Topic: Newb from Alabama

[Meadojw]

Just bought my first ever bike - 75 Honda CB550k - i know absolutely nothing about it other than it is awesome and i love riding it. I learned to ride a motorcycle 3 weeks ago. Bike is in great condition with very few mods, improvements have been made over the years.

[Stev-o]

Welcome from Texas.  I have a CB550 as well, actuall 3!  They are fun bikes to ride!

Is it running good?

[70CB750]

Welcome.

[Gene]

Pictures!

[Meadojw]

it is running well, great cold start, but seeing some oil spots after rides.

[Meadojw]

see attached photo. i have idle video but cant upload it.

i am also having a recent issue with high temperature - the PO had a Trail Tech tach installed and i was getting some high temperature warnings from it a couple of nights ago (i cant verify it was installed correctly, nonetheless it felt hotter than normal). i checked the oil and it looked low, topped it off and ran it for a few minutes last night and was getting some light smoke and still some high temps. Immediately shut if off. No issues with maintaining idle or getting started. I need to do oil change and gonna drain fuel tank, refill then try it again to see if any changes.

Note: i have had this motorcycle (my first) for a week and a half -- if im doing something stupid please tell me

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

high temperature warnings? just how does this contraption work? I don't know I'd trust whatever this thing is you have considering this is an air cooled engine and you are not getting water temperatures.

[Gene]

Def change the oil - then see what's up.  Does the oil have any gasoline smell to it?  And, like Jerry says - these are air-cooled machines - unless there's some sort of tempearture gun hooked up pointing at the head that gives readings to the tach, it's suspicious.

Good looking bike!  Couple of mods here and there, just go through it using your guide, make sure it's in good running condition and road-worthy, then ride the heck out of it.

[Mushu]

Welcome;

Enjoy your first bike.

It's a good choice.

Philippe

[RevDoc]

Only 3 weeks and it sounds like you are already a hard-core addict! Welcome to the asylum with all the rest of us.

If you have not done so already, go to the download page and get the shop manual for your bike. Look up the 3k mile checklist and go through it on your bike. Trust nothing about what the PO says was done for maintaining the bike! Do it all yourself so that you can be confident about having a known base line to work from. Don't just change the oil, change the filter as well. Start a maintaince log so you can keep track of things.

As for the oil for your bike there are some important details you need to know about the wet-bath clutch system on these bikes. Go to the excellent posting by Hondaman entitled "The story of Zinc, and why SOHC4 engines need it in oil.", it is very informative. BTW, I have been running Rotella diesel, 15-40w in my bikes and they have been very happy with it.

Any questions, just ask and you'll find, as I have, that the members here are a treasure trove of helpful information.

[RotleyTrash]

Hello Alabama! I have a 76 cb550 and I love, love, love these bikes! Cheers matey!
Rotley

[Meadojw]

Thanks everyone for the input it is very much appreciated

[Meadojw]

Not the oi light - I have not had any issues with it at all. It is the Temp gauge on the Trail Tech digital gauge. i dont know where it is reading heat levels, but it was blinking a warning while riding. I drained oil and fuel last night, went to change oil filter and broke a socket wrench trying to get the bolt off. So I have a good project for tonight.

For the first time last night I had trouble keeping it idling while warming up the engine before the oil change - mostly the idle has been consistent and easy to maintain - so if the oil change, new fuel, and oil filter replacement dont help - where do i go next?

[Meadojw]

i started a Flickr account with a few pictures: https://www.flickr.com/photos/136887852@N08/shares/6L61xq

I was able to put a few pictures up there, would like to provide more if other angles are needed. Performed oil change and replaced oil filter, ran about 20 miles over the weekend at low speeds (up to 40mph) no problem (zinc add to oil made gears way smoother - thanks for that tip), went to ride this afternoon and found oil basically empty which is odd to me sinc I've been putting an oil pan under engine when parked, I'm getting a few drops after running, nothing major.

My tach says I'm running around 7k rpm at 60 mph - and quite frankly engine just seems to be working really really hard at that speed. I'm scared to push it right now.

[Meadojw]

It looked empty before the initial oil change, I couldn't see any oil in the tank and did not get a reading on the stick. Filled it with a little more than 3 quarts (10w40) when i performed oil change. When i checked oil again after letting rest overnight after 20 miles, didn't get reading on stick and also couldn't see anything in the tank when shining light. Then filled with 2 more quarts until i got a reading on the stick. There are some signs of oil and buildup on the underside of the bike but nothing major, I didn't get any good pictures of it though. I can get pictures soon.

Ive seen some information about cleaning it up real good, spraying foot spray or powder on it and then determining where the leak starts.

[Stev-o]

...didn't get reading on stick and also couldn't see anything in the tank when shining light.

What tank? We are talking about a 550, right?? [750's have an oil tank]

[Meadojw]

Yea a 550 - oil "tank" verbage shows my obvious newb status

[Gene]

You are checking the oil with the bike on the center stand, right?  Not the side stand.  Makes a big difference.  Forgive me if this was already discussed.

[Stev-o]

Yea a 550 - oil "tank" verbage shows my obvious newb status

Thats ok, just want to be sure we are on the same page.