Topic: 1974 CB550 project

[thekidd76]

This will be my first bike rebuild.  I looked for awhile and recently found a '74 550 and a '72 500.  The 74 was pretty much complete, just missing a side cover, tail light assembly and rear turn signals.  Motor doesn't turn over.  The 72 was already broken down, motor was out and it rolls over.  I got both with the engine stand the 500 was on for $500 with clear titles.  My original plan was to keep both, put one back to stock and go the cafe route with the 550, but I ended up giving a coworker a break and he took the 500 and we split it.

I've had the bike about a week, and I have it all pulled apart and inventoried.  Motor is out and on the stand, and the next step is to start tearing into that.  This will be a long process I'm sure as learn as I go.  I've downloaded all the manuals and everything from this site, and am excited to get going.  I'm sure I'll have plenty of questions, and have already learned a ton just lurking and reading here.  Couple pics of the bikes below.

[grachman]

Good luck!  Looks pretty complete.  If you haven't started disassembling the engine, you might want to pull the plugs and pour some marvel mystery oil in there.  Let it sit for a few days and try to turn it over...repeat if necessary.  Works almost every time I've tried.  Almost, being, when it didn't work, I ended up taking off the top end, cleaning as much rust and crap as I could, then pouring a 50/50 mix of ATF and gasoline on top of the pistons and light that baby on fire with a wick or soaked sock.  Basically, the heat from the fire expands the metal and allows the ATF to find it's way down the cylinders.  Other methods out there, but I like to play with fire.    Safety first, of course.

[thekidd76]

Thanks for the tip grachman.  I haven't pulled anything apart yet, so I'll make a stop on the way home tonight and pick some mystery oil up.

[goldarrow]

Welcome to sohc4.  Cheapest penetrant to use is aft+acetone. Put in the plug holes and let it sit for days.  Try to turn it.

Check here http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=105085.0

Also if you're going to cafe your 550. I'd be interested in your stock seat, air filter stuffs and side covers if mounting tabs not broken. 

Keep us posted with your progress and good luck

[Harsh]

Nice score.  Where in VA are you located?

[thekidd76]

Harsh..I'm up in NOVA near Dulles Airport.

[harisuluv]

Engine stand too??  Score.  Not too many of those bargains around anymore..

[thekidd76]

Yea, it felt like a deal I couldn't pass up, and I'm enjoying digging into it.

[mono]

Good luck!  Looks pretty complete.  If you haven't started disassembling the engine, you might want to pull the plugs and pour some marvel mystery oil in there.  Let it sit for a few days and try to turn it over...repeat if necessary.  Works almost every time I've tried.  Almost, being, when it didn't work, I ended up taking off the top end, cleaning as much rust and crap as I could, then pouring a 50/50 mix of ATF and gasoline on top of the pistons and light that baby on fire with a wick or soaked sock.  Basically, the heat from the fire expands the metal and allows the ATF to find it's way down the cylinders.  Other methods out there, but I like to play with fire.    Safety first, of course.

oh my lord.  i am so doing this.

[grachman]

Good luck!  Looks pretty complete.  If you haven't started disassembling the engine, you might want to pull the plugs and pour some marvel mystery oil in there.  Let it sit for a few days and try to turn it over...repeat if necessary.  Works almost every time I've tried.  Almost, being, when it didn't work, I ended up taking off the top end, cleaning as much rust and crap as I could, then pouring a 50/50 mix of ATF and gasoline on top of the pistons and light that baby on fire with a wick or soaked sock.  Basically, the heat from the fire expands the metal and allows the ATF to find it's way down the cylinders.  Other methods out there, but I like to play with fire.    Safety first, of course.

oh my lord.  i am so doing this.

Haha...yeah, it works great.  The PO said the motor was frozen for at least 20 years.  Motor was outside in the grass, so you can imagine the shape it was in.  Anyways, works great and fun as hell.

[thekidd76]

how many days should i wait before i move onto the fire trick?  I'm not a very patient guy, and so far the Mystery Oil hasn't made any changes.

[goldarrow]

If ran out of patient, get grinder ready to cut cam chain, follow the manual to remove the cam and head, then have fun at it

[goldarrow]

do you have air compressor?  if you have one, just get a portable soda blasting gun for cheap and some hose long enough for your need.  you'll save plenty of cash than buying the kit from eastwood, just my 2 cents.

if you haven't had much time on the bike, just let it sit, every couple of days come back and remove the plugs and check the fluid level in the holes, keep filling it in if it goes down.  since your motor is on a stand, i don't think you can easily use hand on the kick start.  try remove the left side alternator cover off and wrench it back and forth every couple of days or so. 

[Tews19]

Nice buy! 

What kind of stand is that? I need one! If you are in need to re turn signals for the 550, I have a set.