Topic: New Motorcycle Owner, '76 Honda CB550 Super Sport

[bhorn14]

Hey guys, I'm new here. My name's Ben and I'm from wisconsin. I recently purchased a running and titled Cb550 SS for $600 bucks. Needs all lights, a battery, and the carbs rebuilt, but I can salvage most parts from the parts bike that came with it. I've been around bikes for a couple years now, but this is my first 'big' bike. Lots of little 2-stroke enduros but nothing like this. So I guess my first question would be for the carb rebuild kit, are the bowl gasket o-rings just not shaped yet and you just have to fit it to the carb? Stupid question but I'd rather asia dumb question than waste money. Also if you wanna link in some essential reading for me I'd be thankful. Thanks for any and all input!

[bhorn14]

So I stopped being a noob and just ordered a rebuild kit for the carbs. New battery and spark plugs were bought yesterday. Things that still need to be done:

1) swap all lights from parts bike to the super sport
2)rebuild carbs
3) rebuild front brake

At that point I may just ride it out for a while

As far as the direction I'm going with this, probably a brat cafe racer hybrid. Clip ons, pod filters, a lower seat. Debating wether or not to do a full on cafe conversion with full fairings. I guess we will see

Pics to come

[Stev-o]

Welcome bhorn. The 550F was my first SOHC project bike too, paid $600.




Yes, the carb float bowl o ring does not come shaped.

Here is some good reading for you:

Carb FAQ:   http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=5410.0

Brakes:   http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=259.0

Good luck and post some pics.

[70CB750]

Welcome!

[Bankerdanny]

Welcome.

If you got carb kits that include jets don't use them. Just clean the existing jets and use the gaskets and o-rings from the kits. The quality of the brass parts in most modern kits is suspect and the holes in the jets may or may not be the correct size.

[bhorn14]

Anyone know how to add pics from a mac?

[goldarrow]

I regretted that I sold my blue 77 550f

[Stev-o]

I regretted that I sold my blue 77 550f

I regret that I sold my blue 76 550F

[Stev-o]

Anyone know how to add pics from a mac?

Join photobucket.com [free] and upload pics there. Then copy the direct link and paste it to your reply. Easy.

Tapatalk from your smartphone may be easier but I don't use it.

[bhorn14]

So i rebuilt the carbs today, however carb 3 is still pissing fuel from the overflow valve. Im assuming this would be a float issue? Any thoughts?

[goldarrow]

Float Valve stuck

[bhorn14]

And the fix would be?

[goldarrow]

Sometimes you can get away with tapping the carbs bank with rubber mallet.  Better solution would be to remove the bowl and inspect the float tang for dimple if there is, just polish it

[bhorn14]

Awesome thank you. Ill check into it tomorrow. Another issue up to address is the shady gas line situation. I took a look at it and its a bunch of plastic t connectors along with hose clamps. Whats the proper set-up?

[Stev-o]

Another possibility is a cracked overflow tube in your float bowl. This recently happened to me on The Patina Bike - CB500.

[goldarrow]

Awesome thank you. Ill check into it tomorrow. Another issue up to address is the shady gas line situation. I took a look at it and its a bunch of plastic t connectors along with hose clamps. Whats the proper set-up?

Is your petcock one outlet? If it is, one T brass is connected to fuel line before going to the carbs

[bhorn14]

Ya it has the brass t, however the previous owner has little crappy plastic adapters stuck in the brass t. If there was a close up pic of something like that I'd be very appreciative. Another update: got it running today, fires on all cylinders but maxed out at about 40 before dying in the street. I'm 99% sure its a gas issue because of the reasons listed before. Hopefully sort it out this week and get it to actually idle

[goldarrow]

How did you rebuild the carbs? Tank clean? Tank cap vent properly?  Post pics of your T fuel line, may be that plastic thing you mentioned block fuel flow?

[Stev-o]

How did you rebuild the carbs? Tank clean? Tank cap vent properly?  Post pics of your T fuel line, may be that plastic thing you mentioned block fuel flow?

+1. And check fuel flow out of petcock, should be steady stream. Fuel lines should be as vertical as possible and not kinked.

[bhorn14]

Fuel flow is pretty good. Luckily for me the outside of the bike is a little crusty but the inside of the tank is spotless.I bought a cheap little plastic t to help with the fuel situation. Hopefully it'll fix it enough where I can get it to run better. Any advice on how to make this a one or two kick bike? I get a work out trying to start it

[Stev-o]

Have you done the full 3,000 mike tune up?  (Plugs. caps, points, condensers, adj timing, valves and sync carbs).  If yes and the carbs were rebuilt properly, it should be able to start with one hand!

[The_Pogue]

You are going through the exact same thing I am right now with my 72 CB500. I have synced my carbs, adjusted my tappets, timing is perfect, cleaned and gaped points. Everything is pointing to the float needle that seems to get stuck a lot and overflow the float bowl. I have been advised that this is causing a rich running condition and would require a good carb cleaning and it wouldn't hurt to get new float needles, they are cheap.

I never thought that the restrictive nylon connector could be a problem, it might contribute a bit but I don't think it will cause what you and I are experiencing.

I would look into sonic carb cleaning, and get new float needles and adjust float height. at the very least clean your carbs with compressed air and carb cleaner, and soak the needles in carb cleaner for a while.

[bhorn14]

As far as rebuilding the carbs, I didm;t do a full scale rebuild, just enough to get it to stop pouring gas. New o rings, float bowl gasket and then just cleaned the carbs. As far as the 30,000 mile tune up, that I can do today hopefully.

[Stev-o]

As far as rebuilding the carbs, I didm;t do a full scale rebuild

There is your problem. Properly cleaned/rebuilt carbs are the single most important item to getting these bikes to run great.

[Gman]

Don't think anyone told you yet - download the factory manual from here:

http://www.sohc4.net/cb550books/

and do the 3000 mile tune up, as suggested.  And, in the manual are pics of cable/tube/wire routing, etc., so you might find much of what you need in there.

Good luck and keep us posted!

Cheers,
G