Topic: Honda CB550 Air Filter

[kyle750]

Changed the oil and filter (old oil looked clean and not black), getting ready to start the bike up again, and decided to charge the battery to full strength.  After removing the black plastic tool tray I thought this setup looked a little strange. Then pulled back the foam -  it ain't got no air filter

[bryanj]

You are better off removing that tube mechanism in the bottom and fitting a cb 500 air filter, there is supposed to be a spring clip at the rear to push the filter forward.
The steel tube is part of the engine cranckcase fume recirculation but mostly just fills the original paper filter with oil, also disconnect the rubber tube from bottom of filter box and let the tube vent to air like the 500.
The whole recirc idea was a us idea supposedly to lower emmisions

[kyle750]

You are better off removing that tube mechanism in the bottom and fitting a cb 500 air filter, there is supposed to be a spring clip at the rear to push the filter forward.
The steel tube is part of the engine cranckcase fume recirculation but mostly just fills the original paper filter with oil, also disconnect the rubber tube from bottom of filter box and let the tube vent to air like the 500.
The whole recirc idea was a us idea supposedly to lower emmisions

Thanks Mate.    I looked at both CB550 and CB500 air filter elements. I can see how a spring, clip, or rubber is needed to push the filter forward.  Thanks!

Foam and metal mesh removed from the air filter box

[kyle750]

Plenty of used 550 and 500 air filter elements on ebay.  This one is probably the best of the used bunch?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/314740406022

or NOS

https://www.ebay.com/itm/187182662383

[kyle750]

I saw this one for sale from 4into1 and it is truly laughable with cheap foam on the bottom . . .

. . .  but I quess it is much better than having NOTHING!

[newday777]

Plenty of used 550 and 500 air filter elements on ebay.  This one is probably the best of the used bunch?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/314740406022

or NOS

https://www.ebay.com/itm/187182662383

Did you even check with the local Honda shop?? You continue to check ebay and post the ridiculous priced parts and 4into1 junk. Start with Honda to see if the air cleaner is still available......
Lots cheaper and fresher foam if isn't discontinued.

[kyle750]

Honda CB500 NOS Air Filter 17210-323-030 purchased from Japan and should be here in about 1 week.  There are a few clips for sale but they are in poor condition and not cheap.  I should be able to just cut and bend a strip of galvanized metal and make one.

[newday777]

Honda CB500 NOS Air Filter 17210-323-030 purchased from Japan and should be here in about 1 week.  There are a few clips for sale but they are in poor condition and not cheap.  I should be able to just cut and bend a strip of galvanized metal and make one.

👍

Or use a piece of stainless steel for the spring clip

[kyle750]

👍

Or use a piece of stainless steel for the spring clip

Excellent idea with stainless steel.  Thank You!

[kyle750]

CB500 Air Filter Element has been shipped and is on the way

Removable and just sits at the bottom of the CB550 air filter box?    I have read all the older threads that I could find but I am still having a hard time understanding how this system is supposed to work?

[bryanj]

There should be a foam filter between the big hole mesh and the tube plate.

There is a rubber pipe from the top of engine to a connector on bottom of filter box, crankcase fumes pass from tube via the foam fiter mentioned up the tube to inside of paper element then sucked back into carbs thus recircing oily vapours which also clog up paper element

500 just had pipe to atmosphere from top of engine so paper element did not get oily and lasted longer.

Throw away, or put away, the metal bits in your had, disconnect from aibox the rubber vent pipe and just fit the 500 filter

[kyle750]

There should be a foam filter between the big hole mesh and the tube plate.

There is a rubber pipe from the top of engine to a connector on bottom of filter box, crankcase fumes pass from tube via the foam fiter mentioned up the tube to inside of paper element then sucked back into carbs thus recircing oily vapours which also clog up paper element

500 just had pipe to atmosphere from top of engine so paper element did not get oily and lasted longer.

Throw away, or put away, the metal bits in your had, disconnect from aibox the rubber vent pipe and just fit the 500 filter

Thank You Very Much!  Got It!  Will do as you instructed and wait for the CB500 air filter arrival. 

I just noticed my post count - must be good luck 

[Dr. Frankenstein]

Kyle750 - I made mine from a piece of coat hanger...works great! (I bent the wire over my vise to get that bend).

[kyle750]

Quick question for all the CB500 and CB550 owners.  My rear brake pedal is rusted junk and I would like to replace.  Lots for sale in various condition.  I've tried to search Honda part numbers and older forum threads but cannot confirm.  Does the early CB500 and CB550K share the same brake pedal - they look identical to my eye?  I know the later CB550F have a different brake pedal. Thanks in Advance!

[kyle750]

Kyle750 - I made mine from a piece of coat hanger...works great! (I bent the wire over my vise to get that bend).

Looks perfect - maybe even works better than the original bent metal air filter clip  

[bryanj]

Part numbers are different so i suspect the shape is different.
CB 550 K0, 1, 2 are all same but K3 is different

[Deltarider]

Brake pedal 46500-374-000 was on:     
     
    CB550(K0)
    CB550 K1
    CB550 K2
    CB500K2 [-ED, -F, -G]

Brake pedal 46500-323-010 was on:
    CB500(K0)
    CB500K1
    CB500K2-A

[kyle750]

Thanks Gentlemen. So they are different.  I will continue the search.

I also took a closer look at my black plastic air filter top/tool tray and it is in rough shape.  A few fatal cracks that are held together with black electrical tape by the previous owner. It might continue to work but it looks like it is ready to disintegrate into pieces- better to replace.   I searched online and was totally shocked at the prices 

Late Edit: I just noticed that my profile has changed to "Expert".  Clearly based on post counts and not genuine knowledge.     Lest we all forget - I am the person who only a few months ago could not figure out how to get a CB750 up on a center stand. 

[Deltarider]

As your CB550 was exported to an Asian country, can you do me a favor and inform us what stamped number is on the carbs? See pics where to find it.

[kyle750]

As your CB550 was exported to an Asian country, can you do me a favor and inform us what stamped number is on the carbs? See pics where to find it.

Will do.  Right now it is night but in the morning I will try to locate the stamped numbers and take photographs in the first sunlight.   Earlier today  I was re-positioning one of the overflow tubes that was dangling in the wrong place. The tubes are very strange - very thick and firm at the top and then very flexible at the lower end. 

[kyle750]

CB550 carb - I don't see a number 

[kyle750]

 . . . maybe I am not looking in the right place?

[kyle750]

OK - Got It - 022A

Once the air filter arrives from Japan I hope to start the bike up again.  Unfortunately the bike is a long way from running so I can't check the operation of the carbs.  Any information that can be provided on the 022A would be greatly appreciated.  Good or bad??

[Deltarider]

Thanks. That 022A is the correct number. If you're interested, I've composed an overview of the settings in the oldstyle CB500/550 carbs. But here's a serious warning: do not be tempted to start 'adjusting' or changing things. Too many have made that mistake after an improper diagnosis. This forum is full of it. Leave everything as it is. Under normal circumstances these carbs do NOT need altering settings ever, no matter what people say. Just stay away!

[kyle750]

I don't know enough to diagnose anything    The goal of the startup is very simple - I just wanna have some fun, circulate the new oil, and listen to the engine.