Topic: CB 550 F Super sport - Let's make it pretty

[simonpol]

Hello everybody !

I've been a SOHC reader for some time now, and I want to share with my bulid. It is still in production phase, and now I am going to assembly stage. I will have a lot of questions, but as far as I saw - It is the best place to ask A little background of mine - 24 year old motorcycle enthusiast, almost no mechanical background, pretty fast learner though. Let's start - I've bought a 1978 Honda cb 550 F Super sport with a 16k km. It was in a barn, but didn't look that bad. I imported it from Netherlands. As soon as it arrived, I've changed oil, rebulid the carbs and let it run (started after 2 spins, no smoke from pipe - excellent). After that - full disassembly. Feel free to comment and help











Video from startup (-5 C degrees outside)

 

[simonpol]

So, the crater that You can see near the oil filter hole is a mystery, but it does not affect engine work. In the oil filter pan there were no metal flakes or so, only the black „mud” which probably is some leftover from staying in a barn too long.
Greetings !

[calj737]

Quite a bit of progress in a single thread. Couple of things I'd mention:

Replace your steering head bearings with new tapered while the front end is apart.
Replace your swing arm bushings too, same reason. From the looks of it, the previous owner didn't keep it well lubricated along the sprockets, so doubtful the swing arm is greased either.
Replace your wheel bearings, you'll be happy you did.
Check the brake piston for corrosion (maybe you already are but didn't show the pic?)
Did you treat your front tire with some chem? It looks much more black and wet than the rear. If so, be sure to clean that from the treads before you ride.

Will you be brazing the tank to close the pinholes? The metal may be too thin to weld, so some donor patches may be necessary. Certainly a de-rust is needed, perhaps a tank liner afterwards?

Gotta say, I actually like the other seat more. Less common to see and it fit the frame rails nicely. I do prefer the closed hoop too.

Pretty cool to see it all come along so fast in a single post. :-)

[simonpol]

I've already bought the steering head bearings - tapered. But in the set they were no rubber dust seals (nr 5 from http://www.cmsnl.com/honda-cb550f2-super-sport-550-four-1977-germany_model17124/partslist/F04.html#results ). So should I make/bought one ?

Yeah, I was thinking that it would be good to replace the swing arm bushings.

Wheel bearings were examined very closely and the guy who was helping me with that said that they are in a very good condition. They were cleaned and lubed. They don't give any noises or sth.

The brakes are a long story. I've bought a rebulid set to original pump. But after rebuilding it the last seal cracked. So I have to do it again. From the pictures You can see that I've bought another master pump from Suzuki. After that I've read on a forum that hydraulic ratio is important and it occurred that the stock pump will be better. The brakes were stuck and full of dirt. The cylinders are in a good shape, i will post a photo. The seals have to be replaced. The SOHC forum has a lot threads about dual conversion, so I think that there's a lot reading to do

I dont think it's chem, but it is different (like You said). The rear is 4.00 Roadrider and front is Michelin Pilot.

The tank will be a tough mission. It has some holes but all in all the metal structure is in great condition. I've knocked the places with holes with hammer, even tried to cut it out with grinder but I have to give it to the welder. He will make patch and after that I will de-rust.

I will be running a single LED strip as a taillight, clipons and a seat can be seen on one of the photos (I will post it when it will be placed).

I've got 2 questions:

1) I didn't find any info how to measure primary chain tension/condition. How can I tell it is ok ?
2) What oil do You recommend to front suspension ? 10 W ? I saw that the previous owner used some tube to make it stiffer.

[Blackfin5]

Simon, very nice find and great progress.  Interested to see how this turns out.  Cheers!

[Stev-o]

Looks like you jumped it with nothing feet!   The 550 is a great bike, I've had a couple.  Subscribed...

[Restoration Fan]

Nice looking bike and I like the throaty sound of the exhaust.  The headers on that exhaust are pretty sexy too.

Congrats on the find.  Going to watch this thread.  Keep us updated.

[simonpol]

Hi everyone!

