Topic: Howdy from maine cb550

[GG33]

Hey guys! I'm Bryan from Maine. I've been fixing up  and turning over vintage mopeds and smaller bikes for a while now and I finally got my motorcycle license 2 weeks ago so I picked up a 76 cb550  and I'm ready to keep this thing for a while. It came with a rear set and clip ons and there's a lot I want to do with it in the future but I'm  trying to get used to all it has to offer first . It seems to be running great now with a little work but I've got white smoke from the breather  and that problem lead me to this awesome  forum.. I don't know too much  about these bikes the engines are a little more complex  than my Puchs  but I'm reading my clymer manual and taking in as much as I can on  these forums. I hope I fit in here I really get into putting my own touch into the things I drive but il try to take it slow this time around! Cant wait to get into it with you guys!

[goldarrow]

Welcome.  Nice bike.  I love the brownie tank.  White smoke may be just condensation. 

[tool14]

welcome aboard.

[calj737]

Welcome, Bryan. Pretty bike, and seems to be nice, except it appears there's quite a bit of rust on the upper fork tubes. This is a very common ailment on these bikes as from the factory they had metal headlight ears holding the bucket to the forks. Moisture infiltrated behind, and never got out.

The reason you need to be concerned is, that rust probably extends beyond the rubber gator to the fork lower. If so, the the fork seals will leak. This is dangerous. To inspect, unseat the rubber and visually look for the rust, and while compressing the forks, inspect for dampness. If it's present, you have just bought yourself some new upper tubes.  Not the end of the world, but completely required for safety.

Also, under the seat, left side, gently pry the triangular side cover off, and have a good look around at the electrical panel, both front and back side of it. Any corrosion, clean it. Battery is on the right side, same location. Sort out any of these little areas of neglect for the most reliable and safe ride.

[70CB750]

Welcome!

[GG33]

Thanks guys! Thanks calj for taking the time for all the info! I once got a hilarious gt80 that I tracked out  on the cheap for moped races with that issue so for once I was smart enough to check and just under the rubber sleeves it's pristine chrome! I do have some built up corrosion on the starter selanoid (sp)  that I will knock off tomorrow! I've got a few little issues like a very small oil leak that I can't seem to track possibly from a spark plug that's not sitting right  but I've got the day off tomorrow  and I plan on killing some time on the bike and seeing if the head will wrench down any further and I might try to lock tite the problem spark plug for now....if it is a problem it was just getting tight and would get a little loose so I decided to  take it easy  so I could keep riding!

I really appreciate you taking the time to point out some problem areas! And to look so closely at my picture! Wish I posted the non dented side!

[calj737]

I do have some built up corrosion on the starter selanoidsolenoid (sp)  that I will knock off tomorrow!

I've got a few little issues like a very small oil leak that I can't seem to track possibly from a spark plug that's not sitting right  but I've got the day off tomorrow  and I plan on killing some time on the bike and seeing if the head will wrench down any further and I might try to lock tite the problem spark plug for now

Uh, please don't do ^^^that. Never use LocTite on a spark plug. It sounds as though the threads may already be buggered up, and that will guarantee a snap-off in the head when you try to remove them. Only ever use the smallest dab of Anti-Seize on the threads to prevent galling and seizing.

You should not be getting any oil through a plug seat. So, if you keep tracking the oil to that, I'd bet the rocker cover is cracked, the head is, or, you've got a terrible oil leak within the engine. Probably it's just collecting there, and the source is above it.

Once you get the engine cleaned up and dry, try a simple trick of some Baby Powder along the seam between the breather cover, the rocker cover, and the head. Any bit of moisture will quickly show itself. Then, when you identify the source, we can give you a good program for resolving it.

