RB550FOUR SEZ HI
HI,I'M NEW TO THIS SIGHT,I'M FROM UPSTATE N.Y. BOTH OF MY KIDS ARE GROWN AND LEFT THE NEST LAST YEAR ,THIS HAS LEFT A HOLE IN MY LIFE THAT HAS LEAD ME BACK TO A LOVE THAT I HAVE BEEN MISSING FOR OVER TWENTY YEARS,MOTORCYCLES. I HAVEN'T TURNED A WRENCH ,TOOK ANYONE ELSE'S BIKE FOR A QUICK RIDE,OR READ AN ARTICLE ABOUT BIKES SINCE 1983.
LAST FALL I PULLED AN OLD 550 OUT OF STORAGE AND STARTED THE REBUILD,BOUGHT A PARTS BIKE BUT FOUND IT WAS TOO GOOD FOR PARTS,SO I REBUILT THAT TOO.BOUGHT ANOTHER PARTS BIKE AND THAT WAS ALSO TOO GOOD FOR PARTS,TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT ,I'VE REBUILT 4COMPLETE BIKES BY SPRING OF THIS YEAR, 4 OTHER MOTORS WAITING FOR FRAMES W/TITLE.THIS HAS TURNED INTO AN OBSESSION ONCE AGAIN AND I LIKE IT!
UPSET THAT I CAN'T RIDE IN THE SNOWY MONTHS, MY NEXT PROJECT IS TO BUILD A 550 WITH A SNOWMOBILE TRACK AND DUAL SKIS ON AN OLD SCHOOL SEMI CHOPPED BASE. I HAVE A FRAME STRIPPED AND WILL BEGIN THE PROJECT NEXT WEEKEND AND IF ANYONE HAS INTEREST ,I'LL SNAP PICTURES FOR UPDATES AND INPUT WILL ALWAYS BE WELCOME. I HAVE SEEN ALLOT OF POSITIVE INPUT FROM EVERYONE AT WRIST TWISTERS AND I EXPECT THIS WILL BE A GOOD THING.
HAPPY TO BE HERE AND THANKS FOR HAVING ME
LAST FALL I PULLED AN OLD 550 OUT OF STORAGE AND STARTED THE REBUILD,BOUGHT A PARTS BIKE BUT FOUND IT WAS TOO GOOD FOR PARTS,SO I REBUILT THAT TOO.BOUGHT ANOTHER PARTS BIKE AND THAT WAS ALSO TOO GOOD FOR PARTS,TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT ,I'VE REBUILT 4COMPLETE BIKES BY SPRING OF THIS YEAR, 4 OTHER MOTORS WAITING FOR FRAMES W/TITLE.THIS HAS TURNED INTO AN OBSESSION ONCE AGAIN AND I LIKE IT!
UPSET THAT I CAN'T RIDE IN THE SNOWY MONTHS, MY NEXT PROJECT IS TO BUILD A 550 WITH A SNOWMOBILE TRACK AND DUAL SKIS ON AN OLD SCHOOL SEMI CHOPPED BASE. I HAVE A FRAME STRIPPED AND WILL BEGIN THE PROJECT NEXT WEEKEND AND IF ANYONE HAS INTEREST ,I'LL SNAP PICTURES FOR UPDATES AND INPUT WILL ALWAYS BE WELCOME. I HAVE SEEN ALLOT OF POSITIVE INPUT FROM EVERYONE AT WRIST TWISTERS AND I EXPECT THIS WILL BE A GOOD THING.
HAPPY TO BE HERE AND THANKS FOR HAVING ME
Total Comments 10
Comments
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Pics of the projects would be great. If you read my reply to your intro thread you'll see I have a special interest in these bikes. I'd love to do a full restore on one someday.Posted 10-03-2010 at 07:42 AM by HondaJim 
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These machines seem to be plentiful in the winter months,guys end up disappointed with the lack of progress on there project,the ladies want their men in the house and selling the machines to make more space ends up sounding like a good idea...so they are around in restorable condition, parts bikes are cheap,and Honda has plenty of parts.tough part is to get a frame with title.I 've cut down TV time and spend it building machines on week nights, ride on weekends.There will be pics with progress.
Posted 10-03-2010 at 08:02 PM by rb550four 
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The snowmobile (a skidoo) was delivered last night.I was chompin at the bit all day ,got home went straight to the garage,got all the tools ready but only needed a sawzall,a drill,and a 10 mm wrench.it don't look like a snowmobile anymore.I laid out the final drive,550 frame and straight axle with skis, so I can see what kind of steel to get.This will be a long machine when it's done.I'll post some pics in a few days when it's starting to look like something.
Posted 10-04-2010 at 07:07 PM by rb550four
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The skidoo is in lots of pieces all over the garage. I have a 24 x 32 garage dedicated to bikes and between the ten 550's and the new machine ,there is barely a place to work. no man's garage is ever big enough.
Spent the evening grinding off mounts that won't be used on the frame.Had some 1 1/2" tube bent to house the final drive and tack welded it in,I'll have a friend do the real welding as this is something I'm not so good at. picked up some 1" and 3/4" tube for added supoort and some flat steel for gussets. lots of cutting and grinding to do this weekend if I can find some time.Posted 10-06-2010 at 08:33 PM by rb550four
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The snowmobike is starting to take shape. Thought I may sharpen my lack of welding skills by actually doing the welding.....lots of grinder time and rewelds ,hope it all holds.Spent all night in the shop ,wife has been very good about this.Figured out the power transfer setup,I was torn between belts or chain drive,going with the chain. picked up a GPZ1100 for parts, the large seat, shocks, and lighting should work alright.There may be other parts that could be used later.Set a dead 550 motor in the cradle to align the power transfer and final drive.Should have some pics in a few days.Some of my friends have thought this may not be hardcore motorcycling, but, I'm thinking any ride will be a good ride in the winter.
Posted 10-10-2010 at 02:37 PM by rb550four
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You gonna drive a studded snow tire on the rear of this thing?
Posted 10-11-2010 at 06:26 AM by HondaJim
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No, I removed the swingarm assembly and made a tube frame to house the skidoo track.there is a mile and a half pond in front of my house that was hoping to tease snowmobiles on, I was thinking that dropping a 500lbs machine on the ice with two wheels would probably hurt,crack the ice and sink,or both. so I'm opting for a wider stance on the rear and 2 ski's on the front for a stable ride.I understand that the 550 only does under 95 mph factory geared on the road,but maybe a little gear change on a non friction surface can get it a little quicker.
Posted 10-12-2010 at 08:58 PM by rb550four
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Studded snows..... didn't think of that.
Posted 10-12-2010 at 09:00 PM by rb550four
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Made some triple trees today ,ground down some pipes for the stationary forks,tacked the skis on,mounted some handlebars just to see. took some pics last night... too dark, sorry. Have to do some daytime pics in a clean garage.
Posted 10-14-2010 at 04:57 PM by rb550four
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pictures on recent entry "snowbike".
Posted 10-14-2010 at 06:40 PM by rb550four
Updated 10-14-2010 at 06:42 PM by rb550four