So I've managed to put the bearings inside the steering head and the swing arm took his final place. Now I've got some tough decisions to make:
a) What chain and sprocket put to Honda - 15-37 vs 17-37 DID/RK/JMT ?
b) I'll be running only rpm meter so I have to manufacture the mounting.

I like the way the white seat mixes up with black chassis, Maybe "white" is the answer ? Sorry for the mess on photo - busy time.

[calj737]

A couple of observations:
In an earlier picture, your speedo gear is on the wrong side, it goes opposite of rotor.
Might want to remove the paint/powder coat from inside the triple tube, it could make them too tight to slide the uppers through.
Remove the paint from the frame where the engine mounting bolts pass thru at the upper rear, this is where you need a full bare metal ground.

Looking good!

[flatlander]

this promises to be interesting. i live in the netherlands and looked at quite a few 550F's before settling on my F1. wonder if came across yours, during my search?
re. the wheel bearings: i'm with calj737, replace them while you're at it together with all other bearings. the old honda ones were not that great to start with and it will give you peace of mind. renew the suspension as well (springs, seals in fork and make sure those rear shocks are in good shape), it will give a much more confident ride.
do you have the cover for the airbox?

[simonpol]

A couple of observations:
In an earlier picture, your speedo gear is on the wrong side, it goes opposite of rotor.
Might want to remove the paint/powder coat from inside the triple tube, it could make them too tight to slide the uppers through.
Remove the paint from the frame where the engine mounting bolts pass thru at the upper rear, this is where you need a full bare metal ground.

Looking good!

1) I can't udnerstand - what is on the wrong side ? It is the same like on the first pic in the thread, but the second disc plate is added. I can take some more photos to clarify.
2) My friend said it is better stretch the tube while inserting the tube instead removing the powder.
3) That's a good tip ! Totally forgot about it.

this promises to be interesting. i live in the netherlands and looked at quite a few 550F's before settling on my F1. wonder if came across yours, during my search?
re. the wheel bearings: i'm with calj737, replace them while you're at it together with all other bearings. the old honda ones were not that great to start with and it will give you peace of mind. renew the suspension as well (springs, seals in fork and make sure those rear shocks are in good shape), it will give a much more confident ride.
do you have the cover for the airbox?

Mine is from Emmen, but I don't now if it is her original city.The wheel bearings were not changed during my restoration. I suspect that it was done shortly before my purchase. Although the bike milage is very low, the previous owner did some changes like seat, making the front dampers stiffer by putting short tubes, sprocket change (why?) and so on. Believe me - the wheels were examined very well and I don't have any intentions to cut the price on that parts. The seals on the fork, rear shocks are new.

[Bankerdanny]

Nice looking bike and I like the throaty sound of the exhaust.  The headers on that exhaust are pretty sexy too.

Congrats on the find.  Going to watch this thread.  Keep us updated.

Those are the stock headers with an aftermarket muffler. And I agree, they are sexy.

When you reassemble the forks don't forget the little washers with one side flattened. They fit in the gaps on the top triple and prevent you from overtightening and cracking the triple.

[calj737]

Pardon me, Simon, I now see it is a dual disc configuration.  Old eyes I'm afraid... 

[flatlander]

Mine is from Emmen, but I don't now if it is her original city.The wheel bearings were not changed during my restoration. I suspect that it was done shortly before my purchase. Although the bike milage is very low, the previous owner did some changes like seat, making the front dampers stiffer by putting short tubes, sprocket change (why?) and so on. Believe me - the wheels were examined very well and I don't have any intentions to cut the price on that parts. The seals on the fork, rear shocks are new.

i don't think i ever made it to that area during my search.
the sprocket was changed either to make it pull away faster at the stoplight or to get lower cruising rpm's - depending on which way they went. was/is quite a common thing to do.
sounds like you're doing good work there - now how about some more pictures? 

