# Decided to mod my 10 dollar CB 550... Project Instant Gratification. Grimey Brat. **URL:** \ **Category:** Builds\ **Created:** [July 10, 2012, 11:58am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/decided-to-mod-my-10-dollar-cb-550-project-instant-gratification-grimey-brat/224485 "2012-07-10T11:58:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![newman](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/newman/32/7569_2.png) [@newman](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/newman)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2012, 11:58am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/decided-to-mod-my-10-dollar-cb-550-project-instant-gratification-grimey-brat/224485/1 "2012-07-10T11:58:30Z")
So I bought this at a garage sale for 10 dollars in 2006. I’d drive it once in a while, but it was always kinda… dorky… I wanted to make it a little more badass with MINIMAL time and money investment. I have about 300 dollars in the bike right now, including original purchase price. It took me about 5 days to do the work. Here it is after I got it. Mint shit. Seriously, 10 dollars… rode it home, too. LOL at me in these pics: BEFORE ![http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b63/ctnewman3/C.jpg](http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b63/ctnewman3/C.jpg) ![http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b63/ctnewman3/B.jpg](http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b63/ctnewman3/B.jpg) AFTER ![http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b63/ctnewman3/D.jpg](http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b63/ctnewman3/D.jpg) ![http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b63/ctnewman3/E.jpg](http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b63/ctnewman3/E.jpg) INTERIM A couple years ago I installed clipons and took the front footpegs off. I angled the rears forward a bit, and flipped the shifter (it now shifts 1 up 4 down). The rear brake is a stretch, but I am used to it. On Thursday, the first thing I did was slap on DOT dual sport tires. (Did this in my garage with tire levers) ![http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b63/ctnewman3/2-1.jpg](http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b63/ctnewman3/2-1.jpg) ![http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b63/ctnewman3/1-1.jpg](http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b63/ctnewman3/1-1.jpg) Then I cut the back off and moved the shock mounting points forward an inch and a hlaf: ![http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b63/ctnewman3/A.jpg](http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b63/ctnewman3/A.jpg) And welded on part of some BMX handlebars: ![http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b63/ctnewman3/6.jpg](http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b63/ctnewman3/6.jpg) Made a cardboard template for a seat pan: ![http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b63/ctnewman3/7.jpg](http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b63/ctnewman3/7.jpg) ![http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b63/ctnewman3/8.jpg](http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b63/ctnewman3/8.jpg) Cut it out of 16ga and bent it up in a vice: ![http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b63/ctnewman3/9.jpg](http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b63/ctnewman3/9.jpg) Glued together several layers of a weight lifting mat: ![http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b63/ctnewman3/10.jpg](http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b63/ctnewman3/10.jpg) ![http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b63/ctnewman3/11.jpg](http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b63/ctnewman3/11.jpg) Started to carve it with air tools: ![http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b63/ctnewman3/12.jpg](http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b63/ctnewman3/12.jpg) Finished: ![http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b63/ctnewman3/13.jpg](http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b63/ctnewman3/13.jpg) Made a template out of cardboard for a cover: ![http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b63/ctnewman3/14.jpg](http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b63/ctnewman3/14.jpg) Bought some marine vinyl and sewed some diamond pattern in it, then sewed together the whole seat: ![http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b63/ctnewman3/15.jpg](http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b63/ctnewman3/15.jpg) Seat installed. It came out OK. Enough for the scope of the project… wasn’t looking for perfection: ![http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b63/ctnewman3/16.jpg](http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b63/ctnewman3/16.jpg) ![http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b63/ctnewman3/17.jpg](http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b63/ctnewman3/17.jpg) No pics, but I also welded brackets to mount the swingarm to the fender, built a taillight bracket, beat the tank in with a hammer to make it more comfortable, installed lowering springs out back, lowered the fork in the trees. Only left to do is new grips and bar end mirrors. Bike rides fine on knobby tires. Better than it did on the 20+ year old bridgestones that were on it. ---
