Author Topic: ‘76 CB550 power always on  (Read 555 times)

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Offline Jcop.550

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‘76 CB550 power always on
« on: August 22, 2023, 01:35:12 PM »
Hey guys! Back again with another issue.

1976 cb550 I recently picked up. Sat for many years and I purchased it without a battery or any clue what could be wrong.

Bought a battery, cleaned the carbs, did an oil change and got it to run…BUT the power is always on no matter what position the key is in. I can even take the key out and power will still be on. I have to disconnect the battery every time. Haven’t really dug into that yet since I just got it going within the hour. Any ideas on where to start or what the issue might be?


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Offline Gurp

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Re: ‘76 CB550 power always on
« Reply #1 on: August 22, 2023, 06:04:29 PM »
Sounds like some bad wiring job from a PO or a bad IGN switch.

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slow Progress 74 cb550.

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Offline newday777

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Re: ‘76 CB550 power always on
« Reply #2 on: August 22, 2023, 06:47:43 PM »
Have you looked over the harness and all connectors for melted wires/pins in connectors?
Stu
Honda Parts manager in the mid 1970s Nashua Honda
My current rides
1975 K5 Planet Blue my summer ride, it was a friend's bike I worked with at the Honda shop in 76, lots of fun to be on it again
1976 K6 Anteres Red rebuilding project, was originally my brother's that I set up from the crate, it'll breath again soon!
Project 750s, 2 K4, 2 K6, 1 K8
2008 GL1800 my daily ride and cross country runner

Prior bikes....
1972 Suzuki GT380 I had charge of it for a year in 1973 while my friend was deployed and learned to love street riding....
New CB450 K7 after my friend returned...
New CB750 K5 Planet Blue, demise by ex cousin in law at 9,000 miles...
New CB750 K6 Anteres Red, to replace the totaled K5, I sold this K6 at 45k in 1983, I had heavily modified it, many great memories on it and have missed it greatly.....
1983 GL1100A, 1999 GL1500 SE, 1999 GL1500A

Offline Jcop.550

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Re: ‘76 CB550 power always on
« Reply #3 on: August 22, 2023, 06:57:43 PM »
Have you looked over the harness and all connectors for melted wires/pins in connectors?
Haven’t gotten that far. Just reaching out to see if someone knew of something that may be an easy fix. I will check all that though, thanks!


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Offline PeWe

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Re: ‘76 CB550 power always on
« Reply #4 on: August 22, 2023, 08:23:52 PM »
Check the fuses, if they sit correctly. It is possible to place them one step sideway, between 2 different circuits and make a short.
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 Kenzo1979

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Re: ‘76 CB550 power always on
« Reply #5 on: August 25, 2023, 06:30:53 PM »
Disconnect the ignition harness connector and see if the bike shuts off.  If it does, your ignition key switch is the culprit.  If so, take it apart and rebuild it.
--Kenzo
** 71 CB500, 74 CB550, 76 CB400F, 77 CJ360t **

Offline grcamna2

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Re: ‘76 CB550 power always on
« Reply #6 on: August 25, 2023, 09:45:41 PM »
Disconnect the ignition harness connector and see if the bike shuts off.  If it does, your ignition key switch is the culprit.  If so, take it apart and rebuild it.

 ;) First thing to check.
75' CB400F/'bunch o' parts' & 81' CB125S modded to a 'CB200S'
  I love the small ones too !
Do your BEST...nobody can take that away from you.