Topic: Newbie/New Owner of a 76' CB550F SS

[ClawSS]

Hey everyone!

Just wanted to drop a quick intro here! I’m new to the forum and new to the motorcycle world in general. I recently picked up a (beautiful to me) 76' CB550F Super Sport. Since I started my research into these vintage Hondas I always gravitated towards the 550s for the balance and style. After stumbling across this bike with sheer luck and then spending a lot of blood sweat and tears to get it home, I'm happy to finally be able to dive in!

That said, I’ve got a lot to learn! I’m jumping in head-first and really want to understand how to work on, troubleshoot, and maintain this bike myself. I don’t have a ton of experience yet, but I’m super eager to learn and get my hands dirty.

I plan to be very active, asking questions, sharing progress, and hopefully contributing back as I go. Looking forward to learning from everyone and getting to know this awesome community! My first plan of action would be the following

Get the bike to turn over and idle - She has sat for 3 years and I know that means fuel draining and evaluation of fuel system (lines/tank), evaluating carb condition either cleaning or rebuilding, oil + filter change, compression test?, spark plug check, battery is new ✅, check electrical including fuses, grounds, and wires.

Please let me know if I'm missing something, or need to do things in an order I'm unfamiliar with.
Thank you for any guidance you can provide!

[grcamna2]

I had a MC repair business up til 2000' and one of my nice customers had a CB550F the same color as yours;I kept Sean's bike running and handling very well for him.

[dusterdude]

Welcome

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[newday777]

Welcome aboard the forum ClawSS

That is a fine looking 550 Supersport in pretty good condition, not too rusty so it must have been kept fairly dry where it was stored. I would have grabbed that myself for sure as I've thought of getting one if I found one too.

You might want to get one of Hondaman's new fresh off the press CB500/550 books to learn to work on it and the ins and outs of it. I have his 750 book and it is very indepth of the breakdowns and rebuilding especially the carbs(and don't buy the aftermarket carb kits thinking that the brass parts will be fine to put in.....)
Does the motor kick free with the kick start?

Hondaman's books are under Site Sponsors

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,65293.0.html

Get 15% off with the coupon code " WRITING15 "

[denward17]

Claw, welcome from NC, That's a nice bike you have there, good start.

[tool14]

welcome aboard

[Stev-o]

Welcome to the blue 550F club! They are great bikes. 

Highly suggest you start a tread in the "Project Shop" area so we can follow along and answer questions.

FYI - those handlebars, rack and engine guards were not stock but that exhaust is.

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/board,103.0.html

Here is my bike...

[carnivorous chicken]

Welcome. I've had a few 550Ks over the years and now I have a 550F -- currently figuring out jetting with the stock airbox at altitude (but may go back to pods, which it had before and ran well).

Looks like it's been tipped over on it's left but nothing too bad except the turn signal and tank -- or is that the reflection in the tank?

Definitely keep the original brass in the carbs. I'd go back to stock bars but that's my preference. I'd take off the engine guards but that's also just a preference. You can post here for finding that missing side cover, but you could also probably find one on Ebay. While you are giving it a once over check the chain and sprockets as well, flush that front brake and make sure it (and the rear) operates. Definitely get a manual and/or Hondaman's book (haven't seen it yet but I've got a copy waiting for me in the USA -- and it's my orange 550F on the hardback cover).

For first timers things like adjusting points and timing and valve lash can be intimidating but they're really not that complicated, and you'll save a ton of money doing it yourself instead of finding a shop (and most shops these days either won't touch old bikes or the guys there don't know old bikes -- but will tell you they do).

The 550 is a great all-around bike. Not too heavy for zipping around town, big enough to handle freeway speeds. I have a K for over 30 years and it ran like top and never let me down.

[HondaMan]

Wow, that one is in NICE condition! Most of them I get to see look like they were left out in the rain for [decades] too long.

[MD]

Welcome from NE Minnesota,

550 is capable of some serious miles in short order.

-MD

[ClawSS]

I had a MC repair business up til 2000' and one of my nice customers had a CB550F the same color as yours;I kept Sean's bike running and handling very well for him.

That's awesome! I'm glad I've found a forum full of guides and knowledge. I'm itching to get this bike running, I'll definitely reach out to everyone in the project thread if I need anything!

[ClawSS]

Welcome

Sent from my SM-S711U using Tapatalk

Thank you!

[HondaMan]

My book on the CB500/CB550 just came out last week, too.

[ClawSS]

Welcome aboard the forum ClawSS

That is a fine looking 550 Supersport in pretty good condition, not too rusty so it must have been kept fairly dry where it was stored. I would have grabbed that myself for sure as I've thought of getting one if I found one too.

You might want to get one of Hondaman's new fresh off the press CB500/550 books to learn to work on it and the ins and outs of it. I have his 750 book and it is very indepth of the breakdowns and rebuilding especially the carbs(and don't buy the aftermarket carb kits thinking that the brass parts will be fine to put in.....)
Does the motor kick free with the kick start?

Hondaman's books are under Site Sponsors

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,65293.0.html

Get 15% off with the coupon code " WRITING15 "

Thank you for the kind words! After scouring Facebook marketplace for months telling myself I'm only going to get one of these bikes if I find a "unicorn" in my terms. After seeing it in person and learning its story, I knew that I had to have her.

In terms of HondaMan's books, I have been perusing the forums for the past few weeks learning the differences in the years of these bikes and their quirks and I often see people reference them even in this reply section of my own introduction the book is heralded. So, as of today I am hopping on the bandwagon and buying my own copy!

