Regulars Rides: Steve's Honda CB550 K3 Shed-Build

In 2015, Steve was having a rough point in his life, so decided he needed to immerse himself in a project. So he bought a barn find, knackered up Honda.
Here's the fun twist though, Steve didn't actually hold a motorcycle license!
But, despite that minor hindrance, he set to work and over the last two years tinkered and toiled to create this beautiful CB550 café racer.
Teaching himself metal work, fibreglass modelling, engine rebuild and a whole lot of cleaning and restoring skills and more, he then submitted his creation into The Bike Shed London 2018 Show and surprised himself when we said yes (we didn't hesitate for a second though).
What Steve created is what shed building is all about and the what The Bike Shed was built upon.
We say well done sir!

[@stephenmarshall3175]

I forgot to mention in this that I'm super-grateful to my good pal, Winkle, who allowed me to use his workshop, bust a few of his tools, put up with me trying to run before I could walk, and generally help me from total newbie to someone who has at least a good understanding of why my welds look like pigeon shit! Having someone like this who was totally tolerant of me taking up some of his space was truly crucial in my ability to put this bike together. Thanks man, you're a true friend!

[@beobe99]

Awesome build man, super clean.. And it sounds super crisp!

[@stephenmarshall3175]

@@beobe99 cheers man!

[@iwantoffroad]

@stephen do you have any more videos on this bike or a forum build thread ?

[@thewanderingrey8830]

Great work mate. I don't know if I have enough patience to work for two years transforming a piece of crap into a beauty like yours but the result is certainly stunning! Great job and Happy New Year!

[@danwarren6068]

What carb jetting did you go for in the end?

[@allanlloydlim9801]

The Exhaust note is EPIC ! 😳

[@garyjohnson4575]

When I was young the seventies bikes were all being run with open headers. You could hear them echoing off the buildings in Manhattan. I said someday that's going to be me, and when it did that was an extremely happy moment. I knew some kid was listening to wide open headers, popping like fireworks on deceleration (we didn't have Power Commanders, only jets.) Back in the 80's that popping was great in tunnels!!

[@John-yg2rt]

This thing sounded nothing like I expected it to

[@stephenmarshall4427]

It’s a mental sound, isn’t it? To be honest, it’s the real reason (other than the look) that I love this thing

[@Redshift313]

This thing is in the ideling Key of Ab/G# sweet

[@stephenmarshall4427]

Redshift313 cool man, how’d you figure that out?

[@Ritalie]

As someone who has worked on many old Japanese bikes. I'll save some people years of trouble. Steve is right! If you want the most power, and the best throttle response, and the best high RPM performance, leave your stock airbox, 100% stock. Also leave your mufflers 100% stock, with the factory baffles. Do not drill a single hole in the air box. Do not change to a different air filter. Run the stock carburetors with their vacuum slides, with a stock air filter, and stock air box, in the stock location. Do not modify it. You will be absolutely astonished how much more power your bike has with the stock air box, even though it looks like it has a tiny orfice, it was engineered to work properly. As soon as you drill a single hole in the air box, you drastically change the jetting requirements, and the engine will not have as much power. I rode for years on 400cc Yamaha XS400 twin, and it never had very much power, and felt boggy. One day I plugged the 1" holes I had drilled in the airbox, and the engine gained 20% more power on top, it became a snarling beast that wanted to rev to 10,000 rpms. If you open up the mufflers, that also changes the jetting. The easiest way to start a motorcycle project is to start with stock mufflers, and a stock airbox. Then, modify ONE THING at a time, while making a before and after comparison. You'll never know how much power your engine is supposed to have, unless you start with the STOCK AIR BOX, and STOCK JETTING. If you don't know what the "baseline" is, then you'll be searching endlessly without any reference, wondering what your bike is supposed to run like. Start stock, even if it seems counter intuitive.

[@thatdustinleblanc]

I keep returning to this bike as one of my favorite builds

[@stephenmarshall6004]

Thanks mate!!

[@jasunjames]

Me too lol

[@iantaylor6832]

I hope to have mine as nice as this sweet bike 💯💯💯

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Oh wow, I wish I had the skill, time, patience and where-with-all to do something like that - lovely machine (and I don't even like cafe racers!!).....great vid once again guys, lovin' your content....

