Author Topic: 77 CB550K Points Lubrication Areas?  (Read 3195 times)

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Offline Maraakate

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77 CB550K Points Lubrication Areas?
« on: May 29, 2020, 10:34:11 AM »
I want to finish the tune-up on my CB550K.  All that is left is adjusting the points gap and timing.  The following post by deltarider seems to answer my question on how to actually do that part of it: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,156577.msg1794568.html#msg1794568.  However, I also want to lube/grease the areas that are part of this maintenance.  The points felt is obvious, but I am not sure where the other parts are and the SM does not indicate it.

Attached is a picture, can someone highlight the parts that get grease?

Also, if the plate needs to come off what size wrench do I need for the "special washer"?  I'm guessing somewhere around 22-24mm but I haven't taken the plate off to look yet.  Do i need to use a piston stop to get this off?
« Last Edit: May 29, 2020, 10:35:48 AM by Maraakate »
1977 CB550K
1979 CM400A

Offline Deltarider

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Re: 77 CB550K Points Lubrication Areas?
« Reply #1 on: May 29, 2020, 11:13:06 AM »
I want to finish the tune-up on my CB550K.  All that is left is adjusting the points gap and timing.  The following post by deltarider seems to answer my question on how to actually do that part of it: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,156577.msg1794568.html#msg1794568.  However, I also want to lube/grease the areas that are part of this maintenance.  The points felt is obvious, but I am not sure where the other parts are and the SM does not indicate it.
The cam that the fiber 'shoes' of the breakerpoints run on, needs a little bit of grease. Not much.
Quote
Also, if the plate needs to come off what size wrench do I need for the "special washer"?  I'm guessing somewhere around 22-24mm but I haven't taken the plate off to look yet.  Do i need to use a piston stop to get this off?
23mm. As long as advancer functions as it should, I wouldn't bother to remove it. If you have to go at the advancer and therefore have to remove the 'special washer', just undo its center bolt (10mm wrench) while you keep that 'special washer' stationary.
« Last Edit: May 29, 2020, 11:17:31 AM by Deltarider »
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Offline Maraakate

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Re: 77 CB550K Points Lubrication Areas?
« Reply #2 on: May 29, 2020, 11:20:51 AM »
The fiber "shoes" you mean the "slippers"?  The somewhat spring-like thin plate that rides on that shaft?  There is grease on there, looks kind of dried up.  So I may have to remove this and clean it.  The points also need cleaned when I took a look.  On mopeds, I usually just take a very thin piece of paper like from an envelope or computer paper and carefully run it across the points when closed until it comes up clean.  I know you can sand the points very very lightly. I have never done that, but it appears that 150grit range is appropriate for this, yes?  I may need to very lightly file these points.  And of course, compressed air to make sure they are fully clean.

The book says to remove the blue wire running to the points to do the lightbulb test.  Is this absolutely necessary?  If yes, do I also have to remove the wire on the other set of points or just the blue on the left side?

Thanks for all your help!
1977 CB550K
1979 CM400A

Offline Deltarider

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Re: 77 CB550K Points Lubrication Areas?
« Reply #3 on: May 29, 2020, 11:51:26 AM »
The fiber "shoes" you mean the "slippers"?
I guess so, I mean the brown ... that follow the cam.
Quote
The points also need cleaned when I took a look.  On mopeds, I usually just take a very thin piece of paper like from an envelope or computer paper and carefully run it across the points when closed until it comes up clean.
I can not recommend that. The surface of the points become a bit pitted overtime. When you use paper, it might fill the little 'craters' which will reduce conductivity.
Quote
I know you can sand the points very very lightly. I have never done that, but it appears that 150grit range is appropriate for this, yes?
I cannot recommend it, grit may stay on the pitted surfaces reducing conductivity.
Quote
I may need to very lightly file these points.
There are special litttle contact files for that. One or two movements is enough.
Quote
The book says to remove the blue wire running to the points to do the lightbulb test.  Is this absolutely necessary?
No. Which book? You may consult p.11 of the Shop manual Honda CB500-550. file:///C:/Users/Delta/AppData/Local/Temp/Honda%20CB500%20CB550%20Four%20CB%20500%20550%20Workshop%20Service%20Repair%20Manual%20Part%2001.pdf

« Last Edit: May 29, 2020, 11:53:29 AM by Deltarider »
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Offline Maraakate

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Re: 77 CB550K Points Lubrication Areas?
« Reply #4 on: May 29, 2020, 11:54:37 AM »
Quote
The book says to remove the blue wire running to the points to do the lightbulb test.  Is this absolutely necessary?
No. Which book? You may consult p.11 Of the Shop manual Honda CB500-550.

