Author Topic: Just brought a CB550 home, I'm ready to build  (Read 19985 times)

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Offline thedrewski86

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Just brought a CB550 home, I'm ready to build
« on: September 16, 2012, 12:32:18 PM »
Hey everybody, I just became a sohc4 owner yesterday. I picked up a non-running '75 CB550 dirt cheap. No key so I will need to hotwire for a little while. I will have good pics as soon as I find the cable to my good camera  ::) pardon the crackberry pics for now.

Here's how she looked when I brought her home (with 4,944 miles!):





The bike looks real nice, no battery but the engine turns over freely. The PO told me the mechanic he got it from confirmed there was good spark but I'm assuming nothing works at this point. For this afternoon I really just want to clean things up and get an idea of what I'm in for.

So far I've dumped the old gas out of the tank and carbs. I sprayed carb cleaner up into the carbs and got a ton of junk out. The outside of the carbs look pretty clean, gaskets seem to be newer than '75 anyway. The inside of the tank looks pretty good. I hooked up an old battery from my 1100 to it and I can get the oil light to come on when I cross the 12v red wire and the black IGN wire at the main switch. With the enormous battery hanging awkwardly off the side of the frame I tried kicking it but it sure ain't firing. (Yes, it's in neutral! ;D) I'm reading through the FSM right now to test ignition coils, points, all that fun stuff.
1975 CB 550k
1990 CBR1000f
1995 VT1100C2 (sold!)
2009 Ninja 250 (wife's)
1994 Toyota 4x4 22RE 5 speed

Offline harisuluv

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Re: Just brought a CB550 home, I'm ready to build
« Reply #1 on: September 16, 2012, 12:37:24 PM »
Really nice find, stock pipes too! 

As for the key, look at the ignition, get the code starting with T right on the face of the lock.  Call a locksmith and they will cut you a key.  Just had to do this recently cost me about 6 bucks and I just picked it up.  Don't know if you just sprayed the bowl cavity, but at the very minimum you probably need to pull the jets for cleaning (especially the idle jets) and check the float height.

Offline Viktor.J

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Re: Just brought a CB550 home, I'm ready to build
« Reply #2 on: September 16, 2012, 12:41:24 PM »
Love that color and color scheme !

 8)
Please ! Take a look and give me feedback in my project thread, its much needed :)
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=112745.0

Honda CB750 K2

Offline thedrewski86

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Re: Just brought a CB550 home, I'm ready to build
« Reply #3 on: September 16, 2012, 12:42:39 PM »
Thanks man! Yeah the pipes are beautiful. It's a shame I like 4into1s so much! I could probably sell the pipes as are and break even with what I paid for this. I plan to rebuild the carbs but now I just wanna see if it will fire. Am i missing anything there? I think if I cross the red and black wires at the switch it should try to fire... that's why I'm going to start testing electrical equipment.

Thanks too Viktor, I'm a fan of it myself ;)
1975 CB 550k
1990 CBR1000f
1995 VT1100C2 (sold!)
2009 Ninja 250 (wife's)
1994 Toyota 4x4 22RE 5 speed

Offline Stev-o

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Re: Just brought a CB550 home, I'm ready to build
« Reply #4 on: September 16, 2012, 12:47:07 PM »
Nice find and looks to be in clean cond.

+1 - look for the key code on the switch, can get one here....

http://www.motorcyclekeys.com/vintage.html

What is your long range plan? Clean & ride, mod or proper restoration?

'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline thedrewski86

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Re: Just brought a CB550 home, I'm ready to build
« Reply #5 on: September 16, 2012, 01:19:34 PM »
Sweet, guess I'll just get a key made.