[@stephenmarshall3175]

If I can teach myself to do all this, having zero background in the process, so can you!

[@jaydmhearne]

Here you go... suchen.mobile.de/fahrzeuge/details.html?id=268604241&damageUnrepaired=NO_DAMAGE_UNREPAIRED&isSearchRequest=true&maxFirstRegistrationDate=1950&minFirstRegistrationDate=1930&pageNumber=5&scopeId=MB&sfmr=false&sortOption.sortBy=searchNetGrossPrice&sortOption.sortOrder=ASCENDING&searchId=3e0bf6c1-b5b3-984f-3b8a-ca8ae1e5779a

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

@@stephenmarshall3175 Nice one Steve - love your bike but don't underestimate your achievement here - what you've done is something very special that not everyone can do....because of skill, time, patience, where-with-all, etc.....enjoy and ride safe buddy!

[@gwilliamwallace]

Absolutely fabulous job. I still have the 550 I bought new when I was in high school. It hasn't run in 30 years but this proves that given the time and the will I could bring her back to life. Nothing sounds quite like those 550s with a proper exhaust system. My bike was still running strong with 80,000 miles when she went to sleep. Time to wake her up.

[@stephenmarshall4427]

George Wallace mate... that sounds like you’ll have as much fun as I did!!

[@Hariharan-ms1fr]

How did it go?

[@gwilliamwallace]

@@Hariharan-ms1fr I've been thinking about the restoration for quite some time and was saving up for it. Then in late 2017 I came across a brand new 2014 CB1100 for $6,199. I bought it immediately and installed a set of Arrow headers straight away. So the 1100 has twice the power, better brakes, better suspension, a hydraulic clutch, and fuel injection. It's a great ride which I'm very happy with and nicely pairs with my '14 CB1000R. Still there is nothing like the sound and feel of the old 550F. Long answer to the "how did it go?" The short answer is it didn't. Yet.

[@robraver]

that looks sweet. So glad you got into this, nothing like a project to give you purpose in life! love the 70's engine...they look bulletproof.

[@VadersDarkside]

Nice , clean build and a massive undertaking considering how the bike started off. I tip my hat to you Sir and what wonderful motivation to get through your CBT and test. 👍

[@stephenmarshall4427]

VadersDarkside thanks mate, it was a proper challenge, and I loved every minute of it!

[@The333]

Fantastic restore - absolutely love it. So many cool bikes/bikers at the Bike Shed. The UK riding scene rocks!

[@cdjmk1000]

I just love these regular rides series. Thank you !

[@joepphoto]

This is so sweet, absolutely beautiful lines and subtle but unique features in the top plate etc.

[@MaestorShake]

One of my favorites on here recently, beautiful.

[@yahoodlums]

Amazing job. Beautiful, clean lines and great attention to detail. Sounds great too.

[@baldvale5418]

I remember when Bikes used to sound like that. Amazing bike.

[@stephenmarshall4427]

bald vale they do again... thanks mate!

[@baldvale5418]

@@stephenmarshall4427 Your welcome.

[@rickyj1]

Why does it sound so good?

[@nowthisis2stupid]

FZ6 Fazer M8.

[@nowthisis2stupid]

@tyvek05 Yeah, the Japanese can mass produce motors capable of 16,000 rpm, and going 100,000 miles. Please tell me, what does an EVO motor rev to and how long before they need rebuilt?

[@olrenison]

That's a beauty. Such a lot of work into it. It sounds amazing too. 👌

[@marcoblo2489]

That racey sound is savoureux

[@timon1964]

Love the switches. Hell of an undertaking, you're a brave man! The end result is definitely worth it - nice job

[@marcusquinn8593]

Nice clean and honest bike, well done! Those pipes are awesome too. Enjoy what is a great bike.

[@deedler5687]

Very clean build. Well thought out and executed. I give it high marks in all areas.

[@minifunkenn]

Magic. Buttons/swiches are brutal!

[@arkasadhu2820]

I fell in love as soon as I saw that smooth little rear cowl.

[@CarloRae]

Awesome build sir! So many unique ideas. I've learned a lot from this video👍👍👍🤘🤘🤘

[@nympholepticmonkey352]

Extremely sweet build!👍 It looks and sounds fantastic!!😁

[@TINKcustoms]

Love the custom tail piece, just beautiful. Overall aesthetics are very classy, great job. And boy does it sound good!

