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Author Topic: Cb550 won't shift back to neutral while the bike is on?  (Read 2974 times)

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Offline hashvm

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Cb550 won't shift back to neutral while the bike is on?
« on: July 18, 2015, 08:10:15 AM »
Hi everyone,

So I started working on my '76 CB550 awhile ago. when I fired it up it ran decent, with no smokes  ;D . The only problem I had was that whenever I tried to move it around it will shift 1st through 5th but won't go back to neutral while it's on. I had to stop the bike, give it a little shock then it will go right away.

Does any of you have experience with this? I've heard some say it's a clutch problem? Because if so I'd rather not to open the whole engine to get down to the gears, at least not now.

Cheers!
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Offline xtravbx

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Re: Cb550 won't shift back to neutral while the bike is on?
« Reply #1 on: July 18, 2015, 10:42:14 AM »
Try making sure you're running the correct oil first.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

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Offline Stev-o

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Re: Cb550 won't shift back to neutral while the bike is on?
« Reply #2 on: July 18, 2015, 12:47:02 PM »
Some bikes can be difficult to find neutral when not in motion, if it's minor, not really an issue.
Try finding neutral when you are rolling at 5mph or so, or rock the bike back and forth while searching for neutral. If you can get neutral like this, you have no issue.

+1 What kind of oil you running?
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'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline Jdickinson

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Re: Cb550 won't shift back to neutral while the bike is on?
« Reply #3 on: July 18, 2015, 01:46:05 PM »
I have the performance review of the 500 and 550s and that is a common issue even when they were brand new. I have the '73 500 and I usually just end up shutting off the bike, turn the key back on and it snaps right into neutral.

J
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Offline Rgconner

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Re: Cb550 won't shift back to neutral while the bike is on?
« Reply #4 on: July 18, 2015, 08:32:16 PM »
Quote from: xtravbx on July 18, 2015, 10:42:14 AM
Try making sure you're running the correct oil first.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

And sometimes it is the right oil by spec, but your bike does not "like" it.

Mine likes Delron 400, shifts the best with that specific oil.

Character, these bikes have character.
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Offline RevDoc

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Re: Cb550 won't shift back to neutral while the bike is on?
« Reply #5 on: July 18, 2015, 08:52:02 PM »
I was having similar issues with neutral when I first started the rehab on Angie. Would have to try multiple attempts to get into neutral. Tried running Castrol motorcycle oil and she would still be finicky at times. Switched to Rotella Diesel 15-40 for the zinc level and low foaming and she's been very happy since.
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Dana

'78 CB550K--Angie
'82 CB750 Custom--Eva



As soon as you straddle a bike expect every other driver on the road to suddenly start competeing for the title "Dumbestsonofa#$%*inallNorthAmerica!!"

Offline hashvm

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Re: Cb550 won't shift back to neutral while the bike is on?
« Reply #6 on: July 18, 2015, 09:32:31 PM »
Thanks guys! this is such a relief .. I checked the oil when I first bought the bike and it was clean so I haven't change it since I'm taking the engine out anyway. So I literally have no idea what she has now. I guess I'll have to try a couple of brands after I put everything back together.
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Offline Stev-o

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Re: Cb550 won't shift back to neutral while the bike is on?
« Reply #7 on: July 18, 2015, 09:46:11 PM »
Do you know what the best oil for your bike is? If no, you could always start an oil thread.

PS. Like popcorn?
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'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline Scott S

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Re: Cb550 won't shift back to neutral while the bike is on?
« Reply #8 on: July 19, 2015, 04:05:06 AM »
 It could also be the clutch adjustment.  On my 550F,  the lever was engaging too far away from the bars for my liking.  I adjusted the  clutch and got the lever closer to my liking but in doing so, made it harder to find neutral after coming to a complete stop. It wasn't doing that before I messed with the clutch adjustment.
 Try fresh oil and a clutch adjustment and see what happens.
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Offline RevDoc

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Re: Cb550 won't shift back to neutral while the bike is on?
« Reply #9 on: July 19, 2015, 07:38:08 AM »
Quote from: Stev-o on July 18, 2015, 09:46:11 PM
Do you know what the best oil for your bike is? If no, you could always start an oil thread.

PS. Like popcorn?

Behave yourself, Steve! Don't bait the newbies or we'll have to start buying popcorn in 5# bulk packs! ;D
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Dana

'78 CB550K--Angie
'82 CB750 Custom--Eva



As soon as you straddle a bike expect every other driver on the road to suddenly start competeing for the title "Dumbestsonofa#$%*inallNorthAmerica!!"

