Author Topic: Not new but it's been a minute!  (Read 1012 times)

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Offline Duanob

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Not new but it's been a minute!
« on: June 18, 2024, 12:54:00 PM »
I'm back! it's been about 10 years since I had my last SOHC. Just picked up a project because my wife said I needed one. ;) A shirt tail relative had a 1976 CB550K in his garage for the past 10 years. He added a lot of good parts to it but never got it running. He finally threw in the towel and contacted me to see if I wanted it. Yes! he was going to give it to me I gave him $500 because I knew it was worth that much. He kind a started to cafe it, taking parts off, cutting some of the wiring, cafe bars. etc. My last two CB550s I restored to as much original as I could but this one I think I may got scrambler/ tracker style. It already has some 4 to 1 header/silencer that I'm sure sounds fantastic. Has a Dynotek ignition including coils/wires, lots of new parts, fairly good condition. Clean and no rust except for some bolts with surface that should clean up. Paint is in good shape, maybe a polish and wax, even the side covers are in good shape. No corrosion, wiring seems to be clean no burnt wires or connections. Seat will have to be replaced along with tires and chain, as per usual. I'll dig into the carbs once I get it running. 

It's fun shopping for new parts again and figuring out how to get these things running again. Can't wait. For now I'm waiting on a key, then off to get a battery, then get into getting it running.
"Just because you flush a boatload of money down the toilet, doesn't make the toilet worth more",  My Stepfather the Unknown Poet

1974 CB360T
1976 CB550K2 Resurrected
1976 CB550F2 Barn Find
1979 CX500 VG "HONDA-GUZZI"
2007 Moto Guzzi Breva 750ie
2015 BMW F700GS
Another 1976 CB550K Cafe?

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Offline HondaMan

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Re: Not new but it's been a minute!
« Reply #1 on: June 18, 2024, 01:35:25 PM »
Welcome back!
With that ignition, the very least battery you should get (IMHO) is the YUASA maintenance-free AGM battery. Avoid the lithium batteries: they have already burned down a couple of other 550s before you.

Does it have 3-ohm coils? If so, I can build you a 2-ohm Resistor Pack that will give the charging system a fighting chance at living. It likely got parked because the Dyna ignition kills the charging ability of this bike: the alternators make less than 100 watts' power on average, and even adding a 55/60W halogen headlight will ensure a low battery charge in city riding. Using the Dyna S on it, even with the OEM coils of 4.2 ohms resistance, requires freeway-mostly riding be done, as the charging system can't charge the battery until over 4500 RPM then. If it has the 3-ohm coils, it will NEVER reach a positive battery charge as the coils eat all the available power. Those Dynas just leave the coils ON for much too long a duration. Honda's design called for about 180 degrees of ON/OFF time for each points set: the Dyna is ON for almost twice that long each engine revolution, on both coils. :(

Most of the 500/550 bikes I have seen get parked for 'mysterious reasons' have the Dyna ignitions in them, and it is ALWAYS this same story then.
See SOHC4shop@gmail.com for info about the gadgets I make for these bikes.

The demons are repulsed when a man does good. Use that.
Blood is thicker than water, but motor oil is thicker yet...so, don't mess with my SOHC4, or I might have to hurt you.
Hondaman's creed: "Bikers are family. Treat them accordingly."

Link to Hondaman Ignition: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=67543.0

Link to My CB750 Book: https://www.lulu.com/search?adult_audience_rating=00&page=1&pageSize=10&q=my+cb750+book

Link to website: www.SOHC4shop.com

Offline Duanob

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Re: Not new but it's been a minute!
« Reply #2 on: June 18, 2024, 03:32:30 PM »
Hey Hondaman, good to see some old faces. Yep, got a AGM battery on the way. Not sure about the coils yet, once I start tearing into it I''ll head over to the tech forum with questions. I forgot what the normal range for coils should be. I have the original set and the Dyna set. I have to say though, they seem to start easier and idle smoother with the electronic ignitions. I'll probably go with an LED headlight just to cut down on voltage draw. It already has LED turn signals. A long time ago I put together some relays that plug into these bikes just for that, I still have a box of stuff and the diagram if I need to make some more. I'll break out the volt meter once I get a battery and a key. Should be fun times!
« Last Edit: June 18, 2024, 03:37:17 PM by Duanob »
"Just because you flush a boatload of money down the toilet, doesn't make the toilet worth more",  My Stepfather the Unknown Poet

1974 CB360T
1976 CB550K2 Resurrected
1976 CB550F2 Barn Find
1979 CX500 VG "HONDA-GUZZI"
2007 Moto Guzzi Breva 750ie
2015 BMW F700GS
Another 1976 CB550K Cafe?

