Author Topic: My 1977 CB550F project  (Read 20174 times)

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Offline Deltarider

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Re: My 1977 CB550F project
« Reply #50 on: June 14, 2016, 05:33:26 AM »
Quote
but I found a better one than the one that came in the Honda tool kit
But does it have that rubber inside?
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1975 CB550K1 "Blue" Stockish Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=135005.0)
1975 CB550F1 frame/CB650 engine hybrid "The Hot Mess" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,150220.0.html)
2008 Triumph Thruxton (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,190956.0.html)
2014 MV Agusta Brutale Dragster 800
2015 Yamaha FZ-09 (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,186861.0.html)

"There are some things nobody needs in this world, and a bright-red, hunch-back, warp-speed 900cc cafe racer is one of them — but I want one anyway, and on some days I actually believe I need one.... Being shot out of a cannon will always be better than being squeezed out of a tube. That is why God made fast motorcycles, Bubba." Hunter S. Thompson, Song of the Sausage Creature, Cycle World, March 1995.  (http://www.latexnet.org/~csmith/sausage.html and https://magazine.cycleworld.com/article/1995/3/1/song-of-the-sausage-creature)

Sold/Emeritus
1973 CB750K2 "Bionic Mongrel" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132734.0) - Sold
1977 CB750K7 "Nine Lives" Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=50490.0) - Sold
2005 RVT1000RR RC51-SP2 "El Diablo" - Sold
2016+ Triumph Thruxton 1200 R (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,170198.0.html) - Sold

Offline JMS28411 I'm no Spring Chicken

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Re: My 1977 CB550F project
« Reply #52 on: June 15, 2016, 10:00:24 PM »
Quote
but I found a better one than the one that came in the Honda tool kit
But does it have that rubber inside?

Yes it does :)
« Last Edit: June 21, 2016, 07:43:38 AM by JMS28411 »
My 1977 CB550F Project

Offline Deltarider

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Re: My 1977 CB550F project
« Reply #53 on: June 16, 2016, 08:15:35 AM »
Ha, approved! I want one.
CB500K2-ED Excel black
"There is enough for everyone's need but not enough for anybody's greed."

Offline JMS28411 I'm no Spring Chicken

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Re: My 1977 CB550F project
« Reply #54 on: June 17, 2016, 08:54:56 AM »
I found a nice source for replica replacement handlebar controls at 4into1 $45 for the kill switch/starter control, better than $85 to $100

http://4into1.com/search.php?search_query=starter+switch&Search=

But I am still looking for just a replacement switch :)
« Last Edit: June 17, 2016, 12:15:19 PM by JMS28411 »
My 1977 CB550F Project

Offline JMS28411 I'm no Spring Chicken

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Re: My 1977 CB550F project
« Reply #55 on: July 23, 2016, 12:13:39 PM »
Cafe seat for our 1977 CB550F, it will probably be this Fall or Winter or maybe sooner before we make modifications on the bike to accept this seat or modify the stock seat :) that is the?
« Last Edit: July 23, 2016, 12:29:09 PM by JMS28411 »
My 1977 CB550F Project

Offline JMS28411 I'm no Spring Chicken

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Re: My 1977 CB550F project
« Reply #56 on: July 31, 2016, 10:12:04 AM »
Well the cafe seat is on it's way back it's a little too small for what we want to do so Shelby has stripped the stock seat down to the seat pan and we're thinking about how we want to go about modifying it.

We will remove the chrome hand rail, possibly shorten the seat cushion about 6 or 8 inches, incorporate the tail light into the back of the seat pan and mount the signal lights on the frame or each side of the rear part of the seat pan. These are just some thoughts
My 1977 CB550F Project

Offline JMS28411 I'm no Spring Chicken

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Re: My 1977 CB550F project
« Reply #57 on: February 20, 2017, 09:12:39 AM »
1977 CB550F Rear Frame & Seat Mod finally started :)
Rear lights and fender removed.
Frame cut and seat loop temporarily in place to check fit.
Next we need to do some grinding and welding to permanently attach the seat loop and brackets for the lights, tag & seat.
Then we need to make the seat and rewire all the lights.

