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Offline firebane

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76 cb550f project
« on: January 25, 2017, 05:37:35 AM »
In my other thread I talked about how I sold off my cb750 as someone had interest in it and I knew I wanted another cb bike but of a smaller cc.

So was doing some looking around and came across this 1976 cb550f with everything intact and nothing really done to it. The tank is completely shot but I have another already sourced. The bike sputters a bit trying to run but with gummed up carbs and aging cracked fuel lines that was my first thing I tackled.

I do have a kerker muffler which will not be used as the baffles are shot and have the airbox stuff and one broken cover. Will be making an order for replacement covers in the future.

Once I get the tank I will be looking into getting the bike completely running and doing a fluid change.

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Offline CBGhia

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Re: 76 cb550f project
« Reply #1 on: January 25, 2017, 06:11:48 AM »
I love a 550F.  It's the best of the SOHC4 family.  Just sayin'. 
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CB550 Cafe, GL1000, Buell Ulysses
Quote from: dave500 on February 14, 2014, 03:53:33 AM
if you dont trial spin the camshaft in the head and cover you are a novice,with no natural mechanical appitude,destined for destruction.
"The cleaner the dipstick, the closer to God." -Rev. Horton Heat
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Offline firebane

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Re: 76 cb550f project
« Reply #2 on: January 25, 2017, 06:41:20 AM »
Quote from: CBGhia on January 25, 2017, 06:11:48 AM
I love a 550F.  It's the best of the SOHC4 family.  Just sayin'.

I discovered this morning I have the original owners manual for the bike too LOL.
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Offline Darren Jakal

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Re: 76 cb550f project
« Reply #3 on: January 25, 2017, 07:13:11 AM »
Where did you find that?

Good one.

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Offline Stev-o

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Re: 76 cb550f project
« Reply #4 on: January 25, 2017, 07:47:13 AM »
I also love the 550F, have had a couple.  Check the For Sale thread, Frankie sells very good replica side covers for around $75...
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'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline firebane

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Re: 76 cb550f project
« Reply #5 on: January 25, 2017, 07:48:19 AM »
Quote from: Darren Jakal on January 25, 2017, 07:13:11 AM
Where did you find that?

Good one.

Locally.

The guy had it posted which I contacted right away and made arrangements almost immediately to pick it up. The tank is quite humorous and is pretty much a write off due to rust but it will make a good wall mount.

Got for a steal too :)
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Offline firebane

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Re: 76 cb550f project
« Reply #6 on: January 27, 2017, 01:32:19 PM »
Haven't done much... Will be picking up a tank for the old girl so that will help. Also discovered it looks like this bike was ridden down a few dirty old trails at some point in its life. Between massive amount of dirt in the headlight to all the connectors covered in massive amounts of dirt and dust... Its definitely gross.

Had to buy a new battery as the one I had just doesn't work... Every time I tried to do anything with it for the bike it would go from 12v to 8v or lower and just drop. I also do not know if I have a voltage issue on the bike or not yet and will no more once I hookup a new battery. I checked the alternator, regulator and rectifier and all are within spec.

Had to pull the carbs and clean those up though... They were NICE and gummy... mmmm
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Offline Stev-o

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Re: 76 cb550f project
« Reply #7 on: January 27, 2017, 02:45:05 PM »
Quote from: firebane on January 27, 2017, 01:32:19 PM

 I also do not know if I have a voltage issue on the bike

Connect your voltmeter to the battery while the bike is idling, get reading.
Then throttle it to a fast 3500 RPM idle, the voltage should raise if the system is charging.
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'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline firebane

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Re: 76 cb550f project
« Reply #8 on: January 27, 2017, 03:14:37 PM »
Quote from: Stev-o on January 27, 2017, 02:45:05 PM
Quote from: firebane on January 27, 2017, 01:32:19 PM

 I also do not know if I have a voltage issue on the bike

Connect your voltmeter to the battery while the bike is idling, get reading.
Then throttle it to a fast 3500 RPM idle, the voltage should raise if the system is charging.

Haven't gotten that far. Second I turn the key to run there is a huge battery drain LOL. I'm hoping with the new battery this doesn't happen.
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Offline BLAC

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Re: 76 cb550f project
« Reply #9 on: January 27, 2017, 03:30:03 PM »
Quote from: CBGhia on January 25, 2017, 06:11:48 AM
I love a 550F.  It's the best of the SOHC4 family.  Just sayin'.

you spelled 550k wrong!  :P
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If you can't fix it with a hammer, it's an electrical problem... If it's an electrical problem, it's Cal's problem.

*2005 Yamaha R6 (sold)
*2014 Ducati Streetfighter 848 (sold)
*2014 BMW S1000RR (sold)
*2010 Ducati Streetfighter S
*1978 CB550 Restomod Build
*1974 CB550 Monoshock build
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,154614.0.html

Offline firebane

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Re: 76 cb550f project
« Reply #10 on: January 27, 2017, 05:47:30 PM »
New tank!

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Offline BLAC

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Re: 76 cb550f project
« Reply #11 on: January 27, 2017, 05:54:46 PM »
good find!  looks like it is in pretty nice shape!  I have a rougher one that I will probably sell cheap soon if you want to experiement on one, let me know!
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If you can't fix it with a hammer, it's an electrical problem... If it's an electrical problem, it's Cal's problem.

