Author Topic: 550 K0 rescue (Read 5400 times)

flybox1 · « **on:** May 27, 2016, 06:47:53 PM »

Picked this project up.... w title.
74 550K @ 20k mi
Rattle can paint over...rattle can paint

but the tank is rust-free.
Missing L side emblem, starter motor doesnt turn, one broken bolt needing removal from oil pan surface and a lot off elbow grease.
At least one of my minions likes it

First thing is to get it disassembled, give it a tuneup and fix the pan bolt.

ekpent · « **Reply #1 on:** May 27, 2016, 07:02:12 PM »

Daddy's Girl,cute. Looks like a nice set of pipes on your bike.

Tews19 · « **Reply #2 on:** May 27, 2016, 07:02:30 PM »

Nice early.score!

flybox1 · « **Reply #3 on:** May 27, 2016, 07:13:08 PM »

L side pipes have a bit of road rash at the tips. No holes.
#4 has a small rust spot/hole at the weld. Fixable though.

CycleRanger · « **Reply #4 on:** May 27, 2016, 07:23:35 PM »

Nice, sub 1200. What is the build date?

flybox1 · « **Reply #5 on:** May 27, 2016, 07:27:16 PM »

Ill have to check under the sludge...

Bootsey · « **Reply #6 on:** May 27, 2016, 07:32:28 PM »

Looks good, what's the plans?

Stev-o · « **Reply #7 on:** May 27, 2016, 07:33:48 PM »

Congrats....it's nice finding em with stock pipes.

BomberMann650 · « **Reply #8 on:** May 27, 2016, 07:53:03 PM »

If you ever find yourself in the south puget sound, I have a starter I could be willing to part with.

flybox1 · « **Reply #9 on:** May 27, 2016, 08:27:20 PM »

Thanks Bomber....
Sticker is too worn to find a born on date $:-\$
Its too small for me, and too big for my oldest, but couldnt pass up a titled bike for $500.
I'm going to keep it stock, fix everything, maybe tank/cover paint, and then sell, after I put a few miles on it

Oh yeah...the covers. No cracks!

Still cant tell what color this bike was.
Looks like both brown and freedom green under the side covers.

calj737 · « **Reply #10 on:** May 28, 2016, 03:16:37 AM »

You might try just a little bit of Acetone on a rag and win the paint. The rattle can layer could simply "wipe" off without destroying the stock paint beneath. Just don't saturate it.

Really great find. Your daughter makes that bike look great!

flybox1 · « **Reply #11 on:** May 28, 2016, 06:40:26 AM »

Haha...thanks calj. She is eager to help clean.
Ill give the acetone a go later today. Thanks for the suggestion.

One of the two brass barbs of the petcock came out. Is there an easy fix?
Whats the least harmful way to get the carbs/airbox out?

BomberMann650 · « **Reply #12 on:** May 28, 2016, 07:03:27 AM »

Quote from: flybox1 on May 28, 2016, 06:40:26 AM

One of the two brass barbs of the petcock came out. Is there an easy fix?
Whats the least harmful way to get the carbs/airbox out?

Where is Flybox and what have you done with him?!

flybox1 · « **Reply #13 on:** May 28, 2016, 07:26:31 AM »

I hate 1 piece airboxes

and the boots on this one look really dry.

DaveBarbier · « **Reply #14 on:** May 28, 2016, 10:46:17 AM »

Quote from: flybox1 on May 28, 2016, 06:40:26 AM

One of the two brass barbs of the petcock came out. Is there an easy fix?
Whats the least harmful way to get the carbs/airbox out?

Welcome to the forum. Use the search function on the top of the website and you'll find a wealth of info already posted.

Couldn't resist, haha

Stev-o · « **Reply #15 on:** May 28, 2016, 10:53:47 AM »

Quote from: DaveBarbier on May 28, 2016, 10:46:17 AM

Quote from: flybox1 on May 28, 2016, 06:40:26 AM
One of the two brass barbs of the petcock came out. Is there an easy fix?
Whats the least harmful way to get the carbs/airbox out?

Welcome to the forum. Use the search function on the top of the website and you'll find a wealth of info already posted.

