Topic: WHAT HAVE I GOT MYSELF INTO?

[GreenHornLad]

Evening Lads,

Okay now I'm going to type a very long (possibly a ramble) on a 78' 550 k2 I recently bought. My point is very indirect but if you bear with it and choose to read the whole thing i promise it will make a little sense. So here goes... I'm not new to riding bikes, but new to old girls and mechanics in general. I wanted to buy this thing as a good foundation and to have fun along the way. However the bloke i bought it off is a little bit of a tough nut and I'm too much of a people pleaser to ask for my money back...

So after meeting a friend of a friend and getting to know him a little over bike talk, I thought it would be a great entry point to start learning about motors and mechanics to strip down a 550 and work on making it into my own style.

Turns out this guy had a 1978' CB550K2 with a 750 gas tank, non original exhaust, numbers of engine and frame don't match up (however this was a honda issue at one point, or so i hear) and it has had some new additions like new wheels, new rear hagon shocks, and maybe one or two other things.
The odo read 99,050kms with the seller not giving me a very solid idea on its original taco or original engine, but he believed the engine needed no work when he stripped it down all those years ago (said to be 11 years sitting unridden, unrego). This guy is a Harley man through and through and a straight up bloke, but i do know that money talks for alot for some, and he may have sugar coated everything to make a buck. However he was quite convincing when he gave a speel on his reputation and wanting to be the sort of lad that you can trust and tell your friends about.

The wheels we're rusted so i knew it was something i had to fix, but didn't realise for what i paid just how many things i would discover wrong with it.

Okay to get the ball rolling ill just list the price i paid for this bike and the so far issues i have seen without giving her a solid ride after being garaged for so long. The bloke i bought it off swears she just needs a good ride to get it sounding more smooth and to flush all the pipes and cobwebs clean.


I Paid 5,000 Australian dollars.. AUD. 

 I know this is a lot of money, but was assured the motor is sound and that these 550's are becoming quite the rare bike.

the issues i face are.

> Idle Issues - bike holding idle at 3,000 then sometimes dropping back to 1,000 no matter how many times i adjust it.
> Loud ticking noise above the gaskets that when the bike idles too low before cutting the ticks sound loud and sickly.  (Again been told this will fix after giving her a good ride)
> Engine starts cutting when throttling too quick, not responsive enough. He assured me the carbies would clear themselves out to fix the issue. then he mentioned it could be the throttle cable having bends underneath the fuel tank.
> Brake fluid leaking through the front brake lever.
> Gasket has two leaks one mid way possibly on both sides and one on the right side on the very bottom.
> Exhaust burning quite a lot of smoke.
> Throttle response while riding does not feel right when i need to open her up sometimes not much, then all of a sudden feels like i hit a powerband.
> Gears stick at times.


I'm forever finding new issues with the bike (as you do) but feel i paid top dollar for a bike i should have paid half for.

Too much of a pussy to stand up against a harley rider and fear he would reject me a refund so i'm sitting here messaging you lot and hoping you might give me some good news and or something to go off.

I figured these 550's with a road worthy would be around 6,000 tops and yet i paid 5k for one that would not meet a roadworthy. I even had to buy the battery as well as a new flasher relay just because he hadn't done that.
 
I trust this guy knows his stuff, but maybe too well that he has taken advantage of my virginity in buying old bikes and lack of mechanical knowledge.

Sorry this is an essay length post. Can you enlighten me on the road i have ahead given those issues and the severity of them? Also a ballpark price on the bike, and whether i should confront him or actually just foot more money to take it to a decent spanner.


I really appreciate you taking time to read this and help me out. I promise any further messages will be easier to swallow... especially if your asking the questions.

Thanks,

Troy.

P.s It's good to have a majority of like minded people in the room.

[Stev-o]

+1 NEVER believe a seller!   Unless you have a sales invoice that states you can return the bike, it is yours. Yes, you paid too much, but he wasnt holding a knife to your throat, right?

Sorry to be so harsh, but all these questions should have been asked BEFORE you bought the bike.

It's not the end of the world, I've bought bikes in worse shape than that and made them good roadworthy bikes! [but only paid $700 USD]

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

You definitely overpaid, but let that go and proceed in getting the bike roadworthy. Anyone who tells you running the bike will clean clogged carburetors and fix oil leaks is selling you a bridge in Brooklyn. This isn't an SR-71. Cal's advice is spot on.

Get the manuals downloaded and printed. Keep them handy in a binder. Clean your fuel system - drain your gas tank (old gas turns to varnish), inspect your tank for rust and debris, clean the petcock and fuel lines, CLEAN AND REBUILD your carburetors, Drain your oil, inspect the pan for metal debris, replace the filter, replace your spark plugs, check you wire harness with a multimeter, adjust your points, service your brakes, replace your fork oil, etc.