Page 11 of the shop manual says:

Quote
1. Disconnect the primary cord (blue cord) to the contact breaker at the connector and connect a 12V test lamp at this point.

Also, you are saying I need a special points file?
1977 CB550K
1979 CM400A

Offline Deltarider

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Re: 77 CB550K Points Lubrication Areas?
« Reply #5 on: May 29, 2020, 12:04:36 PM »
Page 11 of the shop manual says:
1. Disconnect the primary cord (blue cord) to the contact breaker at the connector and connect a 12V test lamp at this point.
Not necessary. Usually such a testlamp is a little screwdriver. Attach one wire of the test lamp with its alligator clamp to the little bolt on the back of the contactbreaker and the screwdriver side to ground (chassis). With IGN on and kill switch in RUN turn the crank clockwise. When the breakerpoints start opening, lamp will come on.
Quote
Also, you are saying I need a special points file?
No, you may find it on a nail clipper. I never file my points.
« Last Edit: May 29, 2020, 12:06:10 PM by Deltarider »
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Offline Maraakate

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Re: 77 CB550K Points Lubrication Areas?
« Reply #6 on: May 29, 2020, 12:09:18 PM »
Quote
The book says to remove the blue wire running to the points to do the lightbulb test.  Is this absolutely necessary?
No. Which book? You may consult p.11 Of the Shop manual Honda CB500-550.

Page 11 of the shop manual says:

Quote
1. Disconnect the primary cord (blue cord) to the contact breaker at the connector and connect a 12V test lamp at this point.
Not necessary. Usually such a testlamp is a little screwdriver. Attach one wire of the test lamp with its alligator clamp to the little bolt on the back of the contactbreaker and the screwdriver side to ground (chassis). With IGN on and kill switch in RUN turn the crank clockwise. When the breakerpoints start opening, lamp will come on.
Quote
Also, you are saying I need a special points file?
No, you may find it on a nail clipper. I never file my points.

OK.  My plan was to bump the kickstarter (I'm wary of wrenching on the crank in case if I do it backwards!) slowly with ignition on and gas off and align to the F mark.

You never file your points?  How do you clean yours?  How often do they need replaced anyways?  The "service interval" in the owner's manually basically says to inspect them at the same time you do the oil change.

I plan to purchase a timing light as well.  Do I need to put white paint on the marks, or will the light be enough to make the marks look stationary?

The nail file is a good, cheap, emergency idea.  I will give that a try!
1977 CB550K
1979 CM400A

Offline Deltarider

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Re: 77 CB550K Points Lubrication Areas?
« Reply #7 on: May 29, 2020, 12:33:11 PM »
You never file your points?  How do you clean yours?  How often do they need replaced anyways?
 
I had and have the OEM TEC contactbreakers. Even with the conventional ignition set up, I did easily 40.000 kms with them. No maintenance needed. Just have a little bit of grease on the cam and a drip of oil on that little felt. That's it. For the last 60.000 kms I had my homebuilt transistor ignition module which makes point live for ever. I've rode my bike for 100.000kms and I cannot recall I replaced the breakerpoints more than once. 
Quote
I plan to purchase a timing light as well.  Do I need to put white paint on the marks...?
Not anymore. Nowadays strobes have xenon tubes, the oldfashioned ones were neon and needed some nail polish or whatever to be able to see the marks.
Quote
The nail file is a good, cheap, emergency idea.  I will give that a try!
Maybe your points need not to be filed at all. Usually not before there's a voltage drop of 0,2V over the points.
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Offline Maraakate

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Re: 77 CB550K Points Lubrication Areas?
« Reply #8 on: May 29, 2020, 12:57:18 PM »
You never file your points?  How do you clean yours?  How often do they need replaced anyways?
 
