I just posted last week about my new CB550. This was the bike I bought at a yard sale, that had been abandoned in a garage for 5 years. I rode it once, on the gas (that I poured ) in the float bowls, then parked it to start making it really mine. Once I have had a bike apart and back together, it is spiritually mine , until death or disability (of one or the other of us) do us part.
I had thought it had been well maintained, since the oil on the dipstick was clear. But once it ran, the oil resuspended all the sludge, and it turned black. Sludge can settle out after 5 years of sitting.
I drained the oil, removed the pan and filter. No metal chips... that looks good. I would like to add a magnetic oil plug, as my old 150 had. Oil pan had a lot of sludge, which came free with gasoline and a toothbrush.
Had to remove the pipes to get the oil pan off, but that is easy... only 8 nuts, one bolt. I sent for new copper crush washers.
It seemed to make a lot of rattling when in idle, and I was worried about the cam chain being stretched and loose. So I removed the valve cover, to inspect the chain and sprocket, and see how the chain tensioner worked.
Hey, I am SO grateful for these forums, letting me know about unscrewing the tappets and using rubber bands to hold them back when re-installing the valve cover. I am sure I would have just plunged ahead, bending the valve stems like someone I read about.
Cams had a couple areas of pitting, not too bad, looked like others I have seen on forums here. Again, really helpful. I experimented with prying up the cam off the bearings (gently) and found a few mm of free play in the chain. But once I cranked and tightened the chain tightener, free play was gone! I think the PO never adjusted the cam chain, hence the rattle.
Carbs were dirty. No air cleaner installed, just an empty hole in the frame. No carb return spring either. Getting the carbs off was a pain and a half. Finally I priced new rubber mounts, decided to cut off the old ones. I read about oil of wintergreen and heat, but a hack saw and a few dollars on Ebay seemed easier. I bunged up one of the float bowl drain screws, had to use a hack saw to deepen the slot. Just got a new one of those in the mail yesterday. I found a 3.5 inch spring at Ace Hardware. Seems to span the distance of the carb return spring. Had to heat the ends with a torch to get them to bend to fit. $1.99 plus tax. Much cheaper than real part. All I want is for the bike to go to idle when I take my hand off.
Like the front axle bolts, with 3 different wrench sizes, my float bowl screws were 3 different kinds. One hex drive, one slotted screw, several philips screws that had been sawn for a slot, and the rest philips head. I hate such lack of conformity. Ordered new stainless steel hex drive screws, for bottom and top of carbs.
After the pain of pulling the carbs, I wondered if I could have it easier next time if I had individual filter pods, I have seen mention of them here, mostly with derision. If my new carb mounts are soft and rubbery, maybe I will struggle to install the filter box, and a new stock filter. But I ordered 4 pod filters. See how they work. I saw mention that I could support the carbs in the back if I use them.
I have not tackled the side covers of the engine yet. But with my memory of stripped screws on my 150, I ordered a complete set of stainless steel hex drive screws. I still have my impact driver, that I bought in 1968, to loosen any screws that do not want to be upgraded. If only politicians were so easy.
I got new rubber gaskets for top and bottom. The old ones were kind of flattened. The PO had used some kind of silicone sealant on the gasket surfaces. Mostly I was scraping it off from inside the mating surfaces.
I still need to finish the electrical system. Inside the headlight bowl was a rats nest of wiring and connectors, some good, some bad. I am trying to sort them out, with the help of a color wiring diagram that I downloaded to my color printer. Got an new tail light lens. Trying to find an LED bulb equivalent to the old 2-contact bulb that was not there when I got the bike.
I got a new plastic side cover, to replace the missing one. Will need to paint it yellow, like the other cover and the tank. I just got the helmet I ordered; also bright yellow.
I am totally jazzed to have my new bike to lavish with love and attention. If it doesn't get too cold in the next month, I am counting on it to returning the love and attention, with a few long trips up into the Sierra Nevada mountains of central California. Wish me luck!
