Topic: Project (YAC) (76 CB550F) updates

[+eb0]

Hi all, long time lurker, only a few posts on trying to find bike for next project.

A few weeks ago I finally found a 1976 CB 550F (fellow member) and have begun the process of building. Pics below.

I have the motor out as you can see and the odometer said 38k, not sure if this is actual or not.

Anyways, all the crud on the outside of the motor was from PO(s) (not member) taking it through some mud fields or something. When I started getting inside it looks really clean, turns very easy. What litle oil that was in there was very clean as was the oil filter.

I am debating whether I should tear it apart or clean it, replace what I need, paint it and then when ready get it back in and see how it runs? I am on the fence, but since the motor is out......

Bike came without carbs, so I am on the hunt for those. My first order is to build a new wiring harness as the AZ sun has fried the original.










More pics in my before gallery:
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?action=gallery;su=user;cat=20;u=32258

+eb0

[jason41987]

if thats a '76 CB550F, what did the tank come off of?.. it should have a fuel tank with a hinged lid over the top of the gas cap... im rebuilding a 76 550F too, mine came with carbs but one of the carb bodies will need to be replaced.. im doing a complete rebuild though, stripped it down to almost nothing and im putting it together with all new bearings, seals, gaskets, tires, tubes, maintainence parts, etc

for me, this is a small price to pay for what im looking for, and that is a bike to last me many, many years as a daily commuter, so rebuilding mine better than brand new will suit me very well, if youre wanting to keep it long term, then yeah, you might as well rebuild it while its apart

[CafeDawg]

Hey man those idiot lights and bar clamps don't look 76 to me,more 77/78 and the tank is a K as for the rest of it......I'm all for restoring the abandoned and rough looking bikes(see my build) but I think you need to look at what your going to need to get it running.  Just a a quick glance, forks rebuilt prob with new tubes, gaiters, airbox, all cables, lights, how is inside of tank(?), seat , shocks, brake hoses, master and caliper rebuild, tires, tubes, rim strips, spokes(?), bearings, how's exhaust(?),  carbs and wire harness you mentioned and I'm sure other things along the way. That bikes had a rough life and with at least 38K it looks more like a parts bike than a potential runner.   Don't want hammer on your build just know what your getting yourself into. 

Respect
CD

[rb550four]

I'm thinking that the tag on the neck will tell you the actual year of the frame  and if you are to purchase parts , that would be the year to use. I'm also thinking a compression check is in order on a reasonably high miler that has been beat up,but I don't suspect it will be accurate as it looks to me that the head gasket has been failing according to the residue left behind after cleaning.
 If it were mine, before buying stuff ,I would break the top end down and check the condition of the top end to see if it is worth the investment. You said it spins really easy- didn't say if the plugs were in it or not. Said something about "what little oil was in it"- leads me to believe the bottom end is leaking as well.
 So if you invest in a full set of gaskets you won't be hurt too bad and it can give you a place to start if everything checks out.
 If it's not a worthy project part it out here, we all need something. It would be a waste to sell it to someone who would leave it in the weeds or worse yet throw it all out.

[Scott S]

 Dang! You guys are being rough on the old bike! People here have certainly started with less....

 If you like the bike and are into this for the "love of the game" and not to make a profit, go for it. I'd say with a bike that rough and with mismatched parts, it's a perfect start for a custom build. Too many people take nice survivors and chop 'em up or build cafe's. You have the perfect foundation to build whatever you want.

[+eb0]

@jason, yeah I was pretty much thinking the same thing, I don't mind tearing it down, just wanted to hear some other opinions, thanks.

@cafedawg: Yeah, the tank I knew was not from a 76, the PO gave it with the bike and I like the exposed filler lid better so it worked out. I knew this was a rough bike and I had no intention of trying to bring it back to stock, always wanted to do a custom cafe. I was planning on new headlight, guages, switches, clip-ons anyways so I was not concerned about those items. I really wanted a clean frame, motor that could be rebuilt, restorable tank and wheels. I was hoping the wiring harness was salvageable but it was not, so that and the carbs (which I knew when I bought it) are really the only things I have to replace that I was not originally planning on.

 The frame indicates it is indeed a 1976 550F as does the engine code according to what I could find:

1976 Honda CB550F
- Frame: CB550F-2002970
- Engine: CB550E-1111751




If I am not reading something right, please educate me on what I have.

@rb550, yes plugs were in it, the little oil is definitely not due to something major from what I can see.

@scotts, exactly, I was looking for my next "project" and it is for the love of Honda's and the love of the custom cafe racer look. If it were a nicer bike, I could never bring myself to chop it up, I hope to find one like that one day in a barn stashed away, we can all dream, for now I get to turn a wrench, remove some from metal and bang on this thing.

Thanks for all the replies, I am going to tear into this engine this week and I will post up some pics...

+eb0

[+eb0]

So I took a few hours and partially dug into the top end, see pics below.

First thing I noticed was one of the lobes on the cam was pitted and the corresponding rocker arm. Everything else looked good and the tension on the cam chain seemed good as the adjuster was all the way out and the chain was snug.

There is heavy carbon deposits, but the cylinder walls are smooth as glass and no scoring. The cam tensioner has some wear but from the reading I have done on these motors it looks normal.

So far so good, what do any of you CB experts think, looks rebuildable to me.....








+eb0

[CafeDawg]

Meant no disrespect to your vision just that getting their can add up in hurry.  I see from you pics you had some mice living in your cylinders I did as well, that's what lead me to doing an overbore.  I was more cautioning you to the expense of a cheap bike.   It's doable and good luck.

Respect
CD

[rb550four]

  Hey, that motor doesn't look too bad from here. Lucky dog. Could have gone either way, good place to start and you already have.
  Keep the pics coming, I'd like to see how it goes.
                                                                           RB

[+eb0]

@cafedawg, never took any offense to your response! Yeah, something was in there but I think it mostly was the dirt that feel in when I removed the head.

@rb550four, yeah I am optimistic it is a good rebuild canidate.

+eb0

[CafeDawg]

Oh just noticed your Avatar...your a Python fan!!!  U'll be fine.