Today we’re thrilled to present this 1978 Honda CB550K built by Michel Valle of Alchemy Motorcycles, located in San Diego, CA. We found this bike on Instagram (@alchemymotorcycles), and it jumped out at us with the crisp, clean lines and mono-shocked rear. We reached out to Michel to see if we could feature the book, and lucky for all of us, he said we could! We will let him Michel explain from here.
In the Builder’s Words: Alchemy Motorcycles CB550 Cafe Racer
Started off as a brat 550. We wanted to turn it into a minimalistic vintage yet updated cafe racer with midcentury modern color tones (if that makes sense).
The frame was stripped of all tabs, battery box, and rear half was cut off and reconfigured for the floating seat.
The battery and rectifier were relocated under the seat pan. The seat is an Airtech Cutlass completely wrapped in leather matching the Brooks Leather grips.
Clip-ons are from Motocicli Veloci from Italy as well as the rear-set controls. Rearset brackets and yoke top are by Cognito Moto.
New chrome Buchanan spokes on stock rims wrapped with Bridgestone Splitfires.
Center mounted headlight to eliminate fork ears.
Fender was cut shorter to a more appropriate size. 4-1 Yomshinura exhaust ceramic coated in satin black.
Keihin CR29 Special Roundslide carbs with Malossi velocity stacks. Custom shortened Motion Pro cables.
Swingarm was modified with a hoop to hold the custom Hagon Nitro shock.
The engine was painted satin black with touches of chrome on some covers, plus new chrome Allen hardware to complete the look.
The tank and headlight is Acura Integra Type R Championship White. We wanted to use a color from the Honda family. And every last nut, bolt, and washer on this bike was chrome plated.
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