Beschrijving
Vintage Patina Style ;), Modern Superbike Reliability. I built this bike to be the ultimate daily rider: 1970s soul with 2020s electronics and braking. Every single part is brand new or refurbished, except for the frame, engine block, and wheels.
THE BUILD PHILOSOPHY The goal was "Bulletproof Reliability." I replaced the unreliable 50-year-old tech with the best modern components available (Motogadget, Axel Joost, Nissin). Visually, it retains a raw, industrial "Patina" look—it’s not a show pony to be dusted; it’s a machine built to be ridden.
1. ELECTRICAL REVOLUTION (Totally Re-wired) No more vintage wiring Gremlins.
Brain: Re-wired from scratch using a D-Box Axel Joost control unit (switched from Motogadget for superior battery protection and robustness).
Controls: Full Motogadget handlebar switches (Buttons, not clunky plastic).
Lighting: Full LED conversion (Headlight, Tail light) + Motogadget Turn Signals.
Ignition: Original points retained but upgraded with a "Hondaman" Transistorized Control Unit (The gold standard for reliable spark).
Charging: New Battery, New Rectifier, New Starter Relay.
2. HANDLING & BRAKING (Modern Safety) This bike actually stops and turns.
Brakes: Massive upgrade to a Nissin Radial Master Cylinder (OEM from a 2008 CBR1000RR) paired with Brembo Carbon Pads.
Lines: Full HEL Braided Lines (deleted the spongy splitter/ hard line setup).
Suspension:
Front: Refurbished forks with new Hagon Progressive Springs.
Rear: Brand new Hagon shocks matched to the front.
Tyres: Avon Roadrider MKII front and rear (The best vintage tyre on the market). They have done less than 200 miles. To be honest, after I "finished the bike", I did only that amount of miles.
3. ENGINE & INTAKE
Exhaust: New Delkevic Stainless Steel system.
Intake: Airbox removed for weight/ simplicity. Replaced with a hand-cut Ramair foam filter (Note: I have kept the original airbox layout so it is 100% rain-proof).
Fuel: K&N In-line fuel filter.
Maintenance: New oil, filter, and pan gasket. Zero leaks—dry as a bone.
Cables: ALL new (Clutch, Throttle, Speedo).
THE HONESTY SECTION
Carbs: They are synced and the bike runs well, but to make it 100% perfect, they would benefit from a full refurbishment in the future. I will do it myself this year.
Aesthetics: As mentioned, this is a "Patina" build. The tank and paint are raw/ aged on purpose, not made like that, just not restored.
You could buy a shiny stock CB550 for £5k and spend the next year fixing the wiring and brakes. Or you can buy this—where the heavy lifting and expensive parts (Motogadget/ Hagon/ Brembo, Delkevic) are already done. Reason for sale: New baby forces sale (funding a sensible estate car).