[Stev-o]

Get the manuals downloaded and printed. Keep them handy in a binder. Clean your fuel system - drain your gas tank (old gas turns to varnish), inspect your tank for rust and debris, clean the petcock and fuel lines, CLEAN AND REBUILD your carburetors, Drain your oil, inspect the pan for metal debris, replace the filter, replace your spark plugs, check you wire harness with a multimeter, adjust your points, service your brakes, replace your fork oil, etc.

...and take two aspirin, get back with us in the mornin when this is done!

[Gene]

Done yet?

[Trevor from Warragul]

I trust this guy knows his stuff

Sorry, but he knows Jack Sh*t about these bikes...

Idle Issues - bike holding idle at 3,000 then sometimes dropping back to 1,000 no matter how many times i adjust it.

Engine starts cutting when throttling too quick, not responsive enough.

Throttle response while riding does not feel right when i need to open her up sometimes not much, then all of a sudden feels like i hit a powerband.

The carburetors definitely need to be cleaned.  It sounds like the air jets, pilot jets, emulsion tubes & associated passages are blocked

Loud ticking noise above the gaskets that when the bike idles too low before cutting the ticks sound loud and sickly.

You might be lucky to get away with only a valve adjustment

Brake fluid leaking through the front brake lever.

The master cylinder needs rebuilding

Gasket has two leaks one mid way possibly on both sides and one on the right side on the very bottom.

Exhaust burning quite a lot of smoke.

Gears stick at times.

The motor needs to be stripped.  You might be lucky to get away with new rings & gaskets (although I doubt it)

All-in-all, I think you were butt f*cked...

Trevor
Melbourne

[Terry in Australia]

I don't think the fact that the PO is a "Harley Guy" should make much difference as to his honesty, I've bought many, many bikes over my 47 years of motorcycle ownership, and I've probably been lied to by every PO, even the Honda dealer I bought my shiny new (old stock) CB750 in 1978 was a liar! (so much for meeting the nicest people on a Honda...............)

The American members here who have commented on the price are comparing what they pay for a similar bike in a country with a population of 300 million, compared to Oz with it's 24 million, which means that these bikes are in much smaller supply here, hence the price, which equates to around $3500 US. For a GOOD CB550, that seems like a reasonable  price, even in the land of the free.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Honda-CB-/272160308263?forcerrptr=true&hash=item3f5e04bc27:g:NeUAAOSwr7ZW3g7n&item=272160308263

Without any pics posted, it's hard for anyone to see what you've bought. Can you post some? As has been written above, some of the concerns you have are possibly simple fixes, (Have you done an oil and filter change yet? You should do that as soon as you buy a used bike, especially one that's probably sat for a long time, if you don't you're doing more damage every time you start it) and some may need more attention.

Be aware that a lot of bigger bike shops won't touch your bike. It's too old, and parts are difficult to find, even through Honda dealers. Bike shops don't like old bike's taking up valuable space in their workshops while they wait for replacement parts, so don't be surprised if they tell you to take it somewhere else. I don't know where you live, but in Melbourne this is certainly the case, and there is only one shop I know of who'd even look at your bike, and as I've mentioned above, he's got lots of old bikes in his workshop in various stages of repair while he waits for parts to arrive from all over the world.

"Australian Motorcycle Trader" is a good mag to read, there's always an article about Cafe Racers with details of who did the mechanical work, so that's a good place to start looking for someone who can fix your bike, plus smaller repairers advertise in the mag too. Don't be too pissed off with your purchase mate, $5K isn't a lot of money for any bike, especially one with a fan base as large as the SOHC4's are currently enjoying. Cheers, Terry.

[Gene]

 BTW - this is all part of the joy in owning one of these classic bikes.

[cougar]

1st. You own the bike ! If you don't think you can recoup your money by selling. Then either toss it over in a corner or get busy ! Like a few have said get all the manuals you can, then start getting dirty. Also a GREAT tool to get first, hand impact driver, you NEED it ! One main thing to remember is "It's ALL just nuts and bolts !" and a little bit of rubber. Everything has a place and purpose (by the factory). If you enjoy working with your hands and like the feeling of being able to say "Look what I GOT" . You're about on a Fine journey.   Enjoy !    ...cougar...

[GreenHornLad]

Well i'll be, everyone one of you deserve a beer on me. It's great to see such positive feedback and support. I started thinking my best bet is to take it to a reputable spanner but after reading this it's given me some reinforcement to try doing as much as i can myself. The quote "it's all just nuts and bolts" is reassuring. I guess first thing is first and i should strip her down to just the engine and work on taking it apart from there?
I haven't seen too many videos teaching you how to rebuild the engine. Is is pretty straight forward? and what parts will i be needing to replace indefinitely.
I'll go back and reply to more specific questions tonight, I'm out off the house tonight but tomorrow ill get too stripping the shell

Come tomorrow I will be posting up photos of the leaks and overall quality and gist of the bike. I hope this thread sticks, i'm new to posting in forums.

