Topic: 78 550K Deal or no Deal?

[brewsky]

Looking at picking up a 78 550K with 23k on it tomorrow for $400.00

Looks complete, (re-painted), orig 4/4, nice seat, orig air box,....... needs the usual, tires, chain, caliper rebuild, carbs cleaned.

Weeping at the head gasket a little, and some oil on top of the valve cover gasket.

Anything special to know about these?

[flybox1]

TITLE?

[brewsky]

Yes...clear title and is supposed to run..

[Duanob]

I dunno about where you are but around here "I'LL TAKE IT!!!"

I paid $900 for a non running 76 550. After looking around for months I thought I did OK.

[brewsky]

Thanks for the info.....I'm not familiar with the 550's. The owner told me on the phone it was a 750, so that was what I was going to look at!
Needless to say, I'm not putting too much stock in what he says!
Did I read something about clutch/tranny weaknesses on these?

[TwoTired]

Did I read something about clutch/tranny weaknesses on these?

No.  They have improvements over the CB500.

The 78 carbs were finely tuned to the exhaust and induction.  Changing either means a carb jetting/adjustment endeavor, that most do not understand.

They are a very good bike in stock form.  Can be problematic and frustrating when modified.

The head gasket weep is pretty common.  I ignore it, wipe it off once a week as I don't believe it's work a tear down to fix two orings.
The cylinder cover (cam cover) has rubber "pucks", like filled orings, that harden with time/heat.  Not too difficult to fix that if you heed the shop manual warning about valve adjuster/valve stem interference (get that wrong and you bend several valves $).

A 35 year old bike will need all the electrical connections cleaned to keep it reliable.  Oxidation takes it's toll.

If all original beside paint and unmolested, an you can drive it, $400 ain't bad.
You'll have to be careful during the carb clean to keep from damaging the carb couplers.  Can't buy new ones anymore.  And using the older style couplers is a hodge-podge fit.

Cheers,

[Duanob]

Did I read something about clutch/tranny weaknesses on these?

Not too difficult to fix that if you heed the shop manual warning about valve adjuster/valve stem interference (get that wrong and you bend several valves $).

This is what TT is referring to before installing the cam cover:

[brewsky]

Thanks, TT, great info.!

I downloaded the manual and have been scanning thru it.....looks like you can do top end work without removing the motor?

[TwoTired]

Thanks, TT, great info.!

I downloaded the manual and have been scanning thru it.....looks like you can do top end work without removing the motor?

Yes.

[brewsky]

Did I read something about clutch/tranny weaknesses on these?

Not too difficult to fix that if you heed the shop manual warning about valve adjuster/valve stem interference (get that wrong and you bend several valves $).

This is what TT is referring to before installing the cam cover:


Thanks, I'll need to dig a little on this.....holding up the rockers?

[Duanob]

Thanks, I'll need to dig a little on this.....holding up the rockers?

rocker arms. if not held up out of the way they can bind on the top of the valves. When you go to tighten the cover down and turn your motor over the valve stems can bend or the valve guides can break.

its also a good idea to loosen your valve tappet adjusters all the way out too.

[brewsky]

Got it......thanks again

Thanks, I'll need to dig a little on this.....holding up the rockers?

rocker arms. if not held up out of the way they can bind on the top of the valves. When you go to tighten the cover down and turn your motor over the valve stems can bend or the valve guides can break.

its also a good idea to loosen your valve tappet adjusters all the way out too.

Thanks again.
I picked it up today, and it is definitely a project.
Will post some pics in a bit......some a little amusing

[brewsky]

Some pics......
Note the bags mounted backwards, and the windshield crammed between the guages and handlebar!

[brewsky]

Couple more.....
When I washed it off, I noticed the gas tank wouldnt drain under the lid.....the hose was threaded thru the rear tank mount rubber and therefore squeezed tight under the tank mount!

Windjammer came with the package which included leather lever tassels, spiked license plate frame, flag tire valve caps, and crash bars with one highway peg (the other must have been scraped off during the slide)

[Stev-o]

That is a deal.  Seems like we always find something odd or stupid that the PO did to the bike.

[the technological J]

you got a great deal... and if you need to change the clutch its very simple

[TwoTired]

When I washed it off, I noticed the gas tank wouldnt drain under the lid.....the hose was threaded thru the rear tank mount rubber and therefore squeezed tight under the tank mount!

I know from experience that when those well drains plug up, the water fills above the cap vent hole and then enters the fuel supply.

Check for water in the gas and carbs.

I don't see much in the pictures that can't be corrected in a straightforward way.  Should be a nice bike with some careful TLC.

Cheers,

[brewsky]

When I washed it off, I noticed the gas tank wouldnt drain under the lid.....the hose was threaded thru the rear tank mount rubber and therefore squeezed tight under the tank mount!

I know from experience that when those well drains plug up, the water fills above the cap vent hole and then enters the fuel supply.

Check for water in the gas and carbs.

I don't see much in the pictures that can't be corrected in a straightforward way.  Should be a nice bike with some careful TLC.

Cheers,

I will be flushing the tank, and the carbs are off and soaking now. (I am now convinced the 750 carb removal is a piece of cake!)

When I called the PO to schedule picking up the missing master cyl., he asked if I had started it up yet.....said it was running good the other day....RIGHT!. The #2 bowl and jets were completely sludged up and blocked, and the rest weren't a lot better. Turns out, according to him,  if you spray carb cleaner in the intake ........it's running good!

Had to search for damages due to the empty battery cell in the "new battery" which turned out to have a pin hole in the bottom. The top breather hose was butted up against the side of the battery, some wires and hoses were blackened and melted, and I thought there had been a fire........but now I think it was just acid melting stuff as it dripped out.

So, hopefully, some time with the pressure washer has prevented further damage.

[loaferoatan]

STEAL! Even if you have to put in $500 or so, it looks like it's going to be a pretty good little run around for under $1K.....CAFE IT!

[brewsky]

I thought about the cafe route, but the seat is pretty comfy the way it is......will see later.

Now, just to get it running and see how the motor/tranny are.

I blasted the area of the acid leak pretty well, and there doesn't appear to be any major damage.

I hate to throw stuff away, so I'm trying to think of a good use for a good 10 volt battery (After the rest of the acid drains out of the bad cell)

[dave500]

man!!!we never get deals like that here in australia,i wanna live in america,everythings cheap in america,hondas are free in america,i wanna live in america!

[brewsky]

man!!!we never get deals like that here in australia,i wanna live in america,everythings cheap in america,hondas are free in america,i wanna live in america!

Actually, a while back, I did get a free Honda Shadow from a guy, who got it from a guy etc., with no title. It needed some work, and I really didn't have room for it, so I gave it to a friend, but decided to keep the original tool kit.
As he was on his way to pick it up, I opened the tool box to only to find the original title, endorsed to blank!

They always seen to be cheaper when you don't really want them to start with....I thought I was going to look at a twin to my 750, and the PO started at $1,300!

Now I really want a 305 Superhawk, but no deals around so far for that model!

I think I'm going to like the size of this 550.

[dave500]

youll love it,for an old tank they steer quite well and out accellerate most cars when the light goes green,theyve had cool factor since new and are a fun thing,they are mostly indestructible within reason and will tolerate a lot of abuse.

[the technological J]

you should start a thread in the project shop..... i think theres a thread in the tips and tricks about rejuvenating an old battery

[rboe]

Looks like a real POS, so you should just save yourself some grief and ship it to me. I'll do you a favor and pay for shipping too.   

Craig Vetter sells some parts for his old Vetter fairings if you are interested in using it. They really where the cat's meow back then.