Topic: Now What?

[Accolay]

What manual do you have? If you have the Honda manual the static timing procedure is on page 11. Put the points and plate back on the motorcycle. Follow the Honda service manual, and if that doesn't help, try this from the interweb that may help:
http://home.mindspring.com/~purlawson/files/StaticTiming.pdf

Otherwise, do the 3000 mile maintenance and clean the carbs, and I think that will give others a baseline on how to diagnose your problems. Since you have spark and the engine turns , I'm going to bet your problems are due to carb problems. You should be able to start the bike even if your electric start button isn't working, but I think you need to take care of the maintenance bits first before you go any farther.

The Electric starter doesn't seem to work.  I think the electrical system is a little messed up.  The turn signals and brake lights come on when I turn the key to the on position, but that's it. 

This is correct. When you turn the ignition to ON then the headlight, front runninglights/ turn signals, and the rear brake/running light should be on, but the rear turn signals should be off. If you put the turn signal on, then both front and back turn signals should blink. Depress the rear brake pedal or squeeze the front brake handle and the rear brake light should come on.

Also, I found Dan's Motorcycle Repair handy when I got my bike:
http://www.dansmc.com/mc_repaircourse.htm

[Accolay]

OH yeah, and take some pictures of this bruiser

I don't mean to insult when I ask, but your kill switch is set to the "RUN" position when you push the "START" button, yes? And is the battery fairly new and do you have something to charge it up?

[shade]

OH yeah, and take some pictures of this bruiser

I don't mean to insult when I ask, but your kill switch is set to the "RUN" position when you push the "START" button, yes? And is the battery fairly new and do you have something to charge it up?

I would not be surprised if I did something as simple as that but the switch is set to RUN, and it is a brand new battery. 
Thanks

[shade]

Points are back on the bike, after I cleaned them.  I set the gaps and they seem to be opening and closing at the right time.
Removed the carburetor again and will clean it again.  I would like to avoid soaking them in chemicals because I really don't have anywhere to do it, but if I have to I will.  I am open to any carburetor suggestions you guys have.
It is very difficult for me to get the carbs off and on the bike.

[Really?]

Harbor Freight ultrasonic cleaner and lemon juice?  The bigger one will hold one carb.  Guitar string or similar to poke in the passages.

[Don R]

Download the manual here it's invaluable, even to an old honda guy like me.

[LesterPiglet]

There are plenty of threads on the forum about removing/replacing carbs. Possibly in the tips and tricks section.

[shade]

Ok starting to panic.  This is way beyond me.
I am going to put it back together.
One question, this jet with the holes on the side, is it supposed to have a jet from the top hole all the way through the length of it?  I tried putting a guitar string through that and it won't go.  I don't want to force it if it's supposed to be that way.
Thanks

[shade]

This is just embarasing.  Laying out the parts to put the carbs back together, I have this little black piece with grooves on both sides that I don't know where it came from.  Any help?  I feel like an idiot...

[thelowmax]

This is both daunting and addictive.  I have never been that mechanical but I don't think I have ever want to fix anything this badly. 

You are cracking me up! I think you've got the bug! If you don't get therapy, you'll end up with a bunch of old bikes that barely run and consume all of your time and money. With therapy, most will run.

[tlbranth]

Don't feel like an idiot Mate. You're at least having a go at it. I don't have an immediate answer to your questions but would suggest taking lots of pictures of something prior to disassembling it. Makes it much easier to put back together. Oh and don't try cinching those brass jets down too tightly or you'll be buying new ones when they snap in two. Don't ax me how I know this.

[dave500]

i think your little black thing gets sandwiched between carbs 2 and 3 and is the hook point for the lower end of the return spring?that slow or pilot jet you show should have a hole right through its entire length,persist with the guitar string,its a tiny hole and easliy blocked.

[shade]

i think your little black thing gets sandwiched between carbs 2 and 3 and is the hook point for the lower end of the return spring?that slow or pilot jet you show should have a hole right through its entire length,persist with the guitar string,its a tiny hole and easliy blocked.

Thanks!!
Could this have been what prevented the bike from starting?  Can I soak them in something?  All 4 are clogged...
Can you PLEASE explain where I need to that little black piece more clearly?  I will look it up in the parts manual, but that is some confusing stuff...
Thanks for your help.

[bollingball]

Ok....
I got distracted and started messing with the points and timing.  I adjusted the points following the manual, but don't have a proper tool to test the timing.  This part is very complicated to me but I am starting to get it.  The unit is currently removed from the bike and I will hold off putting it back on until I hear from someone.  If someone can offer some suggestions on how to properly complete this task I would really appreciate it.
I cleaned the points as well...
Thanks.

Stay focused and make notes and take plenty of pic they come in handy if it takes a while to get parts in. It may take a lot of time before you get back to it and the pics, and notes will jog your memory.

Ken

[wedoo2]

i think your little black thing gets sandwiched between carbs 2 and 3 and is the hook point for the lower end of the return spring?that slow or pilot jet you show should have a hole right through its entire length,persist with the guitar string,its a tiny hole and easliy blocked.

