Staff Bikes: Harry's custom Honda CB550 Four

[@the_mad_ratter]

The reg plate (silver on black) is legal if you register the bike as a Vehicle of Historic Interest (rolling 40 years old) which also means no MOT!! My 78 CB550 became one this year and now sports a silver on black reg :D

[@Alex-dr6or]

How does it work for a custom bike? How do they determine which year it is? You can use a frame from 76, engine from 78 and other custom part... I'm curious to know

[@davidtelford4160]

It will be whatever it states on the V5

[@RarefiedRoad]

I like that a lot. Properly functional. Good job Harry.

[@RarefiedRoad]

Also like that 'definitely road legal' number plate.

[@BikeShedMotoCo]

Definitely legal, officer!

[@retrotellephone]

Functional? With those shitty firestones? hahahah

[@Alex76182]

exactly! @@retrotellephone

[@N0v3LisT]

Fantastic taste. Beautifully executed. You’ve inspired my new build!

[@recyclebills]

My first bike was a new '74 CB 550 Four. Best motorcycle I ever owned.

[@CNDUK-q8r]

That's a very impressive locution Harry, your mother must be proud of you!

[@eddiecaplan1908]

I love this!!, back in 1996, i picked up a old tatty cb5504, for 3 hundred quid as a part ex from a dealer, it had been sprayed matt black, ...probably by a very drunk chimp, and had some unusual features, external fork springs, rear springs from a 70s cz dirtbike, very short four into two megas, twin yellow headlights, hand made drilled steel footrest plates mounted very far back, i was told by the dealer the starter motor was dead, hence low price, but it turned out to be just a weak battery, a brilliant bike, i had it for just over two years, it sat outdoors, in sun,rain, snow, never broke down,

[@yashrajsingh6537]

One of the most bad ass looking bikes I've ever seen, and definetly THE BEST SOUNDING BIKE EVER. In love with your art piece.

[@firefly2309]

he’s got the best bike amongst the staff for sure

[@shaneweightman]

Great idea to use the triangle under the seat for storage , exactly what I would have done ,, cheers Shane uk 🇬🇧 sounds brill

[@someperson9262]

Seriously! I can't believe I've never thought of that/seen more people do the same thing!

[@benluna-vasquez3718]

Where is the oil tank?

[@Primo_Golf]

the lighting is so minimal but comes together so nicely on this bike......well done.

[@shawndcunha6309]

love the bike, kept simple and looks amazing and love the sound

[@Mario-su6xy]

That sound is absolutely insane

[@rgl8888]

Thanks for clearing that up. I like a lot of the bikes and the general feel of Bike Shed itself so don't get me wrong. I am an old bogey who remembers the good old days of building specials in the garden shed. At least we didn't have to mess about with fuel modules and fuel injection. Just good old carbs and changing jet sizes. Love the recent Thruxton article by the way

[@BikeShedMotoCo]

Thanks Rupert. Our main goal is to celebrate all biking, full stop. Newbies are just as important as those who've been-there-and-bought-the-t-shirt, and we like modern bikes just as much we love old classics and resto-mods. - As they say; "Two Wheels, Good".

[@d.danish9894]

Do more of this series

[@BikeShedMotoCo]

We will...

[@VictorVictor-hq7ui]

Nice bike. It's also good to see it has the number plate where it shoud be, which is rarely seen on cafe racer builds. I'm building a CB450 cafe racer now and dislike the way some bikes have their plate mounted at the side of the wheel. 🖒

[@alpinebreed1774]

ok im really interested about the plate now XD

[@someperson9262]

Apparently the silver on black colorway is illegal for certain bikes of certain years or something like that over in England.

[@mickenoss]

@@someperson9262 Probably why he keeps a standard yellow one in the box - in case the rozzers stop him. =)

[@elliottcole6537]

Bikes built after a certain year here need a modern Yellow plate, I can’t remember what the year is exactly, but my 73 Vespa still has its original black pressed plate from the Douglas factory

[@stephenmarshall4427]

We need to get together for a ride Harry. Hope all well, hopefully get down there for lunch again soon

[@chapet5]

I love this bike set up. Clean and practical. You can and do actually ride it. So many cafe racer builds are all looks and no go.

