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Author Topic: 1974 CB550K First Motorbike  (Read 1960 times)

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Offline Chewy32

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1974 CB550K First Motorbike
« on: October 16, 2020, 04:17:57 PM »
UPDATE 2023:
  • Switched the holy '78 4into4 exhaust to a delkevic 4into1 exhaust
  • Switched the glasses fuses to blade fuses

UPDATE 2022:
Finally got her running and rode around town for two days before that big snow storm hit.

-Scrapped the uni-filter and went with individual air pods (will have to re jet and adjust valves)
-Went with Black handlebars and new grips and replaced the seized rear shocks.
-Got the tank professionally resealed inside as well.

Just in time for Canada's winter  ::)
I bought a tube of Autosol so polishing will keep me busy in the winter.
-------------------------------------------------------
Hello Folks!

I bought my first bike off an extended family member and I'm really excited to show you all what I've done so far and what I will be working on during the winter!

She has about 18K miles and counting and I am the Third owner. She last ran August 2016 and I bought it April 2017 (first photo with the white windjammer and hard saddles) and she sat in a garage until January 2019.

I hope you all enjoy!
« Last Edit: July 20, 2023, 08:27:23 AM by Chewy32 »
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1974 Honda CB550K
(SOLD)2005 Honda Ruckus

Offline Chewy32

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Re: 1974 CB550K First Motorbike
« Reply #1 on: October 16, 2020, 04:56:48 PM »
I've worked on the carbs, supersonic cleaned them and reassembled them with proper float bowl gaskets. Found out the hard way that the O ring gaskets are very tricky to seal properly! I bought the proper ones at 4into1.com

My front brake caliper is seized so I bought a new one and will be replacing it Monday!

Installed new turn signals and went for a lower profile for the front.
« Last Edit: July 20, 2023, 08:29:26 AM by Chewy32 »
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1974 Honda CB550K
(SOLD)2005 Honda Ruckus

Offline jeff d

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Re: 1974 CB550K First Motorbike
« Reply #2 on: October 16, 2020, 06:54:30 PM »
Very nice!  Mine started out with similar accessories.  I’m saving them in case I want to time travel later on. 
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Longtime caretaker of Hondas but new to SOHC/4's

Offline Chewy32

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Re: 1974 CB550K First Motorbike
« Reply #3 on: October 17, 2020, 06:28:14 AM »
Quote from: jeff d on October 16, 2020, 06:54:30 PM
Very nice!  Mine started out with similar accessories.  I’m saving them in case I want to time travel later on.

Cool! Yeah not sure if I want to sell them or keep them, it's quite heavy for me on the bike!
« Last Edit: October 17, 2020, 06:35:09 AM by Chewy32 »
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1974 Honda CB550K
(SOLD)2005 Honda Ruckus

Offline rb550four

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Re: 1974 CB550K First Motorbike
« Reply #4 on: October 17, 2020, 08:51:46 AM »
 The paint looks surprisingly good from the photo. the bike doesn't look abused or tired. Nice project.
 You never know when hard bags will come in handy, they are better than a backpack, then you would be carrying the weight at a higher center of gravity and it isn't always comfortable. And these are watertight.
 The fairing , well, I still have 3 of them hanging from the rafters,  hard to sell. I'm sure 1/2 of us have a few and don't really know why we keep them but, they are from the era and for some reason ,may be hard to replace someday when we want to use one I guess. Although there are lighter clear windscreens that work well without the bulk.
  Nice project, will you be keeping it stock?
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A few Honda 500's, a few Honda 550's, a few Honda 650's, '72 cb 450, a couple 500/550/650 hybrids, and 2001 750. 
  550 Snowbike -Somebody had to do it.
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Offline Chewy32

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Re: 1974 CB550K First Motorbike
« Reply #5 on: October 17, 2020, 10:15:03 AM »
Quote from: rb550four on October 17, 2020, 08:51:46 AM
The paint looks surprisingly good from the photo. the bike doesn't look abused or tired. Nice project.
 You never know when hard bags will come in handy, they are better than a backpack, then you would be carrying the weight at a higher center of gravity and it isn't always comfortable. And these are watertight.
 The fairing , well, I still have 3 of them hanging from the rafters,  hard to sell. I'm sure 1/2 of us have a few and don't really know why we keep them but, they are from the era and for some reason ,may be hard to replace someday when we want to use one I guess. Although there are lighter clear windscreens that work well without the bulk.
  Nice project, will you be keeping it stock?

