Topic: '75 CB550 - HELP NEEDED

[sniper1]

I just pulled the #2 plug, wired it up and fired the engine. No spark whatsoever. Now what?

Is it possible that the condensor is bad?

Could it be bad ignition coil?

Tank rubbing against wiring harness causing problems?

Where should I start to check? and how?

[TwoTired]

Plugs sooting up are almost certainly the air screws in too far.  Especially if you have the 069a carb with the solid tipped needle.
I don't care if you have and F model, unless you have the stock 4 into one muffler, you should have the carbs set up like a K model for the same year.  Replacement mufflers wer expected to replace the 4 into 4.

What is the condition of the condensers?  If you you swap them from side to side does the spark problem follow them?

I still don't get why you would adjust the tappets to anything besides Honda factory spec.  All mine have run well with those settings.  Maybe if you are racing or have a special cam, the clearance should be different.  But, Honda knew how to build a pretty stout engine.  But, if you must experiment, good luck!

Cheers,

[sniper1]

What is the condition of the condensers?  If you you swap them from side to side does the spark problem follow them?

That's a good idea, i will try that and see what happens.

I still don't get why you would adjust the tappets to anything besides Honda factory spec.  All mine have run well with those settings.  Maybe if you are racing or have a special cam, the clearance should be different.  But, Honda knew how to build a pretty stout engine.  But, if you must experiment, good luck!

I did adjust to factory settings. Everything according to the three different manuals I have.

[luap]

I just pulled the #2 plug, wired it up and fired the engine. No spark whatsoever. Now what?

Is it possible that the condensor is bad? swap 1-4 point condensor to 2-3 points see if that works

Could it be bad ignition coil? do a search to see how to test coils, http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=5752.msg8383#msg8383

Tank rubbing against wiring harness causing problems? do you have worn wires, an why is the tank rubbing

Where should I start to check? and how? get tank off of harness.

[Bailgang]

I just pulled the #2 plug, wired it up and fired the engine. No spark whatsoever. Now what?

Is it possible that the condensor is bad? swap 1-4 point condensor to 2-3 points see if that works

Could it be bad ignition coil? do a search to see how to test coils, http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=5752.msg8383#msg8383

Tank rubbing against wiring harness causing problems? do you have worn wires, an why is the tank rubbing

Where should I start to check? and how? get tank off of harness.

I'm the one that gave him the idea of the tank/harness issue. I just purchased a seat from him so we were PMing back and forth about this subject last night. I had issues with one of my coils on my 550 getting knocked out and running on only 2 cyls and I knew it had to do with the tank because it would always do it after I'd pull the tank and put it back on. Not sure how it was doing it because none of the wires were bare and all the connections for the coils were shielded/insulated but none the less that clump of connectors was getting pinched by the tank some how. I ended up make sure all connections were clean and made sure they stayed away from the tank and the problem went away. It's a long shot as to whether that's the problem sniper is having but it's worth looking into because many of the issues I had with my 550 when I first got it running ended up being simple stuff that I had assumed was OK and didn't dbl check.