Topic: Bringing her back to life-1976 CB550

[Leganto]

It's been a long while...many things have happened and many changes.

But I am back to work on this bike. Unfortunately it has been untouched in the basement these last 10 years.

I am cleaning again, and trying to find where I left off.  It isn't shifting into neutral, so that seems problematic. Maybe where it has sat so long...and no oil in it...
Not sure if I should go ahead and put some oil in and mess about...or if I should start thinking of doing a complete engine rebuild.

Definitely open to suggestions.

thank you

[wolf550]

I had a problem with my 550 like that from the shifter mechanism in the case.
the roller tab was loose and was not rolling on the star shaft mechanism completely.
the other thing was while riding when I shifted from first to second it would fall back into the neutral spot causing me to do an obnoxious loud rev.

welcome back and are you still in TN?

[Leganto]

Hrmmm....I will have to look into that. Back in 2011 when I started this project, I had hoped to do minimal engine work to get it up and going. But now that is has sat in the basement another decade, it looks like I will probably have to just do a complete rebuild. Unless I am missing something.

I checked the oil and the dipstick is dry. That being said, there is a little drip under the bike. So it is still leaking at the oil pan I guess. I need to find out for sure.
I have never rebuilt an engine alone. But I guess if I remove the oil pan to check things out....I will have to get a gasket or make one to put it back. 
.
But I will have to get a complete gasket kit anyway if I do a full rebuild.   I guess the big "what if" is, what if it just needs to be cleaned up, oil put in, battery put on, carbs cleaned, new plugs, adjust the points...and it starts up like magic?  am I fooling myself?

Yes, I am still in TN. I see that you are too. I am in the east near Va.  Still contemplating looking for a cb750 locally. But I think I may have missed my chance by a decade now.

[wolf550]

if the engine is buttoned up and has not had caps or covers open to the elements, you would be surprised how clean they would be inside.
I had a dirty muddy motor I bought from a guy who let it sit outside in california for years. when I got it home and started to dissassemble the inside was super clean. the nuts and bolts on the outside were oxidized and had grime all over them but they were all clean and shiny inside the engine.

keep an eye out for those 750 bikes I see they are mostley all over past knoxville towards the carolinas on F.B. marketplace.

[Stev-o]

Welcome back!   Try rotating the front sprocket and shifting gears at the same time, that should give you a clue whether you have an issue or not.