Offline nicks2319

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Re: Cb550 won't shift back to neutral while the bike is on?
« Reply #10 on: July 19, 2015, 09:47:37 AM »
+1 to oil. If the oil level is slightly low, this will happen too. It's usually a good indicator to me to top it off.
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Offline hashvm

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Re: Cb550 won't shift back to neutral while the bike is on?
« Reply #11 on: July 19, 2015, 11:35:11 AM »
Quote from: Stev-o on July 18, 2015, 09:46:11 PM
Do you know what the best oil for your bike is? If no, you could always start an oil thread.

PS. Like popcorn?

Hahaha .. that would be the 20W 50 but we'll see.

Quote from: Scott S on July 19, 2015, 04:05:06 AM
It could also be the clutch adjustment.  On my 550F,  the lever was engaging too far away from the bars for my liking.  I adjusted the  clutch and got the lever closer to my liking but in doing so, made it harder to find neutral after coming to a complete stop. It wasn't doing that before I messed with the clutch adjustment.
 Try fresh oil and a clutch adjustment and see what happens.

That's interesting .. I'll check that as well.

Quote from: RevDoc on July 19, 2015, 07:38:08 AM
Quote from: Stev-o on July 18, 2015, 09:46:11 PM
Do you know what the best oil for your bike is? If no, you could always start an oil thread.

PS. Like popcorn?

Behave yourself, Steve! Don't bait the newbies or we'll have to start buying popcorn in 5# bulk packs! ;D

Well, who doesn't like some popcorn over an oil discussion, right?

Quote from: nicks2319 on July 19, 2015, 09:47:37 AM
+1 to oil. If the oil level is slightly low, this will happen too. It's usually a good indicator to me to top it off.

I guess it's an oil issue then.  :)
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Offline Mooshie

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Re: Cb550 won't shift back to neutral while the bike is on?
« Reply #12 on: July 19, 2015, 03:35:34 PM »
Quote from: Scott S on July 19, 2015, 04:05:06 AM
It could also be the clutch adjustment.  On my 550F,  the lever was engaging too far away from the bars for my liking.  I adjusted the  clutch and got the lever closer to my liking but in doing so, made it harder to find neutral after coming to a complete stop. It wasn't doing that before I messed with the clutch adjustment.
 Try fresh oil and a clutch adjustment and see what happens.

+1 to that.  I thought that perhaps the oil I put in Dash was making it hard to find neutral when I rode to Canada.  Turned out I needed a simple clutch adjustment.  Dash likes 20-50 not too picky about brand as long as there are no detergents in it. 

Quote from: RevDoc on July 19, 2015, 07:38:08 AM


Quote from: Stev-o on July 18, 2015, 09:46:11 PM
Do you know what the best oil for your bike is? If no, you could always start an oil thread.

PS. Like popcorn?

Behave yourself, Steve! Don't bait the newbies or we'll have to start buying popcorn in 5# bulk packs! ;D

No kidding.  But I want to know about pods?  Anybody have any opinions on that?   ;)
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Online Don R

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Re: Cb550 won't shift back to neutral while the bike is on?
« Reply #13 on: July 21, 2015, 11:52:47 AM »
As long as we're being silly, how bout those firestone repop tires with lowering blocks?
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Offline RevDoc

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Re: Cb550 won't shift back to neutral while the bike is on?
« Reply #14 on: July 21, 2015, 01:40:46 PM »
Okay, back the pickup truck up to the bulk loading dock...I can see where this is going! ;D
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Dana

'78 CB550K--Angie
'82 CB750 Custom--Eva



As soon as you straddle a bike expect every other driver on the road to suddenly start competeing for the title "Dumbestsonofa#$%*inallNorthAmerica!!"

Offline Vinhead1957

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Re: Cb550 won't shift back to neutral while the bike is on?
« Reply #15 on: July 21, 2015, 01:53:13 PM »
Does the bike roll freely when in gear and the clutch is pulled?
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Offline Gene

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Re: Cb550 won't shift back to neutral while the bike is on?
« Reply #16 on: July 21, 2015, 03:14:36 PM »
"Character, these bikes have character."

Amen to that.

I have a 75 CB550, every once in a while it has a problem finding neutral (and often finds a neutral where I DO NOT expect or want it).  I just roll back and forth, or even lightly release the clutch to skooch forward a bit and voila.

10W 40 for me, you know, nothing but the best.
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