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Author Topic: Honda CB550 1976 - help needed  (Read 1752 times)

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Offline Murraypalmer212

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Honda CB550 1976 - help needed
« on: March 16, 2019, 08:04:21 AM »
Hi guys,

Hoping someone can assist as I’ve been scratching my head for weeks. Had some issues with the electrics which I finally got to the bottom of. As a result of the electrical issue the bike was sat for 3 months and when I solved that the bike turned over but didn’t fire. Replaced the battery, spark plugs and fuel..and now it’s makong all the right noises but just won’t fire up!

I have spark, fuel and compression.

Doing my nut - all help/ideas/words of wisdom welcome.

Video below


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Offline bhudders

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Re: Honda CB550 1976 - help needed
« Reply #1 on: March 16, 2019, 08:55:31 AM »
Carbs sound gummed up suggest full carb rebuild


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Offline Murraypalmer212

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Re: Honda CB550 1976 - help needed
« Reply #2 on: March 16, 2019, 01:44:24 PM »
I’ve had them off and had a look inside - they looked almost new inside! Replaced the seals and refitted but granted didn’t do much more than have a look after seeing how clean they looked. Perhaps I missed something more integral?

Really appreciate the help!
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Offline calj737

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Re: Honda CB550 1976 - help needed
« Reply #3 on: March 16, 2019, 06:49:56 PM »
Open the petcock, allow the fuel to flow long enough to fill the carbs. Then open the drain screw in the outside bowls and verify that fuel is reaching the carbs.
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Offline 754

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Re: Honda CB550 1976 - help needed
« Reply #4 on: March 16, 2019, 07:21:45 PM »
 The carbs may have been cleaned, but not the small passages.
 Being clean in the parts  you see can fool you..
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Offline bear

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Re: Honda CB550 1976 - help needed
« Reply #5 on: March 16, 2019, 07:39:29 PM »
You have pods on the bike by the look of it.
It's easy enough to tell if it's a fuel delivery issue.
Remove the pods, squirt a small amount of fuel into each carb with the throttle open.
Then turn it over. If it fires up for a second you have a fuel delivery issue some where.
Don't get to carried away with the fuel, you don't need much and make sure there is no excess fuel pooling on the top of the transmission.
If it catches fire hold the throttle open and keep turning it over. ;D
« Last Edit: March 16, 2019, 07:43:52 PM by bear »
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Offline Deltarider

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Re: Honda CB550 1976 - help needed
« Reply #6 on: March 17, 2019, 01:42:12 AM »
Quote from: bhudders on March 16, 2019, 08:55:31 AM
Carbs sound gummed up suggest full carb rebuild
I wonder how you can diagnose that from just those 6 seconds. Your suggestion is a bit drastic, isn't it?
I'd follow Cal's suggestion. Verify all floatchambers have sufficient fuel. Actually, from what I hear, it sounds like you're almost there. In your case I would not hesitate spraying some Startpilot to the airintakes.
What wouldn't harm after months of inactivity, is: drain the floatbowls, keep the petcock closed, turn the 'central' idle adjuster knob (on the right side) so, that it will lower the gasslides, close the chokes, and then crank, either kick or electric, the engine and hope the underpressure will suck the slow jets clean.
Spark on all 4? Sure?
« Last Edit: March 17, 2019, 02:13:41 AM by Deltarider »
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Offline TwoTired

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Re: Honda CB550 1976 - help needed
« Reply #7 on: March 17, 2019, 10:00:39 AM »
Are you operating choke up or down?
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Offline Deltarider

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Re: Honda CB550 1976 - help needed
« Reply #8 on: March 28, 2019, 01:24:14 PM »
Well... Murraypalmer? How about it? Please report back.
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Offline Murraypalmer212

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Re: Honda CB550 1976 - help needed
« Reply #9 on: April 07, 2019, 09:22:51 AM »
Sorry for the delay guys...had a series of family issues recently so I haven’t had a chance to get on it. Really appreciate all of your comments and time. Feel very bad - I should have at least given you all an update.

So I’ve been in the garage for a bit of man time alone (haha).

What I’ve done:

Drained the carbs to make sure they’re all getting fuel - tick (all getting fuel through).

I then fully removed them and sprayed some starter fluid (tiny amount) while trying to start the bike (with the choke off)...similar to the video I posted. It wants to start the but just won’t fire which is such a bloody tease.

As a result from this would you agree that the carbs aren’t the issue? Or would that be wrong to assume from this test?

I’ve then tripple checked the spark plugs - all getting great spark.

I’m now fully back on operation motorbike - even contemplating taking him to a garage now but I feel I’m tantalisingly close to the amazing sense of achievement of sorting it myself (with the enormous help of you guys of course).

Again, really appreciate all the time and advice from you all.


Murray
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Offline Robbo

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Re: Honda CB550 1976 - help needed
« Reply #10 on: April 07, 2019, 10:43:31 AM »
Kill switch in the run position ?




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Offline Murraypalmer212

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Re: Honda CB550 1976 - help needed
« Reply #11 on: April 07, 2019, 01:09:15 PM »
Fortunately I’ve made that rookie mistake in the past so was my first port of call.
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Offline Deltarider

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Re: Honda CB550 1976 - help needed
« Reply #12 on: April 07, 2019, 01:42:34 PM »
Are you sure plugwires are on the right plugs? Ignition timing? If standard, start with verifying breakerpoints gap at highest point. When correct, check timing. Statically first.
« Last Edit: April 07, 2019, 01:46:09 PM by Deltarider »
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Offline bryanj

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Re: Honda CB550 1976 - help needed
« Reply #13 on: April 07, 2019, 02:57:56 PM »
No it does not mean you can rule out the carbs until you have done a thorough and methodical strip and clean.
Also just because the plugs spark outside the head does not mean they spark properly under compression. You need to check points gap, timing, tappets and fit NEW plugs before condeming any one thing.
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Offline Deltarider

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Re: Honda CB550 1976 - help needed
« Reply #14 on: April 08, 2019, 01:44:09 AM »
Quote from: bryanj on April 07, 2019, 02:57:56 PM
No it does not mean you can rule out the carbs until you have done a thorough and methodical strip and clean.
Also just because the plugs spark outside the head does not mean they spark properly under compression. You need to check points gap, timing, tappets and fit NEW plugs before condeming any one thing.
+1
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Offline Deltarider

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Re: Honda CB550 1976 - help needed
« Reply #15 on: May 06, 2019, 04:08:02 AM »
How about it, Murraypalmer? Any results you can report back?
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