I had and have the OEM TEC contactbreakers. Even with the conventional ignition set up, I did easily 40.000 kms with them. No maintenance needed. Just have a little bit of grease on the cam and a drip of oil on that little felt. That's it. For the last 60.000 kms I had my homebuilt transistor ignition module which makes point live for ever. I've rode my bike for 100.000kms and I cannot recall I replaced the breakerpoints more than once. 
Quote
I plan to purchase a timing light as well.  Do I need to put white paint on the marks...?
Not anymore. Nowadays strobes have xenon tubes, the oldfashioned ones were neon and needed some nail polish or whatever to be able to see the marks.
Quote
The nail file is a good, cheap, emergency idea.  I will give that a try!
Maybe your points need not to be filed at all. Usually not before there's a voltage drop of 0,2V over the points.

This bike has about 23,000 miles on it.  I am unsure if they are original, but it appears so.  The gap seems wider 0.4mm.  However, have not checked it yet; will do so probably today if it does not rain (I don't have a garage to work in unfortunately).

If the points last for a long time and you didn't have to readjust the gap then that is good.  I guess neglect and abuse is what makes them wear faster?  It looks like if I need new ones I can still get OEM Hitachi and TOYO ones from Honda for about $60/set.  I'll have to check the marks to see what brand I have.

Good deal on the modern timing lights.

Your bike has lasted to 100,000kms.  Are you still on the original cam chain, piston, and valves?  I would assume you maintain your bike properly so maybe it is possible to go this long.  Curious how long the cam chain can last if you adjust it every so often.  How often do you adjust yours?  I adjusted mine after the first oil change a month or so ago.  I didn't hear any noise or movement in there, so I guess it was pretty close to where it needed to be.  I've heard of stories of some people loosening the adjusters and it makes some scary pop sounds in there until it finds it's place.  My bike sounds like typical 70's Honda sewing machine; so I'm not too worried if I did that or the valves incorrectly.
1977 CB550K
1979 CM400A

Offline Maraakate

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Re: 77 CB550K Points Lubrication Areas?
« Reply #9 on: May 29, 2020, 06:15:36 PM »
I was able to finish the job today.  Went out and got a xenon timing light and check the points gap.  1.4 was already at ~0.35mm.  2.3 was actually around 0.20mm!  Fixed 2.3 and then went ahead and tried to do the static timing.  Setup the timing light, fired it up and only had to nudge the 2.3 very slightly to get it where it needed to be.  1.4 was already good to go.  I was able to verify that the advancer is working as it should so I will just leave it alone.

The semi-dried grease on the cam was easy to wipe off with my fingers then just used a very small amount on my fingers of red bearing grease.  I put a small drop or two of 3-in-1 oil (the SAE20 stuff, not the penetrating oil) on the felt.  Then put a small towel under it to squeeze out a little excess.  Put a very small dab of the read bearing grease on the felt as well.

Everything seems to be running as it should.  The bike does run better.  I was interested in doing this because I have noticed a slight performance decrease over the past month or so and I know it's been overdue for checking the timing.  Now the power is back to where it should be.

I saw from an older thread that Lubricam SL-2 is recommended for grease.  I ordered a bottle since I was unable to source it locally.  Next time I go to inspect the gap and grease it up I will start using this instead.

While I was in there I made a mental note that it is TEC brand components.  So when the day comes it's good to know I can still get OEM set from Honda.  I probably should order a spare set sometime soon in case it becomes NLA.

Thanks deltarider!
« Last Edit: May 29, 2020, 06:18:03 PM by Maraakate »
1977 CB550K
1979 CM400A

Offline PeWe

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Re: 77 CB550K Points Lubrication Areas?
« Reply #10 on: May 30, 2020, 12:19:18 AM »
If taking it apart, advancer out.
Check if the cam surface is free from scratches.  My advancers had scratches i fixed by grinding it with grit 400 paper wrapped around the cam and twisted it for even grinding.

Maybe I started with a used 240 first. Then 400 and finally 800. Looked much better and hopefully less wear on the points bakelite.