Thanks!!


Could this have been what prevented the bike from starting?  Can I soak them in something?  All 4 are clogged...
Can you PLEASE explain where I need to that little black piece more clearly?  I will look it up in the parts manual, but that is some confusing stuff...
Thanks for your help.

I agree that it is a spacer between the carbs.  You may want to get four small tupperware bowls, or baggies, to put the pieces of each carb into. That way you know you have an equal amount of parts.  There are as many ways to soak a carb as there are people here.  I soaked mine in Pine Sol for a couple days and cleaned every nook and cranny with carb cleaner, then spayed compressed air throughout everything.  Other methods work. 

Be sure that the slides are free. and clean (top part of the carb).  Clean the needles even if they look ok.  You don't necessarily have to take the whole thing off as long as they slide easily.  Even if you think you have cleaned everything, do it again because you don't want to have to keep taking them off when they leak on the bike.  It is very important to get the jets cleaned, maybe even to the point of getting new ones.  They are cheap.

Setting the float height is pretty easy, but has to be right.  Ask when you get to that point; when every passage is clean, the jets are clean, the slides work nice and you are ready to put the bowls back on.

When it is all cleaned up, you will want to bench synchronize the carbs.  Just ask when you get to that point and everything is back together on the bench.

Go to Honda and get some new gas line too.  Remove, inspect, clean the petcock.  Make sure that the little screen is good in there.

This and about a hundred other things and you're done.   

[dave500]

if all four are clogged itll never start,is that little ferrule the one that gets trapped between carb 2 and 3 like this?the spring then hooks to it and the other point shown here.

[Accolay]

Digital cameras are invaluable for carb dissasembly. Label the parts, keep all the parts for each individual carb together (plastic baggies!) You're probably gonna need gasket kits too. Get the ones from Honda- probably $40-$50. Here's my album of pictures that I hope will help you.

http://s581.photobucket.com/albums/ss258/accolay_accolay/1977%20CB550F/Carbs/

You can also use the parts references off of many an online OEM parts retailer, such as motogrid. Search for CB550 and then select your model.

http://www.motogrid.com/pages/OemParts?aribrand=HOM

...and where are those pictures? 

[Accolay]

I don't think your little black thing is for the spring thing (picture 24) I think your thing is inside the carb thing (Picture 15 in the album). Not that thing, that thing 

[kpier883]

Ok starting to panic.  This is way beyond me.
I am going to put it back together.
One question, this jet with the holes on the side, is it supposed to have a jet from the top hole all the way through the length of it?  I tried putting a guitar string through that and it won't go.  I don't want to force it if it's supposed to be that way.

The hole from top to bottom is pretty small.  I believe it takes one of the smallest guitar strings to go through.  The jets should have a small number on the side, like 038 or something.  If you can't get the holes cleaned out, just buy new ones from Honda / Keihin.  (but not Keyster or other off brand)

I believe the part number you would look for for the pilot jet is:
Keihin slow jet 99124-076-0380  will be a #38 pilot, likewise, a #40 would be 99124-076-0400.

For 25 dollars you can be in business. 

Make sure the passages above the jets in the carb body are clean.  I have never owned a 550, so double check to be sure the jets I mentioned are right.

Your local honda dealer should be able to get them within a few days.  Service Honda also shows them ( this is the page for my 750, but you get the idea)
http://www.xtremeusa.com/fiche_section_detail.asp?section=125613&category=MOTORCYCLES&make=HONDA&year=1976&fveh=2991

[dave500]

accolay is right,that black thing is one of the pivot things that sits inside the balance adjusters,it dosent have the groove for the spring,it has the indents for the ball pivot jiggers.

[Really?]

Strip the sheath off of some electrical wire if needed. It is smaller, it might get you started in the hole but that wire is softer.

[shade]

I don't think your little black thing is for the spring thing (picture 24) I think your thing is inside the carb thing (Picture 15 in the album). Not that thing, that thing 

Man, I wish I was as disciplined / organized as you.  That's the part, thanks!
I boiled the jets for a minute and was able to get a guitar string through and then blow them out (with my mouth, nasty.)

[Really?]

Make sure the tank filter is good, tank and lines are clear after you are done. It took me three times of carb cleaning before I realized the PO's tank liner was melting, the tank filter was on its way out and the fuel line was coming apart from the inside.

Well, unless you want to practice cleaning the carbs again.

[Accolay]

Man, I wish I was as disciplined / organized as you.  That's the part, thanks!
I boiled the jets for a minute and was able to get a guitar string through and then blow them out (with my mouth, nasty.)

Sometimes in the heat of the moment we all forget to take pictures, Danielson. But now you know...and knowing is half the battle!

[thelowmax]

If you got to BikeBandit.com, they have blown-apart schematics for all years of Cb750's. I can't think of how many times I've used them to figure out how things go back together or what that "extra" piece actually is.