Long term I'd like to keep it stock and clean it up. Honda had a good thing going with these and I don't feel like changing it. I RIDE my bikes so this will be no exception. I think I'll even keep the crazy big sissy bar on this as it holds a backpack quite well. I should probably not worry about starting it today and just clean it. Once I get the thing fired up I won't have time to clean it! 8)
1975 CB 550k
1990 CBR1000f
1995 VT1100C2 (sold!)
2009 Ninja 250 (wife's)
1994 Toyota 4x4 22RE 5 speed

Offline jason41987

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Re: Just brought a CB550 home, I'm ready to build
« Reply #6 on: September 16, 2012, 06:43:25 PM »
hey thedrewski86... i have the 4 into 1 off a CB550 super sport i might decide to not keep... personally, i like the 4 into 2 the standard CB550s came with

Offline thedrewski86

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Re: Just brought a CB550 home, I'm ready to build
« Reply #7 on: September 16, 2012, 07:02:23 PM »
hey thedrewski86... i have the 4 into 1 off a CB550 super sport i might decide to not keep... personally, i like the 4 into 2 the standard CB550s came with

Yeah man, let me know. I started cleaning these 4into4 pipes today, I should have pics up before long.
1975 CB 550k
1990 CBR1000f
1995 VT1100C2 (sold!)
2009 Ninja 250 (wife's)
1994 Toyota 4x4 22RE 5 speed

Offline jason41987

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Re: Just brought a CB550 home, I'm ready to build
« Reply #8 on: September 16, 2012, 07:28:04 PM »
i have a ways to go on my bike before i get to the exhaust though, i have to replace a lot of parts that werent on the bike when i purchased it. and have to decide whether i want a tail loop or not so if i do, i can weld it on before powder coating my frame... im still on the fence though whether i really want to sell my CB550F, about the only thing still super sport about my bike, and lose that super sport identity entirely... but i probably will at some point, and either go 4 into 2 (most likely) or 4 into 4 (maybe)

Offline jason41987

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Re: Just brought a CB550 home, I'm ready to build
« Reply #9 on: September 17, 2012, 04:52:15 AM »
anyway drewski. youre in the same boat i am in, i just bought my CB550F 8 days ago... been taking a break from working on it as the parts i need to get it running are on their way

if it doesnt run... i recommend you tackle the ignition system and carburetor.. make sure your coils are good, plugs are good, plug cabs, condensers, and points.. previous owner couldnt get mine running but he never checked the spark plug caps which were all bad.. so.. his loss

also, carburetors are most likely gummed up, and possibly corroded on the inside... so be prepared to tear them apart clean, and rebuild... after that, no reason it shouldnt start up beautifully

Offline ekpent

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Re: Just brought a CB550 home, I'm ready to build
« Reply #10 on: September 17, 2012, 07:10:58 AM »
I see carb 'rebuild' being tossed around quite a bit. I would not be spending any money on rebuild kits,maybe just float bowl gaskets if needed,especially with the mileage yours is showing. I always have good luck on new projects just thoroughly cleaning all the good quality stock bits.Not a big fan of some of the aftermarket stuff.

Offline thedrewski86

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Re: Just brought a CB550 home, I'm ready to build
« Reply #11 on: September 17, 2012, 08:18:57 AM »
Good point. My plan now is get a battery in it so I can see what works and test the electrical components for issues. The only issue I see now is a fuel leak that may be coming from the petcock (it seems to get wet with fuel when I move the bike). I'll do a carb build later but now I just wanna fire it up with the least amount of work possible.

Right now my short list includes battery then key (in between work and riding my regular bike all over the place 8)). We'll go from there.
1975 CB 550k
1990 CBR1000f
1995 VT1100C2 (sold!)
2009 Ninja 250 (wife's)
1994 Toyota 4x4 22RE 5 speed

Offline thedrewski86

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Re: Just brought a CB550 home, I'm ready to build
« Reply #12 on: September 17, 2012, 08:23:52 AM »
I almost forgot.. I have new pics  ;D where are my manners??
Enjoy:











