Author Topic: 1976 CB550F - making it good, one step at a time (Read 118181 times)

flatlander · « **Reply #50 on:** April 10, 2014, 12:19:09 AM »

looks good, very shiney! and even a new hub and caliper, that's going to make your bike happy.

i'm thinking now of adding a fork brace. hoping that will make the front more solid and precise.
from the picture it looks like i have the same fork legs as you. they are too short to mount one of the regularly available braces (like tarozzi) over the stock fender. may need to get something built as i haven't seen one yet that would fit.

Bankerdanny · « **Reply #51 on:** April 10, 2014, 01:15:45 PM »

Quote from: flatlander on April 03, 2014, 03:51:51 AM

i was out for a ride with a friend and as it happens, he started talking about the tool kits that came with the bikes and how he'd like to have one for his R80. i never understood the fascination, you can just grab some of your existing tools to take with and they're probably better quality anyway.

but hey, i popped up my seat to show him where the kit would be on this bike. then err.... wait a sec, there's something sticking out from under that flap? indeed, the complete kit is there!
can you believe this? after having the bike for almost a year, i only find it now??
i somehow always assumed that these things never got preserved over the years.

so it's all there. well almost: the shocks spanner is hagon, not honda motors.

does anyone know what the 2 things on the left are? can't figure it out.

I believe the little wrench all the way to the left is a spoke wrench. I can't tell what the 2nd from the left tool is. That Hagon tool should also work to remove/tighten the notched castle bolt under the top triple that tensions the top headset bearing.

Stev-o · « **Reply #52 on:** April 10, 2014, 07:10:27 PM »

Quote from: Bankerdanny on April 10, 2014, 01:15:45 PM

Quote from: flatlander on April 03, 2014, 03:51:51 AM
i was out for a ride with a friend and as it happens, he started talking about the tool kits that came with the bikes and how he'd like to have one for his R80. i never understood the fascination, you can just grab some of your existing tools to take with and they're probably better quality anyway.

but hey, i popped up my seat to show him where the kit would be on this bike. then err.... wait a sec, there's something sticking out from under that flap? indeed, the complete kit is there!
can you believe this? after having the bike for almost a year, i only find it now??
i somehow always assumed that these things never got preserved over the years.

so it's all there. well almost: the shocks spanner is hagon, not honda motors.

does anyone know what the 2 things on the left are? can't figure it out.

I believe the little wrench all the way to the left is a spoke wrench.

Looks too big for a spoke wrench, Danny. Not sure what it is but wasn't in my stock Honda tool kit for my 750.

flatlander · « **Reply #53 on:** April 10, 2014, 11:12:03 PM »

cmsnl shows it here:
http://www.cmsnl.com/honda-cb550f1-super-sport-550-four-1976-european-direct-sales_model17114/partslist/F13.html#results

no. 37. and that weird thing next to it on my picture, is no. 35.
still, their description doesn't help to figure out what they're for. and yes, it's too big for a spoke wrench.

ryanj · « **Reply #54 on:** April 10, 2014, 11:53:52 PM »

The mystery wrench thing is, according to the Honda manual, an extension handle for the socket/axle wrench, I think you slide the bar through the hole in the round end of the socket. The long flat piece with the hole in the center slips over the machined nub end of the screwdriver bits for added leverage.

flatlander · « **Reply #55 on:** April 11, 2014, 01:19:44 AM »

good one on the "long flat piece with the whole" - i think we have a winner there!
but which one do you mean by socket wrench? only the spark plug tool has a hole in the round end, and this one has its own handle (next to it on the pic). that mystery tool does not fit through that hole.
the wrench to the right has no hole for the mystery thing. the flattened piece of pipe above it can be used as an extenstion to its handle.

ryanj · « **Reply #56 on:** April 11, 2014, 02:20:23 AM »

Hmmm, yeah I meant the spark plug tool, sorry. I thought that the rod fit the hole in the socket, but I could be mistaken. I think the other end (the thin wrench-looking side) is also 8mm which can be used for tappet adjustment, also, but I could be mistaken there too... haha, sorry this is probably not too helpful!

Also, I must say, I really like your bike. I have a '76 550F also and I think mine was originally blue before the previous owner went to town with a whole lot of yellow paint. I really prefer the blue!

flatlander · « **Reply #57 on:** April 12, 2014, 01:53:19 PM »

this one was painted brown when i got it, with some psychadelic type of designs on it. i guess it did fit the period but really, it was pot ugly. so ugly in a unique way that now i wish i had taken a picture of it.
the registration papers say it was originally blue or, as honda called it, flake sapphire blue. so i changed it back to that.

do you have any pictures of your 550, ryanj?

ryanj · « **Reply #58 on:** April 12, 2014, 02:10:45 PM »

This is the only picture I have so far, right after I picked it up. I've got another set of fenders I'll be putting on to get back to the original chrome, along with hooking everything back up (you can see there's nothing on the handlebars). I've got a couple weeks left of intense work here before I can dig in on bringing this thing back to life. I'm not going to undo the yellow right away since it's only cosmetic and I'm more concerned with making sure everything mechanical is in order and getting on the road.

flatlander · « **Reply #59 on:** April 14, 2014, 12:38:56 AM »

that doesn't look too bad. shouldn't be to hard to bring it back to original state, if that's the plan. of course once you put the controls back on the real work of getting everything tuned properly will only start. hope there are no hidden nasties.
your priorities sound right as well, getting everything to work first and address the looks second.

flatlander · « **Reply #60 on:** April 15, 2014, 08:49:36 AM »

somehow i managed to loose the knob for resetting the trip meter. was struggling to get one of the same type off a defect speedometer but that didn't work out. in the end i ordered a new one, but that one's of the type that sits on the side of the clock. it's a bit short but workable:

also got these little basterds:

they are meant to dampen vibrations in the mirrors. 30 euros a pair is not cheap but if they help me survive motorway runs it'll be worth it. those stock mirrors become useless above 80kph.

they're hardly noticeable when mounted so if they work well, they're a very subtle upgrade in usefulness.

curious to see how they perform. seem well made, solid rubber between metal casings.

