Author Topic: Purple 1977 CB550K (Read 3405 times)

jtran000 · « **on:** March 23, 2015, 08:28:01 PM »

Hi All,

I sold my original 77cb550k last year, after 6 months searching craigslist and ebay (and trying really hard not to impulse buy) I finally found one
in Santa Cruz that's within my budget, 900! Obviously she's not stock, 4into1 kerker, pods are the only mods I can see.

She would only jump start, no headlights, tail or turn signals, and the oil light on the display would faintly flicker. 30K+ miles; some rust on the headers where they are closest to the ground.

Seat is is cracking and torn. Surprisingly very minimal spots of rust on rims/fenders and no rust on spokes! Must have been covered for a good portion of her life. Tires have decent life on them, Bridgestone Battlax BT-45F.

I rode her up and down the street but she was not freeway ready, thank god for AAA premium! Towed her back to San Jose in 30 minutes.

Here she is:

jtran000 · « **Reply #1 on:** March 23, 2015, 08:57:49 PM »

Here's some more pics:

Tach, speedo and center lights are a bit worse for wear.

Seat has a large tear and is flaking everywhere. Under the seat is white and still has inspection stickers on there, I'm assuming this is original K model seat since a replacement cover I bought for my previous build fits the pan (didn't fit my old bike, the previous owner had an F pan on it).

Number 2 carb is leaking heavily

Fuse box has not melted!

Kerker exhaust has an extension attached to the eye of the shock. The bolt there has been replaced with a longer one and the acorn nut is missing.

FunJimmy · « **Reply #2 on:** March 23, 2015, 09:17:51 PM »

Very nice. Good find.

jtran000 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 23, 2015, 09:35:01 PM »

Quote from: FunJimmy on March 23, 2015, 09:17:51 PM

Very nice. Good find.

Thanks man, just trying not to get ahead of myself...already spent 500 on parts hahaha

jtran000 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 23, 2015, 10:26:30 PM »

Since my apartment has limited space, no garage and no shed, I have to work and clean at the same time so progress will be slow.

Bought a Shorai LFXA2-BS12 battery and new fuses. She started up nice and strong with all lights working! Battery is small and light, had to use the spacers to fit in the battery box. Bought the smaller shorai to give the option of mounting the battery/electronics on a tray in the future (if needed).

Monkey bars are off, seat cover has been removed from pan, and carbs are off. Can the cushion be salvaged by any chance? Seems like a waste to throw away, it came off in one piece however the edges are crusted and flaking. Lots of rust on the pan but I'll remove and paint. Going to use a 'cafe' seat cover/cushion I bought for my last build but never used, I ended up using it as a model for a custom seat for previous build, should've kept it haha. Looks decent on the bike and no need to shell out another few hundred for a new seat.

Carbs are off, number two gasket is leaking however there was no fuel in number 1. Also, after I installed the new battery she wouldn't rev past 5k rpm hmmm. Waiting for carb rebuild kits (4) to come in from PartsNMore. After reading the many carb rebuild posts here, the consensus is the brass jets can be reused the majority of the time. I might return them and just pick up some new gaskets and o-rings after inspection, save myself some money.

Stev-o · « **Reply #5 on:** March 24, 2015, 04:07:30 AM »

Good buy! What kind of bars did you put on it?

calj737 · « **Reply #6 on:** March 24, 2015, 04:45:50 AM »

Carefully and fully, disassemble the carbs and clean every orifice. If the bike wouldn't rev past 5k either your carbs are not letting fuel into the motor (you mentioned 1 was dry and 2 is leaking heavily) or, your tach is wonky. I'll lay money on the carbs being the culprit.

Also, when you do fire it, test the header pipes to insure each is equally hot (spritz some water on them after 20 seconds) to avoid melting your hand. A thorough 3k Mile Servicing of the bike would make a huge dent in its condition and reliability. Probably hasn't seen one in 20 years

It will also likely uncover any safety issues that may be lingering (like unchanged fork oil, worn steering/swing arm bearings, etc).

If you tend to "tinker" with the bike while its idling (tuning issues), pull the fuse for the headlight and tail light to avoid draining the battery. These bikes don't actually produce "charge" from the stator until above 2,500rpms. You'll draw down pretty quickly...

You can get from Hondaman a nice plug and play flat blade (ATC) fuse block to replace the glass tubes for easier service. It can be difficult to locate glass fuses everywhere should you blow one. And their length does matter-

DaveBarbier · « **Reply #7 on:** March 24, 2015, 05:14:07 AM »

Hey John, looking good! Glad others are pointing to carbs as the 5k culprit as well, it means I'm learning!

Clean the hell out of these carbs. Be so confident in the cleanliness that if you have running problems you'll be 100% confident the carbs aren't gummed up. Also, make sure the tank is super clean and not flowing debris into the carbs clogging the float valves. Use an inline filter but I've also heard that they can sometimes restrict flow, just be aware of that. There seems to be a lot of people who complain about running problems and they say they've cleaned the carbs but then go back to clean them because they second guess themselves. One of those was me, haha.

---
1978 Honda CB550K

streak09 · « **Reply #8 on:** March 25, 2015, 07:01:18 AM »

Awesome find! Looks like a great starting point!

jtran000 · « **Reply #9 on:** March 25, 2015, 11:35:13 PM »

thanks for tips everyone, i'm just trying to find time to work right now. Also, no garage/shed/bard, i'm working in my patio area so i have to clean up tools, tables, parts after i'm done with whatever i'm doing for the day.

Cal, the 3k maintenance is a good idea. however, i'll didn't get a chance to test headers before i tore things down

too excited to start working!

