Topic: CB550 - Issues for beginning rider - Help please!

[Koonendez]

Routing poorly? Installed incorrectly? Can't get more than maybe 1/4 to 1/2 turn on throttle


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[steakCB550K]

@koonendez

See page 146-147 of the manual for cable routing.

[Koonendez]

Figured out I installed the cables incorrectly on the grip. So I'm getting full wot on turn now. Looking at page 146-147 and I'm seeing. Tire replacement


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[TwoTired]

Look at end of chapter 14 in the Honda shop manual.  However, if you have stock length cables and non stock bar positions.  You may have to get creative with routing.
Keep in mind that a cable will have the least resistance when straight, or with the largest bend radius you can wrangle.

[Maurice]

Looks ok. Just make sure bars can go lock to lock without throttle cable binding, keep testing throttle operates properly as you go lock to lock. Nothing like maneuvering the bike into a parking spot in a crowded place and going WOT...

[Koonendez]

Thanks guys. Figured out throttle cables.

Installed everything back on today and tried firing her up....no go. Extremely frustrated right now and pretty much taking a break for now as it's hot as #$%* outside and I've already sweated up a storm this morning.

The engine seems to have a very quiet cough but nothing like it used to before firing up. Brand new plugs in, cleaned out carbs, made sure petcock was on, kill switch on, ignition on, fuel flowing verified, battery is good as it has been on tender for last few weeks, gave a few kicks and started electric starter with no luck. I will take a video tomorrow of what it sounds like. Hoping that it is something simple, but with my luck...probably not.

I have screws turned 2 after trying 1.5 for a little bit. Going to pull battery tonight and get it back on charger till tomorrow. Any ideas??? I know you're lacking some info so please fire away. I will pull plugs tomorrow and check what they look like. As there has been no firing I imagine there is nothing to detect though.

[seanbarney41]

Did you give it some throttle while cranking?...even if you didn't have to before, you probably will now with the bench sync reset.

[Stev-o]

Did you give it some throttle while cranking?...even if you didn't have to before, you probably will now with the bench sync reset.

Or, if you gave it throttle, you may have flooded it?  Confirm your choke is working.

[Koonendez]

No ignition changes at all other than new plugs. Don't believe the motor is turning but I could be wrong. I'll shoot a video and show you guys what the sound is like. I gave it throttle and after a bit was worried that I may have flooded it so I'm going to drain carbs tomorrow and restart the process. Choke definitely works. Started it with lever down (no choke) and gradually tried it again with it in center position. No luck.


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[Stev-o]

You don't know if the motor is turning over? Seriously??

Take off you points cover, turn key on, put it in neutral and hit the starter button.

[seanbarney41]

No ignition changes at all other than new plugs. Don't believe the motor is turning but I could be wrong. I'll shoot a video and show you guys what the sound is like. I gave it throttle and after a bit was worried that I may have flooded it so I'm going to drain carbs tomorrow and restart the process. Choke definitely works. Started it with lever down (no choke) and gradually tried it again with it in center position. No luck.


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draining carbs will not clear a flood.  Pull your sparkplugs, crank engine with plugs out, dry off plugs, and re-install them to clear a flooded condition...or simply crank engine with throttle fully open until it starts (then immediately close throttle!, of course)

[Koonendez]

Thanks Barney. I'll check plugs first and then clear flooding if there is any. I'll also remove points cover to see if engine is turning over. I assume I should see some movement. I apologize Stev-o about my lack of knowledge but all of this and I mean all of it is brand new to me and still a language I'm trying to learn.


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[Stev-o]

Thanks Barney. I'll check plugs first and then clear flooding if there is any. I'll also remove points cover to see if engine is turning over. I assume I should see some movement. I apologize Stev-o about my lack of knowledge but all of this and I mean all of it is brand new to me and still a language I'm trying to learn.

No need to apologize, sometimes we assume that all members have the same experience.

Take a step back, relax and take it one item at a time. Post your findings and we'll respond with our suggestions. We are here to help.

[Koonendez]

Thanks Stev-o.

Here we go...
Gave the bike another try after inspecting plugs for any flooding and plugs looked just fine. Not soaked or anything. Clean as a whistle.

