Topic: New to sohc4 with a 1975 CB550

[northern]

I have been watching out for an older bike to have as a project to work on with my sons, 17 and 15. Well the 17 year old left for University this fall........

So I found a 1975 Honda CB550K for sale locally here in Whitehorse and picked it up last week.



I bought it not running but with the hope that it would run again.

The owner had bought it in the spring of 2014 and rode it that summer. Then parked it under his deck for the last 2 years. He is moving and wanted/needed to get rid of it.

Battery was dead. Front shocks need rebuilding. Gas tank looked real clean inside. Oil was not clean, but not muck either. Engine turned over. Looks like the previous owner to the seller did some work on the bike. New Dunlop 404 tires, seat has a new cover, 4 into 1 pipe, different bars, mirrors. The owner had the registration for the bike!

Overall a fairly clean looking bike that needs to be cleaned up and get running.

So we (15 year old son and I) drained the tank and all 4 carbs. Tried charging the battery, which was only 4 years old according to the date, but I think it probably froze. Bought a new battery. Checked the points and they looked great, probably replaced recently. Checked all four plugs and again they looked decent, gave them a quick once over with a wire brush and set the gap. We then put in a few litres of fresh premium and it fired right up. I did not run it long but it did not idle without some throttle. Then we changed the oil.



I have ordered new fork seals, and fork boots and then we can rebuild the forks.

Next is to go over the bike and check it over, brakes, tires, clutch and then hopefully take it for a spin before sledding season arrives.

It needs a good cleaning and polishing from sitting under a deck the last 2 winters as some surface rusts has started.

Gas tank has a dent that we need to figure out how to straighten.



We then need to come up with a plan for bike. My son is talking about shortening or removing fenders and he wants to paint out a bunch of the chrome.

Just thought I would share.

I ride an F800GS, and my sons are on a KLR650 and a DR650. All good bikes up here in Whitehorse. My wife rides a Honda Sh150i scooter.  This CB550 is a bit of departure for us, but it should be a fun journey.

Thanks to everyone here for the great forum. I have already learned lots by reading here.

[calj737]

Those clubman handlebars are notorious for popping dents in tanks due to their travel. Only way to prevent it if you keep the bars it to install new steer stops in the lower triple clamp. You might swap to a Norma Hyde Euro bar for a slightly better fitment while still having the cool factor. It will also position you a bit more upright and comfortable akin to your Enduros.

Sounds like the carbs need a good cleaning despite draining the bowls. The slow jets will get clogged pretty quickly with sitting fuel. Also, double check to see if there's an intermediate fuel filter installed inline between the tank and carbs. If so, remove it and replace the fuel line with a single uninterrupted piece.

As for fixing that dent, not likely. Its a "creased" dent. Even if you get it mostly straightened, the metal has now been stretched and will likely tear as the metal is moved. You can reduce the crease, but filler is almost guaranteed to be needed for a flush surface before repaint.

When you rebuild the front forks, remove the bolt in the underside of the fork first. If you drain the forks, you'll struggle to pinch the internal damper enough to get the bolt loose. It has a crush washer beneath it for a reason too  Doing fork maintenance is an excellent time to go ahead and replace your steering bearings with tapered units from steel ball bearings (18 on top, 19 on bottom). Pop out the races and use a new kit from All Balls Racing (runs about $35 here in the US).

A good weekend project is to maintenance all electric connections and ground connections. They want to be clean and shiny, no corrosion or evidence of heat. Clean both sides of the fuse block too a the connectors corrode on the backside.

Looks like a decent bike to start and easily a decent donor for a Father/Son adventure!

[JBMorse]

Welcome!
You're on the right track, so I don't have much to add. But I would opine that the black and chrome look is kind of nice, and if it were my bike I'd polish/clean it nicely and maybe repaint the bodywork black.
Get it on the road and running and then start "fine tuning" it. After putting some miles on it you might discover it could use shocks, swingarm bushings, etc. I took that approach with the latest rebuild/refurb of my CB500. Got it running, on the road, and am slowly dialing it in to perfection

Looks like you guys are into dual sport and adventure bikes. My other bike is a Transalp, and I like it a lot. But I think you'll find the 550 to be a fantastic dirt road bike. I have so much fun bombing around on back roads.

Anyway, good luck and don't be shy with questions. The people on this forum are wonderful!

[northern]

Yes, the plan is to make sure it is road safe, then drive it and see what our problems may be.

Snow is on its way!


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[northern]

Drove the bike today. It is definitely different than my F800GS.

Just a test ride around the block. Seems to run and drive nicely.

Carb 2 (from the left side when riding) appears to be over fuelling and is dripping out of the drain hose. I will pull the float bowl off and see if the float is stuck down or maybe the valve is not seating. For another day......

Just happy that it is working.


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[northern]

Front shocks are rebuilt, front end cleaned up and the fender has been bobbed and painted.






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[blue_roller]

Looks great!

After you cut the fender, did you do anything beyond just filing the cut edge before paint?

[northern]

Sanded the fender with 300 grit sand paper. Then primed with adhesion promoter. Time will see if the paints sticks.


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[Stev-o]

Welcome from Texas... nice project, sounds like you are on your way

[northern]

Tank was painted over the winter.




Next are Honda decals....

And to bob and satin black the rear fender, Lucas light. 


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[calj737]

Lovely paint job.

Just a friendly reminder: in case you/your painter didn't know, the top edge of the filler neck needs to be bare metal, and the paint should stop just short of the top. Seal that "lip" of the paint edge to prevent fuel/fumes from seeping underneath it. This will prevent the paint from bubbling up as a result of the fumes being trapped.

I see you painted your cap too, so make sure its venting fully as well. It would be disastrous to see that paint scheme become blistered due to oversight 

[BomberMann650]

Looking good!

[northern]

Lovely paint job.

Just a friendly reminder: in case you/your painter didn't know, the top edge of the filler neck needs to be bare metal, and the paint should stop just short of the top. Seal that "lip" of the paint edge to prevent fuel/fumes from seeping underneath it. This will prevent the paint from bubbling up as a result of the fumes being trapped.

I see you painted your cap too, so make sure its venting fully as well. It would be disastrous to see that paint scheme become blistered due to oversight 

Thanks for the tips.

What do I use to seal the lip? 


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[calj737]

Clear coat to the edge of paint/lip works fine. Just bare metal around the ring.

[GardenGnome]

Very nice, good project for the both of ya I'd imagine.

[northern]

It has been a great project. 

Yesterday we removed and shortened the rear fender. I have left it with my son to sand it down and paint it. Once it is reassembled I will post a picture.

[RAFster122s]

Late welcome to the forums. You should start a thread in project bikes and drop several of your posts in that with   a link back to your intro or just the photos when found.

If riding on gravel and dirt roads I would have kept the fenders for protection on the frame's aint from gravel or yourself if it popped one up...

David

[northern]

Late welcome to the forums. You should start a thread in project bikes and drop several of your posts in that with   a link back to your intro or just the photos when found.

If riding on gravel and dirt roads I would have kept the fenders for protection on the frame's aint from gravel or yourself if it popped one up...

David

Maybe I will put together a project bike thread when I have some time.

We have dual sport bikes that we ride regularly, so the CB550 won't be seeing dirt, or gravel.  Probably not even rain.  Just something to have done fun riding around town on a sunny day. 


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[northern]

Until I find time to put together a project thread. 




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