Topic: Quickly dead battery and hot starter

[75aztec]

Hi,
I am just finishing a '75 CB550K cafe project. I am starting to try to fire it up. I put in new carb kits, DynaS with coils, plugs, etc. etc. I put in a new, freshly charged battery but it will only crank the engine for about 12 -15 seconds before the battery runs down. The lights stay on and the starter feels warm. I have been unable to start the bike because it won't crank long enough. I put Raask rearsets on so the kickstarter won't fit. I have the (new aftermarket, dual element) turnsignals wired in to stay on like running lights when the headlight is on. Any ideas would be appreciated. Starter problem? The lights?  Thanks!


UPDATE:
I messed around a bit more, cleaned some connections to ground, etc. It still runs out of juice soon, but the bike is starting and, for the first time in over a year, is running!! Off to the shop for some adjustments and chain install and, hopefully, I'll be riding by next weekend. Thanks for the help everyone. BTW: I'm new on this site.Is there a picture post?

[Sam Green Racing]

Have you not tried to bump start it.

[Einyodeler]

Hook up a multi meter and see how much juice you`re getting at the starter and the lights.Sounds like a big current draw somewhere.
Try cranking it with the fuse for the lights removed.
Also check your ground to frame , make sure you`ve got bare metal there if you repainted the frame.

[75aztec]

Have you not tried to bump start it.

I can't bump start. I'm putting an X-ring chain on and don't have the rivet tool to install it. I'm trying to get the bike running before taking it to a shop for chain install, carb synch, etc.
Thanks, though.

[TwoTired]

Your symptoms sound like a problem I inherited along with my 75 CB550F.
On mine it was caused by the bushings in the starter wearing and allowing the armature to contact the field winding frame when the motor was under load.   Boy did it get hot!  Anyway, I found a Yamaha starter in the used parts bin at the local MC shop with the same size bushing.  Aparently the same company made starters for both Yamaha and Honda.  So, I transfered that bushing to my starter and the starter's been fine ever since.

Perhaps you have a similar problem?

Cheers,

[oldbiker]

If any turns on the winding in the starter motor are shorting out this will cause a huge build up of heat and heavy current drain. There are quite a lot of cb400f/cb550 starters on eBay at fairly reasonable prices. Also check the condition of the carbon brushes in the starter.