Dave, tank looks clean, it's also purple and from what I've read is not the original color (side colors are same purple color). so the tank has been worked on but i'll check it anyways to play it safe

Stev-o, i bought clip-ons from china off ebay haha. Haven't tried them so and I like the low profile look. If they're anything like my clubmans then it's not so bad.

i forgot how easy it is to drop 50 dollars here and there...next you know you just spent a couple of hundred on goodies

while trying to debate over what's a 'need' and a 'want' haha

jtran000 · « **Reply #10 on:** March 25, 2015, 11:39:58 PM »

Quote from: streak09 on March 25, 2015, 07:01:18 AM

Awesome find! Looks like a great starting point!

I've been following you're build for awhile, I like your muffler and was thinking about swapping out my kerker mega. but i'm planning on keeping my original seat pan/set up and i also like the grab bars

and a longer muffler would compliment the lines. Did you have to pack yours?

jtran000 · « **Reply #11 on:** April 08, 2015, 09:27:25 PM »

Finally had time to work on the bike.

Carbs are off and and it looks like whoever made the initial mods did clean and rejetted them (mains are 95 and slows are 42). Internals and bowls are fairly clean with minimal varnish and gunk visible. I didn't get to tear them down completely as I realized I bought the wrong kits from PartsNMore (bought the 74-76). I've been messaging Harisuluv and after reading tons of carbs post the consensus is I can reuse the brass jets. I just need to replace the lower bowl gasket, upper paper gasket can be reused, and the air screw washers needs replacement as well. He's sending them to me as we speak. Awesome guy! Also found the float in carb 1 bent and Harisuluv said it's ok to bend it back. One other thing, I'm missing the lock washer for the choke valve, and the tip of the hex head screws where they peep out of choke shaft looks bent and the threads look messed up. I'm afraid to back them out haha.

jtran000 · « **Reply #12 on:** April 08, 2015, 09:56:43 PM »

In the meantime, lots of elbow grease, scrubbing and cleaning, cleaning and scrubbing...

Question, is there an easier way to clean my headers? i'm afraid there's underlying damage so I don't want to break out the sander/dremel. They're pretty caked with rust, I've been using WD-40 and a wire sponge to scrub and work is going slow.

calj737 · « **Reply #13 on:** April 09, 2015, 05:12:10 AM »

Chemically remove the rust with Vinegar or any commercially availble Rust Restorer product. If you ping the metal in various places, you'll find out promptly if the metal is paper thin and no longer solid. Tap with a small screwdriver, or your finger, or a tuning fork.

jtran000 · « **Reply #14 on:** April 09, 2015, 10:02:41 AM »

thanks Cal, I'll try vinegar and I read somewhere coke can be used also. I was just told my main jet should be 110 and not 95 :/

jtran000 · « **Reply #15 on:** April 10, 2015, 01:13:58 PM »

Question, I'm debating about returning the carb repair kits to PartsNMore, can I use the jets, gaskets and o-rings for my 77-78 carbs? Aside from the top cover gasket, will everything else fit?

2strokeTrush · « **Reply #16 on:** April 10, 2015, 02:56:09 PM »

This looks so familiar to my 77 engine donor bike I picked up a while back! Keep going man!

jtran000 · « **Reply #17 on:** April 12, 2015, 09:38:27 PM »

Ok, so after reading a lot of different threads about carb kits, especially for the 77-78 cb550 (which don't seem to exist), I came across this site:

http://www.newmotorcycleparts.com/fuel_system_parts/carb_kit_hon.html

3/4 down the page, cb550/650/750(a) 77-78 rebuild kits.

I remember perusing jetsrus and saw a rebuild kit for 76-78 cb750a that had the same paper gasket as the 77/78 cb550k so I guess they share similar carb parts as well

link: http://www.jetsrus.com/individual_parts/KL_18_2426.html

hope this helps other peeps. also, the kit from newmotor is for a set of 4.

Tews19 · « **Reply #18 on:** April 13, 2015, 04:42:12 PM »

Only replace the o rings. Leave all brass stock.

jtran000 · « **Reply #19 on:** April 13, 2015, 11:01:09 PM »

Quote from: Tews19 on April 13, 2015, 04:42:12 PM

Only replace the o rings. Leave all brass stock.

Tews, harisuluv suggested I run 110 mains as 95 would be too lean, after pming him again today he's sending me a set of mains along with all the orings/gasket/floats for a nice price.

Tews19 · « **Reply #20 on:** April 14, 2015, 01:03:51 PM »

Quote from: jtran000 on April 13, 2015, 11:01:09 PM

Quote from: Tews19 on April 13, 2015, 04:42:12 PM
Only replace the o rings. Leave all brass stock.

Tews, harisuluv suggested I run 110 mains as 95 would be too lean, after pming him again today he's sending me a set of mains along with all the orings/gasket/floats for a nice price.

Ah I got ya. I have 110s in my 550 bumped to 605 and 650 cam. 110s are to much. Dropping down to 105 and going from there.

jtran000 · « **Reply #21 on:** April 14, 2015, 03:13:29 PM »

Quote from: Tews19 on April 14, 2015, 01:03:51 PM

Quote from: jtran000 on April 13, 2015, 11:01:09 PM
Quote from: Tews19 on April 13, 2015, 04:42:12 PM
Only replace the o rings. Leave all brass stock.

Tews, harisuluv suggested I run 110 mains as 95 would be too lean, after pming him again today he's sending me a set of mains along with all the orings/gasket/floats for a nice price.

Ah I got ya. I have 110s in my 550 bumped to 605 and 650 cam. 110s are to much. Dropping down to 105 and going from there.

gotcha, i just send a message to haris to add in 100 and 105's to my order. Might as well collect a set

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Author Topic: Purple 1977 CB550K (Read 3405 times)