1975 CB 550k
1990 CBR1000f
1995 VT1100C2 (sold!)
2009 Ninja 250 (wife's)
1994 Toyota 4x4 22RE 5 speed

Offline jason41987

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Re: Just brought a CB550 home, I'm ready to build
« Reply #13 on: September 17, 2012, 08:31:58 AM »
i just went to walmart and got a new battery for $40.. ES12AA i believe is the number.. same size as the original, also 12v 12a, so.. direct replacement

as for carb rebuild, the o-rings in my carbs had turned into hard plastic.. they were absolutely no good for sealing anything.. can probably clean out the jets and other components, but still should strip them down to nothing, clean them thoroughly, and reassemble with new o-rings (about $5 from theoringstore)... if you really do have good spark then this is where id start looking for a reason why it doesnt run... three out of four of my carbs were siezed from a very long time of not being used or ran

your bike is a lot more complete than mine.. mine didnt have a tank, seat, side covers, turn signals, front brake, or most the electricals so im sure youll finish rebuilding yours before i finish mine... but ill also be powder coating everything and converting it to a cafe racer since theres little stock OEM value left with half of it missing... but, ive reserved 6 months and a ceiling of a couple thousand dollars for mine if needed

Offline thedrewski86

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Re: Just brought a CB550 home, I'm ready to build
« Reply #14 on: September 17, 2012, 08:41:54 AM »
Yeah, this will be a sub $1000 runner! There's enough there to get it road worthy (almost). Since you're going cafe maybe you're chopping off the front brake? That's the biggest part I'm missing. I have the disc but no caliper/bracket. I'm on the lookout if you wanna part it out.
1975 CB 550k
1990 CBR1000f
1995 VT1100C2 (sold!)
2009 Ninja 250 (wife's)
1994 Toyota 4x4 22RE 5 speed

Offline jason41987

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Re: Just brought a CB550 home, I'm ready to build
« Reply #15 on: September 17, 2012, 08:58:13 AM »
mine doesnt have a front brake, has a disc as well, but no caliper... im going to have to make a compromise though between going all out cafe racer, and something i can still ride daily, i notice many cafe racers dont actually have turn signals either but... ill have to get some

my carburetors looked spotless on the outside as well, perfect, clean, but once i opened up the bowls, three of them were caked in white corrosion, probably zinc oxide from moisture getting in and reacting with the zinc in the aluminum... im currently in the process of using brass brushes in my dremel to clean it out and my cars are looking brand new on the inside too.. but, i still have to replace the o-rings, they were sooooo bad, i actually thought it was hardened plastic until i looked closer and realized they were the o-rings.. which would explain why the carbs came apart so easy

although im reserving that much money for this.. im trying to keep the cost as low as possible and doing all the work myself, most of its just cleaning up original parts and giving it a new finish, cant imagine ill be getting into any serious costs outside of powder coating the frame

to make things easy, im breaking it down into sections for the rebuild... front end which includes forks, handlebars, controlls, front brake ect... the rear end which is everything attached to the swingarm, the engine/tranny, and then everything else including the frame, and im going to rebuild it all one section at a time to keep things better organized and help the process along

Offline twallace

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Re: Just brought a CB550 home, I'm ready to build
« Reply #16 on: September 17, 2012, 09:44:19 AM »
Nice bike...looks just like mine.


Offline thedrewski86

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Re: Just brought a CB550 home, I'm ready to build
« Reply #17 on: September 17, 2012, 09:48:18 AM »
Very nice indeed! Would you mind taking a closeup of the front brake by the wheel? I know I need a caliper but it would be nice to know what everything looks like for reference.
1975 CB 550k
1990 CBR1000f
1995 VT1100C2 (sold!)
2009 Ninja 250 (wife's)
1994 Toyota 4x4 22RE 5 speed

Offline IndyFour

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Re: Just brought a CB550 home, I'm ready to build
« Reply #18 on: September 17, 2012, 10:24:22 AM »
The bike looks to be in decent shape....better than mine looked when I first got it.