Then we need a set of Keihin CR racing carbs ($1200) and a complete performance exhaust system ($500) Only if I win the Lottery :) you gotta dream, it doesn't cost anything to dream.
« Last Edit: February 20, 2017, 09:20:16 AM by JMS28411 »
My 1977 CB550F Project

Offline JMS28411 I'm no Spring Chicken

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Re: My 1977 CB550F project
« Reply #58 on: February 21, 2017, 06:27:39 AM »
Oh yea, we replaced the uni foam filters with screened velocity stacks, bike was running a little lean so we replaced the #42 pilots with #45 and replaced the #105 mains with #110 mains. Now the bike is running a little rich, what we need are some 107.5 push in mains, but they don't seem to exist.

Does anyone know where I can find some 107.5 push in main jets for these carbs?
My 1977 CB550F Project

Offline calj737

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Re: My 1977 CB550F project
« Reply #59 on: February 21, 2017, 06:43:32 AM »
Usually 105s with a needle clip and screw adjustment works best. You say, running rich now. But at what throttle position is it rich? You can not tune by plug chop across the spectrum of throttle range. You must do each section (idle, WOT, and mid) by slow jet, main jet, then needle and screw adjustments.
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"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of it's victim may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated, but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." - C.S. Lewis

Offline JMS28411 I'm no Spring Chicken

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Re: My 1977 CB550F project
« Reply #60 on: February 21, 2017, 10:09:59 AM »
With the Uni foam filters bike was running good at WOT
Air screw at 3 turns out
Pilot jets #42 (idle good)
Main jets #105
Jet needle 3rd notch down from the top (clip 1 notch lower than stock)

With the Screened velocity stacks bike was running a little lean at WOT 5th gear not pulling very strong above 6,500 RPM
Air screw at 3 turns out
Pilot jets #42 (idle good)
Main jets #105
Jet needle 3rd notch down from the top (clip 1 notch lower than stock)

With the Screened velocity stacks bike was running a little rich at WOT, 5th gear pulls stronger above 6,500 RPM
Air screw at 3 1/8 turns out
Pilot jets #45 - (idle is a little hard to set, may go back to #42 pilot jets)
Main jets #110
Jet needle 3rd notch down from the top (clip 1 notch lower than stock)
« Last Edit: February 21, 2017, 10:17:09 AM by JMS28411 »
My 1977 CB550F Project

Offline calj737

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Re: My 1977 CB550F project
« Reply #61 on: February 21, 2017, 12:26:53 PM »
With the Uni foam filters bike was running good at WOT
Air screw at 3 turns out You are getting no benefit past 2-2.5 turns. Your jetting is wrong if you're out that far.
Pilot jets #42 (idle good)
Main jets #105
Jet needle 3rd notch down from the top (clip 1 notch lower than stock)

With the Screened velocity stacks bike was running a little lean at WOT 5th gear not pulling very strong above 6,500 RPM
Air screw at 3 turns out
Pilot jets #42 (idle good)
Main jets #105
Jet needle 3rd notch down from the top (clip 1 notch lower than stock)

With the Screened velocity stacks bike was running a little rich at WOT, 5th gear pulls stronger above 6,500 RPM
Air screw at 3 1/8 turns out
Pilot jets #45 - (idle is a little hard to set, may go back to #42 pilot jets)
Main jets #110
Jet needle 3rd notch down from the top (clip 1 notch lower than stock)
'74 550 Build http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=126401.0
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"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of it's victim may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated, but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." - C.S. Lewis

Offline JMS28411 I'm no Spring Chicken

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Re: My 1977 CB550F project
« Reply #62 on: February 21, 2017, 10:03:38 PM »
I read bits and pieces of your CB550 project, interesting.  I plan on welding some sheet metal on our seat hoop also.

You are right about the poor quality steel used on these bikes, I was amazed at how easily it was to cut through the frame with a hand powered hack saw.

