Author Topic: 76 CB550F - Oct 2021 - Rear tail light and rebuilding gauges  (Read 23152 times)

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Offline LesterPiglet

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Re: 76 CB550F - Oct 2021 - Rear tail light and rebuilding gauges
« Reply #25 on: September 06, 2013, 11:21:12 PM »
Those panels are for a K model not F.
'Then' and 'than' are completely different words and have completely different meanings. Same with 'of' and 'have'. Set and sit. There, their and they're. Draw and drawer. Could care less/couldn't care less. Bought/brought FFS.


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Offline KennyRedman

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Re: 76 CB550F - Oct 2021 - Rear tail light and rebuilding gauges
« Reply #26 on: September 08, 2013, 07:55:41 PM »
Those panels are for a K model not F.

I know, that's why I got them. I like the look of them better than the plain F triangles.

« Last Edit: September 09, 2013, 05:40:00 AM by KennyRedman »

Offline KennyRedman

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Re: 76 CB550F - Oct 2021 - Rear tail light and rebuilding gauges
« Reply #27 on: September 09, 2013, 04:19:19 AM »
Here's a pic showing progress. I have a bunch of pics that document the removal of some horrible pinstripe work with easy off oven cleaner- it worked like a charm.



I'm in the process of getting the handlebar controls wired the the bars, then the dash and wiring harness are next.



I also rebuilt and cleaned out the master cylinder. The high E string (and B) worked great for clearing out that return hole.

« Last Edit: September 09, 2013, 05:39:45 AM by KennyRedman »

Offline KennyRedman

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Re: 76 CB550F - Oct 2021 - Rear tail light and rebuilding gauges
« Reply #28 on: September 09, 2013, 07:04:27 AM »
I bought a parts bike for $80 last week, and once I got all the dirt and bugs off the tank and side covers, they turned out to look in really great shape.  The tank is spotless inside- clean metal, and not a bit of rust. The only thing is that it had this horrible pin striping and custom script that said "Cadillac Pussy." What that means, I have no idea, but it had to go.


At first I tried acetone, but that had zero effect. Then I read about pin stripers using Easy Off oven cleaner, so I went to the grocery and bought a can.  I did an initial test leaving the oven cleaner on the tank for about 10-20 seconds, just to make sure it wouldn't affect the paint. 


Untitled by kennyredman, on Flickr

Then I left the cleaner on the tank for about a minute or two, just to make sure the paint would still be ok, and a little bit of the pin striping started to come off...


Untitled by kennyredman, on Flickr


After I was sure that the paint wasn't going to be affected by the spray, I left it on for about 5-10 minutes.  This time, the pin striping wiped off easily and the base paint job looked great.  There is a tiny bit of ghosting, but I think that'll clean up once I give it a good wax and possibly another coat or two of clear.


Untitled by kennyredman, on Flickr


Untitled by kennyredman, on Flickr



Untitled by kennyredman, on Flickr


So, I'd recommend using the oven cleaner to remove any pin striping or custom paint like this from a tank with factory paint or a two-part urethane paint.


Here's the whole set

Offline xtravbx

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Re: 76 CB550F - Oct 2021 - Rear tail light and rebuilding gauges
« Reply #29 on: September 09, 2013, 07:39:07 AM »
Great bike, and I love the Milo avatar..

Offline KennyRedman

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Re: 76 CB550F - Oct 2021 - Rear tail light and rebuilding gauges
« Reply #30 on: September 09, 2013, 09:57:29 AM »
Great bike, and I love the Milo avatar..

Right on- have you seen this?


Offline xtravbx

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Re: 76 CB550F - Oct 2021 - Rear tail light and rebuilding gauges
« Reply #31 on: September 10, 2013, 01:34:03 PM »
Great bike, and I love the Milo avatar..

Right on- have you seen this?



I have seen that the documentary is out, but it hasn't played at a location near me yet! So hyped to see it. I love that gang. And ALL. Amazing group of dudes.

Offline KennyRedman

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Re: 76 CB550F - Oct 2021 - Rear tail light and rebuilding gauges
« Reply #32 on: September 16, 2013, 05:24:37 PM »


I rebuilt the master cylinder and caliper, and got the front brakes installed and functioning nicely. The wiring harness is in, and the rear lights and electrical panel are hooked up. I went ahead and tore down the panel, cleaned it up a bit, repainted it and it looks a lot better. I was able to use some parts from my parts bike to replace some that were rigged in place. Coasted down the drive to test the brakes, and what do you know, they work! :^)

Next is the headlight bucket and the rest of the electrical. I hate wires.
« Last Edit: September 17, 2013, 10:33:53 AM by KennyRedman »

Offline KennyRedman

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Re: 76 CB550F - Oct 2021 - Rear tail light and rebuilding gauges
« Reply #33 on: October 06, 2013, 10:41:49 AM »

Cylinders 1 and 2 fire, as the headers are warm, but 3 and 4 aren't. Fuel is getting into all cylinders.