[@tuckamorecustomknives4550]

Congrats on this build Man-Wicked~Awesome!⚡️🤘🏻👍🏻

[@gerritvictor1110]

The exhaust sounds brilliant without having the need for volume. The seating reminds me of the 80's Suzuki Katana. I rode with my feet behind me on the pillion rider's foot rests to avoid back and thigh cramping!

[@rogermoore6102]

That engine sound was the bike worlds equivalent of Barry White getting his groove on...with Brian Blessed. Much kudos to you for. Making that an incredible sounding bike.

[@stephenmarshall4427]

Roger Moore 😂

[@dennisc.1189]

Great job you pulled that bike out of the grave and made it a bike of beauty just awesome.

[@vinnartaigh2076]

Brings back memories of my Navy days. Nice color too. Thanks.

[@schnitzelfarter]

Handsome bike! Love this kind of silhouette and stance.

[@jasonpurwoko745]

I adore this bike... clean, humble, yet has it’s own pride...

[@jackleonard2088]

Lovely build and great job on the tail section.

[@schemsimon4160]

Sounds amazing and looks clean and simple.

[@thomaspenny8360]

Very inspiring! Love it!! You got the wheels turning in my head now.

[@Keionspost]

The bike is absolutely amazing and I can see the work you've put in it to have looking exactly how it it. I hope you do a whole lot more in time.

[@stephenmarshall4427]

keion williams cheers mate, just need to get a workshop of my own...

[@camoramirz]

that's a beauty of a built.

[@moddude101]

Amazing build and the fact that it was a basket case makes it that much cooler!

[@T0BBi94]

Wow! One of the nicest CBs I have seen! It also has the best exhaust note, lovely!

[@stephenmarshall3175]

she's a screamer for sure!

[@aminedouifi2077]

Shiiit !!! That exhaust sound ❤ amazing bike.... I liked the simplicity about it ... I wasn't expecting that sound at all

[@andydonaldson22]

That sounds awesome! Great video and lively build

[@momsazombie1]

WOW, cb550 is my favourite sounding bike

[@Jooeffoh]

good job on reviving an old bike. The engine sounds pretty damn sweet!

[@DB-so8zc]

Awesome build. Love the simplicity and the use of custom fabrication. Great job!

[@stephenmarshall3175]

Thanks murt! The cb range has a lot more to give than i've seen in relation to simplicity. There's a massive amount of natural character to them which i wanted to extract. I suspect that my next might take a similar direction with a different model...

[@j_makfckndaddeh6889]

I’m just starting to get into bikes. I still need to do all my schooling and test. But these models made me fall in love. Yeah sure Yamaha r1s, Ducati panegali’s are all nice but these are a work of art I want one so bad I want this this to be my first bike and my last !!! It’s so hard to find one at my location…

[@DriversSide]

Absolutely gorgeous!!! Looks so good! Hopefully my CB650 turns out this well

[@corvinhua4479]

Holy Cow!!! That's an awesome bike. To think that you pretty much brought it back from the dead. Such a labour of love.

[@wandae6352]

Love this build This was the inspiration for my cg 125 build, simple yet beautiful

[@andylaye6216]

Nice bike, mate. Love the sound. Merry xmas and ride safe and free.

[@stephenmarshall4427]

andy laye cheers man!

[@trym666]

Brilliant. Just brilliant. The lines, the flow, the machining. And that sound is to die for.

[@stephenmarshall3175]

cheers mate - it's the little things that make it

[@c0mputer]

Definitely like this bike. Nothing crazy, just subtle and elegant. A bunch of tasteful changes that equal a really nice looking ride.

[@senatorairsoft]

Beautiful CB, one of the best 550s I've ever seen, the ell done!

[@stephenmarshall3175]

thanks mate, I deliberately tried to remove the feel from every other cb I've seen, simple look too.

[@mcgama88]

I was in awe at the sound of this machine. That exaust is unique. The LEd custom...is what I now want in my builds. M.

[@jacob14163]

The detail on this has got to be one of the best I've seen on a cb. Fantastic job, it looks so good.

[@BikeShedMotoCo]

Thank you Jacob, glad you like it!

[@michaelblencowe4241]

Super clean and beautiful!!! Great job!