CB750 ignition same same as 5x0
Hondachopper site has really good tech guidelines about ignition and how to adjust points to work really fine.
No reason to give up installing electronic that will not cope with a huge gamma flash from outer space or an atomic bomb nearby. Points will!! :D

http://www.hondachopper.com/garage/carb_info/timing/timing1.html

http://www.motorcycleproject.com/text/sohcign.html

More here that can be good to read for widening the technical awareness.
http://www.hondachopper.com/garage/garage.html
« Last Edit: May 30, 2020, 12:22:06 AM by PeWe »
CB750 K6-76  970cc (Earlier 1005cc JMR Billet block on the shelf waiting for a comeback)
CB750 K2-75 Parts assembled to a stock K2

Updates of the CB750 K6 -1976
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,180468.msg2092136.html#msg2092136
The billet block build thread
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,49438.msg1863571.html#msg1863571
CB750 K2 -1975  build thread
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,168243.msg1948381.html#msg1948381
K2 engine build thread. For a complete CB750 -75
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,180088.msg2088008.html#msg2088008
Carb jetting, a long story Mikuni TMR32
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,179479.msg2104967.html#msg2104967

Offline Deltarider

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Re: 77 CB550K Points Lubrication Areas?
« Reply #11 on: June 01, 2020, 04:12:39 AM »
Your bike has lasted to 100,000kms.  Are you still on the original cam chain, piston, and valves?  I would assume you maintain your bike properly so maybe it is possible to go this long.  Curious how long the cam chain can last if you adjust it every so often.  How often do you adjust yours?  I adjusted mine after the first oil change a month or so ago.  I didn't hear any noise or movement in there, so I guess it was pretty close to where it needed to be.  I've heard of stories of some people loosening the adjusters and it makes some scary pop sounds in there until it finds it's place.  My bike sounds like typical 70's Honda sewing machine; so I'm not too worried if I did that or the valves incorrectly.
Mine has 136.000kms on the odometer (103.000 were by me). Actually the camchain tensioner is the part I dislike most. I don't know about the chain, but the tensioner has been replaced at odo 45.000 and at odo 80.000. My bike has had regular maintenance. Usually I do longer with oil than prescribed. There's no harm in this: I avoid short rides. The OEM airfilter elements practically live forever, as they are not plagued by moisture from a blow-by gassystem like the CB550 models had. Actually I've just replaced the old element, that has been in there for over a decade by a new one achieved from DS for a very reasonable price. I was not surprised I didn't notice any difference between the old and the new one. A lot of nonsense has been posted about paper filter elements. Few people know that paper airfilter elements filter better over time as the trapped particles actually increase the filtering surface and so increase its capacity. I've learned this from a man who's company sells airfilters! The time it took me to replace the element was less than 15 seconds! Your model has that blowby-gassystem, so routinely inspect your airfilter element for soft wet spots, sometimes they're a bit brown. It would indicate wet crankcase fumes were at it. It goes without saying that even partly wet airfilter elements have less filtering capacity.
In my archives I have an article about a CB500 owner that at that time had already done 225.000km with his.
I don't remember about my pistons - they may well be the original - rings were replaced though. Primary drive chain is still the original. Although I myself took the engine apart, I let a pro do the rebuild as I do not have the tools, let alone the experience to see what is worn and what not. This was decades ago. A few tips. Do the tensioner adjustment by the book (but not by the Owner's Manual!!!) or Bryanj's method. The latter method was practicised by many dealers, but you may need a helper.
As far as the ignition, when you have the original breakerpoints, you can keep them. You could consider a transistor ignition like the one I built myself (a copycat) or have Hondaman's. As far as spark performance, you won't need more anywhere in the rpm band. If the breakerpoints are aftermarket however, costwise, you may as well opt for a simple EI like Tytronic. As far as your carbs, ride your bike regularly to avoid slow jets becoming partially blocked. You may want to add just a little bit of an additive. Oh... when you make adjustments @ idle, make sure you have a true 1100 rpm. I once serviced a K3 that showed 1400 on its tacho where my known good digital meter read 1000 rpm. Imagine if I had not noticed this and had tried to find a nice idle at '1000' on the ND tacho. Actually I did try this and got frustrated. Then I connected my digital meter and the mystery was solved quickly.
« Last Edit: June 01, 2020, 05:02:57 AM by Deltarider »
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Offline Maraakate