Spark is good, fuel is good, air is good. What am I missing?

Offline KennyRedman

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Re: 76 CB550F - Oct 2021 - Rear tail light and rebuilding gauges
« Reply #34 on: October 06, 2013, 01:02:35 PM »
Well, I've got no compression. That sucks.  There's about 40lbs in Cyl 1, and 0 in 4.
Guess I'll be checking out the valves and see if they're out of whack.

Offline Tews19

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Re: 76 CB550F - Oct 2021 - Rear tail light and rebuilding gauges
« Reply #35 on: October 06, 2013, 04:13:32 PM »
DUmb question but one coils is going to 1 and 4 and the other is going to 2 and 3 right?
1969 Honda CB750... Basket case
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Offline KennyRedman

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Re: 76 CB550F - Oct 2021 - Rear tail light and rebuilding gauges
« Reply #36 on: November 27, 2015, 01:04:41 PM »


I had to put this project on hold for the last year and a half due to our little one taking all of our time (a good thing) and the passing of my mother and dealing with her estate.

I've decided to take my bike to a fellow forum member to wrap up the top end work for me and get what I couldn't all sorted out.

Once he gets it going, we plan on getting the header ceramic coated black, and the rims powder coated black with new spokes and rubber. Should be really sharp. I also have new black Hagons for the rear. Can't wait!


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Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: 76 CB550F - Oct 2021 - Rear tail light and rebuilding gauges
« Reply #37 on: November 27, 2015, 01:13:30 PM »
Bring it on!
1975 CB550K1 "Blue" Stockish Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=135005.0)
1975 CB550F1 frame/CB650 engine hybrid "The Hot Mess" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,150220.0.html)
2008 Triumph Thruxton (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,190956.0.html)
2014 MV Agusta Brutale Dragster 800
2015 Yamaha FZ-09 (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,186861.0.html)

"There are some things nobody needs in this world, and a bright-red, hunch-back, warp-speed 900cc cafe racer is one of them — but I want one anyway, and on some days I actually believe I need one.... Being shot out of a cannon will always be better than being squeezed out of a tube. That is why God made fast motorcycles, Bubba." Hunter S. Thompson, Song of the Sausage Creature, Cycle World, March 1995.  (http://www.latexnet.org/~csmith/sausage.html and https://magazine.cycleworld.com/article/1995/3/1/song-of-the-sausage-creature)

Sold/Emeritus
1973 CB750K2 "Bionic Mongrel" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132734.0) - Sold
1977 CB750K7 "Nine Lives" Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=50490.0) - Sold
2005 RVT1000RR RC51-SP2 "El Diablo" - Sold
2016+ Triumph Thruxton 1200 R (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,170198.0.html) - Sold

Offline dagersh

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Re: 76 CB550F - Oct 2021 - Rear tail light and rebuilding gauges
« Reply #38 on: November 29, 2015, 01:06:56 PM »
Kenny,

Sorry to hear about your Mom.  I also lost my Mom over the last year and a half, and put my '77 CB550F Project on hold as well.  I laced up the front rim a few weeks ago, it felt good to be going forward again.

Best of luck,

Gersh
1962 CA95
1966 Black Bomber
1966 CA77 Dream
1967 Superhawk
1970 CB750K0
1972 CL350
1972 CB450/500 Custom
1972 CB500K1
1975 CB550F
1976 CB400F
1975 CB750 Future Restoration
1976 CB750K6
1976 CB750F
1976 GL1000


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Offline KennyRedman

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Re: 76 CB550F - Oct 2021 - Rear tail light and rebuilding gauges
« Reply #39 on: November 30, 2015, 10:02:41 AM »
Kenny,

Sorry to hear about your Mom.  I also lost my Mom over the last year and a half, and put my '77 CB550F Project on hold as well.  I laced up the front rim a few weeks ago, it felt good to be going forward again.

Best of luck,

Gersh

Thanks Gersh- I know what you mean!

Offline KennyRedman

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Re: 76 CB550F - Oct 2021 - Rear tail light and rebuilding gauges
« Reply #40 on: March 13, 2016, 02:17:00 PM »
I'm trying to install an original muffler today and can't get the thing on tight. I've tightened the bracket all the way that I can, but it's still a bit loose.

Do I need some shims or am I missing a piece? I don't see anything in the parts diagram.