  __o
_- \_<,
(*) /' (*)

Offline newday777

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Re: Not new but it's been a minute!
« Reply #3 on: June 18, 2024, 03:42:15 PM »
Welcome back to a SOHC FOUR!
Have fun with it! Are you going to start a project thread for it?
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 CycleRanger

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Re: Not new but it's been a minute!
« Reply #4 on: June 18, 2024, 04:18:42 PM »
Nice score.  :)
Hopefully the frame isn't cut anywhere.
Do you have a copy of the Honda Shop Manual or Parts List for your bike? Get one here:
https://www.honda4fun.com/materiale/documentazione-tecnica
CB750K5        '79 XL250s     CL350K3
CB750K3        '76 XS650      '76 CJ360T

Offline grcamna2

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Re: Not new but it's been a minute!
« Reply #5 on: June 18, 2024, 07:47:31 PM »
Welcome back;this time you've got an angry hockey monkey avatar !
Glad to see the PO didn't remove the rear frame rails  :)

Moved from 'Gainesvegas' ?  :D
« Last Edit: June 18, 2024, 07:50:04 PM by grcamna2 »
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.

Offline Duanob

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Re: Not new but it's been a minute!
« Reply #6 on: June 18, 2024, 09:19:09 PM »
Haha! Go Oilers! They just won game 5, and still in it to win it!

Yes this should be a fun project. No hurry, I have my main moto to ride anytime. I will have questions but a lot is coming back to me.

I wish I was more into project pages but I'm not. Just like some of the great rides I've been on in my area like Idaho, Montana, Washington, Eastern BC, I just never think to stop and describe and catelog with pics and vids. I just get it done and have fun in the process. Too bad too because I really enjoy watching others vids and project pages.
"Just because you flush a boatload of money down the toilet, doesn't make the toilet worth more",  My Stepfather the Unknown Poet

1974 CB360T
1976 CB550K2 Resurrected
1976 CB550F2 Barn Find
1979 CX500 VG "HONDA-GUZZI"
2007 Moto Guzzi Breva 750ie
2015 BMW F700GS
Another 1976 CB550K Cafe?

  __o
_- \_<,
(*) /' (*)

Online Stev-o

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Re: Not new but it's been a minute!
« Reply #7 on: June 19, 2024, 07:06:05 AM »
Welcome back!    My wife would never say I need another bike project, only a home project.  Looks to be a fun one!
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Online RAFster122s

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Re: Not new but it's been a minute!
« Reply #8 on: June 19, 2024, 09:42:29 AM »
Looks like a good solid project, if you run into issues on wiring you can always drop a new harness in it for around $70, tax and shipping last time I checked, likely more now...
Once you get the brown wire issue of that harness sorted it is smooth sailing.

Any plans to repaint it?

David
David- back in the desert SW!

Offline Duanob

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Re: Not new but it's been a minute!
« Reply #9 on: June 21, 2024, 04:45:25 PM »
Dang I need to take a Pic of the tank. The paint is great, I just polished and waxed it so I'll keep it the way it is. Side covers I may spray off in satin black. Throw some honda badges on and call it good.

I dont think wiring will be too much of an issue. Got a key now just waiting on a battery. I think its all good just need to hook up rear brake and signals. I have a color coded schematic, not overly complicated. For now just waiting on some parts!

Also found out someone put an o-ring chain on it but luckily it never ran enough to ride it so I have a standard EK coming.
"Just because you flush a boatload of money down the toilet, doesn't make the toilet worth more",  My Stepfather the Unknown Poet

1974 CB360T
1976 CB550K2 Resurrected
1976 CB550F2 Barn Find
1979 CX500 VG "HONDA-GUZZI"
2007 Moto Guzzi Breva 750ie
2015 BMW F700GS
Another 1976 CB550K Cafe?

  __o
_- \_<,
(*) /' (*)

Online tool14

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Re: Not new but it's been a minute!
« Reply #10 on: June 23, 2024, 07:30:38 AM »
welcome back

Offline bender01

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Re: Not new but it's been a minute!
« Reply #11 on: June 26, 2024, 06:43:57 PM »
Looks like a great project! Welcome back!
75 550 K1
74 750 K4
1968 450 K1 Super Sport
74 750k 836 project
http://www.bikepics.com/members/bender01/
So, the strategy is to lie to people you are asking for help?

I think I'll be busy going for a ride.

Good luck!
Two Tired Quote !

Offline Duanob

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Re: Not new but it's been a minute!
« Reply #12 on: June 30, 2024, 01:44:41 PM »
Thanks all.

Hey I've been trying to post some things in the tech forum but it's not letting me, kind of frustrating. I'm donating the minimum, what gives?
"Just because you flush a boatload of money down the toilet, doesn't make the toilet worth more",  My Stepfather the Unknown Poet

1974 CB360T
1976 CB550K2 Resurrected
1976 CB550F2 Barn Find
1979 CX500 VG "HONDA-GUZZI"
2007 Moto Guzzi Breva 750ie
2015 BMW F700GS
Another 1976 CB550K Cafe?

