Topic: CB550 Some smoke & Gas Smell

[joemcvw1951]

I just got my bike back from a hack mechanic. Staightened out some clutch and brake issues myself.

The engine starts immediately , runs pretty strong with no lags accelerating etc.

After it warms up, and especially idling, i get some whitish smoke and strong gas smell, mostly cylinder #1 , but less on #2. I know it could be a lot of things, but where is the best place to start looking to fix this ?  The spark plugs all look old, Cylinder #1 plug really looks black & gunky so I am starting with the plugs and a little seafoam in the gas

Thanks

[nevernoluck]

What did this "hack" mechanic do to the bike? What was he working on?

Seems to me like it is running rich on number one or not sparking enough, good place to start is with the plugs as you mentioned and after that I will leave it up to the experts

[joemcvw1951]

He was supposed to do the top end on my CB500, , somehow he jazzed that up, told me he'd but 550 pistons & machine the head, Instead he substituted a junk 550 motr entirely, mileage & origin unknown, so I don't really know what I have on my hands now