*2005 Yamaha R6 (sold)
*2014 Ducati Streetfighter 848 (sold)
*2014 BMW S1000RR (sold)
*2010 Ducati Streetfighter S
*1978 CB550 Restomod Build
*1974 CB550 Monoshock build
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,154614.0.html

Offline firebane

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Re: 76 cb550f project
« Reply #12 on: January 27, 2017, 06:09:41 PM »
Quote from: BLAC on January 27, 2017, 05:54:46 PM
good find!  looks like it is in pretty nice shape!  I have a rougher one that I will probably sell cheap soon if you want to experiement on one, let me know!

They were asking 190 but it's missing the pet cock and filler lock do I got it down to 125
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Offline BLAC

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Re: 76 cb550f project
« Reply #13 on: January 27, 2017, 06:23:51 PM »
Not bad! Mine has some dents here and there, usable but not perfect. I have an early K tank and I just wanted to see if I liked the supersport tank on it, I'm sticking with the K so i just want to get my money out of it, probably $75-$100 depending on location.

anyway, good start on the bike!
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If you can't fix it with a hammer, it's an electrical problem... If it's an electrical problem, it's Cal's problem.

*2005 Yamaha R6 (sold)
*2014 Ducati Streetfighter 848 (sold)
*2014 BMW S1000RR (sold)
*2010 Ducati Streetfighter S
*1978 CB550 Restomod Build
*1974 CB550 Monoshock build
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,154614.0.html

Offline firebane

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Re: 76 cb550f project
« Reply #14 on: January 28, 2017, 12:47:24 PM »
Are the bar switches grounded to the bars or harness? I don't see locating pins or a ground wire under the tree.

Edit: due to the switches having wires ran inside the bars I am  just going to swap bars and get different switches.
« Last Edit: January 28, 2017, 06:42:37 PM by firebane »
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Offline firebane

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Re: 76 cb550f project
« Reply #15 on: February 04, 2017, 06:54:15 AM »
Quote from: Godffery on February 04, 2017, 01:34:40 AM
You can keep the switches you have by using a rattail file to make a U shaped grove for the wire to pass threw.

http://www.vinmoto.org/gallery/v/VinMoto-Garage/album03/Godfferys-Garage-123/Cafe+Overkill/DSC+197.JPG.html

I tried pulling the wires through and it was going to be more effort than I wanted and besides I plan to go a different route.
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Offline firebane

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Re: 76 cb550f project
« Reply #16 on: February 11, 2017, 04:09:52 PM »
Welp on the hunt for another tank. The one I have is not sound and has a hole in it and a lot of soft areas with the metal.
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Offline Smudgemo

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Re: 76 cb550f project
« Reply #17 on: February 11, 2017, 07:14:25 PM »
Quote from: CBGhia on January 25, 2017, 06:11:48 AM
I love a 550F.  It's the best of the SOHC4 family.  Just sayin'.

Agreed.  Something that's just right about these bikes.  Maybe you can get the tank from this guy: https://modesto.craigslist.org/mcy/5953714158.html

I keep wanting to go buy it, but my wife would kill me and I really don't feel like driving that 2+ hours each way when I don't really need anything.
« Last Edit: February 11, 2017, 09:07:25 PM by Smudgemo »
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-Ryan

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

Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: 76 cb550f project
« Reply #18 on: February 12, 2017, 02:42:52 AM »
The 550s are very well balanced and inherently good handling bikes.
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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 Stev-o

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Re: 76 cb550f project
« Reply #19 on: February 12, 2017, 07:05:38 AM »
Quote from: Smudgemo on February 11, 2017, 07:14:25 PM
Quote from: CBGhia on January 25, 2017, 06:11:48 AM
I love a 550F.  It's the best of the SOHC4 family.  Just sayin'.

Agreed.  Something that's just right about these bikes.  Maybe you can get the tank from this guy: https://modesto.craigslist.org/mcy/5953714158.html

I keep wanting to go buy it, but my wife would kill me...

Easier to ask for forgiveness than permission!
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'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline firebane

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Re: 76 cb550f project
« Reply #20 on: February 12, 2017, 05:41:55 PM »
So since the hunt for another tank is on I have purchased a small aux tank for getting the bike going.

I am now in the process of getting the bike going and got the points set and the battery hooked up. I failed to realize I needed to hook the black/white to black for coil power so til next time.

Question though.. regarding the starter solenoid I am currently using a screw driver which is a nuisance so thinking of using a momentary switch. Can I use any specific switch as I don't think it should be pulling much for amps and only 12v.

I know I have a small 1 maybe 2 amp switch.. would that work?
« Last Edit: February 12, 2017, 05:45:00 PM by firebane »
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Offline Stev-o

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Re: 76 cb550f project
« Reply #21 on: February 12, 2017, 07:01:09 PM »
Yes, a momentary switch will work.   The starter button in the R control is most likely the issue, a common problem.
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'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline firebane

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Re: 76 cb550f project
« Reply #22 on: February 12, 2017, 07:21:07 PM »
Quote from: Stev-o on February 12, 2017, 07:01:09 PM
Yes, a momentary switch will work.   The starter button in the R control is most likely the issue, a common problem.

I have no controls and just using temporary switches to get it running. I just heard you needed a high amperage switch.
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Offline Smudgemo

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Re: 76 cb550f project
« Reply #23 on: February 12, 2017, 09:41:25 PM »
If you have the controls and just need to fix the starter button, I've got a replacement housing to fix the original switch as long as the parts are all there.  See my signature links for how to get it and install it.  Easy peasy and done in an hour.
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-Ryan

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

Offline firebane

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Re: 76 cb550f project
« Reply #24 on: February 13, 2017, 02:35:11 PM »
Hmmm ... wonder what THIS entails  ;D

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