Edit: according to some other posts, I need to make a gasket to fit in there. Any recommendations?
« Last Edit: March 19, 2016, 01:23:09 PM by KennyRedman »

Offline Tews19

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Re: 76 CB550F - Oct 2021 - Rear tail light and rebuilding gauges
« Reply #41 on: March 13, 2016, 02:44:39 PM »
There is a hard fibrous gasket that goes there. Check out western hills honda. You should be able to order the gasket there as I did a few years ago
1969 Honda CB750... Basket case
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Offline KennyRedman

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Re: 76 CB550F - Oct 2021 - Rear tail light and rebuilding gauges
« Reply #42 on: March 13, 2016, 04:46:38 PM »
There is a hard fibrous gasket that goes there. Check out western hills honda. You should be able to order the gasket there as I did a few years ago

Awesome.  Thanks again for your help.

Offline KennyRedman

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Re: 76 CB550F - Oct 2021 - Rear tail light and rebuilding gauges
« Reply #43 on: March 19, 2016, 02:53:52 PM »
Got the gasket on eBay and put the muffler on today. It really like the look of it.

Offline Stev-o

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Re: 76 CB550F - Oct 2021 - Rear tail light and rebuilding gauges
« Reply #44 on: March 19, 2016, 03:48:28 PM »
Nice looking muffler, those are hard to find. Is it running yet?
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline KennyRedman

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Re: 76 CB550F - Oct 2021 - Rear tail light and rebuilding gauges
« Reply #45 on: March 19, 2016, 04:32:42 PM »
Nice looking muffler, those are hard to find. Is it running yet?

Yep, it's alive and running, but I need to sync the carbs. I've taken it out for about 100 miles over the last couple weeks keeping it under 5k rpms or so to break in the new top end. Hopefully I'll have it dialed in tomorrow. It's been a long time coming to say the least!

Offline Stev-o

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Re: 76 CB550F - Oct 2021 - Rear tail light and rebuilding gauges
« Reply #46 on: March 19, 2016, 04:45:50 PM »
Nice looking muffler, those are hard to find. Is it running yet?

Yep, it's alive and running, but I need to sync the carbs. I've taken it out for about 100 miles over the last couple weeks keeping it under 5k rpms or so to break in the new top end. Hopefully I'll have it dialed in tomorrow. It's been a long time coming to say the least!

100 mi is a good break in, you are ready to rip now!  Syncing the carbs is pretty basic if you have the tool.

'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline KennyRedman

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Re: 76 CB550F - Oct 2021 - Rear tail light and rebuilding gauges
« Reply #47 on: March 19, 2016, 04:49:57 PM »
Nice looking muffler, those are hard to find. Is it running yet?

Yep, it's alive and running, but I need to sync the carbs. I've taken it out for about 100 miles over the last couple weeks keeping it under 5k rpms or so to break in the new top end. Hopefully I'll have it dialed in tomorrow. It's been a long time coming to say the least!

100 mi is a good break in, you are ready to rip now!  Syncing the carbs is pretty basic if you have the tool.



Right on. It's running really super rich when I first start it. I'm looking forward to spending some quality time on it tomorrow. And taking it past 5k!!

Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: 76 CB550F - Oct 2021 - Rear tail light and rebuilding gauges
« Reply #48 on: March 19, 2016, 05:09:55 PM »
Make sure you are running it under a load. 
1975 CB550K1 "Blue" Stockish Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=135005.0)
1975 CB550F1 frame/CB650 engine hybrid "The Hot Mess" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,150220.0.html)
2008 Triumph Thruxton (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,190956.0.html)
2014 MV Agusta Brutale Dragster 800
2015 Yamaha FZ-09 (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,186861.0.html)

"There are some things nobody needs in this world, and a bright-red, hunch-back, warp-speed 900cc cafe racer is one of them — but I want one anyway, and on some days I actually believe I need one.... Being shot out of a cannon will always be better than being squeezed out of a tube. That is why God made fast motorcycles, Bubba." Hunter S. Thompson, Song of the Sausage Creature, Cycle World, March 1995.  (http://www.latexnet.org/~csmith/sausage.html and https://magazine.cycleworld.com/article/1995/3/1/song-of-the-sausage-creature)

Sold/Emeritus
1973 CB750K2 "Bionic Mongrel" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132734.0) - Sold
1977 CB750K7 "Nine Lives" Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=50490.0) - Sold
2005 RVT1000RR RC51-SP2 "El Diablo" - Sold
2016+ Triumph Thruxton 1200 R (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,170198.0.html) - Sold

Offline KennyRedman

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Re: 76 CB550F - Oct 2021 - Rear tail light and rebuilding gauges
« Reply #49 on: March 19, 2016, 05:12:50 PM »
Make sure you are running it under a load. 
What do you mean?