Topic: New guy 77' CB550F

[zombeegrant]

Hi everyone,
I just wanted to introduce myself, and say hi. About a month ago I bought a my CB from a guy who abused it pretty badly. when i went to see the bike (craigslist find) it had a snapped clutch cable, no lights besides the headlight, which was on a toggle switch, exhaust was cut off so it was a straight 4 into nothing. Also had no gauges and wouldn't start. Clubmans on it and a rather new seat, though no lock for it.

He wanted 600 for it, and there was a group of guys looking at it the same day i went. I was skeptical especially since it wouldn't start, but i left and told him, that if those other guys wouldn't buy it, i would as log as i could hear it run, which he claimed it did before the clutch cable snapped. Well, he called me like 10 minutes later. he picked up a new battery and i met him again, and after a few kicks it started right up, and sounded surprisingly well considering the open exhaust. I offered him 350 and he took it.


I had a barrel nut in my car, and rigged up the clutch cable to get it home. ran real nice. about 20 miles home. almost home, and it starts sputtering and stops. took a bunch of kicks, but i got it started again, and got it home.

Well, turn out that the PO did a hack job on the electrical.  the battery wouldn't stay charged for long, and i had 2 batteries now to play around with. SO i read through possibly every topic on battery not charging on this site and got to work with my diagrams,and print outs of the threads, and finally got it. it had a solid state regulator\rectifier with crossed wires. put them back correctly and its good to go now. This site is a magnificent resource. I was going to go through the 3000 mile service starting with the points, and turns out it didn't need the points checked since it has a Dyna S.  Oil wasn't bad, and everything else went OK. carbs could use a cleaning but i'll tackle that once it gets too cold to ride. not too bad altogether.  Needs tires and gauges now. I put some shorty signals on it and it looks good. ordered some aftermarket controls because these are toast. the only thing that works is the signals. I plan on doing a few things in the Cafe realm over the winter, so i'll make sure to take lots of pics.

[DustyRags]

Sounds like you may have yourself a steal there- nicely done! Cool paint too. 

But... is that blue paint on the carbs?? 

[flybox1]

nice find for $350!!!!
do a carb clean, valve and cam chain adjustment, quick, so you can ride that itchb before winter sets in 

...you'll be able to tell what other things you need to do over the winter 

[Tews19]

Nice find... Check out cone engineering for a reverse megaphone muffler. 90 bucks there. You will have to bump up the jetting to 105 on your, move up a notch and change the idle circuit to 40 from the 38's..... I had a 75 550F and it was a blast.

Welcome to the site..... May want to make sure you had fuel. These old bikes are funny that way. You may see gas in the tank but the petcock stem stick up so you may need to put on reserve at times.

[dave500]

great score good price,dont fiddle with the jets if its running ok,good to see it has the proper air box on it leave it there.

[Magilla]

$350 and it started?  You Sir stole this bike!  You may need to be reported to the local authorities.  In parts there is far more than $350.  I would have snatched that puppy up in a heart beat.  No deals like that here in New England.  Stupid Chicago has everything.  Cheap bikes, U.S. Presidents and Mr T.

Good for you!!

[HeavensSatans]

Awesome find dude, dig the look.

[zombeegrant]

Yeah it had spray paint on the carbs. not sure why, but I blasted carb cleaner all over it and it washed away pretty easily.
I'll wait until the cold sets in before i do anything major to it.

Funny story, yesterday i take it to work, and when im leaving it had a hell of a time starting, then eventually died.
Thought it had gas, but i guessi was riding around on reserve the whole time and ran it through. 

The wife was ok, bringing me some gas, and bam! first kick, started right up.
Looks like UPS delivered my right hand control today, cant wait to get that on, and wire those up properly.

[Tews19]

Dave, I only suggested to bump up the jets as it looks like he has the stock headers. I was told running without a muffler and not rejetting may cause the bike to run lean and possible bent valves when ran to long like that. Not sure if this is true.

BTW, Zombeegrant, Dave500 and TwoTired are the 500/550's experts here. If he says leave the jets alone, listen to him. I have been tought a lot from him and value his opinion.

[singedebile]

Check the plugs you should be able to tell pretty easily if its running lean.

[dave500]

no worries tews,the jets might have already been tampered with?if its running ok etc just leave it,like singledebile says the plugs will tell tale if its lean,use new plugs and take it for a good hour run then see what they look like,i dont advocate repetitive "plug chops",plenty of spark plug threads have been messed up from plugs in and out and in and out over and again.

[Stev-o]

Welcome and good deal. Like the red, I have one too.

[Garystratos201]

Great find and a great price............Gary

[mono]

great find!    i've got dibs on the next one ! 

[jstfkndi]

Man, you got a deal!! And already riding it too?? Congrats!

[FunJimmy]

Nice score and welcome to the Frey.

Frankenfrankenstuff makes awesome side covers for a great price.
Give him a note if you're looking for some.

Cheers
FJ

[zombeegrant]

All good info. Thanks everyone.
It was a pretty good steal. i'm just glad its running good.
One side cover is cracked up pretty bad, so i might go for one of those. or both.

[craywm]

thsi is a great find! im looking at a 76 cb550 four and its in pieces! owner wanted 400 with an extra engine but titling issues prevented me from buying it until he cleared them up! He also CUT the old spokes off the wheels and bought new ones and wants an extra 200 dollars! no way im jumping on that boat!