Topic: Picked up a couple 550's and have questions.

[cleveland]

I picked up two bikes with the hopes of getting them road worthy and a parts bike to strip.  I got the 76 (blue) to fire up after dumping the gas from the tank and putting in fresh gas, cleaning up the spark plugs, cleaning the float bowls & jets, and putting in a fresh battery.  Took about a thousand kicks to get her going (electric start does not work), but she started!    Then she started puttering like that carbs were dirty.  I checked the fuel line and sure enough, the gas was not traveling freely to the carbs.  I had my buddy lift and tilt the tank and the bike's response was encouraging.  She had good throttle response.  After looking at the lines, I don't see why the fuel would be having trouble getting to the carbs.  Any suggestions?

Also the PO chopped the frame to put on a HD seat and fender.  Dam thing is ugly beyond words.

The 75 (black) started on the first kick, but the RPM's shot through the roof so I shut it off right away.  I'll do some reading up on high RPM's.  There is bound to be a thread that already covers this.  The PO said he took off the original pipes and put on these 4 into 1 pipes, so it's bound to be jetting (I think  ).

Anyways, here's the pics.

Here's the 76




Here is the fuel line, looks OK.  Maybe a suction issue?


Here's the chopped frame.  Seems like a lot of work for such an ugly seat. LOL




Here's the 75




Lastly the parts bike.  Stripped it down in a couple of hours and a few cocktails. 





Stripped

[Swede]

Looks like a great project.  Did you pull the petcock out of the tank? I had cleaned my tank but didn't pull the petcock when I finally did the screen was completely coated in crud.

On the high rpms did you check the idle adjust screw? It may be that it just needs to be adjusted. 

[Irishguy]

I actually kind of like the lines of the blue one with that seat.  If you could clean up the rear end a little I could see where it would ahve some potential for a bobber/cafe style bie using that seat.  The toaster tank and Sportster seat combo could be made to look pretty cool.

[bryanj]

On the High RPM either throttle cable hung up or adjust screw turned in, just changing exhaust/air filter would not cause problem

[drag0n]

Dude look at the pic of your petcock and fuel line routing  your fuel lines come out of the petcock then go UP over the top of the carb bank then turn left sharply and go to the fuel intakes the fuel system is gravity fed and shouldnt go up after it leaves the tank  that up (even though its only a little bit) then bend to the left is the perfect place to get a bubble that cant escape any where but into the carbs so extend your fuel line if necessary and  make sure the lines come out then go down  to the intakes  all in all I think you probably did ok on the bikes your atarting out with a lot better than i got when i started i think with a little tlc theyll both be able to box

on a side note i kinda dig that red  fender you wanna sell it? i agree about the seat though it just doesnt look right

Peace
Jimmy

[drag0n]

things to check on the high revving black one  see if the throttle return spring is hooked up ...or present for that matter check also your cables to make sure they arent rusty and moving freely and check the dust plates that go between the vacuum adjust bolts  in the 1-2 carbs and 3-4 carbs if one of these is broken could be allowing things to bind and not release when the throttle is opened

peace again
Jimmy

[neil young]

geez...i like the blue  one.paint the fenders and tank black.i think that bike would look smokin.and change the handle bars.

[cleveland]

Thanks for the suggestions guys! 

Sorry, I can't sell the fender.  I picked up the two bikes and told my sister if she gets out into the garage and wrenches with me, she can have her pick.  Well, she fell in love with the fender/seat set up so it's hers.  Our dad was an old school biker into Harley.   He would always say a bike should be kick starts only, because push buttons are for people with out penises.    So it appeals to what she thinks a bike is supposed to look like.  You should have seen the look on her face when she noticed it had a kick start. She throws on the deep voice and goes off into dads old speech, "If you want a effen push button start, just get a effen scooter and have the fellas call you Skip.  Effen, effen, effen......" 

Same man at 60 year old has heated seats, heated grips, and I don't believe his bike even has a kick start.  LOL  Oh how age changes ones perspective.