[@leoglasmeyer2853]

cafe racers were basically the supersports of their time. So if you do a "true" cafe racer it comes out as a very uncomfortable and impractical bike. These "brat style" are cooler in my opinion because they take the cafe looks without compromising too much on utility.

[@lukewallis8132]

It sounds really nice and looks awesome.

[@andrewfelcey5675]

Is the Bike Shed the coolest place in the world to work !!!

[@gregoryaparker]

2:20 that air filter is squished in there tighter than a sardine.

[@loveenough1]

Those 550s always sounded good but this is spot on! Looks the business too. Good job.

[@jacquesduplessis6175]

Cool looking bike man, nice cubby too.

[@jayn8392]

Pretty cool bike. I prefer having that gap where he is storing stuff at clear of stuff as possible on cafe bikes, but it does add some practicality

[@TINKcustoms]

Nice, understated, subtle custom.

[@hv5304]

Beautiful! Great style and practical storage place!

[@sportglidejim9001]

A friend owned the 400 super sport and I rode a KZ650 back in the day, nice bike brother

[@CHRIS-ge4ou]

Love the bike! Well built and functional!

[@ridersonthestorm666]

Good job, can't wait till I build mine.

[@rizwanfaturakhman9058]

I have one, i build from 96' honda tiger 2000 bratcafe

[@mebeasensei]

Love it. Fine bike. This is the style I love.

[@The-vi3iu]

Great job Harry, one small clarification and Im sure you already know about this-- but that tank is not a K- especially from 76, as you stated but rather an F tank if its a 76 at all. In 77 and 78 they all went to a single flip cap tank (both the k and f models) and thats probably whats its from as they were indistinguishable from the earlier 75-76F tanks. And since the engine is from the 78 my guess is that is probably where the tank is from as well. Great job!

[@The-vi3iu]

Sorry and the rear tire is not ever a 19 inch. They were all stock 18 inch.

[@BikeShedMotoCo]

Having grown-up in as a biker measuring myself against how much I knew about my own personal bikes, it's refreshing to come across a younger generation of newbie bike lovers who don't always get it right, but have a hunger to learn and are not afraid of getting to this welcoming scene. Thanks for putting Harry straight by being simply helpful and without being condescending. Dutch.

[@The-vi3iu]

My pleasure, we all are still learning- no matter how old we grow, and sharing our knowledge and information is the only way we get to keep these beautiful motorcycles on the road for future generations. Thanks for the forum and the insight and please keep up the excellent work!

[@BC-tn5ss]

My man

[@michaeledwardlenzi]

Sounds really good!

Amazing! Great job!

[@bartmotorcycle]

Very cool bike. Normally I feel like these bikes should be left alone but it's hard not to like this one

[@slash1982]

sounds awesome. Nice bike.

[@sonkhamkhamlong9158]

Nice subdue looking bike!

[@danilocapellan1316]

Beautiful job, Love you're motorcycle. 👍🏽

[@danilocapellan1316]

Beautiful bike👍🏽

[@andymoore5476]

Lovely bike 👊👏

[@seancbrophy]

That’s a great sound!

[@SRW1955]

How much could I expect to have it into a bike like that

[@fzlsalim]

Beautiful!

[@seattlegrrlie]

Gods it's beautiful

[@zxc9884761]

That is brilliant, the cargo space.

[@johnshusdock411]

Very nice!!

[@hrwedsash]

Beautiful

[@johngreenwood1972]

Loved it.

[@Mr13bIRL]

Love it !

[@hellothere8425]

The perfect motorcycle

[@davidash1008]

The custom vs standard insurance declaration is a super tricky one...bolt ons tend to be ok, or should I say, you'll get insured at a price. But frame mods? Take a walk, sunshine. Hence why most won't declare it, says the guy with a brat Zephyr....

