Author Topic: FFJMoore 75 CB550. Pauline (Read 20858 times)

brandEn · « **Reply #50 on:** March 28, 2012, 03:41:01 PM »

Glad to read you got the bike running good. I wonder why it smoked like that and then stopped? Did you find out what was up with the forks clunking?

Flying J · « **Reply #51 on:** March 28, 2012, 04:50:31 PM »

I think the smoke (my theory) was from oil building up in the cylinder because there was no back pressure and then when I got the cylinder running it was burning off all the residual oil.

The clunk is still there now and then but the bike handles well so its on the list of things to figure out.

I think the jetting still needs to be messed with a bit. When i let off the throttle to slow down (like when your aproaching a red light) and then get back on the throttle (light turns green) the power cuts out and then it accelerates. It only cuts out for a second. So Im thinking the Idle side of things might be rich and the WOT side might be a little lean. So when I go from no throttle to giving throttle its not a smooth transition. Again just my current theory.

Flying J · « **Reply #52 on:** March 28, 2012, 11:28:05 PM »

Well I think I may have rode Pauline to hard. Took her for short ride through the nearest twisties and by the time I got back she had developed a decent knock. Sound like that clutch chatter noise when you have your clutch out but louder and it doesnt go away when you pull in the clutch. I checked the oil but its hard to tell what the oil level is when the motor is hot and the oil is clean. So ill check it in the morning and see what its at. Just when you think things are sorted out....I starting to think about rebuilding my spare motor so I can drop it in this one later.

grcamna2 · « **Reply #53 on:** March 29, 2012, 07:29:32 PM »

FFJ,
is it a top end clunk ? hopefully it's just a fouled plug causing it to run out of synch.

Flying J · « **Reply #54 on:** March 31, 2012, 10:22:12 AM »

I started the bike up yesterday and the clunk was much more quiet. It comes from the bottom end. From the top end is a clicking noise. Sounds like a valve tapping. I adjusted the valves so im not sure what it could be.

I spent the last 2 days driving up to visit my parents and while i was there i picked up a new toy. And its not a motorcycle.

grcamna2 · « **Reply #55 on:** March 31, 2012, 10:55:47 AM »

A Western Handy Lift

...that'll sure save you're knees and back;I would love to have another one...and a shop/workspace to go along with it.

Flying J · « **Reply #56 on:** March 31, 2012, 03:10:43 PM »

Well I rode a few miles before it started to rain. I changed out the 40 pilots for 38. The bike ran different. Now it accelerates and then at about 7k rpm the power comes on and the bike takes off. Its weird. But the motor is making that knocking noise. Here is a video. Its sound a little worse in the video then it actually is but its lower end knock that goes away as the rpms hit about 3k.
Cb550 engine knock

If you have any comments feel free to post them in the thread i created for it.
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=104622.new#new

grcamna2 · « **Reply #57 on:** March 31, 2012, 08:14:20 PM »

That sounds serious.I'd be inclined to check the cam chain or the clutch.

Flying J · « **Reply #58 on:** April 05, 2012, 09:58:34 PM »

well after a carb sync it ran much better. It still makes a bit of noise. I plan to do a basic rebuild of my spare motor, basically make sure the primary chain is tight and that the piston rings are ok, replace the head gasket and those leaky seals. In the mean time i will continue to chase the gremlins this bike offers up. Right now its an idle that is irregular and a small back fire when i down shift to slow down. I wish this bike would just become solid and trust worthy but old pauline is not going to give it up without a fight i guess. stingy old hag.

grcamna2 · « **Reply #59 on:** April 05, 2012, 10:13:23 PM »

You're overcoming problem after problem, Good Work !

Flying J · « **Reply #60 on:** April 13, 2012, 04:54:55 PM »

yesterday i put on a dynoman ignition i had lying around for another project. I hope that helps work out some problems. Today i was adjusting the valves since there seems to be quite a bit of noise coming from that area. As i was cranking the motor over by hand it was making a sort of creaking noise. I cant put my finger on what it is but maybe you guys have some insight.

Creaky Cb550
1604

mrrch · « **Reply #61 on:** April 13, 2012, 05:49:42 PM »

Couldn't really make it out even with the volume turned to max. Rusty cylinder wall??

shinneh · « **Reply #62 on:** April 13, 2012, 07:12:04 PM »

Is the bike in gear when doing that by chance? Sounds like the same sound the trans would make if you push the bike while in gear.

Flying J · « **Reply #63 on:** April 13, 2012, 09:59:07 PM »

nope, in neutral.

shinneh · « **Reply #64 on:** April 16, 2012, 07:33:32 PM »

Well, that woulda been nice if it wasn't. But, since I'd swear that's the same kinda noise... I would suggest looking into that primary, something is amiss.

Also, as a mechanic I get complaints of noises all the time...noises that can only be heard doing a specific thing (that is not normal driving) under specific situations (sticking your head under the car). What I mean to say, is if you can't hear that noise while cruising in top gear.. then it is most likely not an issue.

lone*X · « **Reply #65 on:** April 16, 2012, 09:00:01 PM »

With the concerns about the bottom tapping/knocking and now the creaking noises, have you pulled the oil pan and checked for debris? Any chunks or chips? Unwraped the oil filter looking for metal? It could be just tuning, but you could also gain some piece of mind if you don't find anything.

Flying J · « **Reply #66 on:** April 16, 2012, 09:00:44 PM »

Yeah, this motor is noisy but that one was a strange one. I sprayed some wd40 on the valve springs and in the cylinders on the left side. It went away. I think the cylinder was just dry.

