Topic: cb 550 electrical problems

[poeperman]

Dear members, I'm not a native English speaker so i'll try my best to explain the problems:

this afternoon i've bought a '78 cb550, my first SOHC! The electric start motor didn't work, so i kicked it alive. Perfect, first kick. Idle rpms were a bit high at about 2500-3000, but I guess the carbs are a bit dirty.

when I arrived at home I tried to restart it, and turning the keys, didn't make the control lights light up. Now they only light up after I pull the clutch, and it doesn't start anymore.

IF it does happen to start, after several tries, it dies when I turn on the lights...

Does this ring a bell for anyone?

thanks!

[strynboen]

you are low on volt..the battery must be tharged extern up..this bike loose the generator if the volt are low it need some power to feed the generator(not permanent mageney system)..and then it only goes more bad..

så get the battery on 12,8-14 volt..and then try again...

[poeperman]

well, I just measured 10,5V...

Is it normal that the starter gives just One click? And is the battery also necessary to start with kickstart? Strange...


anyways! Thanks for the first tip!

[strynboen]

yes all are battery driven..honda vas auto inspired vith this motorcycels..and made most systems like a car engine...so battery and full loadet are nedet

try to test the battery volt..vhen try starter..if the volts drops total..the battery is the problem..if it klicks and it holds full volt..its the solonid ,not make konnektion to starter

i have the same bike..550( k3) 1978...there are a k and a f type of this honda"s

there can be a problem vith your safty chlutc start sekurity..a small kontakt in the grip..,,try to klean it..just pull it aut and klean/lube

[poeperman]

it's an F2!

are there differences in engine a/o electronics between the F and the K?

Greets!

[strynboen]

not many variants,, some in exhost system and kaburettor.its in the year modells some thanges are..and usa modells have not schvitch off light..and driving lihts..but only small thangses, most are the same...virings diragrams can be a bit tricky..if you not get the euro one..