Author Topic: Cb550 barn find in VA  (Read 788 times)

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Offline ceebass68

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Cb550 barn find in VA
« on: July 15, 2016, 09:43:22 PM »
Caught the Vintage bug. Actually had it awhile but just now acting on it. Found a fun project locally and am reading around the site for tips.

Had lots of bikes in 30 yrs of riding but this one has to be the coolest.

1975 CB550F Super Sport. 16,500 miles. All original Cept bars and paint. 1 owner bike ( until now ). Cool story that I'm looking to add to.

Pumped!

Let's see if this pic thing works...






1975 CB550F (long term project)
1976 CB750F (short term project)
1976 CB750A (future project)
2006 VTX1800C (primary rider)
1995 VN800a (son)
2001 VN1500LC (highly modified - for sale)
Lots of others now gone

Offline dusterdude

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Re: Cb550 barn find in VA
« Reply #1 on: July 16, 2016, 03:39:11 AM »
Coooool

Sent from my LG-D850 using Tapatalk

mark
1972 k1 750
1949 fl panhead
1 1/2 gl1100 goldwings
1998 cbr600 f3

Offline dusterdude

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Re: Cb550 barn find in VA
« Reply #2 on: July 16, 2016, 03:39:45 AM »
And welcome

Sent from my LG-D850 using Tapatalk

mark
1972 k1 750
1949 fl panhead
1 1/2 gl1100 goldwings
1998 cbr600 f3

Offline calj737

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Re: Cb550 barn find in VA
« Reply #3 on: July 16, 2016, 04:16:54 AM »
Hello from Richmond! Curious about the paint on that bike. Dusterdude is local too. And djwillard.
'74 550 Build http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=126401.0
'73 500 Build http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132935.0

"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 ceebass68

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Re: Cb550 barn find in VA
« Reply #4 on: July 17, 2016, 05:57:17 AM »
Hey calj737. I'm in Richmond as well. Short Pump actually. I like the paint too. Original owner had it professionally painted this way back in like '78. Original color was orange (can see it a tad underneath).

Did a compression test and its low but, I'm gonna take a whack at cleaning the carbs up and try to see if she'll run. If so, I may play around a bit before the rebuild. Likely tackle that over the winter. Never done anything like that so I wonder if it's worth a try or worth the $ to GET it done...





By the way, wd-40 in the background on carb pics. No, I didn't use that to clean the carb bowls ha..

Thanks for the welcome Dusterdude!

« Last Edit: July 17, 2016, 06:12:16 AM by ceebass68 »
1975 CB550F (long term project)
1976 CB750F (short term project)
1976 CB750A (future project)
2006 VTX1800C (primary rider)
1995 VN800a (son)
2001 VN1500LC (highly modified - for sale)
Lots of others now gone

Offline calj737

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Re: Cb550 barn find in VA
« Reply #5 on: July 17, 2016, 06:24:58 AM »
Carefully disassemble each carb, keeping the parts for each together and separate. Reinstall the stock brass back into the carb from which they came. The emulsion tubes need to be spotless and each orifice fully clear. Some Berryman's dip works well for the bodies. Only replace o-rings or rubber parts/gaskets as needed. But don't use non-Keihin brass parts-
'74 550 Build http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=126401.0
'73 500 Build http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132935.0

"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 dhall57

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Re: Cb550 barn find in VA
« Reply #6 on: July 17, 2016, 02:16:50 PM »
Welcome from North Carolina bass68. That's a unique paint job. How did you find the bike.
1970 CB750KO
1971 CB500KO-project bike
1973 CB350G- project bike
1974 CB750K4-project bike
1974 CB750K4
1976 CB750K6
1977 GL1000
1997 Harley Wideglide

Offline Stev-o

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Re: Cb550 barn find in VA
« Reply #7 on: July 17, 2016, 02:22:22 PM »
Congrats, welcome to the 550F club.

Get it running good and after a few hours of riding, your comp numbers may come up.
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline ceebass68

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Re: Cb550 barn find in VA
« Reply #8 on: July 17, 2016, 04:19:22 PM »
Thanks for the tips Cal. planning to get rebuild kits for the carbs. Are you suggesting to NOT replace rubber with new? Found some reasonable kits with new brass and rubber on eBay for like $60. Would you recommend I stay away from them? I appreciate the suggestions!

Welcome from North Carolina bass68. That's a unique paint job. How did you find the bike.

Craigslist in my area. Got lucky (I feel).

After sitting for quite awhile, Original owner traded it for a roof. Roofer garaged it and started tinkering. He got sick and passed last year. His daughter listed it. Original title and ALL orig sale paperwork. License plate (CA) was on original title... Love it!

Congrats, welcome to the 550F club.

Get it running good and after a few hours of riding, your comp numbers may come up.

Gonna try that Stev-o. Thanks for encouraging suggestion!
« Last Edit: July 17, 2016, 04:21:20 PM by ceebass68 »
1975 CB550F (long term project)
1976 CB750F (short term project)
1976 CB750A (future project)
2006 VTX1800C (primary rider)
1995 VN800a (son)
2001 VN1500LC (highly modified - for sale)
Lots of others now gone

Offline calj737

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Re: Cb550 barn find in VA
« Reply #9 on: July 17, 2016, 07:39:50 PM »
Only replace the rubber. Better to order Honda stock bowl gaskets even and o-rings if needed.
'74 550 Build http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=126401.0
'73 500 Build http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132935.0

"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