Removed Points cover and turned ignition. The engine is definitely turning and all of a sudden it starts sputtering and comes to life! Granted I was holding throttle slightly open in fear that the engine would cut off. Held down for a while and noticed white smoke out of the exhaust. On a good note the engine seemed to sound better than it ever has. As soon as I let go of the throttle the engine died. Did not start immediately after. After a while the battery was giving out from all the attempts earlier this morning.

Either way I was thrilled to hear her come alive again!

Took plugs out and this is what they look like. In order of plug #4 to #1 being the cleanest






Since this thread has gotten a bit long here is a recap of my setup:

120 main jets
40 slow jets
4th clip position
022A Carbs
Carbs cleaned and new gaskets installed (they weren't that dirty at all when opened up but seals looked bad and needed replacement bad)
Pod filters
4-1 exhaust with little to no back pressure
Stock coils and points ignition
2 turns out on airscrews


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[goldarrow]

You may have to turn idle screw in a bit.  Main jet seems large. Stock is 100.

[Stev-o]

You may have to turn idle screw in a bit.  Main jet seems large. Stock is 100.

But he has pods and open exhaust.  This combination can be difficult for a beginner to tune.

Charge your battery.

[Koonendez]

Charging battery. I'm actually onto something here and let me know if this has any sound reason to it...

The fuel line that the "assembler" put on is 1/4" with an inline filter and a T-joint? That splits the fuel lines into the carbs. Now I'm already planning on losing the filter but couldn't ditch it cause I don't have extra fuel lines or a "splitter" on hand to replace. Called scoot shops and auto stores and no one has 7/32" or 5.5mm lines available. Nor would they have a "splitter" (someone please tell me correct term).

The way he setup the fuel lines is odd to me and may explain why 3 and 4 are getting much more fuel than 1 and 2. He has the main fuel line going into the side of the splitter instead of the middle entry which would make more sense. So it's a straight shot for fuel to carbs 3 and 4 and a turn of line for 1 and 2.

Anyone know where I can buy correct fuel lines and a correct splitter so I can correct this issue and check it off my list? Would a 1/4" fuel line help create a richer mixture? I'm sure it's not the fix. But it's a step in the right direction?

Other than turning in idle screw any other suggestions? Would replacing the stock coils with a new set of OEM coils help? Assuming maybe my ignition is weak on top of rich mixture.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalkhttp://youtu.be/S1SWhU-8_x8

[Stev-o]

I use 3/16" fuel line, should be available at any auto parts store.  Get 3', that will be more than enough.  Lose the filter, if your tank isn't clean then start there. Forget how he ran it,  do what makes sense.  Keep them as vertical as possible, the fuel is gravity fed. 

[Koonendez]

Just got some black 1/4" from autozone until a local scoot shop gets more 7/32" in next week. At least going to fix the way the main line enters the split. 1/4" was the smallest they had in. And the filter will be gone. As far as keeping the line as downward as possible, how do you route the line over the carbs and still avoid a high spot? My line does go upwards over the carbs and the rest of the way in downhill.




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[Koonendez]

Going to do some maintenance today and the points is one area I'm focusing on. It mentions to lubricate the cam after adjusting the points. What and where is this cam I am supposed to lube and will WD-40 suffice or do I need special lube? Thanks


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[Stev-o]

WD-40 is not the proper lubricant. WD= water displacement.

Still have your points cover off?  Look in the middle.

http://www.westernhonda.com/fiche_section_detail.asp

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=35137.0

[Koonendez]

Thanks Stev-o. I'll try around for points grease. Are you talking about item #7? Isn't that the advancer? I'm looking at the diagram of the points blown up and don't see Cam listed anywhere on the list


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[Tews19]

120 mains are really big. Koon how far are you from Milwaukee area?

[Koonendez]

Chicago. Considering buying TinTops anti pod system but would like to see or read some reviews after install.

I could probably source the rest of my airbox parts needed for less than the $250 or so I would need for the new system but to savage eBay over and over just to find some really small pieces seems crazy.

TT has already given me a list of things I'm missing from the stock system. Damn you POD filters!


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[Koonendez]

Ok guys. Updated video. Got her up and running and corrected fuel line issue for now until I can get correct size in town. There was a little leaking by petcock but two zip ties took care of that for now.

Here is how she sounds. At least she's idling and hanging revs aren't as bad as before. I also turned out the idle screw out a little and the hanging revs are almost gone

Let me know what you think as far as any issues you can hear

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