Topic: 1978 CB550... I tried to keep it stock, I failed.

[Stev-o]

Good use of the cherry picker!   Her front end looks good, what does the front brake need? 
The caliper usually just needs a good cleaning and the seal replaced, good time for a coat of caliper paint too.

[BLAC]

I thought it was going to need a lot of work because the brake was dragging and I could hardly push the bike, but I got it apart and the plastic spacer fell off the piston and was jammed between the piston and the pad in a really weird way so it couldn't retract.  I just need a piston seal and a good cleaning.  Then some paint 👍🏼

the clutch lever has been faaaaking hard to pull. I couldn't tell if I was being a wuss and used to modern bikes or what, but I wd40'd the clutch arm and replaced the cable and it is much smoother... I might actually get to ride a cb550 soon (finally) haha

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Nice work, Bryan.  Give me a call if you want to ride the "old" bikes.

[NobleHops]

I thought it was going to need a lot of work because the brake was dragging and I could hardly push the bike, but I got it apart and the plastic spacer fell off the piston and was jammed between the piston and the pad in a really weird way so it couldn't retract.  I just need a piston seal and a good cleaning.  Then some paint 👍🏼

the clutch lever has been faaaaking hard to pull. I couldn't tell if I was being a wuss and used to modern bikes or what, but I wd40'd the clutch arm and replaced the cable and it is much smoother... I might actually get to ride a cb550 soon (finally) haha

You want grease, not WD40. Don't make me go off on a rant here 😀. When I'm reassembling a cable clutch I will lube everything in the path, including the pivot pin, and the surface in the perch that the lever nests in. Don't neglect that either, they are often too tight or too loose and a little "tuning" of the fit helps too.

[RAFster122s]

I watched a fellow Radion Control car racer buy a new pack of steering blocks as he was tagged by another driver going into a corner( asphalt racing in summer) and ended up hitting the outline of the track pretty hard causing a steering block to become a bit loose. So, I was pitting with him and I happened to watch as he pulled out a sized reamer and reamed the fit for the vertical post that went through the steering block (serving as the pivot point).  I had polished the vertical posts to a very high gloss ( steel)  but had not considered reaming the hole for that post.  A discussion ensued and I had not considered doing something like this on the plastic molded steering block.  Stopping by Fastenal that week buying a reamer or two for those sliding fit items on the car, or pins used for suspension arms, etc.  It improved the freedom of the movement without creating any play in those joints.
So, sometimes you can't see the forest for the trees.

[BLAC]

I thought it was going to need a lot of work because the brake was dragging and I could hardly push the bike, but I got it apart and the plastic spacer fell off the piston and was jammed between the piston and the pad in a really weird way so it couldn't retract.  I just need a piston seal and a good cleaning.  Then some paint 👍🏼

the clutch lever has been faaaaking hard to pull. I couldn't tell if I was being a wuss and used to modern bikes or what, but I wd40'd the clutch arm and replaced the cable and it is much smoother... I might actually get to ride a cb550 soon (finally) haha

You want grease, not WD40. Don't make me go off on a rant here 😀. When I'm reassembling a cable clutch I will lube everything in the path, including the pivot pin, and the surface in the perch that the lever nests in. Don't neglect that either, they are often too tight or too loose and a little "tuning" of the fit helps too.

Yep, I am going to do a more in depth cleaning/lube.  I already put a new cable on it and still need to lube everything, I just wanted to quickly test if squirting that hinge helped or if the springs were just THAT stiff.  It looks like it just needs some lube.

I took the bike out around the block, it runs SO much better than when I got it. Even open carbs it idles well and accelerates without sputtering. 

The boots going from the carbs to the airbox are TOAST, they are cracked and falling apart, held together by tape and a prayer... I have the boots from my '74 but they are too short for the '78 carb setup... I cant seem to track any down for sale either so I'm a little stuck.  Anyone know where you can buy the late model boot things (or have any for sale)?

[b1jackson]

http://www.vintagecb750.com/products/6/fuel-system/54/carb-holders-air-box-rubber-boots-clamps

[BLAC]

http://www.vintagecb750.com/products/6/fuel-system/54/carb-holders-air-box-rubber-boots-clamps

I saw that, but it only lists parts for the 750, I'm not sure which are compatible with the 77-78 550k's... also thier prices are a little strange, some are ~$10 individually, others are double, and none of them look like they have the angle needed for carb #1 and #4.

I basically need this http://www.ebay.com/itm/74-77-HONDA-CB550K-CB550F-AIR-CLEANER-DUCT-BOOTS-AIR-BOX-TO-CARBS-21-CB5KINAB-/131992811239?hash=item1ebb6276e7:g:0fgAAOSw4GVYHDOU&vxp=mtr

But I cant find anything for the later model K   

Is it possible to use early manifolds on the later carbs to push them a little closer to the airbox allowing me to use the early style boots?

[seanbarney41]

Have you tried CMSNL?...they can be slightly pricy but you will get exceptional service and access to a huge stash of Honda nos.  Basically, if they don't have them, you are in for a search.

