Author Topic: My 1977 CB550F project  (Read 20171 times)

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Offline JMS28411 I'm no Spring Chicken

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Re: My 1977 CB550F project
« Reply #100 on: February 26, 2018, 08:35:27 AM »
I found a nice site for CB500/550 performance parts

http://cyclexchange.net/500-550-Hi-Perf.htm
My 1977 CB550F Project

Offline JMS28411 I'm no Spring Chicken

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Re: My 1977 CB550F project
« Reply #101 on: August 28, 2018, 10:11:14 PM »
My 1977 CB550F Project

Offline JMS28411 I'm no Spring Chicken

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Re: My 1977 CB550F project
« Reply #102 on: August 28, 2018, 10:38:22 PM »
Well our chinese tail light crapped out so we tried something different, (4) LED light strips with signal,tail & brake lights on each one ... bright during day time and  very bright at night

My 1977 CB550F Project

Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: My 1977 CB550F project
« Reply #103 on: August 28, 2018, 10:41:01 PM »
Holy smokes! That taillight is BRIGHT!
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 JMS28411 I'm no Spring Chicken

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Re: My 1977 CB550F project
« Reply #104 on: August 28, 2018, 10:47:01 PM »
I ran across something interesting, I always thought the screws on these old bikes were phillips head screws, but no ... apparently they are JIS (Japanese Industrial Standard) screws

I ordered two sets, one for me and one for my son :)

https://www.webbikeworld.com/vessel-jis-screwdrivers-review/
« Last Edit: July 03, 2020, 05:03:29 AM by JMS28411 I'm no Spring Chicken »
My 1977 CB550F Project

Offline JMS28411 I'm no Spring Chicken

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Re: My 1977 CB550F project
« Reply #105 on: October 30, 2023, 11:55:03 AM »
FYI - Awhile back we were having periodic problems with the main 10 Amp fuse blowing on a regular basis, eventually the starter would not work, I thought maybe the starter switch was bad, it was not :)

Turns out the starter solenoid was bad :(

I replaced the starter solenoid switch ... no more blown main 10 15 amp fuses and the bike starts up way better than before :)


I just drained and replaced the fork oil with 205ml 10w Honda fork oil.

I installed new front & rear sprockets and a new chain.

Installed new Bridgestone Batlax BT46 tires, I wanted Pirelli Speed Demons, but I could not find the rear tire 110-90/18 :(
« Last Edit: November 09, 2023, 05:25:37 PM by JMS28411 I'm no Spring Chicken »
My 1977 CB550F Project

Offline scottly

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Re: My 1977 CB550F project
« Reply #106 on: October 30, 2023, 12:12:12 PM »
FYI - Awhile back we were having periodic problems with the main 10 Amp fuse blowing on a regular basis, eventually the starter would not work, I thought maybe the starter switch was bad, it was not :)

The main fuse should be 15 Amp, not 10.
Don't fix it if it ain't broke!
Helmets save brains. Always wear one and ride like everyone is trying to kill you....

Offline JMS28411 I'm no Spring Chicken

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Re: My 1977 CB550F project
« Reply #107 on: November 09, 2023, 05:27:28 PM »
You are right it is 15 ampthat we were blowing due to the bad starter solenoid switc :)

Don't know why I said 10 amp.
My 1977 CB550F Project

Offline JMS28411 I'm no Spring Chicken

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Re: My 1977 CB550F project
« Reply #108 on: May 21, 2024, 12:51:18 PM »
We did some recent maintenance and installed some new Bridgestone Battlax BT46 tires, man these tires have made a world of difference in handling and braking :)
Date                  Mileage
10/28/2023   19,718   New Tires, Chain & Sprockets YES Bridgestone  Battlax BT46 Front 100/90-19 & Rear 110/90-18 Directional Tires,
10/28//2023      19,718               New Sprockets & New Chain, Tire Air pressure 30 PSI Front & Rear
10/29/2023   19,718   Fork oil   YES   Drained and replaced fork oil with 205 ml Honda 10W Fork Oil in each side
10/30/2023   19,718   Change Oil & Oil Filter YES   Used 3 quarts Honda GN4 10w40 motorcycle oil Hiflofiltro HF401-3 Oil Filter
10/30/2023   19,718   Front Disc Brake Pads   YES   Checked Front Brake Pads and rear Brake Shoes they are both in good condition - no need for replacement
11/01/2023   19,736   Clutch & Throttle cables YES   Lubricate Clutch & Throttle Cables
11/04/2023   19,746   Replaced Brake Fluid   YES   Valvoline DOT 3 & 4 Synthetic Brake Fluid - Tire Air pressure 30 PSI Front & Rear
My 1977 CB550F Project

Offline flatlander

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Re: My 1977 CB550F project
« Reply #109 on: May 22, 2024, 01:52:47 AM »
11/01/2023   19,736   Clutch & Throttle cables YES   Lubricate Clutch & Throttle Cables

if you used original honda OEM cables: lubricating will actually ruin their inner teflon coating and make them worse.