Author Topic: New Guy Here (Read 5382 times)

summitwrx · « **on:** August 26, 2014, 06:05:54 PM »

Hey guys, new to the forums, and new to bikes with motors. My name is Chaz and I have decent background in automotive and diesel engines, but am new to bikes. Sadly my first post is sort of a cry for help.
I bought an 81 CB650 custom, it had a mess for wiring. I bought a good condition used main harness, and am having some trouble. Brand new battery, replaced every fuse, put on new harness. Im getting power to the starter solenoid, rectifier, starter motor, but no power at the ignition switch or starter button. My multi meter crapped out so I've been using a test light to trace power.

There is no gauge set, so a few wiring connectors are left undone near the headlight housing from the main harness. No taillight, or signals either.

I had to pull the wiring harness as it made my OCD tendencies flare up; I am a bit of a perfectionist.

Anyways I'm looking foreword to the forum, any help on my current issues or tips to make the bike look/perform better are greatly appreciated!

summitwrx · « **Reply #1 on:** August 26, 2014, 07:42:23 PM »

Thanks calj737. I have a manual and have been cleaning up all the contacts along the way. If the switch was bad, should I still see power going into the ignition switch, just not out of it?

summitwrx · « **Reply #2 on:** August 27, 2014, 09:08:59 AM »

Going to buy a new DVOM today to check actual voltage, I've been using a test light. I have power at nearly everything near the battery, solenoid, rectifier unit, I'm showing power on the stator brushes. Im not seeing power on the main red wire at the red connection near the fork, or at the ignition switch or fuse box. I bench tested the starter motor and it looks great. Going to a yard today to try and pull an ignition switch but mostly to look at all the grounds and connections of the main harness since I have a few unplugged.

summitwrx · « **Reply #3 on:** August 27, 2014, 06:39:50 PM »

Well the colored diagram was a huge help. Got a few wires sorted out and she turns over! Probably hasn't been started in a while, so I'm going to charge the battery a bit more and get some starting fluid. I appreciate the help I have already received from this forum. Ill post some more pictures as I get things together.

summitwrx · « **Reply #4 on:** August 27, 2014, 09:15:35 PM »

Thanks, I'll check the drains.

summitwrx · « **Reply #5 on:** August 28, 2014, 10:49:05 AM »

So I am getting fresh fuel out of each carb, Im getting spark, I put in fresh oil. It will turn over all day long but won't fire off. Guess I need to check timing now?

Also the brand new battery on a full charge only last about 5 minutes of on/off cranking before it dies and I need to recharge it.

I am not finding a neutral safety switch by the oil pressure sensor, would this keep it from starting even though its in neutral and the clutch is pulled in?

summitwrx · « **Reply #6 on:** August 28, 2014, 03:17:46 PM »

All the plugs are getting spark via the test suggested. The plugs all look dry; however with a plug out and the engine turning over its apparent that fuel is getting to the cylinders. By points do you mean the CDI/ATU?

summitwrx · « **Reply #7 on:** August 28, 2014, 06:30:46 PM »

Im at a loss here. Reset all plug gaps, have spark on every plug. Clean fuel comes out of the drain screw on each carb. The plugs are very dry after turning it over for about 5 minutes. Whats the best way to assure that fuel is getting into the cylinders? got a timing light so I'm going to check that, but for some reason I don't think fuel is getting into the cylinders.

spfldpianist · « **Reply #8 on:** August 28, 2014, 08:35:05 PM »

I'm looking for drain tubes for my 76 cb550. Also the clamps. The three honda dealers I have talked to have no clue about these. I have the 4 small tubes coming out of the cylinders

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

summitwrx · « **Reply #9 on:** August 30, 2014, 03:39:46 PM »

I will be cleaning the carbs sometime this week. In the meantime I found a fender laying on the ground in the junkyard, got it for 10$ so I might chop it up a bit and see how it looks on the bike.

I also drove up to the top of Rocky Mountain National Park and saw a few elk.

Everyone have a good holiday weekend!

78 k550 · « **Reply #10 on:** August 31, 2014, 11:23:07 PM »

Welcome,
First Thursday of every month many meet at G&B fish and chips across from Slone's lake.

Paul

summitwrx · « **Reply #11 on:** September 01, 2014, 05:08:40 PM »

Thanks Paul, I'm sure it will be a while before Ill make one of those.