[@MatNewtonTrio]

Great build. The thing sounds incredible. Well done!

[@AndrewBoundy]

Really great build! And that exhaust note - wow.

[@stephenmarshall4427]

Andrew Boundy thanks mate

[@GZamoraPhotographie]

That's one awesome bike! great job! and that exhaust sounds amazing!

[@stephenmarshall4427]

Mark Glenn Zamora cheers mate!

[@JonnoDoesStuff]

Bravo, fella! One of my favourites so far. To bring a bike back from the dead and turn it into that is an amazing achievement.

[@stephenmarshall4427]

Jonathan Hopkins cheers man! Super chuffed to get all these positive comments

[@mattmcmaniac]

Looks really nice. Impressed you were willing to take that on, it was knackered in the before photos.

[@stephenmarshall3175]

It was truly wrecked!!! I like the fact that I saved it from going to the scrap yard!

[@IshwaraYogaNET]

That build is beautiful !!! And the motor sounds so sweet

[@steelandglass]

Just found the “Bike Shed” a few weeks ago. Awesome ! I wake each morning ready to see what they posted. Beautiful job mate. The exhaust note is over the top. What a beautiful labor of love and respect that moto represents. Stay UpOn2 Cheers from Texas to you Sir!

[@stephenmarshall4427]

They’re a lovely bunch of folks too!

[@craigberesford440]

Sounds awesome. Nice build 👍🏼

[@anup2282]

Wait,it sounds so f fantastic damn simple clean lines yet powerful robust engine..awsome great work

[@stephenmarshall4427]

kishor kamble cheers man!

[@TheJacali]

That’s probably the coolest little Honda I’ve ever seen!

[@stephenmarshall4427]

John son cheers mate!

[@phantomchuckles]

Almost a year later and I still LOVE this build. Steve this is a beautiful build.

[@stephenmarshall4427]

charles kiarie cheers mate!

[@KingstonLaneWorkshop]

An absolute beauty.

[@ametti000]

Amazing work. I would have given up long ago. Congratulations.

[@tamirtamir5170]

wow.. cant believe what you made from the junk it was 😍👍 youre a brave man

[@lauramaunder7152]

Fabulous bike.......beautifully converted and it sounds as good as it looks!

[@jimallen199]

Nice build mate, & that sound you gotta love that honda four

[@yorkshirehumbergroundsmain9536]

This is amazing , would be my ideal bike…. Love the whole look! Something I will aspire to once I’ve passed my test 👍

[@StarTrekBro]

alot of great little details bike guys will appreciate. Awesome build

[@ronlheureux7623]

You have created a beauty, my friend. Nothing sounds quite like an inline 4 cylinder motorcycle engine. Your exhaust really sounds wonderful.

[@stephenmarshall6004]

Ron LHeureux cheers mate!

[@rrobotman]

Very much in the spirit of the 70s Honda fours - really nice build!

[@stephenmarshall3175]

thanks man!

[@Ha3731]

This looks like a proper rockers bike! Well played sir, well played!

[@stephenmarshall4427]

Ha3731 cheers mate, I’ve even got oily jeans and boots... and pissed off the local 4th hand Mercedes idiots. Interestingly, the scooter boys are super-interested...

[@07BLUESTORM]

That is One Beautiful bike. The exhaust sound is out of this world. 👍💯

[@vinzzzV]

Fantastic build. And boy, that sound

[@BigmaseHdog]

Fantastic, it looks gorgeous.

[@st3phenJC]

Was not expecting that exhaust note. Epic.

[@Alex46312]

Looks and sounds awesome. Great work.

[@a.kastner5588]

I‘m not quite sure how many times I’ve watched this video, it’s so inspiring for me 😂 I think it was more than 20 times 👌

[@BikeShedMotoCo]

A. Kastner that’s great! And thanks for keeping our view count up!

[@stephenmarshall6004]

thats a really gratifying comment mate - lovely that someone else likes the outcome as much as I do! Hope you take as many ideas from this (and build on them) as you want. Make something awesome!

[@recyclebills]

I had a new '75 K1 CB 550, most amazing motorcycle I ever owned. 15,000 RPM no problem! Faster on top end than CB750s, lighter, and easier to ride. I wish I still had it today.

[@az-cafe-moto]

Top notch with the details. That sound too wow. Thanks for sharing.