Couldn't resist, haha

+1...From the FAQ section...

Removal:
Remove completely the band clamps for the rear rubber couplers on the carbs.
Loosen the band clamps for the front rubber couplers only on the carb end.
The air filter box frame mounting bolts must be removed so the filter and air box can move rearward about 1/2 inch or so.
Remove throttle cables, disconnect bottom hoses and fuel line.
Disconnect engine breather hose and move it out of the way.
Work the rear rubber couplers off the carbs at the rear.
Fold the bottom of them in on itself so the rear of the carbs may move down.
Twist the carb bank down in the rear and pull them back out of the front rubber couplers simultaneously. The rear couplers will crush some with the band clamps gone.
Once the carbs are out of the front couplers work the bank sideways out the left side of the bike mashing the rear couplers out of the way as needed. The rear rubber couplers are thin wall, more compliant, and flop around way more than the front ones. With them yielding, and the 1/2 to 3/4 inch gain from moving the air and filterbox rearward, you get just enough room the get the carb bank out.

Fitting:
Going back in is pretty much the reverse. Using a wedge or tying the air plenum and filter box rearward eases installation. Leave those rear band clamps completely off the bike. Push the carb bank in from the left side and work them across, almost ignoring the rear rubber couplers until the carbs are aligned with the front couplers. Then wiggle them home into the front rubber couplers.
I use a dull pointed "L" shaped scriber to guide the rear rubber couplers onto the rear carb throat nipples in the same fashion tires are mounted onto rims.
Push the air/filter box forward and reinstall all the band clamps on front and rear of carbs.
Reinstall filterbox fame mount bolts.
Reinstall hoses.
Reinstall throttle cables.
Bandage knuckles.
[or wear gloves like I do]

flybox1 · « **Reply #16 on:** May 28, 2016, 12:15:36 PM »

You guys are swell!

Trad · « **Reply #17 on:** May 28, 2016, 01:00:52 PM »

That looks like a solid bike; Got to love finding the K0's. Good looking kid there too my man.

DaveBarbier · « **Reply #18 on:** May 28, 2016, 01:05:37 PM »

Quote from: flybox1 on May 28, 2016, 06:40:26 AM

One of the two brass barbs of the petcock came out. Is there an easy fix?

Seriously though, I'm curious of this. I've had barbs come off when I'm just trying to remove stubborn old fuel line. Can the they be ballooned a bit and then pressed back in? Or can you solder it like how you would sweat a plumbing pipe?

CycleRanger · « **Reply #19 on:** May 28, 2016, 01:56:22 PM »

Quote from: DaveBarbier on May 28, 2016, 01:05:37 PM

Quote from: flybox1 on May 28, 2016, 06:40:26 AM
One of the two brass barbs of the petcock came out. Is there an easy fix?

Seriously though, I'm curious of this. I've had barbs come off when I'm just trying to remove stubborn old fuel line. Can the they be ballooned a bit and then pressed back in? Or can you solder it like how you would sweat a plumbing pipe?

A little JB weld will hold it in. It could be soldered I suppose, very carefully. Zamak has a pretty low melting point.

flybox1 · « **Reply #20 on:** May 28, 2016, 02:25:23 PM »

Im going to try scoring the outside to give it a little texture. might hold it.

flybox1 · « **Reply #21 on:** May 28, 2016, 04:40:04 PM »

Progress. . .

MoMo · « **Reply #22 on:** May 28, 2016, 04:49:24 PM »

I have had good luck using a brass mallet to reseat the brass tubes. and Welcome...Larry

evanphi · « **Reply #23 on:** May 30, 2016, 05:09:25 AM »

Clean looking bike, Fly.

Those cocktail shakers look great!

Duanob · « **Reply #24 on:** May 31, 2016, 04:54:14 PM »

Welcome to the 550 club!

Man, you guys are harsh! It's almost like being a newbie going from a 750 to a 550, Flybox is like a green horn all over again!

I can help out a bit I have a bunch of carb parts and some bits and pieces from past 550s. All I can say is if you remove the cam cover never forget the rubber bands!

News:

Author Topic: 550 K0 rescue (Read 5400 times)