Topic: '75 550F

[SmallTimeOkie]

Just bought a 1975 CB550F.
Current state




First bike, first build. Popping my motorcycle cherry the hard way.
Everything is there that I need to run. Don't know what all I'll find in the coming months (or not find), though.
I don't have much for equipment. I have access to a large and small soda blaster, and maybe some welders/machinists at the local airport. Other than that, I'm pretty much doing this in my room on my own. Hope you guys can give me a hand.

Starting off, I want a running engine. So i'm looking @ my carbs and air intake system. Have original Airbox, but no boots to attach the carbs to it. I have after market Unifilter airfilters for it though. So now i've got to make sure the carbs jets are the correct type. Also, the PO mentioned a crack in one of Carb#1's phenalic washers is cracked which was creating an induction leak that caused the engine to die. Not sure if that's the only thing going on, but it doesn't sound like that's the only problem. Possibly running to lean in the first place if the main jets were never changed.
Here's pitcure of the engine with  carbs 4&5 and filters.


Also, I would like to avoid taking the engine apart for now. Hoping to have this thing running by my birthday in September, if not sooner.

[Stev-o]

Welcome.  Looks like a nice project.  Frame looks in good shape, did the PO paint it?

[SmallTimeOkie]

I don't think so. They mentioned wanting to blast it and repaint it.

[SmallTimeOkie]

Alright, had some sense talked into me just before diving into the engine. Decided I would start with simpler parts and gain some momentum and confidence. So I turned to forks. Broke them down, got new seals, blasted and painted fork cases. Anybody have suggestions on how to clean the polished pistons? I'm thinking of grabbing some acetone and just rubbing them down.  Progress is slow when my only free time is Monday and Wednesday evenings (after dark) and Saturdays.

Pics soon.

[harisuluv]

That is one hot mess there.  Don't know whether to call it a basket case or a silver platter.  Did it come all organized like that in the containers and everything?

[SmallTimeOkie]

Yeah, the parts are somewhat organized. Ive spent the last few days figuring out whats in each container. Shouldn't take me too long to piece together. It will, however; takea while to get it at the level I want it to be.

More Pics
http://s1302.beta.photobucket.com/user/SmallTimeOkie/library/1975%20Honda%20CB550F%20Project

[swan]

CB550F are fantastic bikes! I had the same bike for a couple of years. It was $150, put $700 in to her, paint, carbs, tires, spokes, seat cover etc and had several thousands miles of trouble free riding. Lighter and better handling than a CB750 and nearly as fast.

Take a breath, read the factory service and/or Haynes manauls and then start in on it. If you don't understand something, ask here or re-read the books. Be patient and do it right the first time. Once you understand each of the systems (motor, carbs, ignition, etc) and how they relate to one another you will see these are relatively easy to build and maintain. I have the factory service and parts manual on PDF's if you need them. Good luck and keep the images coming.

[SF]

nice bike

[knowsnothing]

You might have figured out most of this stuff already, but here is my take on your boxes (disclaimer - i am not a 550 guy, but a lot of stuff looks similar so i should be kind of close  ):

1- Electronics panel plus some other things i don't recognize
2 - Rear cush rubbers, center stand bits, rotor bolts, ground wire from battery to frame, steering stem nuts/washers, fork tube nut, breather cover (thanks TT  ) and other stuff i can't make out
3 - kick start lever, front brake,  brake switch and accessories, brake hoses, engine mounts,
4 - you got it, carbs
5 - Battery box that i think should attach to stuff in box 1
6 - Rear brake lever, shift lever and the spring looks like it goes to the rear brake set up
7 - Clamps for the bottom of the front forks, rubbers for side covers,  front brake pads, rear brake stuff, carb insulator clamps and misc nuts and bolts
8 - Chain and part of the speedo
9 - Yup, carb stuff
10 - Rear sprocket and something i have no idea what it is...must be a 550 thing 
11 - choke cable and part of the rear wheel assembly
12 - Foot peg, part of the front fender (brace part), battery box rubbers and misc nuts and bolts i am not sure about

[knowsnothing]

Also, i think those clamps on the handle bars actually go on your front forks to hold the front axle

[TwoTired]

Be aware, the carbs you have pictured are not the ones that came with the F model.  Rather, they are 77 or 78 K models carbs.
What is your frame number?

You can make them work.  But, all the fuel metering settings and jets will need changing to make it run properly.

Box 12:Front fender mount/brace. Right side foot peg. Fender mount grommets and spacers.

Box 11: Rear wheel cush drive and Choke cable

Box 10: rear wheel sprocket and sprocket mount

Box 9: Carburetor assembly components.

Box 8: Drive Chain an front wheel speedo drive component.

Box 7: Right half of picture ... Rear brake components, side cover frame grommets,  front caliper pads, front caliper components
Left side of picture... Fork axle clamps, frame cable guide near horn mount,  Fork ear isolators,  Front caliper components, fork seal retainer, Air filter spring, air filter box elbows, carburetor coupler clamps.

Box 6: brake arm (not for an F model), shifter lever

Box 5: battery holder, and possibly a chain guard component (not certain).

Box 3 Front caliper, front caliper piston Front brake lines,  Front brake light hyd. switch, Front Disk splash fender, kick sart lever (NOT F model), Front engine to frame mounts, Clutch cable perch.

Box 2: start from lower right... Neg Battery cable, Main stand spring, side stand spring, Wheel bearing retainer or speedo drive,  Rear cush drive rubber, Head bearing races/retainers, Front wheel hub components, Engine top cover, Top bin has some fork components, and air box mount bracket, and some out of focus parts.

Box 1:  Rear under seat tool kit cover (for an F model seat), electrical panel bracket,

Cheers,

[knowsnothing]

I would go with what he /\ said 

[SmallTimeOkie]

Thanks for the replies everybody. The Handlebars just sat on the top triple, nothing to do with the forks, but i'm gonna sell them, not my favorite style. I had ID'd most of the boxes, but there were a few things i hadn't figured out. Once I get all the little assemblies put together the actual bike assembly will be quick and easy. I plan on getting it all together, then seeing how the carbs work. I'll probably be sending them to you Harisuluv, to have them cleaned and a few pars replaced. All in good time though.

[SmallTimeOkie]

Sorry it's been a while, progress still slow.

What is your frame number?

Frame number is CB550F-1008302

Today,
As I was putting my rear wheel assembly together I started noticing some differences in the schematics and the parts I held in front of me. It looked as though I was working with a 350/400 brake design, but my bike is a 550F (at least that's its frame number). My first thought was do see how much movement was in the brake arm before i felt resistance, which there was very little of. I seems to be fine, but now I'm curious, did the '75 550F have a different brake design than the others, or am I just a heavy drinker?



Yesterday,
Found out I have a DynaS ignition. PO wanted to replace with a "Newtronics" system. Any idea why? Its possible they didn't know what they had, I guess.

[dave500]

the hubs were the same as the 500 hubs,the later 550 k the rear hub changed it has a couple of larger ribs,you cant swap the brake assemblies between them,the axle spacers are also different.
heres the later rear brake and hub.

[SmallTimeOkie]

Ah, and the Clymer Manual I have failed to mention the change between models.

[swan]

There is nothing wrong with Dyna S ignitions, keep it.