Topic: 1976 CB500/550 Project "Squirrel"

[riverfever]

G'day. I don't ride the mountain bike any longer. That was the reason I started thinking about carrying the bags in the first place.

[riverfever]

OK so I screwed up fairly well today. I was going to put the stock brass back in the carbs (main jets and needles). When I started to take them apart I was trying to do it in a way where I didn't have to take them entirely apart like I did when I rebuilt them. My idea was to remove them from the main shaft that the slides all rotate on. While doing that, I broke one of the areas where that shaft slides through on the aluminum back plate (that all 4 carbs are screwed to). Here's a picture.



Here's another shot. I think I would have been ok had I driven the shaft out the other way but it's done and now I just need to fix it. I don't even know for sure if I have all of the pieces that broke. There appears to be a brass bushing inside the aluminum and it broke also.



So...does anyone have one of these they would be willing to sell me please??

[harisuluv]

That main shaft is not something that is meant to come apart.  This is because there is a pressed in pin that is holds the main shaft from moving side to side.  Otherwise, you wouldn't be able to sync then properly because it would be shifting horizontally and the sync would be constantly changing.  There is a groove on one side of the rod that goes all the way around it.  The pin fits in there and locks it into place.

That is why it broke.  Looks like you tried to hammer it out, and the metal gave way.  If it wasn't moving, then it was probably functional with a pin still in place.  You need a new plate which I can get you, that's not a problem.  However, you still need to drill out the old pin and then machine a new one and tap it in. 

Like I said that's not meant to be or necessary to take apart unless it's already broken and has too much play in it.

[riverfever]

Here are some more pictures of the damage along with some more stupid questions.

James...if you have a plate that will work I would really appreciate the help. I know you said the pin is likely gone but I don't even see where it might have gone. I'm sorry. I know this is a pain to explain on the phone/web. If your stay plate has the shaft on it, then I'm stuck figuring out how to get it through the pieces that my thumb and figure are on? What I was trying to ask on the phone is...since that shaft is not supposed to be removed, are you going to leave those 2 pieces that attach to the shaft and then I'll swap them out with the ones on my carbs (that's the only way I see it happening)? Again...sorry. 





Is this the pin you're talking about (in the center of that portion that broke)?



Picture of the shaft and the metal key (there's one on each end).



This move is right up there with punching my own hole in the tank.

[riverfever]

I'm guessing I need exactly what's pictured on the bottom?

[Stev-o]

You may want to consider sending your carbs to Haris and let him rebuild them for you. 

[riverfever]

Why Steve?

[Stev-o]

Why Steve?

Thought you might need some help?

[riverfever]

Thanks for the PM Steve. I sent you one back man. James was nice enough to talk with me tonight for a bit about this latest issue. I rebuilt these carbs in the winter and it made a huge difference. If I can find a new stay plate I think things will be good. Thanks again for the suggestion. Sometimes this project seems too much and today was one of those days.

[riverfever]

Huge thank you to Hairsuluv for selling me a carb stay plate that would work. I got the carbs back on a few days ago. Today the Dyna ignition showed up.



Also thank you Cal for the pointers in installing this. First thing I did was remove the points cover and rotate the motor to TDC for either 1 or 4. I removed the tappet covers for 1 and checked them and they were tight so I went around again and both were loose. So I knew this was where I wanted to be. I removed the 10mm bolt in the center and the larger nut, then removed the three screws and took out the points plate and disconnected the wires. I removed the advancer unit and took off the center piece (can't recall it's name). I grabbed the new one that came with the kit and installed it. This is where I made my first mistake. I did not pay attention to where the magnet was and didn't notice the little "1" stamped into it. I also didn't read the directions closely enough. So at first I was at least 180 out. I ended up figuring this out and righting the situation. Then I installed the Dyna plate and used a test light to try to make sure the timing was set correctly. The mistake I made here was that I set it for 1/4 at "T" with the advancer rotated clockwise. The directions tell you to use the timing marks about a 1/2" to the right of this. If you use the T then you run out of room on the Dyna plate to get things set up. Once I figured that out, then I rotated it again to the correct timing mark with advance and the light came on right where it should. When I went to check it for 2/3 the timing mark was off by just a bit but I was able to correct this by loosening the sensor for 2/3 and rotating it slightly. I had great spark (especially at 4 which was a big problem all along). I put new plugs in it and it fired right up. I have not put a timing light to it yet but hope to tomorrow.



So...what's next? Vacuum sync for the carbs?

