Topic: New to bikes

[76_cb550k]

Hello from Hartford, CT USA
so I got my first bike (76 cb550k) this September 2021.
I’m the third owner and it has 37K miles. It sat on heated garage for 2 years. Last owner bought it from original family and turned into a cafe racer (with pods)
I have been working/learning almost every day since I got it. I’ve managed to turn the bike on a handful of times but haven’t ride yet. I’m not a mechanic. Just learning as I go.
Sadly I’m getting disappointed.


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[Alan F.]

Hey Welcome from Boston, keep reading here and ask questions. You might not be a mechanic but you'll get to know that bike just fine.

[CycleRanger]

Howdy! Welcome! 

Look like a pretty start you got there!

[goodtryer]

Howdy!

Don’t get disappointed. Think of it as a learning process. Ask some questions, post some pics, and do your research. You’ll eliminate problems one at at time until you get a nice reliable rideable bike.

Keep it simple and keep a notebook of your steps. Nothing worse than forgetting you already checked or fixed something.

And don’t just fire a parts cannon at it. That’s an expensive frustrating approach.

Good luck! You can do it!

[Alan F.]

How are you becoming disappointed?

I agree with keeping a project log, dates & times, what you did, what you thought, what you found. I leave a half dozen blank pages at the beginning for other notes later on. Then I write only on the right hand pages so I can go back and edit on the left hand pages later on when I understand better.

[MD]

Welcome from NE Minnesota,

Remember the three basics,  Spark,  Fuel, and Air.   Since the bike does run occasionally, you have some spark.  Fuel and air can get a bit tricky since you are no longer running stock air box.  If the person who cafe'd the bike did not put the proper jets in, you will have running issues.

Keep at it.

-MD

[76_cb550k]

Thanks guys…the replies help.
I’ve been lurking around here for a while and have read posts from the experts hondaman and the likes.
I have kept a notebook with all the things I have done to the bike:checked fuel flow and the bowls get gasoline, the valve tappet adjustments, the cam tensioner, the points gap, and the timing. In that order. All to spec.
I replaced the condensers, points, sparks and spark boots.
Cleaned/rebuilt carbs. Floats leveled (22mm with the carbs standing on one side) I bench synced them using the 1/8 drill bit. Carbs are 40 for idle jet and 110 for main jet.
I replaced carbs #3 and # 4 due to deterioration of the main jet holder on #4 and deterioration of the floats hinge towers. I replaced them with two carbs from a 73 cb500.
The carbs look identical to the ones that were in bad condition.
Ever since I got the bike I haven’t been able to start it the next day. And it only starts after about 30 kicks. The electric ignition just turns the engine but doesn’t start the bike. 
That picture is of the bad carbs.
Another thing is the sparks are somewhat black which tells me it’s running rich. Needle position is on the fourth slot from the top.  The bike starts on 90% choke on only.
The idle screw: I have set this to two turns clockwise and when I kick to start it sometimes I can hear the starter motor spinning a little bit after a kick.
I also tested the coils, they’re good. Checked resistance and continuity. I get spark on all cylinders but no start.
I even tried the German method of the 49mm measurement (where the throttle cables attach to the carb body)I was able to start it but couldn’t let go the throttle because it would shut off. So I took off the carbs for the 8th or 9th time and went back to the bench sync with the 1/8 drill bit.
My question….. what could be preventing the bike from starting? If I start the bike today (40 to 50 kicks) I won’t be able to turn it on tomorrow. I don’t know what to do next.
I have new battery 12.9v and when the bike drains it a bit I connect the battery to a jump box.


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[wolf550]

Welcome from Tennessee.
Sounds like my 550 when I first got it from previous owner but you bike is in better shape than mine was and I didn't know anything about motorcycles either. I just knew I wanted to ride one back in 2017
check some of the threads about that 1/8 drill bit.

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=171485.0

also videos that show your start up process for you bike will help the gurus diagnose problems they will see that you are doing or not doing.

but keep it up. you are on the right track

[MD]

Re-guarding having to kick start the bike, what I have found on my bike is that when the battery is low, the electric starter pulls too much power for the coils to work correctly.  Bike will kick start though. My guess is that you have something pulling too much power from the battery.  Remove all fuses except the main and see if the results are different.

-MD

[Alan F.]

...also videos that show your start up process for your bike will help the gurus diagnose problems they will see that you are doing or not doing.

I think this is a very good idea that I haven't heard before.

[76_cb550k]

Been trying to upload video of the bike but tapatalk has issues even though I paid that ViP pass.


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[Shopdog]

Been trying to upload video of the bike but tapatalk has issues even though I paid that ViP pass.


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Have you considered uploading to YouTube and then posting a link? Probably the easiest method. I just joined up here myself and noticed your post. My bike is a 75 cb550k, but in need of restoration. I'm new to bikes, as well. Yours looks very nice! Good luck with getting it going!