I will be keeping it mostly stock but relocating the electronics and battery to an under the seat tray and having the triangle more open for a 3" Airpod filter from the stock airbox, and shortening the front and rear fenders a little bit.
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1974 Honda CB550K
(SOLD)2005 Honda Ruckus

Offline Chewy32

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Re: 1974 CB550K First Motorbike
« Reply #6 on: October 17, 2020, 10:25:47 AM »
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1974 Honda CB550K
(SOLD)2005 Honda Ruckus

Offline RAFster122s

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Re: 1974 CB550K First Motorbike
« Reply #7 on: October 17, 2020, 12:08:33 PM »
Provided you still have the seized caliper...

Often a seized caliper can be freed by using a grease gun on the brake line. Loosely screw the grease gun hose into the caliper and pump the caliper full of grease. It will press out the caliper piston. Then you scoop out the grease and hang onto the clean grease for odd jobs around the shop putting it in a small container. Then wipe out most of the grease then spray the caliper out with brake cleaner to remove the rest.
Clean the groove for the caliper seal until it is spotless. Brass dremel brush spun no greater than 15k rpm will help clean the slot very well. If you spin it faster it starts shedding bristles which is very unpleasant if they stick you...

Torch with mapp gas will be your friend if the bleeder screw is stuck. Get it cherry red a few times and be careful as you don't want to break it off. If you do, all is not lost...it can still be salvaged.
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David- back in the desert SW!

Offline Chewy32

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Re: 1974 CB550K First Motorbike
« Reply #8 on: October 21, 2020, 06:42:46 AM »
Quote from: RAF122S on October 17, 2020, 12:08:33 PM
Provided you still have the seized caliper...

Often a seized caliper can be freed by using a grease gun on the brake line. Loosely screw the grease gun hose into the caliper and pump the caliper full of grease. It will press out the caliper piston. Then you scoop out the grease and hang onto the clean grease for odd jobs around the shop putting it in a small container. Then wipe out most of the grease then spray the caliper out with brake cleaner to remove the rest.
Clean the groove for the caliper seal until it is spotless. Brass dremel brush spun no greater than 15k rpm will help clean the slot very well. If you spin it faster it starts shedding bristles which is very unpleasant if they stick you...

Torch with mapp gas will be your friend if the bleeder screw is stuck. Get it cherry red a few times and be careful as you don't want to break it off. If you do, all is not lost...it can still be salvaged.

Unfortunately I dont have all the tools for the job so I bought a new caliper.
« Last Edit: October 24, 2020, 06:05:38 PM by Chewy32 »
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1974 Honda CB550K
(SOLD)2005 Honda Ruckus

Offline Chewy32

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Re: 1974 CB550K First Motorbike
« Reply #9 on: October 24, 2020, 05:52:21 PM »
Unfortunately the garage I was working at, closed Their doors, for good.(due to the pandemic) so my bike is now in storage.

I hope to work on a few things over the winter:
- fix the front brake(it seized again, black particles came out the bleeder screw when we were bleeding it through, didnt have time to fully flush)
- clean out the rust in the gas tank and reseal
- tuck the electronics and battery under the seat in a tray
- install the 3X6 airpod filter

The pictures attached are of reference to what Im looking for anesthetic wise for the triangle.
« Last Edit: October 29, 2020, 09:25:22 AM by Chewy32 »
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1974 Honda CB550K
(SOLD)2005 Honda Ruckus

Offline Chewy32

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Re: 1974 CB550K First Motorbike
« Reply #10 on: November 30, 2022, 07:01:10 AM »
Ouufff... It's been too long since I got this project going again. Maybe the fourth or fifth start up after the carb rebuild. Thanks to the folks at Cyclewerx for putting in all the work to making her run and safe to ride!

Might need a new exhaust though? She's a bit holy
« Last Edit: July 20, 2023, 04:20:32 AM by Chewy32 »
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1974 Honda CB550K
(SOLD)2005 Honda Ruckus

Offline Chewy32

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Re: 1974 CB550K First Motorbike
« Reply #11 on: July 02, 2023, 06:57:34 AM »
Switched the exhaust to a delkevic 4into1
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1974 Honda CB550K
(SOLD)2005 Honda Ruckus

Offline Chewy32

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Re: 1974 CB550K First Motorbike
« Reply #12 on: July 20, 2023, 04:12:22 AM »
Switched the original glass fuses to more reliable blade fuses.
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1974 Honda CB550K
(SOLD)2005 Honda Ruckus
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