[@iliasevangelidis8786]

hi there, can you please let me know how much of the frame is chopped off of the seat?? I really like the balance between being able to carry another person and still having this minimal look. Thanks a lot, Greetings from Greece!

[@mikaeljohansson3530]

Hi super cool bike! I'm looking to uppgrade my front brake om my classic Honda. What brakemaster cylinder are you using. Best regards Mikael

[@PtY615]

Is there any way you can make a list (maybe with links ) of the upgrades of the bike . I really like this style bike and i would like to know about the components used. Thank you !

[@shuu0903]

Love the look and the sound,,,. Is that seat custom made? Having a hard time finding such a beautiful seat myself. Anyway, amazing job! Cheers from Japan🇯🇵

[@lc6920]

Beautiful bike! Where did you get your black fork tubes?

[@WILDYASHH]

I love this

[@robertseikaoseikao4286]

Super👍👍 I want to modify my bike like this, so how much require to modify the seat and the head light? Can you please

[@ky.etal.7934]

What kind of type this custom motorcycle? Is it cafe racer? Or scrambler?

[@DaveZee01]

I like it as well. Was just wondering, from personal experience, whether the registration plate survived not being sucked in by the rear tyre after the first speed-hump?

[@BikeShedMotoCo]

So far so good.

[@martiniturbo935]

Great looking motorcycle. How are you liking the pod filters? I still have the stock airbox on my CB550 but always consider moving to pods.

[@andrewcarrillo4814]

so you outsourced your bike and custom-ordered everything. **slow clap**

[@dashkadam3146]

What turn signals are you using? Been on a look out for low profile but bright turn signals.

[@francesboy2]

If you're still looking for great low profile turn signals, I can thoroughly recommend these: www.moorespeedracing.co.uk/motogadget-indicators/6004010.html?gclid=CjwKCAjwwbHWBRBWEiwAMIV7E2ynqrTG5fGtd7kTs7rdpN4SWBFGVvgFgB9SqGbupi1s0keW6rYCzBoCIroQAvD_BwE Brighter than any indicators I've ever seen on a bike.

[@henryhartley9993]

Love it

[@TaalpatarShepai]

damn,,that is one sexy beast

[@xdfckt2564]

They work

[@2kevindang]

Love these custom cb550, anyone know where I can buy one of these?

[@fabshkieee3161]

was this ever found?

[@rodorchardphotography]

any links for the headlight , tail light and signals?

[@kobrakai8868]

how much will it gonna cost me to have a bike like this ? honest Q. cuz i just love it , its simple and cool.

[@ianloughney9570]

On a long enough timeline all cb550/500s become brats

[@sabretooth717]

Great work..can you make me a cafe racer hump seat and subframe for my yamaha bolt.?

[@Vaibhav0542]

That's Jughead bike from Riverdale🤔

[@praveenyatagiri9986]

Royal Enfield is good and beautiful... Campare to this byke

[@G58]

Excellent. At last a practical ’cafe racer’ rather than the usual passé racers we usually see. But those tyres must be nasty as hell on corners. So, no actual racing then...?!! But I give you full marks for filling in that triangle. I hope no one nicks your gear and tools.

[@lukeyraptor6738]

Do people declare the mods on bikes like this? Is there specialist insurance providers? I’m twenty three - I can’t imagine what my premium would be if I had to declare a bike like that!

[@gotmilk606]

note that the people who know what they are doing have a rear mudguard to protect the engine and carbs from rocks and debris, and the people who don't know what they're doing don't.

[@BikeShedMotoCo]

I beg to differ. There are people who think a bike looks cool without a front mudguard or rear fender, and will either tolerate splashes up the back of their jacket and a face full of road spray, or they wont and they'll eventually fit some protection. I've done both, and I've been riding 30 years. Knowing what you're doing does not always mean you do the sensible thing... If that was true I'd buy a Volvo.

[@likeitornotbut5900]

The less chrome , the better!

