Author Topic: 1977 CB550F IDK (first build)  (Read 173989 times)

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Offline minimo

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1977 CB550F IDK (first build)
« Reply #925 on: September 26, 2016, 12:37:44 AM »
So, this could happen...

Sooner or later, since I've relied mainly on kickstarts for the last several months of semi-consistent yet sweet riding on my 550, something like this was bound to happen. An attempt to kickstart this AM resulted in a "kerplunk-kachink" and all of a sudden there was no resistance on the kick down nor any ratcheting on the recoil. My guess was that the snap ring which had been reused had worked itself off of the groove and all the gears on that assembly came undone, and sure enough that's what it was.

As a desperate measure, yet maybe even a practical and preventative one was to attach a stainless hose clamp on the space of the shaft between the ratchet guide plate like so:

So now, even if that snap ring and washer on the end of the kickstart assembly were to fall off, the ratchet guide should still hold its place and kickstarts should still be possible.



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« Last Edit: September 26, 2016, 12:39:43 AM by minimo »

Offline minimo

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Re: 1977 CB550F IDK (first build)
« Reply #926 on: October 08, 2016, 06:28:51 PM »

No going back. Well, maybe a little bit with some Bondo.


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Offline minimo

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Re: 1977 CB550F IDK (first build)
« Reply #927 on: February 18, 2017, 12:09:41 PM »
So, there's been some slack in my chain (resulting in a weird repetitive crunch sound while riding). Shot bearing, perhaps? I think the sound is coming from my chain.

In any case, anyone else have luck riding around on a 16" rear with stock sprockets? Is there a trick to lining up the rear wheel to mitigate uneven wear on the chain? The tick mark notches on the swing arm don't seem to be too reliable.

Cognito Moto manufactures a set of offset drive and rear wheel sprockets (and spacers) meant for wider rear tires... I'm wondering if anyone else on here uses them? I'm not sure what combination is right for my setup. Help?

Rear offset spacer
https://cognitomoto.com/collections/cognito-moto-originals/products/3-8-9-5mm-rear-offset-sprocket-spacer-for-cb550

Rear offset sprocket and spacer
https://cognitomoto.com/collections/cognito-moto-originals/products/copy-of-3-8-9-5mm-rear-offset-sprocket-spacer-for-cb550

Offset sprocket
https://cognitomoto.com/collections/cognito-moto-originals/products/17-tooth-3-8-9-5mm-offset-sprocket-for-cb750-cb550-cb500t




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Offline calj737

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Re: 1977 CB550F IDK (first build)
« Reply #928 on: February 18, 2017, 02:33:10 PM »
The rim diameter should have nothing at all to do with sprocket alignment. And wheel bearing wear should not be wearing the chain. Is it possible you have mixed 530 front sprocket and 520/630 rear sprockets??? Is the rear wheel a donor wheel or just donor rim?
'74 550 Build http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=126401.0
'73 500 Build http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132935.0

"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of it's victim may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated, but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." - C.S. Lewis

Offline minimo

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Re: 1977 CB550F IDK (first build)
« Reply #929 on: February 18, 2017, 03:07:13 PM »
Here's the front sprocket:



The chain is a 100 Link 530.

Can't confirm on the rear wheel sprocket at the moment but here's a shot of it from afar; the best that I can give you for now while I'm out of town:


Thanks, calj!





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Offline minimo

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Re: 1977 CB550F IDK (first build)
« Reply #930 on: February 18, 2017, 03:16:33 PM »
I'm pretty sure the rear wheel was just a donor rim with stock hub... again, will confirm with stamp on rear sprocket when I get the chance. Thanks!


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Offline minimo

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Re: 1977 CB550F IDK (first build)
« Reply #931 on: February 19, 2017, 04:51:58 PM »
Figure I'll work with a clean slate since I was using the donor sprockets anyway. So basically, I will be installing the following:

Black Sunstar Front Sprocket - 17T
Silver Rear Sunstar Sprocket - 37T
Dark Grey D.I.D 530 Standard Chain - 100L

Hoping this will solve the repetitive crunch sound issues and a much smoother ride.



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Offline minimo

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Re: 1977 CB550F IDK (first build)
« Reply #932 on: February 27, 2017, 08:08:18 PM »
So, I installed the following:

Front sprocket: 17T
Rear sprocket: 37T
Chain: DID 50 (530)-100L

Oh, and my rear sprocket was indeed a Sunstar 37 toother that still appears to be in decent condition - flat plateau at the peaks and no big offset nor wear in the valleys nor the sides.