Next problem.

Adjusted a few valves. They were all fine so i gave up half way through. I just did them last month so i was just checking that they weren't lose. I took it for a ride and it idled great but above 4k it would lurch and surege. So i checked the timing. 2&3 were a little off so i dialed it in. Went around the block. Same thing, lurching and surging. Went home and change out all the jets for the 40 pilot and 115 main that were in it when i bought the bike. Went for a ride same thing.
Disconnect the hondaman. Go for a ride. Get i trouble from my wife for screeching the tires around the block. So far it ran great. Will ride in the morning and see how it does. Also going to double check i hooked up the hondaman right.

Flying J · « **Reply #67 on:** April 16, 2012, 09:02:07 PM »

Quote from: lone*X on April 16, 2012, 09:00:01 PM

With the concerns about the bottom tapping/knocking and now the creaking noises, have you pulled the oil pan and checked for debris? Any chunks or chips? Unwraped the oil filter looking for metal? It could be just tuning, but you could also gain some piece of mind if you don't find anything.

I have changed the oil twice in the last month and it was clean. I have a spare motor so im going to keep running this one for a little while longer then I may make the swap.

Flying J · « **Reply #68 on:** April 17, 2012, 10:58:49 AM »

Pmed Hondaman and this was his reply

Quote from: HondaMan on April 16, 2012, 10:52:21 PM

[Any ideas? I did replace the points at the same time.]

Ah, there's the clue!
I am hearing a LOT about this after the new points are being installed. Here's what I've discovered so far: the oily cosmolene on these new points is incredibly hard to get off. If even a tiny bit of it remains, it causes high-RPM miss. I've been recommending one of 2 ways to fix it: one is to get a points file and scrub the points with acetone or brake cleaner (not contact cleaner - it isn't cutting the goo) to get the stuff off: that has worked. Another method has been to run the points directly for a while (like 100 miles) which will burn the stuff off, bit it also starts pitting the points. The pitting will stop when you plug the box back in, though.

The old cosmolene we used to see on these points came off with even an oily rag wipe. This new stuff is probably "environmentally friendly", which seems to mean that it will never leave its host, so it won't collect anywhere else.

There's a more distant third option: if the condensors are old and leaking, they will cause 2 things. First is usually a hard starting scenario, followed by high idle: the second is a lack of willingness for the engine to rev when the box is connected. This symptom can be checked by temporarily disconnecting the condensors: if the problem goes away, just get some new(er) ones. I do recommend running with condensors attached, as they smooth out some of the mechanical vagaries of the spark advancers in certain RPM ranges.

So today ill go look for a points file. Made 1 short trip across town and the bike is running ok.

Flying J · « **Reply #69 on:** April 17, 2012, 03:34:02 PM »

50 mile trip up to the hills and back. I think its the most successful ride yet. Running 40 pilots and 115 mains. Bike tops out early, like 80-85 mph but cruises at 70 just fine. Just off idle is not right. It hesitates as you roll the throttle on slow. Now that i have the points sorted out i think ill change back to the stock jets and see which problems persist and which go away.

shinneh · « **Reply #70 on:** April 18, 2012, 06:02:17 PM »

Kick-ass man, glad to hear things are coming together for ya. What kind of air filter are you using? Perhaps that may contribute a lil to that slight issue?

I'd say good luck, but you've already got this in the bag~

Flying J · « **Reply #71 on:** April 18, 2012, 09:31:30 PM »

Stock air box with a uni filter. I still need to get a points file and change the jets back to stock. I did get a new seat and a nice set of gauges. I think I may take off the highway bars also. Im feeling a little better about this bike. I was getting pretty frustrated between this bike and my motor build fail for the other cb550. Ill just keep plugging away at issues until i know for sure its time to change the motor. Thanks for the encouragement.

Oh and im looking for a set of rear blinkers on the cheap. anyone?

Flying J · « **Reply #72 on:** April 23, 2012, 03:22:39 PM »

Well, she is running ok still on just points. It still has something weird going on at like 1/8th throttle. I have been messing with the air screws to see if that will sort it out but so far no luck.

LesterPiglet · « **Reply #73 on:** April 23, 2012, 04:14:05 PM »

Quote from: ffJMoore on April 13, 2012, 04:54:55 PM

yesterday i put on a dynoman ignition i had lying around for another project. I hope that helps work out some problems. Today i was adjusting the valves since there seems to be quite a bit of noise coming from that area. As i was cranking the motor over by hand it was making a sort of creaking noise. I cant put my finger on what it is but maybe you guys have some insight.

Creaky Cb550
1604

I think that noise is compression, with some air being squeezed through some part of the motor. I'm sure I've heard mine doing it.

Flying J · « **Reply #74 on:** May 12, 2012, 06:11:07 PM »

I have been riding pauline quite a bit. RIght now my MPG have been terrible but i think i may have found the problem. I was getting just over 20 mpg. I think it was due to a weak spark. 2 time the bike has stopped running right and eventually i end up ridding home on 2 cylinders. 1&4 would stop working. Today i pulled the 1&4 points off to swap them out and found that the rivet on the foot was not holding black metal spring tight enough to make contact so the points were not conducting at all. So i used and anvil and a punch and smashed the rivet closed some more. Bike runs on all 4 now. I hope my mpg comes up because 20 is not going to cut it.

in this picture you can see the rivet is smashed good. That flat black part was not compressed before. THere was a gap between it and the fiber foot.

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Author Topic: FFJMoore 75 CB550. Pauline (Read 20858 times)