**Author:** ![focusinprogress](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/focusinprogress/32/7227_2.png) [@focusinprogress](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/focusinprogress)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2012, 12:02pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/decided-to-mod-my-10-dollar-cb-550-project-instant-gratification-grimey-brat/224485/2 "2012-07-10T12:02:32Z")
:bigtup: I dig what you’ve done… that handlebar peice worked out GREAT. If I’d have known you were doing upholstry, I’d have given you some of the Adidas Yoga-Mat I used for mine…that shit is SUPER comfortable, I would bet far more comfortable than gym-mats ---
**Author:** ![GV1390](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/gv1390/32/5432_2.png) [@GV1390](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/GV1390)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2012, 12:11pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/decided-to-mod-my-10-dollar-cb-550-project-instant-gratification-grimey-brat/224485/3 "2012-07-10T12:11:23Z")
I suggested the Yoga mat idea to him but he said it was too thin. Surprisingly the seat isn’t too bad. Bike turned out good, checked it out the other night. Can’t go wrong for having barely any $$$ into it. ---
**Author:** ![focusinprogress](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/focusinprogress/32/7227_2.png) [@focusinprogress](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/focusinprogress)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2012, 12:13pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/decided-to-mod-my-10-dollar-cb-550-project-instant-gratification-grimey-brat/224485/4 "2012-07-10T12:13:44Z")
> [@GV1390](#): > > I suggested the Yoga mat idea to him but he said it was too thin. Surprisingly the seat isn’t too bad. > > Bike turned out good, checked it out the other night. Can’t go wrong for having barely any $$$ into it. Most yoga mats ARE thin, but the Adidas brand is over 1/2" thick. My seat is only two layers of it. ---
**Author:** ![newman](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/newman/32/7569_2.png) [@newman](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/newman)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2012, 12:15pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/decided-to-mod-my-10-dollar-cb-550-project-instant-gratification-grimey-brat/224485/5 "2012-07-10T12:15:59Z")
I needed something quick. The stuff I have isn’t bad. It’s not like I plan on taking it across country… ---
**Author:** ![GV1390](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/gv1390/32/5432_2.png) [@GV1390](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/GV1390)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2012, 12:19pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/decided-to-mod-my-10-dollar-cb-550-project-instant-gratification-grimey-brat/224485/6 "2012-07-10T12:19:48Z")
Need an updated 2012 Heater pic now, lol. ---
**Author:** ![LUKE\_L](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/luke_l/32/7462_2.png) [@LUKE\_L](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/LUKE_L)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2012, 12:32pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/decided-to-mod-my-10-dollar-cb-550-project-instant-gratification-grimey-brat/224485/7 "2012-07-10T12:32:26Z")
Cool project. $10?..Damn. ---
**Author:** ![Onyx\_Z32](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/onyx_z32/32/7581_2.png) [@Onyx\_Z32](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Onyx_Z32)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2012, 12:38pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/decided-to-mod-my-10-dollar-cb-550-project-instant-gratification-grimey-brat/224485/8 "2012-07-10T12:38:21Z")
Reminded me of this: ![http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JfmYtoWg4vU/SZiMKeHkbdI/AAAAAAAAG-w/93OjtUkesWU/s400/1.jpg](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JfmYtoWg4vU/SZiMKeHkbdI/AAAAAAAAG-w/93OjtUkesWU/s400/1.jpg) ![http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01847/McQueen-2_1847940i.jpg](http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01847/McQueen-2_1847940i.jpg) ![http://www.nyspeed.com/pictures/newmanjump.jpg](http://www.nyspeed.com/pictures/newmanjump.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![newman](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/newman/32/7569_2.png) [@newman](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/newman)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2012, 12:49pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/decided-to-mod-my-10-dollar-cb-550-project-instant-gratification-grimey-brat/224485/9 "2012-07-10T12:49:10Z")
Lollllllllllllllllllllllll ---
**Author:** ![livin4hockey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d2c977/32.png) [@livin4hockey](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/livin4hockey)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2012, 1:43pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/decided-to-mod-my-10-dollar-cb-550-project-instant-gratification-grimey-brat/224485/10 "2012-07-10T13:43:13Z")
How in the hell did you find a $10 ride-it-home bike at a garage sale? ---
