Topic: 78' CB550 Build Finished then broke.

[K_Kalynuik]

I think I seen it. The one I seen didn't show what he actually adjusted on the carbs. I know how to hook everything up, I just don't know what to do once I have it hooked up and actually need to adjust the vacuum. I'll take another look on YouTube to see some more videos. Thanks tews.

[K_Kalynuik]

Ok I just watched what i think is the video your talking about. I did see that video before but the problem is my carbs dont have the same screws and ports as his does. The ports for the sync hoses are in a different location on my carbs. See the image below. After that, i dont know where on my carbs I turn a screw to affect the carb vacuum pressure.

[Tews19]

You have the PD carbs. Kind of a #$%* to sync so make sure your carbs are really clean as well as the tank.

To adjust yours you have to remove the top of each carb body. The 2 screws. My 550 carba are different but I will try to explain.
Pic below make sure your top looks like such.
To make the process easier, get this frok motion pro. You will be fighting yourself if you dont.

Whike the bike is running you want to adjust the top nut. If I remember correctly carb 2 is non adjustable. So start with carb 1 and make it as close as you can to 2. I could be wrong but it could be carb 4 that cant be adjusted. Once you have 1 and 2 close go to 3. Get 3 as close as 2 as you can. Then carb 4. 

I will find my video if my 550 where I synced it

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 2

[Tews19]

Here the link. Notice the differences of each carb and how they were when done.

[K_Kalynuik]

That's amazing info Tews. This site never let's me down. I think I got the sync now. I'll try it out this weekend. Cross my fingers!

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Great looking bike -- especially the integrated taillight into the seat cowl.   

[Tews19]

Here is  the link of the videos of my sync... Thought the copy and paste worked earlier today...

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=107533.msg1203813#msg1203813

[K_Kalynuik]

Thanks dude. That's awesome.

[K_Kalynuik]

Hey, I have some updated pics on the Bike Of the Month thread where I am nominated. http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=121689.25
Check em out. Ill post up some more video soon.

[nixon]

Just stumbled on this great bike..well done..well balanced and excellent finish

[Sharpy]

Stunning job, seriously love the modern bike front ends on these SOHC bikes, they look really aggressive... I am looking for a "cheap" one to do in this style but there are not many about that are cheap... 

[SF]

dont forget about that vid

[K_Kalynuik]

Thanks Nixon and Sharpy

I finished the build the beginning of the spring. Spent the summer riding it, loving it, and tracking down small problems and oil leaks. In the middle of Sept I finally got my clutch dialed in and a replacement part installed, only to have more engine problems. I did a complete rebuild and upgrade of almost everything in the motor except the valves and valve guides. Machine shop said they were fine. But on my main ride after solving my clutch issue, the engine cracked an intake valve and a small chunk came off it. Causing some nasty spitting and popping. So currently the bike is torn down, awaiting to place an order from Dynoman. New valves valve seals and valve guides. Along with some Hardened rockers. This upcoming weekend I am going to open the motor to see if the chunk of valve destroyed any other parts. Then Ill place my order.

SF, here is the link to the video post -

There is a link above, to my bike of the month thread where I posted more pics if your interested too. 

[Tews19]

Welcome back! Glad to hear you enjoyed the summer riding....

[SF]

sh*% ! sorry to hear about the motor hope you get it sorted and document it here

[Maurice]

Very nice bike, great job, sorry to hear about the breakage...

What exhaust is that? It's exactly what I'm looking for.

Thanks

[K_Kalynuik]

Thanks Guys. I had a lot of fun with it this summer. Put about 1000 kms on it before she got sick. Its not too bad tho, now that winter is here, it gives me a reason to tinker over the winter "Build, Ride, Rebuild". I was going to start another project this winter but this will give me the chance to iron out the last kinks, and change a few minor things that I noticed this summer on my CB.

I will definitely document it here. My initial build I didn't get to document it as much but I will start with all the changes and fixes I do.

Maurice - That's a Cone Engineering Muffler. With the rough baffle and fiberglass mat packed around the baffle. Its straight through and Sounds great in the country. A little loud when I eventually got it back to downtown Toronto where I live. But there are much, much louder bikes around so I just need to get use to it.

[Maurice]

On what headers? That tank is a work of art.

Also you're not running a sprocket cover or was it only for test-riding?

So many things going on, in a good way.

[K_Kalynuik]

Its a Mac 4-1 that I modified with some spare pipe to get the angle and fit of the muffler right.

And yes, The sprocket cover I had it off for testing. Those video clips are from the first couple test rides. Some of the pics I took still have the baby powder on it that I was using to chase down oil leaks. Now I wish I had cleaned it more.

The tank is an early CB750 tank that I had a friend of mine weld up for me The biggest problem I have with the tank is my fork tubes hit the tank. Limiting my turning radius and causing small dents and chips in the paint anytime I turn too sharply. Im looking into a fully custom tank over this winter. I would then put some indents for the forks and have proper steering stops.

[DaveBarbier]

Its a Mac 4-1 that I modified with some spare pipe to get the angle and fit of the muffler right.

And yes, The sprocket cover I had it off for testing. Those video clips are from the first couple test rides. Some of the pics I took still have the baby powder on it that I was using to chase down oil leaks. Now I wish I had cleaned it more.

The tank is an early CB750 tank that I had a friend of mine weld up for me The biggest problem I have with the tank is my fork tubes hit the tank. Limiting my turning radius and causing small dents and chips in the paint anytime I turn too sharply. Im looking into a fully custom tank over this winter. I would then put some indents for the forks and have proper steering stops.

Hey K_Kalynuik, I was looking to see if you talked about the air filter mod you did and only saw info at the end of your video. I like it a lot and want to replicate it on my 550. It seems like it would be a lot easier to get the carbs tuned well because you're using the Honda velocity stacks. Have you found this to be the case? Can you post any pictures of how you exactly did this and what K&N filter you used?