[@leegingerninja]

Nice! 👌👌

[@tomherring2707]

where are those buttons from on ebay whats the name of them

[@MrSanteeclaus]

Surprised the lights work- oh yeah it’s a Honda

[@mikestewart7322]

Very nice little bike mate. Subtle and tasteful. Especially drawn to the headlight and speedo. Like that quite unique noise coming from the can. It’s quite unusual. Overall bloody neat. How do go about getting it insured taking into account the various parts that are of a similar bike but different age. 👍🏻🏍🏍✊️

[@BikeShedMotoCo]

Tricky subject. Most bikes likes this are insured as standard. At the end of the day, custom parts like this don't add to the book-value.

[@mikestewart7322]

Bike Shed Motorcycle Club really, insured as standard? Surely in the case of theft or accident you will only get the value of an old 70’s bike. Or am I missing something here?

[@guth21776]

that's his business

[@mikestewart7322]

the undertaker how would you insure a custom bike?

[@guth21776]

on my dead dads policy

[@chrisgiraldo5244]

Where did you get that speedo?

[@danielbalderas5272]

What handlebar did you say you used? I would really like to purchase one for my cb550.

[@KenmeriCaptain]

renthal 7inch www.renthal.com/shop/mx-products/handlebars/se-handlebars

[@RebelRides]

That's a nice tidy build. Simple yet detailed, the sort of bike I like. On an aside, are you ready to pay the £12.50 per day congestion fee for motorcycles built before 2008?

[@BikeShedMotoCo]

Nope!

[@caferacerlondon3338]

motorcycles are not subject to the T-Charge !

[@tedcorey3054]

Yea, I gotta' do that .

[@adityapundir8128]

4:30 who was yelling at the background.

[@domonkosbatai8621]

Anyone can help find those megaton mufflers (there are loads of them on ebay, and they all sound a bit different, I’m looking for this exact one). Thanks.

[@sdevatraj]

what an exaust sound It's like a tiger roaring.

[@leonidassabr9197]

How many cylinders

[@kingOfLizardMen]

I'm building my first cafe...and if anyone can answer me this. To free up that area under the seat. Where does one usually relocate the battery to?

[@ConnorWeller]

most drop the starter and battery and just use the kick start. others convert to a small lithium battery and hide it under the seat

[@SageSavage]

A little Antigravity Lithium Ion battery can fit neatly under the seatpan pretty invisibly. Or in the seat hump if you're doing that kind of cafe. If you've got a kickstart and a permanent magnet alternator you can convert to a capacitor instead of a battery which is similarly easy to hide, just means no electric start.

[@lbyoung8420]

My response is check out the videos of Taylor over at Classic Octane on KZbin! Guy is a genius on cb 550’s

[@HarryHov]

Well fuck that's cool

[@tszsanchan7609]

What the price of this bike like?

[@lbyoung8420]

Tsz San Chan roughly 4-5 thousand all finished like his. Or purchase it original for about 2,500$ if you can do the work yourselves.

[@edwinkarani5593]

Old school look is way better and simple than futuristic.

[@andyand100]

So you don’t like going round bends then firestone look fucking dangerous

[@tomaszp614]

You never wash you bike, do you?

[@mohamedihsaanhuzain133]

It will put mud on your back of your cloths in rainy days , better to consider rear mud guarding techniques

[@Chenx4]

What's the meaning of the number plate tho ;)

[@SuperCanuck777]

black and white plates on a vechicle are only legal on pre 1981 registered machines in the uk. now i'm gonna have the owner after me ....

[@stillben]

SHOP GUY anagram of POSH GUY

[@BikeShedMotoCo]

LOL. Harry is posh.

[@stephenmarshall4427]

Yeah, but he’s super. Proper gent

[@SageSavage]

CB carbs leak when the gaskets are bad or the floats are out of spec. Exactly the same as every carburetor. You don't have to replace the carbs to fix that and the pods have nothing to do with it. Nice bike and stuff tho.

[@SageSavage]

I particularly like how that muffler sounds on that engine. Real punchy.

[@hirdy161]

Sounds like my rusty old Corsa