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Re: 77 CB550K Points Lubrication Areas?
« Reply #12 on: June 01, 2020, 04:56:15 AM »
Interesting.  How did you know the tensioner needed replaced?  I also did notice the service manual tells you to adjust the chain at 15 BTDC (iirc) but the book just says to line it up with the T mark and be on your merry way.  Why is this, what's the difference?
1977 CB550K
1979 CM400A

Offline Deltarider

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Re: 77 CB550K Points Lubrication Areas?
« Reply #13 on: June 01, 2020, 05:07:47 AM »
Don't know. I have wondered myself. I'd stick to the 15o or Bryanj's method. Don't expect to see anything moving (it moves a fraction if at all) and do not expect too much of it: some bikes will always have a somewhat noisy camchain. If yours is a sewing machine now, congrats and don't mess with it.
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Offline Maraakate

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Re: 77 CB550K Points Lubrication Areas?
« Reply #14 on: June 01, 2020, 06:11:36 AM »
It's sewing machine.  I know what a loose chain sounds like because the CM400 I have you do the adjustment while the bike is idling and you get to hear how loud it is when loose for a brief moment.

Yeah, when I did it (unfortunately I did it the way the owner's manual stated, but I can redo it to be 15deg some time this week not that hard to do...) I didn't even notice it move or hear a noise or even a performance difference so it was probably about where it needed to be anyways.

How often do you set the cam chain tension on yours?  I usually would do it on the CM400 at the beginning and at the end of the riding season, same time I would do the valves when the engine has been dead cold for 24 hours.  If I did oil changes during the season I would also do the cam chain tension then.
1977 CB550K
1979 CM400A

Offline Erny

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Re: 77 CB550K Points Lubrication Areas?
« Reply #15 on: June 01, 2020, 06:37:02 AM »
Don't know. I have wondered myself. I'd stick to the 15o or Bryanj's method. Don't expect to see anything moving (it moves a fraction if at all) and do not expect too much of it: some bikes will always have a somewhat noisy camchain. If yours is a sewing machine now, congrats and don't mess with it.
Delta, can you navigate me to find Bryanj's method?
CB750K K7 USA model (1977)
CB550K1 USA model (1975)

Offline Deltarider

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Re: 77 CB550K Points Lubrication Areas?
« Reply #16 on: June 01, 2020, 07:19:56 AM »
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,11818.msg112760.html#msg112760
Bryanj's method I learned from my Honda dealer who in his turn had been instructed by Honda The Netherlands. It's simple, but a helper makes it easier.
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Offline Erny

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Re: 77 CB550K Points Lubrication Areas?
« Reply #17 on: June 01, 2020, 07:32:27 AM »
Thanks!
I'll try it next time I do maintenance
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CB550K1 USA model (1975)

Offline Maraakate

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Re: 77 CB550K Points Lubrication Areas?
« Reply #18 on: June 01, 2020, 07:36:31 AM »
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,11818.msg112760.html#msg112760
Bryanj's method I learned from my Honda dealer who in his turn had been instructed by Honda The Netherlands. It's simple, but a helper makes it easier.

Interesting, but it would take me a few tries until I got comfortable with doing that.  I assume you need to get a good feel for that.

Also, just so we're clear, from what I understand for the CB550, you are just loosening the locknut and NOT touching the flat-head bolt on the tensioner.  If yes, then that is what I've been doing.  Seems to be right.
1977 CB550K
1979 CM400A