[Alan F.]

I don't think you can upload a video, you have to host it elsewhere and link to or embed it in your post.

[76_cb550k]

So here’s the last time the bike started.
1/8 drill bit
idle screw was not touching the carb rack but then turned it one turn clockwise and was able to stay idle.

https://youtube.com/shorts/pDqNdVZHOjc?feature=share


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[76_cb550k]

There was a hissing sound coming out of the gas tank cap after the bike died….is that normal?
I’m also 70% sure that in my case is a fuel delivery problem due to some uphills in the fuel hoses. Will be replacing hose with clear ones to see fuel flow going into carb bowls.
Before I turned the bike on (kicks) I had noticed the bowls were almost empty so I took off the carbs to redo float height/clean passages and then put them back on and it turned on after a couple of kicks.
The day after I tried to turn it on again and nothing.
So then I repositioned the fuel hoses and carbs got fuel except for #4 which was getting a trickle. The other carbs got a steady flow and I know that because I unscrewed the bowl drain screw a bit and a constant flow came out except for #4 carb which was barely getting fuel.
Thanks, guys for your replies as I have been motivated again to work on this bike.


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[76_cb550k]

Here’s the second video of the same day
Idle screw: two turns
Air mix screw: one turn

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[76_cb550k]

This is my new fuel routing
It worked. I primed the bike with 3 kicks and used the start button 3 times and boom it fired up.
Will post video link later.
Found out the battery wasn’t being charged properly, will post video link of that too.

[76_cb550k]

https://youtube.com/shorts/NFe-kfQpx8I?feature=share


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[RAFster122s]

Congrats on getting it running!

[Stev-o]

There was a hissing sound coming out of the gas tank cap after the bike died….is that normal?

Fuel delivery is by gravity, so that is good that you rerouted your fuel lines.  The fuel tank cap is vented, be sure it is fully opened.  Good to hear you got it running!

[76_cb550k]

Stev-o, I heard that hissing sound after the bike was off….the gas tank cap was closed when it happened.
Last night I didn’t hear it.
What do u think about the sound of the engine?
I’m new to bikes so wouldn’t know if it sounds normal.
Thank God for you guys in this forum sharing knowledge….really helps a lot.


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[Stev-o]

What do u think about the sound of the engine?

Seems to sound good in the first video, idle is a little high. Turn it down to 1200-1400 once fully warmed up.

Second video, I hear a little valve noise, nothing crazy, a carb sync should reduce the noise and make it run smoother. Good idea using the temp gauge to determine all cylinders are firing.

Are you running the bike in your house?! [my wife would flip out!]

And BTW - dont let it idle for long periods of time [over 5 min], this is an air cooled bike.  If you have a fan, have it blow on the front of the engine when idling in place.

I know it's winter but are you able to test ride it? [77 degrees down here today!]
Looks like a nice bike, you'll get there!

[76_cb550k]

Stev-o, yes….inside the house but there’s a back door that I keep open when running the bike. I made that little area my “garage”.
So just a few minutes ago I got the bike running but this time I used a lithium battery (13.5v) and the alternator was able to keep it above 13v and under 13.5v
The throttle seems slow to respond when idle screw is backed OUT in order to bring rpms down to the 1200/1400ths…. It even shuts down the bike when reved at these low rpms.
So to keep it running I turn the idle screw IN .25 to .50 turn clockwise. I keep this setting to start the bike too.
Is this even a normal thing to do to the engine?
(to keep idle screw in .50 turn)
Another question: Why does the bike sound as if it’s dying when I slowly take off choke?
And while riding the bike…does the choke needs to be fully on or fully off?
Thanks….


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[RAFster122s]

Choke needs to be fully off when warmed up.
Please elaborate on the motor when you rev it a bit after warmed up with a 1200-1400 rpm idle it will die...?
Hopefully you aren't reving the motor really high after start up or while warming up.

[76_cb550k]

Choke needs to be fully off when warmed up.
Please elaborate on the motor when you rev it a bit after warmed up with a 1200-1400 rpm idle it will die...?
Hopefully you aren't reving the motor really high after start up or while warming up.

RAFster, I didn’t know choke needs to be off after warm up.
The sound the bike makes is loud and clear on the video
when I start taking choke off (:30 seconds in)

Why does it sound like that when choke is off a bit?
And if I try to apply throttle it dies.

I do give some revs to the engine right after it starts
And when I was testing charging system (works)


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[seanbarney41]

sounds like it's only running on 2 cylinders...test to see if all 4 header pipes are hot enough to vaporize water

[Stev-o]

The throttle seems slow to respond when idle screw is backed OUT in order to bring rpms down to the 1200/1400ths…. It even shuts down the bike when reved at these low rpms.
So to keep it running I turn the idle screw IN .25 to .50 turn clockwise. I keep this setting to start the bike too.

Not sure you are adjusting the idle with the correct screw