Can anyone give me advice on the exhaust; it appears to be just cut off right under the foot pegs. Will this affect performance, I got some black exhaust wrap and was just going to wrap them and be done with it. Im also going to run pod filters and probably put bigger carb jets in...Any advice is appreciated though!

summitwrx · « **Reply #12 on:** September 03, 2014, 06:13:34 PM »

Can anyone recommend a reputable website to order a full engine gasket set from? It appears the PO used rtv silicon on every mating surface...Needless to say Im leaking a lot of oil.

summitwrx · « **Reply #13 on:** September 03, 2014, 09:04:57 PM »

Maybe I'm tired and missing it but that link leads to a cb750 set, can't find any cb650c sets on their page.

summitwrx · « **Reply #14 on:** September 04, 2014, 09:16:22 AM »

Are the Athena gaskets good quality?

I figured the exhaust would be an issue. Though I wonder how it ran before, I am curious if the PO had pod filters and bigger jets, no air filter/s came with the bike at all. The carbs surprisingly look as if they had been cleaned, but I still can't get her started and I think it's not getting fuel.

summitwrx · « **Reply #15 on:** September 08, 2014, 02:58:47 PM »

Got some of the top end torn down and found some homemade gasketry going on...no good. It also appears to me the camshaft is in backwards considering the drive for the tachometer is on the left side of the bike, while it should be on the right...also explains why when turning over the tach never moved at all.

I don't know much about the profiles on the cams if exhaust and intake are different lobes? but I imagine this is also why it would not start.

Given I don't know the mileage and don't have the head off is it a good idea to get new piston rings or wait till I tear it down; what should I be looking for ring wear?

summitwrx · « **Reply #16 on:** September 08, 2014, 04:38:59 PM »

I thought the same thing when I opened it up. He must have had it apart and didn't want to sell it in parts so he just threw everything in as quick as he could; some bolts were loose including a head bolt, he put the longer head bolt in the front in one section. Cant believe I paid this guy 600$!!

I have a couple of dumb questions (don't flame me):

1.I never would have thought the cam was in backwards buying it from someone who told me it runs, what could have been damaged by turning it over with the cam in backwards?

2. Are there supposed to be bearings for the cam, it can't possibly just sit in the head journals can it?(there were no bearings)

Heres what I got done today. Do i need to tear it apart further or should the bottom end be okay?

Dumb question but how do I get this chain guide/protector out of the jugs?

If anyone can recommend a good shop in Denver/Metro area that will clean/deck/valve seat the heads I would really appreciate it!

summitwrx · « **Reply #17 on:** September 08, 2014, 05:07:05 PM »

I got the tensioner out already. what I am talking about is a plastic piece in the jugs, no bolts, its loose, but I can't seem to twist it sideways enough to get it out.

Im going to go ahead and say the valves definitely hit the pistons:

Sad day. Would it be cheaper to source a known good used engine? My wallet hasn't dared let me walk into Honda to price out oem stuff; if they even carry anything for it anymore.

I do enjoy turning wrenches and learning the bike but Im thinking I might enjoy a nice motorcycle ride in the mountains to see the fall colors a bit more

summitwrx · « **Reply #18 on:** September 08, 2014, 06:31:18 PM »

I appreciate all of your input!

754 · « **Reply #19 on:** September 08, 2014, 08:37:13 PM »

Plus one on tearing it down due to he is excessive. Sealant.. If he did not split cases, you may he able to leave lower end intact..

summitwrx · « **Reply #20 on:** September 08, 2014, 09:43:49 PM »

Can't be certain if the PO did this or the one before him... Either way, one of the more serious hack jobs I've ever seen. Is there any method to flushing the case out while I have the top end off? Probably best to just pull it apart and clean it. Trying to build it on a budget... Budget and build never seem to like each other.

spdygnzlz · « **Reply #21 on:** September 09, 2014, 12:33:49 AM »

Hey Summit, I have some 650 engine parts in a bin if you need anything. I have most of the bottom case and internals minus the crank still in a bin. I took the top end off for my 550/650 motor hybrid which involved the crank, rods, cylinders and head. Also have some extra rockers and covers though. Good luck on your build!

summitwrx · « **Reply #22 on:** September 09, 2014, 10:07:12 AM »

Thanks calj737. Im in the process of sourcing a full used motor to rebuild. The more I look into things the more I am sorely disappointed. A lot of the valve cover bolts were wrong, and he wedged spring like metal material into the holes for the bolts to thread up on. Probably best to just start over.

summitwrx · « **Reply #23 on:** September 09, 2014, 11:11:45 AM »

Any websites that sell those kits? Also looking for a website to purchase new valves from.

754 · « **Reply #24 on:** September 09, 2014, 03:23:28 PM »

I have a brand new head,but there are two types.

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Author Topic: New Guy Here (Read 5382 times)