Decided to change it all out and start from scratch anyway. This Harley 16" rear must be slightly wider (w/ 5.5" wide tire) than stock and I try my best at lining up the chain adjusters with the notches to match on both sides of the swingarm. This is the challenging part of it all to adjust the chain evenly but also to keep the sidewall of the tire to hit the brake stay at the same time... I'm very tempted to fabricate a brake stay and put a slight bend at the point which it would make contact with the tire.
Any ideas?

So when I feel like I get it all right, while I've got the rear end up, I'll spin the wheel in the forward direction and upon glancing at the bike from the left side, I notice a slight up and down sort of oscillation going on as the wheel spins. Shouldn't the chain move evenly or is this wavey movement from the 3/4" slack that I leave on the chain (and while the rear is lifted and not on load)? Maybe I could upload a video to better exemplify?



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Offline calj737

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Re: 1977 CB550F IDK (first build)
« Reply #933 on: February 28, 2017, 04:26:12 AM »
What dimension tire are you running? (Curious) Is the 3/4" slack to be when loaded  or unloaded per your manual?
'74 550 Build http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=126401.0
'73 500 Build http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132935.0

"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of it's victim may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated, but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." - C.S. Lewis

Offline minimo

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Re: 1977 CB550F IDK (first build)
« Reply #934 on: February 28, 2017, 12:34:27 PM »
What dimension tire are you running? (Curious) Is the 3/4" slack to be when loaded  or unloaded per your manual?

Will confirm on the actual tire size later - they are Dunlop D404.

Per the manual:

"Normal chain slack is 10~20mm (3/8~3/4") with a slight force."
Didn't specify whether with/without load...


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Offline 754

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Re: 1977 CB550F IDK (first build)
« Reply #935 on: February 28, 2017, 04:15:52 PM »
Show the backside of rear sprocket and I can tell if it was running out of line.
Maker of the WELDLESS 750 Frame Kit
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73 836cc.. Green, had it for 3 decades!!
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Offline minimo

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Re: 1977 CB550F IDK (first build)
« Reply #936 on: February 28, 2017, 06:22:18 PM »
My rear tire on the 16" wheel:

Dunlop D404
130/90-16 M/C 67H


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Offline calj737

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Re: 1977 CB550F IDK (first build)
« Reply #937 on: February 28, 2017, 08:55:26 PM »
The 130 tire should not be a problem at all, especially with a 16" rim.
'74 550 Build http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=126401.0
'73 500 Build http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132935.0

"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of it's victim may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated, but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." - C.S. Lewis

Offline minimo

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Re: 1977 CB550F IDK (first build)
« Reply #938 on: March 01, 2017, 11:32:53 AM »
Thanks, calj.
I'll work on getting the back view photo for you, 754.

The only issue I see with my chain adjustment, before I go completely nuts thinking it's something else (which it very well could be), is how the side wall of the tire rubs against the brake stay. A quick fix would be to pound out a bit of clearance but I want to make sure it's an issue with the alignment or something else before I would do that.

Here's a picture of how the alignments look from the rear as I have both left/right side notches corresponding on the same tick marks - on the 2nd marks:

LEFT SIDE - note* I had to rescribe this notch because it became faint after a powder coat.


RIGHT SIDE


Shot from the rear with both left/right notches on correponding 2nd tick marks


Here's a shot of the side wall of the tire rubbing against the brake stay in this position





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Offline 754

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Re: 1977 CB550F IDK (first build)
« Reply #939 on: March 01, 2017, 11:56:48 PM »
Take an a angle grinder to edge of tire, or shim brake arm out.
Maker of the WELDLESS 750 Frame Kit
dodogas99@gmail.com
Kelowna B.C.       Canada

My next bike will be a ..ANFOB.....

It's All part of the ADVENTURE...

73 836cc.. Green, had it for 3 decades!!
Lost quite a few CB 750's along the way

Offline minimo

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1977 CB550F IDK (first build)
« Reply #940 on: March 02, 2017, 02:23:42 PM »
Take an a angle grinder to edge of tire, or shim brake arm out.
I'm not sure about taking a grinder to my side wall but I do like the shim idea...
I just hope it doesn't come to close to contacting the swing arm.
I'll give it a shot.

Thanks, 754.