Offline Maraakate

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Re: 77 CB550K Points Lubrication Areas?
« Reply #19 on: June 01, 2020, 07:55:09 AM »
Your bike has lasted to 100,000kms.  Are you still on the original cam chain, piston, and valves?  I would assume you maintain your bike properly so maybe it is possible to go this long.  Curious how long the cam chain can last if you adjust it every so often.  How often do you adjust yours?  I adjusted mine after the first oil change a month or so ago.  I didn't hear any noise or movement in there, so I guess it was pretty close to where it needed to be.  I've heard of stories of some people loosening the adjusters and it makes some scary pop sounds in there until it finds it's place.  My bike sounds like typical 70's Honda sewing machine; so I'm not too worried if I did that or the valves incorrectly.
Mine has 136.000kms on the odometer (103.000 were by me). Actually the camchain tensioner is the part I dislike most. I don't know about the chain, but the tensioner has been replaced at odo 45.000 and at odo 80.000. My bike has had regular maintenance. Usually I do longer with oil than prescribed. There's no harm in this: I avoid short rides. The OEM airfilter elements practically live forever, as they are not plagued by moisture from a blow-by gassystem like the CB550 models had. Actually I've just replaced the old element, that has been in there for over a decade by a new one achieved from DS for a very reasonable price. I was not surprised I didn't notice any difference between the old and the new one. A lot of nonsense has been posted about paper filter elements. Few people know that paper airfilter elements filter better over time as the trapped particles actually increase the filtering surface and so increase its capacity. I've learned this from a man who's company sells airfilters! The time it took me to replace the element was less than 15 seconds! Your model has that blowby-gassystem, so routinely inspect your airfilter element for soft wet spots, sometimes they're a bit brown. It would indicate wet crankcase fumes were at it. It goes without saying that even partly wet airfilter elements have less filtering capacity.
In my archives I have an article about a CB500 owner that at that time had already done 225.000km with his.
I don't remember about my pistons - they may well be the original - rings were replaced though. Primary drive chain is still the original. Although I myself took the engine apart, I let a pro do the rebuild as I do not have the tools, let alone the experience to see what is worn and what not. This was decades ago. A few tips. Do the tensioner adjustment by the book (but not by the Owner's Manual!!!) or Bryanj's method. The latter method was practicised by many dealers, but you may need a helper.
As far as the ignition, when you have the original breakerpoints, you can keep them. You could consider a transistor ignition like the one I built myself (a copycat) or have Hondaman's. As far as spark performance, you won't need more anywhere in the rpm band. If the breakerpoints are aftermarket however, costwise, you may as well opt for a simple EI like Tytronic. As far as your carbs, ride your bike regularly to avoid slow jets becoming partially blocked. You may want to add just a little bit of an additive. Oh... when you make adjustments @ idle, make sure you have a true 1100 rpm. I once serviced a K3 that showed 1400 on its tacho where my known good digital meter read 1000 rpm. Imagine if I had not noticed this and had tried to find a nice idle at '1000' on the ND tacho. Actually I did try this and got frustrated. Then I connected my digital meter and the mystery was solved quickly.

In response to other things you mentioned:

* Points are original, and I see that you can still get TEC ones direct from Honda.
* I am interested in the transistor ignition.  I can build things from schematics quite easily, is there a forum post somewhere with the actual schematics?  Looks like something that can be fabbed up fairly easily in a metal project box for the heatsink.
* I know what you mean on the idle being near 1100rpm.  I noticed on my CB550K it has to be close to this otherwise it does not idle as well it should.  But yes, I have some proper calibrated RPM/Dwell meters and was able to dial it in.  Bike idles great now.  The tach on mine seems to be off about ~800rpm (it reads about 800rpm too high).  Something I can live with.  I already took the tach apart once to clean the hardened grease in there as the tach wasn't responding very well when I first got it running.  There is a place locally that specializes in repairing speedometers and tachs and can probably calibrate it to be a little tighter.  Not sure how expensive this is, but something I may look into in the future.  My speedometer is off by about 5MPH (it reads 5MPH too high).

Curious how you knew the cam chain tensioner needed replaced.  This is something I want to be able to look out for.  How did you know it was time for new rings?

It sounds like if you are serious about keeping up with the maintenance and do regular oil changes then things tend to last for a very long time on these bikes.
1977 CB550K
1979 CM400A

Offline PeWe

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Re: 77 CB550K Points Lubrication Areas?
« Reply #20 on: June 01, 2020, 12:27:17 PM »
If you have own an old Honda CB for decades, its a family member that need care time to time.  I have restored mine many times since 1979. Like a wife but precious 1, wife came later into my life :D

I passed 5000km for this season today so an oil change is near.