[GG33]

Awesome thanks! I took it for a 15mi ride and saw smoke coming from the area of that plug and I cut the engine and it stopped them I start it again and it started smoking so I torqued down that plug and it held. I took it for a short ride and i don't see the smoke anymore. I did realize that was a stupid idea but I appreciate you bringing it to my attention I kind of thought I'd just run it hard and the heat would allow me to break the seal but I don't want to take any chances. I may just be over protective at this point I just have been confused because my exhaust has no color to it at all, it's just strong bursts of hot air from where I'm standing and il stop at a light and see smoke from the engine but hopefully those problems are resolved

The source of the oil seems to be from my tach drive seal and finding it's way down it's got a pretty good drip but I haven't lost much so il be tracking one of those down shortly. Then I plan on running a bit of mystery marvel oil and giving her a good oil change.

I went to clean my points and noticed they're brand new and the vins don't match so I figured this engine was gone through recently but the rocker adjuster covers have +s and -s on them in paint pen and I was just wondering if anybody knew what this was about.

All in all the more I ride it the happier I am. I'm just not used to feeling the heat off the engine and I've been getting nervous about over heating but the more I ride it the easier it starts and the better it seems to sound so I think I made a decent buy at $1200. I'm finally feeling comfortable enough to open her up and these are fun friggin bikes!
I realize I can't rant forever on this thread but I appreciate the help and the warm welcome and I hope I can return the favor!

P.s. As seen on TV pops-a-dent doesn't seem to work for me and I'm assuming it's because of the tank shape but I figured I'd mention it before someone else drops $20s on a glue gun  they don't need.

[calj737]

Post some pics of the dents in the tank, I'll tell you whether a glue plug will work or not. Problem with cheap glue plugs is they actually don't have the strength of the type the PDR guys use. They have 6 different colors (strengths) and use them based upon the nature of the dent. Trust me, the strong type will pull your molars out of your head...

[GG33]

Thanks calj! I've tried it 3 times now and I'm about to give it one more shot but I've been pulling paint off now because it was already chipped. Im not all that worried about it I just kind of wanted to make some sort of low cost progress today. The angle kind of exaggerates them.
Thanks!
 

[calj737]

Glue won't fix either of those. When the metal is creased as those are in the bottom, only fix is to push them from the inside.

If you want it fixed, ship it to me. Cost you about $30 in shipping, each way.

[GG33]

Damn I tried to push from the inside while using the tool and I tore off some of the gold paint. Thank you sir I appreciate the offer, il keep that in mind at this point il probably hold off until the snow comes and get it fixed and repainted in the stock colors after it's all winterized.
Thanks again for all your help!

[calj737]

Chipping paint is to be expected whenever you have a crease. It "stretches" the metal so far that paint loses it's adhesion. Nothing yo can do about it. "Pushed" in metal can be repaired without damage to paint, creases, nope. You'll either lose the paint, or you'll have "push pops" where the tool tip shows the pressure from inside.

[Stev-o]

Welcome from Texas.  A minor oil leak from the head is pretty common on these bikes.  Not a concern as long as it's minor, when time to address it, the head needs to come off for a new gasket and pucks.

[GG33]

Thanks Stev-o you're making me feel better! Please don't tell me I screwed something up here but I opened up my tach drive and noticed I didn't have a seal in there at all so I had o rings from tattooing that fit in there pretty damn well so I threw one in and I filled the cavity with red fork seal grease threw it back together and cleaned it up and il take her out in a bit! Hopefully this works!
Thanks again for all the help! I'm just happy to tinker with her and hopefully solve some problems!

[calj737]

I'd wipe out the red seal grease; you don't need it and its possible for it to reduce oil flow to the head should it collect any debris in the oil, lower in the sump pan.

The shaft of the housing has an o-ring behind the mounting plate to prevent seepage from underneath. Thats the only seal you need. The interior of the housing that holds the cable, also has a grommet for the cable retainer. Just be sure to not over-tighten the housing as it is prone to cracking.

[bender01]

Welcome! Im traveling  to northern New Hampshire tomorrow! Im half way there tonight!  Ill be an hour east from North Conway NH! Looking for any 70s Hondas around and of course anything else on 2 wheels to work on! If you have a friend that needs cash for his other project or is up for a trade let me know! Lookin for something stuck in a garage not under a tarp!

[wowbagger]

Welcome. Seems to be a pretty big influx of Mainers recently. If this keeps up maybe we can successfully get Godzilla through our state.