I would still like to find some 107.5 press in main jets, odd that they made 107.5 screw in main jets for the later model carbs on the 1977 CB550K, but not for the earlier carbs with press in mains like our 1977 CB550F.

I am also working on a replacement starter switch to fit in the stock control unit, I hate to spend $50 to a $100 for a new throttle control, starter/kill switch unit when all that is needed is a $5 push button SPDT switch or a SPST momentary switch for the starter connected to a SPDT solenoid relay switch.

If you ever run across any 107.5 press in main jets let me know, Thanks ... Jesse
« Last Edit: February 22, 2017, 08:14:18 AM by JMS28411 I'm no Spring Chicken »
My 1977 CB550F Project

Offline calj737

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Re: My 1977 CB550F project
« Reply #63 on: February 22, 2017, 03:58:08 AM »
Thanks, but you need to re-jet (see my comment about +3 turns). And set your screws back into the stock baseline and try all your plug chops again. Use fresh, clean plugs.
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"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of it's victim may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated, but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." - C.S. Lewis

Offline JMS28411 I'm no Spring Chicken

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Re: My 1977 CB550F project
« Reply #64 on: February 22, 2017, 08:09:21 AM »
Thanks, but you need to re-jet (see my comment about +3 turns). And set your screws back into the stock baseline and try all your plug chops again. Use fresh, clean plugs.

"You are getting no benefit past 2-2.5 turns. Your jetting is wrong if you're out that far."
I agree, I am going to put the #42 pilot jets back in and turn the air screws into 2.5 turns out, may even end up using the #40 pilots ... one step at a time :)


The motogadget mbox looks nice, but is to expensive for us we are on a shoe string buget.
I am planning to clean up the stock wiring, especially in the headlight bucket.
Some of the old brass connectors have actually fallen apart.

I greatly appreciate your talent and willingness to help others and envy all the really nice gear and tools you have access to :)

The BSA & Yamaha shop I worked for in Md used to be a full service car  truck dealership with lots of nice equipment when dealers made repairs using metal lathes, milling machines, etc. the worst part about setting up a new Yamaha (Japanese bikes in general) was connecting all those wires, ground wires everywhere.

I live in Wilmington, NC if you are ever out this way feel welcome to stop in for a beer and chat :)

Take Care ... Jesse
« Last Edit: February 22, 2017, 08:23:29 AM by JMS28411 I'm no Spring Chicken »
My 1977 CB550F Project

Offline calj737

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Re: My 1977 CB550F project
« Reply #65 on: February 22, 2017, 08:22:45 AM »
My comment was in your prior post in BOLD type:

With the Uni foam filters bike was running good at WOT
Air screw at 3 turns out You are getting no benefit past 2-2.5 turns. Your jetting is wrong if you're out that far.
Pilot jets #42 (idle good)
Main jets #105
Jet needle 3rd notch down from the top (clip 1 notch lower than stock)
Essentially all your tuning info was based upon screws being too far out. Hence my comment about going back to a baseline and re-run your chops.

Wilmington is just a skip down the road! Really decent weather is coming, so I may just have to take you up on that stop-in.  :D
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"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of it's victim may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated, but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." - C.S. Lewis

Offline JMS28411 I'm no Spring Chicken

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Re: My 1977 CB550F project
« Reply #66 on: February 23, 2017, 05:42:25 AM »
Sorry I didn't notice your reply at first, I was speed reading, I need to slow down, seems like when ever I go to fast #$%* happens, not good. I usually try to go slow and review things 2 or 3 times before proceeding, must have drank to much coffee :)

Thanks for your input ... Jesse
My 1977 CB550F Project

Offline JMS28411 I'm no Spring Chicken

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Re: My 1977 CB550F project
« Reply #67 on: February 23, 2017, 06:56:43 AM »
Our new New Tail-Brake light for our seat hoop with nice bright tail &  brake lights :)

Hopefully it will be dependable, just in case I ordered a second one for a backup.