CB750 K6-76  970cc (Earlier 1005cc JMR Billet block on the shelf waiting for a comeback)
CB750 K2-75 Parts assembled to a stock K2

Updates of the CB750 K6 -1976
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,180468.msg2092136.html#msg2092136
The billet block build thread
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,49438.msg1863571.html#msg1863571
CB750 K2 -1975  build thread
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,168243.msg1948381.html#msg1948381
K2 engine build thread. For a complete CB750 -75
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,180088.msg2088008.html#msg2088008
Carb jetting, a long story Mikuni TMR32
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,179479.msg2104967.html#msg2104967

Offline Erny

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Re: 77 CB550K Points Lubrication Areas?
« Reply #21 on: June 01, 2020, 01:07:24 PM »
5000km this season in Sweden? Wau.. Congrats!
CB750K K7 USA model (1977)
CB550K1 USA model (1975)

Offline PeWe

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Re: 77 CB550K Points Lubrication Areas?
« Reply #22 on: June 02, 2020, 02:13:11 AM »
5000km this season in Sweden? Wau.. Congrats!
I was convinced to sort out the carbs. It's easier when remember how it acted last time and if last change helped.

Longer tours needed to get the feeling for it. I started to like the low speed trips too.

Best season of the year is now when all growing stuff has just became green, flowers and crazy singing birds....
« Last Edit: June 02, 2020, 02:17:22 AM by PeWe »
CB750 K6-76  970cc (Earlier 1005cc JMR Billet block on the shelf waiting for a comeback)
CB750 K2-75 Parts assembled to a stock K2

Updates of the CB750 K6 -1976
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,180468.msg2092136.html#msg2092136
The billet block build thread
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,49438.msg1863571.html#msg1863571
CB750 K2 -1975  build thread
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,168243.msg1948381.html#msg1948381
K2 engine build thread. For a complete CB750 -75
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,180088.msg2088008.html#msg2088008
Carb jetting, a long story Mikuni TMR32
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,179479.msg2104967.html#msg2104967

Offline Deltarider

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Re: 77 CB550K Points Lubrication Areas?
« Reply #23 on: June 02, 2020, 12:36:27 PM »
* Points are original, and I see that you can still get TEC ones direct from Honda.
* I am interested in the transistor ignition.  I can build things from schematics quite easily, is there a forum post somewhere with the actual schematics?  Looks like something that can be fabbed up fairly easily in a metal project box for the heatsink.
I've copied the Velleman K2543 kit that is very popular among owners of vintage bikes and cars. You need two ofcourse for our type of distributorless ignitions. If you do an advanced search here with 'Velleman K2543' and 'Deltarider', I'm sure you'll find all you need. There were/are only a few of those power transistors around, the heart of the system. IIRC Texas Instruments was the first to develop this type of transistor especially for the auto industry, the TIP162. The other type I know is the BU931P. Both were specifically designed for first generation automotive electronic ignitions. Don't worry about that silly heat sink. The diecast box and lid can serve as heat sink. Mine has proved very reliable indeed. After some 10-15 years some wires outside the unit had hardened and I had to replace them by new supple wire. 
Quote
Curious how you knew the cam chain tensioner needed replaced.  This is something I want to be able to look out for.  How did you know it was time for new rings?
Well, I didn't. The mec thought that now the engine was 'open', it was a common thing to do. I didn't know much at the time.

« Last Edit: June 02, 2020, 12:51:28 PM by Deltarider »
CB500K2-ED Excel black
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Offline PeWe

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Re: 77 CB550K Points Lubrication Areas?
« Reply #24 on: June 02, 2020, 12:56:38 PM »
Your ignition free from Made in China components that might be out of spec or reused scrapped batch.
CB750 K6-76  970cc (Earlier 1005cc JMR Billet block on the shelf waiting for a comeback)
CB750 K2-75 Parts assembled to a stock K2

Updates of the CB750 K6 -1976
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,180468.msg2092136.html#msg2092136
The billet block build thread
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,49438.msg1863571.html#msg1863571
CB750 K2 -1975  build thread
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,168243.msg1948381.html#msg1948381
K2 engine build thread. For a complete CB750 -75
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,180088.msg2088008.html#msg2088008
Carb jetting, a long story Mikuni TMR32
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,179479.msg2104967.html#msg2104967