[martin99]

Hello mate, welcome to the madness.
Before you start pulling everything apart get that engine clean, wipe all the oil and crud off, and give it a generous dusting of baby powder (honest!) before you start her up again. This will pinpoint the source of the leaks and may just save you stripping the engine unnecessarily. And just in case anyone else forgot to mention it, have you cleaned your carbs?

[Terry in Australia]

No mate, don't pull it apart yet, get on the phone and find someone who'll take a look at it, and get them to diagnose what's actually wrong with it. What's pulling it apart going to achieve, apart from having bits of motorbike all over your floor? Are you familiar with the term, "unfinished project"?  If so, do you know how much "unfinished projects" go for? Check eBay. If you've decided that it's beyond you, sell it now as a "barn find" and be happy if you get most of your money back. Cheers, Terry.

[hotdog]

Where in oz are you located..?

Sent from my HTC_M9u using Tapatalk

[Stev-o]

No mate, don't pull it apart yet, get on the phone and find someone who'll take a look at it, and get them to diagnose what's actually wrong with it.

+1.  The motor does not need a full rebuild, it is running, correct?   I'd start at what is known to be an issue - the carbs. 

[333]

Based on a small comment you made in your first post, I'd say this. Don't expect to be able to make money by thinking "rare" means anything. Even if you paid a fair price for a bike in this condition, you'd be lucky to get close to breaking even. You need to look at this as a labor of love. And if you do, it will love you back.

I don't think the fact that the PO is a "Harley Guy" should make much difference as to his honesty, I've bought many, many bikes over my 47 years of motorcycle ownership, and I've probably been lied to by every PO, even the Honda dealer I bought my shiny new (old stock) CB750 in 1978 was a liar! (so much for meeting the nicest people on a Honda...............)

You ride a Honda Terry, and we think you're a nice guy. (Insert Photo-shopped face of Terry here...)

[Terry in Australia]

Ha ha, well as you know I own and ride many different brands of motorcycle mate, and my personality doesn't change from one to another. I bought another bike today (well, I did an electronic handshake with the seller a couple of days ago, but I paid him and collected it today) and I think he's the most honest seller I've ever bought a bike from, he's a very religious guy, and he rang me first thing this morning to tell me he'd tried to start it (he hasn't ridden it in awhile) but it wouldn't go, so he thought he better tell me before I left, if I decided that I didn't want to take a risk on a bike that wouldn't start?

I told him that I wanted the bike, I'd already told the wife I was buying it, and I was already on the road, so I'd continue the 200 miles to his place. I pulled in around lunch time, and the bike was absolutely immaculate. There was not a speck of dirt or spot of road grime anywhere on the bike, a 2001 Yamaha FJR1300. (he'd have been horrified if he saw some of my bikes, even my Harley is filthy right now) But he was right, no matter how many times I hit the starter, it wouldn't fire. He was really embarrassed, and told me that if I couldn't get it going when I got home, he'd refund my money and come pick it up.

I told him that I didn't think the problem was serious, but I'd let him know what I found when I got home. We did the paperwork, and he presented me with 4 keys, the original tool kit, owners manual, service manual, and a folder he'd made with "How to" pages downloaded from the internet.

I got home, tried to start it a few times, but nada, it just wouldn't fire. I took the battery cover off and was happy to see a nice new Motobatt gel battery. While I was looking around, I saw a 4 wire connector, that looked a little corroded. I jiggled the wires, hit the starter button, and VRMMMM! (No VAROOM, it's very quiet with it's OEM exhaust) It ran like a new bike, so I let it run up to normal operating temp (it's still on my trailer as I'm hauling it back to Canberra tomorrow) and checked everything else, and it was all good. I sent the seller a text, and he actually rang me and thanked me, and told me how relieved he was!

Anyway, yes, there are honest sellers out there, but there are still plenty who will lie to you, or at least tell you what you want to hear. As has been said above, the best attitude to have is to assume that the seller lied to you, and be happy if you don't have too many problems. Cheers, Terry.

[GreenHornLad]

Understood. Thanks mate i'm willing to put the time and money into her, and like an older reply "water under a bridge" #$%* happens. now time to show it some love.

[strynboen]

now just take one problem at time...thange oil and filter...then klean the tank..tap and kaburettors...then testdrive..and testdrive for more days..to learn start procydure..all bikes is different to start..so learn uour bike..often the battery get lov at the first days learning to start the bike...so get a ekstra battery..or kabels to jump start..from a car..
 thek brakes elektric and mekanic overall...make a error list..and..make the safty faluers first..and let tires forks vait to later..brakes is first.. lights later..leaking is last  ..this bikes alvays leaking..so no vorryes abaut oil leakes...as long it drips(..floting/running .. aut is a problem)..

if the oil light turn on...stop the engine...id it dont Work...get it working..before test running..