[harisuluv]

Cool, your welcome, ever get stuck feel free to call or PM me again.

[riverfever]

Well I got my license today, some insurance, and some temp tags. Tonight I took the bike for it's first real ride with me. This was only about a 20 mile ride but it sure was fun after all the work this winter. However, I did notice more issues while riding the bike than I previously had while it idled in the garage (which makes sense). One thing I noticed is that there seems to be what I would describe as just dead spots in the carbs. When I'm in third gear at 4 grand, and roll off the throttle in a turn, I have to grab a lot of throttle afterwards. If I am gentle with it, the motor wants to fall on it's face. Also...if I'm in town in third gear (30mph speed limit) the motor will just bobble. Now...I've already spoken to Cal and he said I still need to get a vacuum sync and I plan on doing that hopefully this next week. I'm sure that will make a huge difference. Cal also told me that I am riding the motorcycle like a sissy (too low rpm and too low gear). The other thing I noticed is that there is a little bit of oil coming from the head gasket. It's not a ton and I'm not surprised. This is something that will get taken care of when the motor gets pulled.

[goldarrow]

The bike likes to be shifted.  So shift a lot and ride hard keeping the rpm up. Good clutch and carbs sync and it will give you much fun.  Midrange throttle tend to be flat, drop in 650 cam will help a lot.  I have them on my 2 550's!

[Tews19]

Now...I've already spoken to Cal and he said I still need to get a vacuum sync and I plan on doing that hopefully this next week. I'm sure that will make a huge difference. Cal also told me that I am riding the motorcycle like a sissy (too low rpm and too low gear). The other thing I noticed is that there is a little bit of oil coming from the head gasket. It's not a ton and I'm not surprised. This is something that will get taken care of when the motor gets pulled.

Spot on! Did he say that some vagisil will cure your ailment?  Lol just busting balls. Cal is correct though.  Sync those carbs asap. It will make a world of difference.

[riverfever]

Haha!! He did not mention Vagisil but it's for sure something I would have mentioned.

[riverfever]

Oh that's what I meant.

I've never owned one of these old bikes so I don't know how to ride them. I'm used to riding bicycles. I just hope that the riding position on this doesn't aggravate my pinched nerve or it could be a game changer.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Surprisingly, riding never aggravates my two herniated discs.  I dare say the stretch over the tank may even help.

[riverfever]

So psyched today. Yesterday I had a little trouble at the DMV (with plates and title issues) but I went back in this morning and was able to get it all sorted after they made a call to two different supervisors who said go ahead. So I've got plates now. It's totally legal. Unfortunately, it looks like it wants to snow today.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Congrats on the plates.

Snow in the Summer??  We are roasting out here in SoCal in the 90s.  It's almost too hot to ride with gear.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Don't ever think that, Don. It's never too hot to ride with gear... Maybe buy some lighter weight riding gear?

Oh, that did come off the wrong way.  Yes, it is never too hot to ride with gear.  It is sometimes too damn hot to ride.  We're not there yet.  Right now, it's armored textile jacket weather.  Of course, in this neck of the woods, the humidity is usually more manageable, even if it is hot.  We don't quite approach "Texas" hot.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I knew what you meant. Just saw an opportunity to issue my PSA for the day. 

An important one, too, as your son would attest!  It boggles my mind when I see people riding in shorts, a t-shirt, tennis shoes and some less than 1/2 face helmet barely clipped to their nugget.  How are those multiple skin grafts going to feel?    

To each, his own, but I prefer some armor in my jacket, boots, and (most of the time) kevlar woven or reinforced jeans or pants.  I'd rather pay extra for good gear than hurt later.  I had a low-side on a mountain road about five years ago, but I was wearing my full leathers.  Other than scraping my leathers and replacing my gloves and full-face helmet, I had some bruises and that was it.

Hey, wait a minute.  This is river's thread!!

[riverfever]

I use water wings. One on each arm and one around my neck. Doesn't even interfere with my casting.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I use water wings. One on each arm and one around my neck. Doesn't even interfere with my casting.

Are those the ones shaped like a duck?

[Stev-o]

Don't ever think that, Don. It's never too hot to ride with gear... Maybe buy some lighter weight riding gear?

  It is sometimes too damn hot to ride.    We don't quite approach "Texas" hot.

Welcome to my nightmare.  I've come to hate 90+ degree weather.
In summer, I typically only ride in morning or early evening to avoid the hottest time of the day.

[riverfever]

He got them with 3 box tops from Fruit Loops 

Which reminds me...got any more you can spare?