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #61 on:** April 15, 2014, 09:25:53 AM »

Nice little mod with the mirror bushings. A little pricey though.

flatlander · « **Reply #62 on:** April 22, 2014, 11:51:28 PM »

indeed, seem pricey but they also work well. mirrors stay much clearer now at higher speeds. if they stay good for a few years they will be worth the money.

flatlander · « **Reply #63 on:** May 13, 2014, 04:46:34 AM »

well now it became time for a new rear tire.
i took the opportunity to investigate the part of the rim that's usually hidden from daylight. as this is the first time i took off a tire i didn't know what to expect. turns out there was a good bit of surface rust in the bed but nothing alarming.
i gave it the same treatment as earlier with the exhaust: aluminium foil + coke to remove rust, then a good dose of tectyl to give it some protection. some of the rust is thick and hard so couldn't remove it all but that's fine. it's out of view and it's not going to get any worse, any time soon with the tectyl on it.
also found 2 spokes that i tightened in the process.

sorry no pictures this time as i was in a bit of a rush. want to get the wheel back on as i'll need the bike for getting to eindhoven for work this week.

Stev-o · « **Reply #64 on:** May 13, 2014, 05:09:31 AM »

What tire are you going with?

flatlander · « **Reply #65 on:** May 13, 2014, 05:17:27 AM »

BT45. have the same on the front which is still good, so keep the matching one for the rear. they seemed to work well so far, so don't see any reason for changing at the moment especially as the front has a few more km's in it.

Stev-o · « **Reply #66 on:** May 13, 2014, 05:41:15 AM »

Quote from: flatlander on May 13, 2014, 05:17:27 AM

BT45. have the same on the front which is still good, so keep the matching one for the rear. they seemed to work well so far, so don't see any reason for changing at the moment especially as the front has a few more km's in it.

The BT is an excellent tire, I have a set on my K4. Good idea to keep a matched set too.

flatlander · « **Reply #67 on:** June 21, 2014, 05:44:54 AM »

i used a recent trip to the states to buy some stuff that's either not available here in europe or more expensive to get here. a small collection of some nice goodies:

from left to right:

set of stainless steel brake lines from slingshot cycles - thanks for the forum discount
also some shiny new caliper pipes and assorted bits and pieces like banjo bolts and crush washers
speed bleeders - these shall be a great help!
neoprene points cover gasket and headlight washers from crush
uni filter NU-4055 - so i don't need to keep buying new paper filters from honda, cheap F-er that i am
forkbrace made by tkat to fit over the stock fender

looking forward to installing them. although it's also nice riding weather now so it may take some time until i get it all done - it's all a matter of priorities isn't it

Stev-o · « **Reply #68 on:** June 21, 2014, 11:54:06 AM »

Nice. Where were you, NY?

flatlander · « **Reply #69 on:** June 21, 2014, 11:48:23 PM »

in chicago. my girlfriend's family is there so we go about once a year to visit.

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #70 on:** June 22, 2014, 09:11:43 AM »

Nice parts. Plundering our natural resources (both for your bike and your social life!)

Did you watch the insane match vs. Spain in the States or in the Netherlands? The Flying Dutch are contenders.

flatlander · « **Reply #71 on:** June 22, 2014, 01:03:54 PM »

LOL i'm an equal opportunity plunderer: jap bike in europe owned by some runaway hungarian with now some yankee parts, girlfriend from across the pond... although she's a re-import, being originally irish

i was in chicago when that match happend. re-enactment of the 80 years war, what more do you want!

Stev-o · « **Reply #72 on:** June 22, 2014, 06:41:56 PM »

Quote from: flatlander on June 21, 2014, 11:48:23 PM

in chicago. my girlfriend's family is there so we go about once a year to visit.

Been there a couple times, I like Chi-Town.

flatlander · « **Reply #73 on:** June 23, 2014, 11:54:37 PM »

in the 550 airbox there's this assemblage that leads blow-by gases from the engine breather, through the airfilter and back into the carbs. part of it is some filter that in the partslists is just described as "element".
in the below picture it's no. 21, honda part number is 17352374003.

this little fitler is missing in my airbox. seems to be no huge deal as everything's been working but still i think it's good to catch stuff before it hits the airfilter. especially before i install my spanking new unifilter.

so here's the question:
this thing seems impossible to get. what do people use?
i've searched the forum and found some people suggesting cutting a piece of scotchbrite to size but didn't read any follow-up on how that worked out.
any experiences, alternatives or better ideas?

those who have this part in their 550s: what material is the filter made from? guess i want to keep any replacement that i use, as close to original as possible.

ryanj · « **Reply #74 on:** June 25, 2014, 10:26:25 AM »

I'm not sure if what I took out of mine was original but it was some 1/4"(roughly) thick foam, not unlike most filter foam. It was pretty old and gross so I replaced it with a piece of scotchbrite treated with filter oil. Seems okay so far but I've really only had the bike running for tuning and about 10 miles of road testing before it goes for a safety inspection tomorrow. I think it'll work out fine, though, scotchbrite is used as a filter in all sorts of industrial applications and that piece (as far as I know) only really needs to stop any oil from splashing up into the air box as it scavenges the blow-by gases.

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Author Topic: 1976 CB550F - making it good, one step at a time (Read 118181 times)