Hey, if you need a right side cover, I have an orange one....has a corner broken off and there's no badge, but still useable (tabs intact) and it matches your paint...might look better than no cover at all.  You can have it if you ever make it down South to the Indy area.
1974 CB550K
2000 VFR800FIY
__________________
Indianapolis, Indiana

Offline jason41987

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Re: Just brought a CB550 home, I'm ready to build
« Reply #19 on: September 17, 2012, 10:32:51 AM »
how about i purchase a set of honda CB side covers, make a mould of them, and start making fiberglass replacements?

anyway... that bike posted above looks really nice, almost enough to make me want to restore mine to factory original condition

Offline thedrewski86

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Re: Just brought a CB550 home, I'm ready to build
« Reply #20 on: September 17, 2012, 10:56:58 AM »
I may take you up on that IndyFour, I actually have the cover but 2 out of the 3 tabs broke off. I glued one back on but it didn't bond well so a new one would be nice.

I make it down to Indy every now and then when I get the hankerin for a brew at Broad Ripple Brewpub. I'll buy you a pint if there's a free side cover in it for me!
1975 CB 550k
1990 CBR1000f
1995 VT1100C2 (sold!)
2009 Ninja 250 (wife's)
1994 Toyota 4x4 22RE 5 speed

Offline IndyFour

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Re: Just brought a CB550 home, I'm ready to build
« Reply #21 on: September 17, 2012, 11:19:15 AM »
I may take you up on that IndyFour, I actually have the cover but 2 out of the 3 tabs broke off. I glued one back on but it didn't bond well so a new one would be nice.

I make it down to Indy every now and then when I get the hankerin for a brew at Broad Ripple Brewpub. I'll buy you a pint if there's a free side cover in it for me!

You bet.  Just give me a shout when/if you're ever around.  Get that bike running and you can ride down here!   :)
1974 CB550K
2000 VFR800FIY
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Indianapolis, Indiana

Offline thedrewski86

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Re: Just brought a CB550 home, I'm ready to build
« Reply #22 on: September 17, 2012, 07:49:10 PM »
Got a key made for about $10 today after work! Seems to work the ignition switch pretty well. I also pulled the carbs since I have to wait a day or two for my battery to come in. There was a fair amount of crap in the bowl but it wasn't too bad. I have them soaking now. I'm using the old Pine-Sol trick, check it out if you've never seen it. http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=560117

I think I'm also going to try this trick: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=32544.0 Anyone try that and take pics? Just curious really, I will if no one else did.
1975 CB 550k
1990 CBR1000f
1995 VT1100C2 (sold!)
2009 Ninja 250 (wife's)
1994 Toyota 4x4 22RE 5 speed

Offline thedrewski86

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Re: Just brought a CB550 home, I'm ready to build
« Reply #23 on: September 17, 2012, 07:52:28 PM »
Oh, and is there an easy way to get that stupid air filter box out?!  :o I bet that took 30 min today and it had me wanting to put stupid pod filters on just so I wouldn't have to mess with it again! Don't worry I won't, but seriously, what a PIA!  >:(
1975 CB 550k
1990 CBR1000f
1995 VT1100C2 (sold!)
2009 Ninja 250 (wife's)
1994 Toyota 4x4 22RE 5 speed

Offline jason41987

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Re: Just brought a CB550 home, I'm ready to build
« Reply #24 on: September 17, 2012, 08:19:23 PM »
drewski, im currently working on my carbs.. there was a lot of white crud caked on the inside that im brushing out with brass brushes on my dremel, after that im going to soak them in pine sol as that tutorial suggests and give it a try.. i need to find something to clean the passages out that my dremel cant reach.. ive already seperated the carbs though, wasnt difficult and makes them a lot easier to handle and work on

id like to see a photo of the inside of your carb bowls before you soak them for a before and after view

---- EDIT ----

ooh.. i just had an idea.. instead of using that much pine sol to soak the carbs.. im thinking i might just plug up the holes with something easily removed, then pour pine sol into the carbs and let them set and see how that works.. the outside of my carbs are already pretty clean
« Last Edit: September 17, 2012, 08:22:02 PM by jason41987 »