So this has been a project (not really a creation) that I've been working on. I only have before and after shots, but I didn't think the inbetween was too detrimental anyway. I've been working on a motorcycle, it was given to me by my cousin at no cost and I've been fiddling with it ever since. It's gotten to the point where I could probably put it together and ride it, but I'm working on some cosmetics now. I know it's not the most important thing, but I'd like to work on them regardless.

Getting to the point: This is my 1977 Honda CB550 after we trucked it home


This is where it's at now. The seat looks wonky because I'm cleaning up and restoring the seat pan. The upholstery is new and was redone by my aunt Diane. The tank, as you can see, came a long way. It had a slew of holes in it, almost as if somebody took a shotgun to it. It also had some major dents in one side and on the top.

Where do I know those lyrics from?

"I don't wanna pickle! I just wanna drive my moooooter sickle"

Arlo Guthrie and his motorcycle song.

Needs. More. Gatling guns.

It's looking very Mad Max so far, which is naturally a very good thing. A chainsaw for decapitating zombies would work instead, depending on your taste in dystopian futures.

Oh, it's already been noted. In fact, Mad Max is a 70s movie and this is a 70s bike - it only fits! Many of the bikes in Mad Max were cafe racers and this bike could easily be given 'that look'.

Another option was to make it into a steampunk motorcycle. I've seen a few and they look... Well, they look fantastic to say the least. That would require major cosmetic overhaul, though.

Lots of brass cogs and dials... That would look awesome! Mad Max is cool, but steampunk wins the prize just for the sheer amount of effort required!

Mmmmm.....motor bikes........

Looks pretty cool to me. I think I've been pillion on type of bike same engine size and everything.
Steam Punk does sound the way to go but Mad Max is also still cool. It depends a bit on the time you want to put into it, I guess.

It's going steampunk. I found some high heat copper paint to do my engine and various other things with, repainted the tank to hammered black (looks sort of like cast iron). I'm designing my own Honda logo for the side of the tank that incorporates gears. I'm going to strip and paint the chrome on the bike to match the copper of the engine, rims will be stripped and painted the hammered black. List goes on. I'm going to make the speedometer and tachometer faces custom so they won't be the stock blue and won't be sun faded.

The list goes on. The inspiration to go forward with the idea was the fact that my engine wasn't running quite right after reassembly. I made a stupid mistake and I've had to tear the whole thing down again. I figured I might as well make it look pretty while it's apart.

Pictures speak louder than words right now.

I've been busy the past week

Box for my battery.


Fuel tank.




Baffle (silencer/muffler insert) that I made


High heat exhaust wrap, helps evacuate exhaust gases faster.


Stock mufflers have been hollowed to accommodate the above.

(yes I'm in my boxers, took all of these before getting ready for work)

New tail light to get rid of the big brick/rectangular tail light.

Looking good. Do you have an overall design worked out or are you making it up as you go along?