  __o
_- \_<,
(*) /' (*)

Offline HondaMan

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Re: Not new but it's been a minute!
« Reply #13 on: June 30, 2024, 07:54:25 PM »
Thanks all.

Hey I've been trying to post some things in the tech forum but it's not letting me, kind of frustrating. I'm donating the minimum, what gives?
If you mean in the "Manuals and Tech Documents" section, that one is a read-only place for manuals and such.
See SOHC4shop@gmail.com for info about the gadgets I make for these bikes.

The demons are repulsed when a man does good. Use that.
Blood is thicker than water, but motor oil is thicker yet...so, don't mess with my SOHC4, or I might have to hurt you.
Hondaman's creed: "Bikers are family. Treat them accordingly."

Link to Hondaman Ignition: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=67543.0

Link to My CB750 Book: https://www.lulu.com/search?adult_audience_rating=00&page=1&pageSize=10&q=my+cb750+book

Link to website: www.SOHC4shop.com

Offline Duanob

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Re: Not new but it's been a minute!
« Reply #14 on: July 02, 2024, 11:20:29 AM »
Hey Hondaman, no just the regular forum. I typed out a long post with pics and I got the, you must pay, page. I paid via PayPal which went through. I typed everything out again and got nothing. Frustrating.

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?board=2.0
"Just because you flush a boatload of money down the toilet, doesn't make the toilet worth more",  My Stepfather the Unknown Poet

1974 CB360T
1976 CB550K2 Resurrected
1976 CB550F2 Barn Find
1979 CX500 VG "HONDA-GUZZI"
2007 Moto Guzzi Breva 750ie
2015 BMW F700GS
Another 1976 CB550K Cafe?

  __o
_- \_<,
(*) /' (*)

Offline scottly

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Re: Not new but it's been a minute!
« Reply #15 on: July 02, 2024, 11:29:06 AM »
I typed out a long post with pics and I got the, you must pay, page.
I've never seen such a page?? Donations are voluntary, not required.
Don't fix it if it ain't broke!
Helmets save brains. Always wear one and ride like everyone is trying to kill you....

Offline newday777

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Re: Not new but it's been a minute!
« Reply #16 on: July 02, 2024, 01:33:44 PM »
Hey Hondaman, no just the regular forum. I typed out a long post with pics and I got the, you must pay, page. I paid via PayPal which went through. I typed everything out again and got nothing. Frustrating.

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?board=2.0
Maybe you have been trying to put in too large of pictures out of your cell phone? If so you need to reduce the size.
I get around that by taking screenshot of each picture I want to post. I don't know why it changes the size but it works.
I'm not up on programs to reduce or share pictures. Too old a dog to learn those techie tricks.
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 grcamna2

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Re: Not new but it's been a minute!
« Reply #17 on: July 02, 2024, 03:20:47 PM »
Looks like a great project! Welcome back!

Yes that 550 looks like a nice bike;the frame looks unmolested.  :)
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.

Offline Duanob

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Re: Not new but it's been a minute!
« Reply #18 on: July 02, 2024, 07:38:00 PM »
I'll try and post text and leave out the pics but what's the point of that? :D
"Just because you flush a boatload of money down the toilet, doesn't make the toilet worth more",  My Stepfather the Unknown Poet

1974 CB360T
1976 CB550K2 Resurrected
1976 CB550F2 Barn Find
1979 CX500 VG "HONDA-GUZZI"
2007 Moto Guzzi Breva 750ie
2015 BMW F700GS
Another 1976 CB550K Cafe?

  __o
_- \_<,
(*) /' (*)

Offline scottly

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Re: Not new but it's been a minute!
« Reply #19 on: July 02, 2024, 07:51:47 PM »
Duane, you've posted pics before with no problem?
Don't fix it if it ain't broke!
Helmets save brains. Always wear one and ride like everyone is trying to kill you....

Offline Duanob

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Re: Not new but it's been a minute!
« Reply #20 on: July 03, 2024, 11:40:22 AM »
I have in the past but I was just able to post in that section without pics. So whats the attachment max size limit? I was trying to post the same pics I posted here but no go.
"Just because you flush a boatload of money down the toilet, doesn't make the toilet worth more",  My Stepfather the Unknown Poet

1974 CB360T
1976 CB550K2 Resurrected
1976 CB550F2 Barn Find
1979 CX500 VG "HONDA-GUZZI"
2007 Moto Guzzi Breva 750ie
2015 BMW F700GS
Another 1976 CB550K Cafe?

  __o
_- \_<,
(*) /' (*)

Offline scottly

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Re: Not new but it's been a minute!
« Reply #21 on: July 04, 2024, 01:25:18 PM »
The maximum individual size is 4096 KB, well above what you posted above. Are you doing this from a phone or a PC?
Don't fix it if it ain't broke!
Helmets save brains. Always wear one and ride like everyone is trying to kill you....