[@stephenmarshall6004]

Sounds like stink, right?

[@nowthisis2stupid]

This video was good, I watched it twice. The exhaust note is empyrean.

[@stephenmarshall6004]

Plight_of_Icarus great word!

[@deborahchesser7375]

Love the lines of the older Honda’s, my gosh, they are becoming scarce, Finally motorcycles are gaining value exponentially.

[@colinwood1802]

Stunning looking Bike m8,,,well done,,,,,wow

[@stephenmarshall4427]

Colin Wood thanks Colin

[@julietmike1018]

I've done a few builds and this looks like quality work for an experienced builder. Very well done.

[@stephenmarshall6004]

Joshua Miller thanks mate. Looking forward to the next one!

[@gregs909]

Fantastic build! Congrats!

[@mickmouse3513]

Always good to see something different, great little bike.

[@stephenmarshall4427]

Jean Clifton thanks Jean!

[@thetrailbuzzard]

Great job on the rebuild. My first street bike as a teenager was a 1981 Honda CX500. I wish I still had it today to do what you've done to your bike. I love the sound of your machine too!

[@stephenmarshall4427]

The Trail Buzzard in Pittsburgh thanks man!

[@bambinocustoms5497]

I love the sound of the exhaust 👌 nice bike 👌

[@treasureadventures1975]

This bike looks incredible! Steve you should be really proud of yourself and your bike.... its simply breath-taking...

[@stephenmarshall6004]

Thanks mate, I love a few things about it: how it turned out, keeping it running, the interest it gets, how it rides, and finally (pretty obvious really 🤪) that sound!!

[@armstrong990]

That’s sounding fantastic!

[@kennethclarkbenitez1433]

Bruh, the pipe is really amazing to hear

[@66smashy]

Awesome, incredible transformation. Ive always loved the look of the cylinder block/head design of those, its a kind of accidental industrial beauty that Honda can always revive. Talking of accidental when I was a kid I was with me mum in Wellingborough and as we were walking along the pavement I noticed that a coach that had turned right had knocked a biker off a gleaming new machine and its rear wheels were imminently going flatten a big chunk of the bike and quite probably the legs of the rider. Seeing the impending catastrophe I stepped out into the road holding my hand up to the driver of the coach whilst pointing to the guy under the coach. Driver of the coach stopped and bystanders stepped in to haul the guy and his CB550 from underneath. I was feeling well chuffed with myself stepping out onto the road like that, what with me being like six years old.

[@stephenmarshall3175]

That's proper hero work Simon! i love the configuration of these engines

[@66smashy]

@@stephenmarshall3175 Thanks. Another time me mum was taking me into town in her Morris Traveller and on entering a 90 degree corner in a Bedfordshire village we had an encounter with a guy on an early large capacity Kawasaki Z series. He had obviously completely mis-judged the corner or was assuming that no one was coming from the other direction. I can remember him coming round the corner, seeing the Morris, slamming on the brakes, getting on a massive wobble before hitting the car sideways on and sliding out on the deck. A guy in a vicars outfit come out of a nearby house to help the motorcyclist who was nursing his wounds. Me mum was quite shocked by the whole experience but I was sat there thinking "those Japanese motorcycles with the four cylinders must be great fun"

[@s888myr]

I definitely prefer the CB350/400/500/550/650 bikes over the CB750 in terms of engine design!

[@bakasahara1213]

Beautiful beautiful build, so clean! That pipe is super neat, would hoped you talk more about it, sounds awesome. Hopefully lucky enough to see it in person someday.

[@stephenmarshall6004]

It’s a Carpy stainless, which I messed around with to get that rear kick-up

[@stanvandervegte8969]

It looks really great! I'm currently building a Honda CB125T cafe racer. The bike was in about the same shape as yours was in the beginning. Your build has really given me inspiration for the end result!

[@stephenmarshall3175]

go nail it mate!

[@fredtracy1673]

Obviously alot lighter than stock, I've owned 2 '77 CB550K's. Nice job. Cheers from Canada 🇨🇦.

[@turbogrin]

Good Job on the Rebuild !!

[@captainindulgence5809]

I own a '78 CB550K myself. All original except the 4 into 1 pipe. Your exhaust sounds wicked. Awesome build. been daydreaming about doing something like what you've done for a while now. Cheers...