[simonpol]

i don't think i ever made it to that area during my search.
the sprocket was changed either to make it pull away faster at the stoplight or to get lower cruising rpm's - depending on which way they went. was/is quite a common thing to do.
sounds like you're doing good work there - now how about some more pictures? 

I know, but the changed sprocket is the same as factory size - 17T. The one he put into bike is made by Sunstar (did they put that sprockets to the original bikes?).

I will add new photos and I will try to take them by camera not by my mobile phone

The thing that I am stuck right now is the chain and sprocket. I red a lot of threads regarding this topic and here are my thoughts:

3 possible ways to solve a problem:

a) DID non ring chain 530, 100 links + 15T/16T  front sprocket 530 and 37T 530 rear

b) 520 DID X ring 100 links + 16T front sprocket 520 and 37T 520 rear

c) 530 DID X ring 100 links + 15/16T front sprocket 530 and 37T 530 rear

I am very curious if it is possible that with X ring chain 530 after reducing the sprocket size (to 16) will it still be a problem of crushing the crankcase ? Does somebody know the answear? It will help me a lot.

For the moment, I only consider a) and c) solution, but I have some doubts with non ring chain - I am aware of fast wearing off. I will be satisfied with mileage on it ~6k km. 
I don't take solution b) seriously, cause I don't know how to find sprockets like this. Will they match the contour of the shaft that is inside in Honda's ?

[mrfish2]

The stock sprocket size for 550's is 17/37, with a 530 standard chain. Any 530 X or O-ring chain will rub inside the front sprocket cover, but I've heard of people converting to 520 sprockets and running a 520 X or O-ring chain with no problems. A 16T front sprocket will really wake these bikes up, I plan on getting one once I do a 650 cam swap.

[simonpol]

Hello after short brake!

I've managed to put the forks in place, so in a close future I will install both wheels. Unluckily, I have big problems with buying the sprockets - the 16th tooth front is unreachable in my mother country. The 15 tooth version is too much hardcore for me, so I will arrange the 16th version from abroad. When wheels and sprockets will be done, I want to mount the engine in place. That's unbelievable how much time it takes to do the simplest things in garage. The tank and seat are not aligned yet - it is just for photo reasons





Edit:
Today I wanted how does it look with wheels - I like it.

[simonpol]

Hello everyone after short break.

The engine is in place. I've decided to mount it using old bolts because the spring is coming and I don't have enough time to collect them in time. After this season I will replace it on winter evenings 

Sadly, I've lost one important bolt - engine rear lower bolt hanger 90107-390-000 and it has to be machined. Can someone post the parameters of this bolt ? I know it's M12 but it would be great if I can get total width, and thread parameters.

This is how it looks for now plus extra I am posting blinker proposition - just LED ring.






The carburetors are technically rebuild, but visual perfection will be achieved next year. The same goes for buttons and switches. Now I am going to do some electrical check.

Stay tuned !

[Bigsam302]

Love the build, it is looking great!

[martin99]

Yes nice, clean build. Looking forward to the next update

[Restoration Fan]

Sadly, I've lost one important bolt - engine rear lower bolt hanger 90107-390-000 and it has to be machined. Can someone post the parameters of this bolt ? I know it's M12 but it would be great if I can get total width, and thread parameters.

Unfortunately, I just checked and I don't have that bolt on the 78 750K that I have so I can't help you.  Someone with a 550 will need to help out there.

[simonpol]

Today I've installed carburetors and air pods. I didn't take any measurement before buying those, so I ended up with cutting the rubber joints and being unable to turn on the choke  But I guess I can call it a day.

[2strokeTrush]

Wanna sell the old seat?

[simonpol]

Wanna sell the old seat?

It's already sold to some CX500 project.

[Bouchard]

wow , your not from a parallel universe are you , i have exactly the same bike and mine too was imported from Holland i have done much the same as you but kept the frame as standard and went with polished ally rather than black  got a cast iron drilled disc from Oz and fitted a 750 caliper  the F2 seems to share a lot of parts as standard with the 750 and i wondering if the 750 speedo and rev counter were fitted to this model as standard