Author Topic: 74 Honda Cb 550 Idle issue  (Read 849 times)

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Offline Juggernaut90

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74 Honda Cb 550 Idle issue
« on: September 29, 2014, 12:41:20 AM »
I purchased my 550 about a month ago and recently I noticed it does not idle unless I pull the throttle and even then at times it will die. Just looking for some advice on what it could be and if it's something I can fix on my own! Thanks for your help!  :)

Offline dave500

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Re: 74 Honda Cb 550 Idle issue
« Reply #1 on: September 29, 2014, 12:51:44 AM »
tried the idle speed screw?when was the ignition last looked at?might just need a tune up and adjustments?

Offline Juggernaut90

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Re: 74 Honda Cb 550 Idle issue
« Reply #2 on: September 30, 2014, 01:13:15 AM »
The man I had purchased it from said he had just re done the top end and that the bike was near perfect (2 weeks ago) I have noticed when I play with the screw it does make a difference I just can not find the right adjustment so that it will idle. Thanks for taking the time to reply much appreciated!

Offline dave500

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Re: 74 Honda Cb 550 Idle issue
« Reply #3 on: September 30, 2014, 01:17:34 AM »
at least its shiny.

Offline Duanob

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Re: 74 Honda Cb 550 Idle issue
« Reply #4 on: September 30, 2014, 08:30:53 AM »
3000 mile tune up first then if the trouble still exists there are lots of things to try. Just search. This problem is not new and has been posted to death.
"Just because you flush a boatload of money down the toilet, doesn't make the toilet worth more",  My Stepfather the Unknown Poet

1974 CB360T
1976 CB550K2 Resurrected
1976 CB550F2 Barn Find
1979 CX500 VG "HONDA-GUZZI"
2007 Moto Guzzi Breva 750ie
2015 BMW F700GS
Another 1976 CB550K Cafe?

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Offline Juggernaut90

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Re: 74 Honda Cb 550 Idle issue
« Reply #5 on: September 30, 2014, 10:08:31 AM »
lol @ dave. I will continue to search!

Offline TwoTired

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Re: 74 Honda Cb 550 Idle issue
« Reply #6 on: September 30, 2014, 10:58:41 AM »
at least its shiny.

HA! HA!   That's about the only thing a seller won't lie about to a buyer.

...except when they say; "that will buff out".


Anyway, if you bought a 40 year old bike expecting to not work on it, or learn what makes it tick, it's your bad.

You need to establish a baseline by preforming, or at least checking/verifying, each item on the routine 3000 mile service schedule.


What speed do you expect it to idle?  And what temperature is the engine when you noted the complaint?   How accurate is your tach?
Lloyd... (SOHC4 #11 Original Mail List)
72 500, 74 550, 75 550K, 75 550F, 76 550F, 77 550F X2, 78 550K, 77 750F X2, 78 750F, 79CX500, 85 700SC, GL1100

Those that learn from history are doomed to repeat it by those that don't learn from history.