Thanks dude, totally sweet bike. I have this saved in my phone along side many others as inspiration for my build. Hope that's not creepy, haha!


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1978 Honda CB550K

[deafcaferacer]

What a dramatic transformation! Great build. The upside to that cracked intake valve is that it didn't happen during the summer.. that would have been a bummer.

[K_Kalynuik]

What a dramatic transformation! Great build. The upside to that cracked intake valve is that it didn't happen during the summer.. that would have been a bummer.

Thanks Deafcafe, appreciate the compliments. And yes I agree, the timing of the valve failure was better than being in the summer. Although, I did just start a month long vacation at the time and was planning on riding it the entire month. Got one ride in before that happened.. Oh well. At least it opened up the opportunity to do some other engine mods that I didn't get a change to do before. The motor parts are at the machine shop right now as I type this. Once I get them back I will report with some pics of what more I had done to the motor.

Hey K_Kalynuik, I was looking to see if you talked about the air filter mod you did and only saw info at the end of your video. I like it a lot and want to replicate it on my 550. It seems like it would be a lot easier to get the carbs tuned well because you're using the Honda velocity stacks. Have you found this to be the case? Can you post any pictures of how you exactly did this and what K&N filter you used?

Thanks dude, totally sweet bike. I have this saved in my phone along side many others as inspiration for my build. Hope that's not creepy, haha!

Hey Dave, Thanks for the compliments as well. And no Not creepy at all to save a motorcycle pic in your phone dude, I have 100's of bikes on my phone that I have no idea who owns them. That's normal. Did you see my other pics on my BOTM thread? - http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=121689.25

For the air box/air plenum. I don't have any close up pics of my personal setup at the moment, but check out this picture I attached. Its pretty damn close to how I did mine. I made a plate with a 2" hole cut in the center and 4 x 1/4" holes to mount it to the exisiting mounting holes in the air box. Then weld a piece of 2" pipe to the 2" hole you cut in the plate and bolt that whole unit to the air box. I used some sealer behind to make sure it was a tight seal. Then just get any 2" i.d. filter you want and mount it with a hose clamp. I don't remember the model number I got.

Also, because you retain the Honda velocity stack and stock air plenum, the tuning is a lot easier. Part of the problem with pod filters is the disrupted air flowing into the carb throat is not flowing smoothly due to the outside air turbulence when driving. The plenum allows the air to 'settle' down before entering the velocity stacks. While the larger K&N in theory allows more air flow for my open exhaust, big bore kit, porting and cam setup. TwoTired is the guy to talk to about the science behind the velocity stacks and airbox.

Kenny

[DaveBarbier]

What a dramatic transformation! Great build. The upside to that cracked intake valve is that it didn't happen during the summer.. that would have been a bummer.

Thanks Deafcafe, appreciate the compliments. And yes I agree, the timing of the valve failure was better than being in the summer. Although, I did just start a month long vacation at the time and was planning on riding it the entire month. Got one ride in before that happened.. Oh well. At least it opened up the opportunity to do some other engine mods that I didn't get a change to do before. The motor parts are at the machine shop right now as I type this. Once I get them back I will report with some pics of what more I had done to the motor.

Hey K_Kalynuik, I was looking to see if you talked about the air filter mod you did and only saw info at the end of your video. I like it a lot and want to replicate it on my 550. It seems like it would be a lot easier to get the carbs tuned well because you're using the Honda velocity stacks. Have you found this to be the case? Can you post any pictures of how you exactly did this and what K&N filter you used?

Thanks dude, totally sweet bike. I have this saved in my phone along side many others as inspiration for my build. Hope that's not creepy, haha!

Hey Dave, Thanks for the compliments as well. And no Not creepy at all to save a motorcycle pic in your phone dude, I have 100's of bikes on my phone that I have no idea who owns them. That's normal. Did you see my other pics on my BOTM thread? - http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=121689.25

For the air box/air plenum. I don't have any close up pics of my personal setup at the moment, but check out this picture I attached. Its pretty damn close to how I did mine. I made a plate with a 2" hole cut in the center and 4 x 1/4" holes to mount it to the exisiting mounting holes in the air box. Then weld a piece of 2" pipe to the 2" hole you cut in the plate and bolt that whole unit to the air box. I used some sealer behind to make sure it was a tight seal. Then just get any 2" i.d. filter you want and mount it with a hose clamp. I don't remember the model number I got.

Also, because you retain the Honda velocity stack and stock air plenum, the tuning is a lot easier. Part of the problem with pod filters is the disrupted air flowing into the carb throat is not flowing smoothly due to the outside air turbulence when driving. The plenum allows the air to 'settle' down before entering the velocity stacks. While the larger K&N in theory allows more air flow for my open exhaust, big bore kit, porting and cam setup. TwoTired is the guy to talk to about the science behind the velocity stacks and airbox.

Kenny

Thanks for the help Kenny, I'll tackle this when the warmer weather comes. Doesn't seem too hard and I love the look...even more than straight pods.

Dave


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1978 Honda CB550K

[SF]

Thanks Deafcafe, appreciate the compliments. And yes I agree, the timing of the valve failure was better than being in the summer. Although, I did just start a month long vacation at the time and was planning on riding it the entire month. Got one ride in before that happened.. Oh well. At least it opened up the opportunity to do some other engine mods that I didn't get a change to do before. The motor parts are at the machine shop right now as I type this. Once I get them back I will report with some pics of what more I had done to the motor

Who are you using for motor work?

[K_Kalynuik]

Gord Bush Performance here in Toronto. Great guy and knows his stuff. Especially with these old Honda motors.