Topic: 1976 CB550F - making it good, one step at a time

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

That sounds unreal! Absolutely beautiful tones.

[flatlander]

made a trip to the dyno today.
as a starting point, my jetting was stock for the 069A carbs: 38 pilot, 2nd groove, 98 mains. that was way too lean on fully open.
i put in the biggest main jets i had, 105. that was better but A/F still 14:1, so still on the lean side (aiming for 13:1). need to order some bigger ones before i can continue.

scott: you may want to start out with 110.

[Scott S]

 Good to know. I've been talking to the shop that did my R6 conversion. They do dyno tuning. I have quite a few mains to choose from. I'm thinking about ordering some pilot jets. I'm at 3/4 turn on mine to make it idle properly and stock is 1.5 turns. It's a little harder to start that way, but idles great when fully warm. I haven't had a chance to really ride it yet.

[Scott S]

made a trip to the dyno today.
as a starting point, my jetting was stock for the 069A carbs: 38 pilot, 2nd groove, 98 mains. that was way too lean on fully open.

 By "fully open", you mean full throttle, not open pipes...without baffles...right?

[flatlander]

yes full throttle. and the baffles were in the pipes (man they're loud enough like that!).
i think i'll order some pilot jets, too. when you say 3/4, you mean 3/4 turns out from fully in, not 3/4 in or out from stock?

[Scott S]

 3/4 out from seated. That tells me it's too lean with the stock pilots. I think  I can tune it like it is, but it might be happier with a 40 or 42 pilot jet.

[flatlander]

got it, thanks! i noticed the same lean idle. mine starts and idles well now but hesitates taking off. will put those pilots in the order.

[flatlander]

this bike and 3 awesome others are nominated for BOTM july 2017: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,166497.0.html
get over there and vote

[Godffery]

 The Bike is looking Great!

 BTW;
I supply updated Brake components & other bits if you looking to do that.
http://www.vinmoto.org/gallery/v/VinMoto-Garage/album03/Godfferys-Garage-123/  (In Parts & services album)

[flatlander]

thanks! i am aware of that, and have you already on my mental list. probably that's something for next winter.

[Godffery]

thanks! i am aware of that, and have you already on my mental list. probably that's something for next winter.

    Ah, okay. Sorry, I'm always afraid of making post's that may come off as being Spamy. 

[flatlander]

no worries! it didn't come across as pushy and people who do good work are always welcome.

[Godffery]

no worries! it didn't come across as pushy and people who do good work are always welcome.

Groovy!

[strynboen]

scary....

[flatlander]

while i'm mostly hibernating i remembered that i still have these picture that i can add to this thread:













hope you all had a good x-mas holiday!

[Stev-o]

Looks fantastic FL.   What is the weather like in your part of the world?

Happy Holidays!

[flatlander]

thanks stev-o!
weather is pretty mild now, about 35F. we've just been talking about maybe going on a new year's ride on jan 1st?
earlier in december it was colder, with a bit of frost and snow.

[Stev-o]

thanks stev-o!
weather is pretty mild now, about 35F. we've just been talking about maybe going on a new year's ride on jan 1st?
earlier in december it was colder, with a bit of frost and snow.

35F is not bad, only 48F here which is below normal.

We must ride on Jan 1, it's a tradition!  Better charge the 550F batteries...

[flatlander]

i don't ride when it's below freezing, mainly because of the salt they put on the roads here. but 35 is balmy for this time of the year and the weekend is meant to be somewhat warmer, even. so chances are good.

[RAFster122s]

Bike does look great flatlander! 

Hope you can squeeze in a good ride when it is nice and you can dress for the ride.  Sometimes when it is cold, merely having something to stop the wind is better than a thick layer.  Hands and feet sometimes are the weak link.  It is cold weather when we want a big unattractive fairing to keep the wind off of us.

Are you happy with the mufflers?

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Just cozy up to those beautiful Benelli-esque pipes for warmth!

[Godffery]

 This bike turned out absolutely Gorgeous!
Has is been up for MOTM yet?  If not, It's got my vote!

[flatlander]

david, i'm happy with the pipes now that i finally got them to fit. but the guy who makes them is a complete pain in the arse who doesn't stand by his word and acts like a complete d*ckhead when things go pear-shaped as a result.
the mufflers, being straight-thru with only minimal baffling are pretty noisey. the sound is good but gets pretty loud on longer highway runs. i'm thinking i might try tuning them down just a tad.

godffery, it was up for voting in july. and there's some further evolution coming up in the future so stay tuned...

[Godffery]

godffery, it was up for voting in july. and there's some further evolution coming up in the future so stay tuned...

Groovy, I'd say it's worthy of another run!

[flatlander]

thanks for the nomination, godffery.
here's the voting thread: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,171686.0.html ... and it will be a tough choice!