The motor is free with the kick start. You might be able to tell looking at the wiring, one of the guys who came to look at the bike before me and did some improvised electrical work. I'm told by the non-cyclist seller, that the bike did try to start but didn't turn over. I have not had the time to try it for myself as I've been preoccupied with everything life as soon as I got it off the truck, but tomorrow I hope to finally sit down with it.

If you were in my shoes, what would be your gameplan walking up to this bike?

[ClawSS]

Claw, welcome from NC, That's a nice bike you have there, good start.

Thank you! I did a lot of research going into this model and I can't wait to get her moving again!

[ClawSS]

welcome aboard

Thank you!

[ClawSS]

Welcome to the blue 550F club! They are great bikes. 

Highly suggest you start a tread in the "Project Shop" area so we can follow along and answer questions.

FYI - those handlebars, rack and engine guards were not stock but that exhaust is.

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/board,103.0.html

Here is my bike...

I will be starting the thread as soon as I can get my hands on it. Life seemed to hit all at once as soon as I returned home and got the bike unloaded. I plan to get hands on tomorrow to really learn all her quirks, curves, and features!
I had a feeling the engine guards and rack or at the very least the sissy wasn't stock due to the mismatched leather. As you can see, and some of those observant enough have already pointed out, she was laid over, but I am thankful that the engine guard and tail light took the brunt rather than the engine and tank. I'll be replying to another comment in this thread, the tank is not damaged, just glare. On top of that, I'm unsure if it was this wreck or if it was the installation of the guards, but I noticed that one of the headers is bent around the guard. I will be providing a full breakdown of images when I can in the project thread to show everyone so keep an eye out.

For now, I'll use Tow Mater's philosophy and say all her dents and scrapes are stories and it just adds character! A 50 year old person has their fair share of bumps and scrapes, I expected no less from this pre-loved bike!

P.S. Beautiful bike Stev-o. Yours is not far off from what I'm shooting for in the future. I would love to know about your choice in handlebars and how you came to the decision!

[ClawSS]

Welcome. I've had a few 550Ks over the years and now I have a 550F -- currently figuring out jetting with the stock airbox at altitude (but may go back to pods, which it had before and ran well).

Looks like it's been tipped over on it's left but nothing too bad except the turn signal and tank -- or is that the reflection in the tank?

Definitely keep the original brass in the carbs. I'd go back to stock bars but that's my preference. I'd take off the engine guards but that's also just a preference. You can post here for finding that missing side cover, but you could also probably find one on Ebay. While you are giving it a once over check the chain and sprockets as well, flush that front brake and make sure it (and the rear) operates. Definitely get a manual and/or Hondaman's book (haven't seen it yet but I've got a copy waiting for me in the USA -- and it's my orange 550F on the hardback cover).

For first timers things like adjusting points and timing and valve lash can be intimidating but they're really not that complicated, and you'll save a ton of money doing it yourself instead of finding a shop (and most shops these days either won't touch old bikes or the guys there don't know old bikes -- but will tell you they do).

The 550 is a great all-around bike. Not too heavy for zipping around town, big enough to handle freeway speeds. I have a K for over 30 years and it ran like top and never let me down.

She has been tipped, good eye! No damage to the tank thankfully, just glare! Yep to turn signal, and as mentioned in another reply to Stev-o, I suspect either one of the exhaust tubes was modified for the guard or deformed during the tumble. Outside of a quarter sized bump to the top of the tank, it's really just grime and patina from her 3 year hibernation. I agree with your cosmetic suggestions and Stev-o actually has a pretty close representation to what I am shooting for with this bike. I have bought HondaMan's 550 book as of today and acquired as much free literature on this bike elsewhere as I can to prepare. My goal is to do a lot of the work myself with the help of you guys and Youtube! I did a lot of research going into this bike and I'm super glad to have found such an accepting community!

[ClawSS]

Wow, that one is in NICE condition! Most of them I get to see look like they were left out in the rain for [decades] too long.

The fabled HondaMan commented on my post! I hear you've got a book fresh off the press for me, you must have known I was coming! I look forward to reading your book and learning the ins and outs that only decades of experience can get you! I'm hesitant to talk money and how much I spent on this bike, but I am curious, with your experience, what do you think a bike in in this condition is worth? Given it's time in hibernation (3 years) and some bumps and scrapes and amount of work it might take to get back to operating status.

Lastly, because I've got a few days before my book comes in, what would be your gameplan walking up to this bike. What's step one for you?

[ClawSS]

Welcome from NE Minnesota,

550 is capable of some serious miles in short order.

-MD

I hope to get her running those serious miles soon! Thank you!

[ClawSS]

My book on the CB500/CB550 just came out last week, too.

✅ Ordered! Thank you for immortalizing your knowledge of these bikes. I know you're not the only experienced expert on this forum, but I know the 750 book has helped so many, and I know this one will help so many more including me!

[newday777]

Ascto how to go about it, first is to check the electrical connection, make sure the connectors are clean, tight and everything operates. Next, get it running, check the carb bowls how they look, clean the carbs(if goo from old gas in the bowls, you will need to do a thorough cleaning)

Carb cleaning vid

[ClawSS]

Ascto how to go about it, first is to check the electrical connection, make sure the connectors are clean, tight and everything operates. Next, get it running, check the carb bowls how they look, clean the carbs(if goo from old gas in the bowls, you will need to do a thorough cleaning)

Carb cleaning vid

Will do, thank you for the video!

[denward17]

Also make sure your fuel supply is clean (inside of tank).