enjoyable customized motorbike. And we figured there couldn’t be a greater excuse to construct bikes than to do it on firm time. Within the spirit of passing on some busted-knuckle data, I’ll introduce our newest How-To sequence—a full bike construct from begin to end, with all of the heavy lifting lined.
With the administration duped and some key sponsors on board, we had been able to kick this factor off, however first, we would have liked a motorcycle. I used to be foolishly left with the corporate’s checkbook and I had loads of concepts, however I wanted to maintain this low-cost in the event that they’d ever let me get away with it once more. ‘Please simply purchase one thing that runs,’ my coworkers urged me, however I simply couldn’t abide.
I reasoned that purchasing a clunker would depart us extra price range for mods, however actually, I had already spied a 1975 Honda CB550F regionally that was simply begging for a brand new lease on life. And what might make a greater story than that?
It was crusty in all the fitting locations and screamed card-carrying AARP member with two-tone brown paint, a brown couch on the again and a tin parking move from 1983. The true kicker was the worth, although, as the person needed simply $400—I discussed we’re on a price range, proper?
Regardless of being off the street for a good 40 years, the CB was really in fairly fine condition the place it mattered. The engine turned freely, the paperwork was all there and the odometer confirmed only a tick over 13,000 miles. It’s full (ish), however not too unique to chop up; ripe to rise from the ashes as one thing a bit extra thrilling.
A café racer construct is certainly the low-hanging fruit, however I used to be craving one thing a bit extra controversial, and a four-cylinder, tail-sliding tracker appeared like simply the factor. I’m pondering tracker bars, some gnarly rubber and a a lot slimmer alternative for that loveseat on the again. And there’s actually one thing we are able to do with these two-into-one exhausts.
With the CB within the store and on the raise, we leaned on a number of associates within the business for the big-ticket objects. Fortunately, they didn’t ask too many questions earlier than transport the products.
So stick round to look at our little Honda CB550F tracker construct go from rags to rugged riches, and accomplish that in a style that the majority anybody can replicate. However first, we should always most likely ensure that our 550 four-cylinder engine nonetheless has some battle in it after a four-decade slumber.
Photos by Dean Larson
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