[b1jackson]

http://www.vintagecb750.com/products/6/fuel-system/54/carb-holders-air-box-rubber-boots-clamps

I saw that, but it only lists parts for the 750, I'm not sure which are compatible with the 77-78 550k's... also thier prices are a little strange, some are ~$10 individually, others are double, and none of them look like they have the angle needed for carb #1 and #4.

I basically need this http://www.ebay.com/itm/74-77-HONDA-CB550K-CB550F-AIR-CLEANER-DUCT-BOOTS-AIR-BOX-TO-CARBS-21-CB5KINAB-/131992811239?hash=item1ebb6276e7:g:0fgAAOSw4GVYHDOU&vxp=mtr

But I cant find anything for the later model K   

Is it possible to use early manifolds on the later carbs to push them a little closer to the airbox allowing me to use the early style boots?

I thought their part number 73-0137 was what you were looking for.

[BLAC]

http://www.vintagecb750.com/products/6/fuel-system/54/carb-holders-air-box-rubber-boots-clamps

I saw that, but it only lists parts for the 750, I'm not sure which are compatible with the 77-78 550k's... also thier prices are a little strange, some are ~$10 individually, others are double, and none of them look like they have the angle needed for carb #1 and #4.

I basically need this http://www.ebay.com/itm/74-77-HONDA-CB550K-CB550F-AIR-CLEANER-DUCT-BOOTS-AIR-BOX-TO-CARBS-21-CB5KINAB-/131992811239?hash=item1ebb6276e7:g:0fgAAOSw4GVYHDOU&vxp=mtr

But I cant find anything for the later model K   

Is it possible to use early manifolds on the later carbs to push them a little closer to the airbox allowing me to use the early style boots?

I thought their part number 73-0137 was what you were looking for.

No, I think you are thinking about the really hard rubber boots that go from the intake manifolds to the carbs.  I need the softer rubber parts that go from the carb into the airbox

[BLAC]

Have you tried CMSNL?...they can be slightly pricy but you will get exceptional service and access to a huge stash of Honda nos.  Basically, if they don't have them, you are in for a search.

I have, and I love them, but it boots i need are shown as the same part numbers which includes the airbox collector (which is also NLA), i just need the 4 boots.

[74cb750]

These are on ebay.  I just bought a set for my son.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/74-77-HONDA-CB550K-CB550F-AIR-CLEANER-DUCT-BOOTS-AIR-BOX-TO-CARBS-21-CB5KINAB/131992811239?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649

[BLAC]

These are on ebay.  I just bought a set for my son.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/74-77-HONDA-CB550K-CB550F-AIR-CLEANER-DUCT-BOOTS-AIR-BOX-TO-CARBS-21-CB5KINAB/131992811239?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649

I have seen those, they are not the right ones for a 77-78k model.  I have a set of the early ones and they are too short for the late model k's

[BLAC]

Boots have been found and orders thanks to a fellow member and his friend paul 🙌🏼

[BLAC]

Update: I talked to the painter who did the tank/fender for this bike and had him shoot sidecovers to match the same metallic black.  They should get here tonight (I will be sure to post pics).

I Want to run the early style badges on the side covers (not a fan of the later ones).  Does anyone have some they would like to sell?


In other news. I got the tires installed, brake rebuild and installed, got the bike running nice with the freshly rebuilt carbs, THEN I decided to spray the front/rear wheels off with a hose to clean them off, but now the bike has no power. I must have blown a fuse or something because nothing comes on when I turn the key....

The wiring harness looks funky (lots of electrical tape) so I am going to use the m-unit that I had set aside for my other build and redo the electronic on this bike.

[NobleHops]

Dude. You suck at keeping bikes stock, and I love you for it.

:-)

[BLAC]

I know... at least this one will be "mostly stock looking" 

In full transparency, I'm about to pull the motor out of it, strip it back down to the frame and give it a fresh coat of paint then put it all back together.  (maybe a 650 cam)

I bought this to be a cheap daily beater 

[NobleHops]

I know... at least this one will be "mostly stock looking" 

In full transparency, I'm about to pull the motor out of it, strip it back down to the frame and give it a fresh coat of paint then put it all back together.  (maybe a 650 cam)

I bought this to be a cheap daily beater 

Yabbut now you know how to do so much of this, leaving things half done would have been like bamboo shoots under your fingernails.

I'm with ya brother :-).

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Dude. You suck at keeping bikes stock, and I love you for it.

:-)

I can relate.

[BLAC]

Yep, especially after getting these beauties in the mail!




Pics dont do it justice, the paint is like glass!

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Beautiful.

[BLAC]

Beautiful.

Did you end up keeping your M-unit? If so can we please have a wiring party where we both make harnesses for our bikes? Im so far out of my element with electrical work 

[Stev-o]

Beautiful.

+1.   Did forum member evogp paint them?

[BLAC]

Beautiful.

+1.   Did forum member evogp paint them?

Yes sir! I highly recommend sending him your parts for some love.  Amazing quality and great pricing