**Author:** ![Willybeen](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/willybeen/32/7351_2.png) [@Willybeen](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Willybeen)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2012, 1:51pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/decided-to-mod-my-10-dollar-cb-550-project-instant-gratification-grimey-brat/224485/11 "2012-07-10T13:51:47Z")
i can dig it… ---
**Author:** ![dawn](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/dawn/32/7209_2.png) [@dawn](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/dawn)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2012, 2:22pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/decided-to-mod-my-10-dollar-cb-550-project-instant-gratification-grimey-brat/224485/12 "2012-07-10T14:22:20Z")
i need your brain. ---
**Author:** ![POOPRA](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/poopra/32/7188_2.png) [@POOPRA](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/POOPRA)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2012, 5:23pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/decided-to-mod-my-10-dollar-cb-550-project-instant-gratification-grimey-brat/224485/13 "2012-07-10T17:23:27Z")
Best $10 bucks you ever spent. Who was dumb enough to sell a nice running bike for that much? Steve mcqueens bonneville is much cooler though ---
**Author:** ![Anonymity](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/anonymity/32/7215_2.png) [@Anonymity](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Anonymity)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2012, 5:43pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/decided-to-mod-my-10-dollar-cb-550-project-instant-gratification-grimey-brat/224485/14 "2012-07-10T17:43:32Z")
Nice, looks good. But why dent the tank? Just FYI, be careful on those tyres… And those jean make your butt look huge!! ---
**Author:** ![Willybeen](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/willybeen/32/7351_2.png) [@Willybeen](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Willybeen)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2012, 5:47pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/decided-to-mod-my-10-dollar-cb-550-project-instant-gratification-grimey-brat/224485/15 "2012-07-10T17:47:53Z")
I think i would have left the tank alone, unless there was a compelling reason to dent it… ie. bike was dropped and had a ding on the other side… Now it just seems like its a honda trying to be a triumph. Where are the harley nudes? ---
**Author:** ![King](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/king/32/7329_2.png) [@King](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/King)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2012, 6:01pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/decided-to-mod-my-10-dollar-cb-550-project-instant-gratification-grimey-brat/224485/16 "2012-07-10T18:01:56Z")
> [@POOPRA](#): > > Best $10 bucks you ever spent. Who was dumb enough to sell a nice running bike for that much? I believe, a really nice guy that didn’t want it any longer who originally bought it off newmans’ father, who bought it when it was new. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD ---
**Author:** ![95dime](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/95dime/32/7514_2.png) [@95dime](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/95dime)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2012, 8:25pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/decided-to-mod-my-10-dollar-cb-550-project-instant-gratification-grimey-brat/224485/17 "2012-07-10T20:25:21Z")
i like it. ---
**Author:** ![MattAvino](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/mattavino/32/6161_2.png) [@MattAvino](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/MattAvino)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2012, 8:31pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/decided-to-mod-my-10-dollar-cb-550-project-instant-gratification-grimey-brat/224485/18 "2012-07-10T20:31:43Z")
Awesome. Tell us about this garage sale. Any $20 cars? ---
**Author:** ![joelster](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/joelster/32/7258_2.png) [@joelster](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/joelster)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2012, 4:20am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/decided-to-mod-my-10-dollar-cb-550-project-instant-gratification-grimey-brat/224485/19 "2012-07-11T04:20:57Z")
What is the story on the Chevelle? ---
**Author:** ![POOPRA](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/poopra/32/7188_2.png) [@POOPRA](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/POOPRA)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2012, 5:10am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/decided-to-mod-my-10-dollar-cb-550-project-instant-gratification-grimey-brat/224485/20 "2012-07-11T05:10:04Z")
> [@King](#): > > I believe, a really nice guy that didn’t want it any longer who originally bought it off newmans’ father, who bought it when it was new. > > Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD Ah there was more to that story then, that makes more sense [Next page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/decided-to-mod-my-10-dollar-cb-550-project-instant-gratification-grimey-brat/224485.md?page=2)