Honda 550 Four Part 8
Well the good old DVLA sent me a V5c with an age related N reg from a previously unissued Derby series and I'm about to get a plate made up for it. A bit tongue in cheek, I had asked if it was possible to have a previously unissued Orkney - or even Scottish number allocated but they didn't even acknowledge that request - probably 'computer says no' and unable to be allowed to think outside the box! It will have to be sent back though - they have it down as a CB500 although the engine and frame numbers clearly state CB 550 and that was what I entered in the 'model' section - you couldn't make it up!
Outside in the sunshine but still with the old tank
I fitted the tank that Graham (Hatston Motors) painted for me and I stripped and re-finished the satin black hinged flap and applied a new decal. I will tidy up the tank badges where the satin black is missing in a few places. The silencer arrived from Simon in Lincolnshire - a forum member and is now fitted - not perfect but very acceptable, together with a new packing and I re-finished the original bracket in satin black and used stainless bolts to mount the silencer to it.
I rooted out the carb clips - 8 for the manifold rubbers and 4 at the back to the plenum. They were all a bit scruffy and were still in the original dark finish. I have bright zinc plated them all and the screws - not as the factory finished them, I know but much nicer than they were and I don't have any dark olive drab passivate solution so they will do for now. I might just take it for a short spin to check all is well and then fit the correct carbs and filter parts before it takes to the road for this summer. I will carry on improving some parts as time goes on - like the wheel rims, hubs and spokes but that means it would be out of action for a while so will have to wait till next winter now.
Still toying with the idea of a new 'twin stay' front mudguard from DS but I'll ride it a bit first and see if it needs anything more urgently attending to. I'm amazed at how much easier the 550 is to put on the main stand - the 350 and 400 fours are more difficult, so that's a bonus as age advances!