From Amazon https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01H5KCEZG/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

My 1977 CB550F Project

Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: My 1977 CB550F project
« Reply #68 on: February 23, 2017, 02:03:56 PM »
That matches up will to your hoop.
1975 CB550K1 "Blue" Stockish Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=135005.0)
1975 CB550F1 frame/CB650 engine hybrid "The Hot Mess" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,150220.0.html)
2008 Triumph Thruxton (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,190956.0.html)
2014 MV Agusta Brutale Dragster 800
2015 Yamaha FZ-09 (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,186861.0.html)

"There are some things nobody needs in this world, and a bright-red, hunch-back, warp-speed 900cc cafe racer is one of them — but I want one anyway, and on some days I actually believe I need one.... Being shot out of a cannon will always be better than being squeezed out of a tube. That is why God made fast motorcycles, Bubba." Hunter S. Thompson, Song of the Sausage Creature, Cycle World, March 1995.  (http://www.latexnet.org/~csmith/sausage.html and https://magazine.cycleworld.com/article/1995/3/1/song-of-the-sausage-creature)

Sold/Emeritus
1973 CB750K2 "Bionic Mongrel" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132734.0) - Sold
1977 CB750K7 "Nine Lives" Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=50490.0) - Sold
2005 RVT1000RR RC51-SP2 "El Diablo" - Sold
2016+ Triumph Thruxton 1200 R (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,170198.0.html) - Sold

Offline JMS28411 I'm no Spring Chicken

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Re: My 1977 CB550F project
« Reply #69 on: February 24, 2017, 09:47:11 AM »
Yea, it was designed to mount under a fender, but it is just about perfect for our hoop :)
« Last Edit: February 26, 2017, 06:01:39 AM by JMS28411 I'm no Spring Chicken »
My 1977 CB550F Project

Offline Smudgemo

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Re: My 1977 CB550F project
« Reply #70 on: February 24, 2017, 10:10:27 AM »
I am also working on a replacement starter switch to fit in the stock control unit, I hate to spend $50 to a $100 for a new throttle control, starter/kill switch unit when all that is needed is a $5 push button SPDT switch or a SPST momentary switch for the starter connected to a SPDT solenoid relay switch.

If you still have the individual pieces of the switch, you can get a 3D printed housing to rebuild it. $15 total, but you'll be done in under an hour.  http://shpws.me/NkB8
-Ryan

Thread - How to fix your starter button (for real): http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,163170.0.html

Offline JMS28411 I'm no Spring Chicken

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Re: My 1977 CB550F project
« Reply #71 on: February 26, 2017, 06:04:32 AM »
Thanks, I'll check it out, but the PCB part of the switch crumbled :)
My 1977 CB550F Project

Offline JMS28411 I'm no Spring Chicken

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Re: My 1977 CB550F project
« Reply #72 on: March 05, 2017, 03:41:26 PM »
Potential location of license plate on our 1977 CB550F Super Sport - under the seat in front of the rear tire.


My 1977 CB550F Project

Offline calj737

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Re: My 1977 CB550F project
« Reply #73 on: March 05, 2017, 05:52:43 PM »
Does the plate contact the tire under full suspension load? I wonder if NCDOT will permit it to be partially obscured? If so, you've hit the jackpot for mounting  :D
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"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of it's victim may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated, but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." - C.S. Lewis

Offline JMS28411 I'm no Spring Chicken

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Re: My 1977 CB550F project
« Reply #74 on: March 05, 2017, 08:45:00 PM »
It is not attached yet, but if placed there it will far enough in front of the rear tire so it will not touch the tire under full depression of the shocks, I may have to angle the bottom of the plate slightly forward to  be safe and provide a better view of the plate, I don't like side mounted plates for more than one reason.

As far as NCDOT goes I am not sure, but it's easier to read a horizontal plate than a vertical one and I have seen a lot of those around.

How do you like the mono shock installation :)
« Last Edit: March 05, 2017, 09:37:09 PM by JMS28411 I'm no Spring Chicken »
My 1977 CB550F Project