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« Last Edit: March 02, 2017, 02:28:26 PM by minimo »

Offline minimo

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Re: 1977 CB550F IDK (first build)
« Reply #941 on: March 04, 2017, 05:16:26 PM »
Still a slight noticeable wobble on my rear sprocket... I removed the wheel again and remounted the new sprocket, torquing the nuts in star-formation and made sure all the parts are put on correctly and I still got a slight wobble.

I have an itch to ride out, so I put everything back on and to dodge the side wall from rubbing against the brake stay, I replaced the brake stay bolt with a longer one and threw on a shaft collar to shim it all up and now I have about 1/8" clearance with the chain adjusters corresponding on both sides.




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Offline 754

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Re: 1977 CB550F IDK (first build)
« Reply #942 on: March 04, 2017, 08:37:22 PM »
What I meant about the sprocket was if one side is shiny and worn, and the other side is not...its too far over on the shiny side.
Maker of the WELDLESS 750 Frame Kit
dodogas99@gmail.com
Kelowna B.C.       Canada

My next bike will be a ..ANFOB.....

It's All part of the ADVENTURE...

73 836cc.. Green, had it for 3 decades!!
Lost quite a few CB 750's along the way

Offline strynboen

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Re: 1977 CB550F IDK (first build)
« Reply #943 on: March 05, 2017, 02:09:18 AM »
dont run that fzukc..there is a lot of power in the brake arm/plate..and that aut of line  vill give a strong pull aut to one side..  it vill be pulled to death..in the first hard braking manovre..
get some thik metal spacers,,to put betveen.
.or better bend the arm..to get a straight vay of the braking power to the frame/svingarm..
« Last Edit: March 05, 2017, 02:14:52 AM by strynboen »
i kan not speak english/but trying!!
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=60973.0
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=144758.0
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Offline minimo

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Re: 1977 CB550F IDK (first build)
« Reply #944 on: March 05, 2017, 02:21:47 AM »
What I meant about the sprocket was if one side is shiny and worn, and the other side is not...its too far over on the shiny side.
Gotcha. I will take pics of the old sprocket to see about the wear. Thanks, 754.


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Offline minimo

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Re: 1977 CB550F IDK (first build)
« Reply #945 on: March 05, 2017, 02:25:41 AM »
dont run that fzukc..there is a lot of power in the brake arm/plate..and that aut of line  vill give a strong pull aut to one side..  it vill be pulled to death..in the first hard braking manovre..
get some thik metal spacers,,to put betveen.
.or better bend the arm..to get a straight vay of the braking power to the frame/svingarm..
Thanks, strynboen. I will take heed of your warning. I'll work on bending a piece of bar stock instead of relying on the standoff/shim.

The bike does move smooth like buttah though. I'll be sure not to brake hard if I decide to ride out again before the repairs.


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Offline minimo

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Re: 1977 CB550F IDK (first build)
« Reply #946 on: March 11, 2017, 09:00:14 PM »
Difficult to get a good shot of it, but I fabricated a rear brake stay with a 5/16" steel bar stock and some angled L-stock cut into a diamond-shape to reinforce the slight bend that I put on the stay close to the swing arm connection.

Strynboen, you see that I rid of the long bolt and shim in favor of placing the actual stay to make contact with the rear drum brake cover surface, just like OEM

So far so good on the test run of about 20 miles

Wheel is and looks straight and so far so good, my friends! Arigatou!




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Offline strynboen

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Re: 1977 CB550F IDK (first build)
« Reply #947 on: March 12, 2017, 03:41:45 AM »
hope not to saund as a bad asssss..but ..keep a eye on that ..flat iron...it vill try to straiten aut..and bend back in to the vheel..but take a ride and thek it aut..it need to take a hard braking..so test it aut..in real vorld..keep a look behind you before slamm the brake..and good luck(mean it positive ;)

is it possibel to let that L piece go almost the vhole vay back,,as you started it...that vill make it all more solid(and heavy)
















« Last Edit: March 12, 2017, 03:44:08 AM by strynboen »
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http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=60973.0
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Offline minimo

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Re: 1977 CB550F IDK (first build)
« Reply #948 on: March 14, 2017, 09:22:39 PM »
thanks, strynboen.
I'll keep an eye on it for sure. But for now, having fun riding around again.


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Offline minimo

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Re: 1977 CB550F IDK (first build)
« Reply #949 on: March 14, 2017, 09:24:27 PM »
I will consider extending the L bracket along the length for more reinforcement like the OEM part.


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