Topic: First bike 76' cb 550

[Deltarider]

Still available at

http://honda-teileservice.de/

Select CB 350 - 750 Four Spezial
and then

Ansaugstutzen und Luftfiltergummis The couplers you want are called Luftfiltergummis in German.

[76 cb550]

converted to us dollars it's the same as the ebay auction...I don't plan on it but do you guys think I should suck it up and go with the new ones? 

[TwoTired]

What do you mean you didn't bother with glue?

The rubber coupler has a groove where it mates with the airbox.

If you look at Deltarider's link, you find a picture of them:   LUFTFILTERGUMMIS CB 550 F 1

You'll see the mating point/ridges midway on rubber.

They hold them selves in pretty well to the air box.  I just didn't see a need for the glue.  My bikes haven't blown up yet!

If the budget allows, get new. 30 year old rubber can shrink and get hard.  These bits have to deflect and get mashed around a great deal during carb extraction and insertion.  That's likely what damaged to ones you have now; improper, careless carb maintenance.  New rubber will make the installation process much easier.  That said, used ones can still work fine, provided they are somewhere near the soft end of the rubber resiliency scale.  Quick tip: Remove those rear band clamps completely for carb servicing.  I've written the removall/install process in previous posts, if you're interested.

Cheers,

[76 cb550]

the current budget doesn't allow but things change.

I may not get to ride her this season but that's ok.  I'll get her right as I can before I take her out on the road.  Is there an effective rubber restoration method?  I read one in the tips forum but it hasn't been long term tested yet.

Yes I am very interested in those posts thank you again

[TwoTired]

Is there an effective rubber restoration method?

No.  Unless you have access to a fountain of youth.

There are solvents linked to the rubber during creation that make the flexible prroperty.  In time, these solvents lose their bond and wander off on their own.  There is no known process that forces solvents to relink and take their former place.
Many hope for such a process and try various methods.  But, old rubber just becomes older rubber.   Time is like that...

I'll see if I can find an old post about carb install through searching...  But, I've got some other things need to be done at the moment.  So, it will have to wait till later.

Cheers,

[76 cb550]

I can search for it I don't want to take up any more of your time than I have to.  Thank you

[TwoTired]

found it...

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=5704.msg48277#msg48277

You could also look at:
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=29479.msg303950#msg303950

cheers,

[76 cb550]

thanks for the links that should be a great help.

On another forum someone suggested that I use a bicycle tube repair kit to repair those boots.  How do you guys feel about that idea?

I'll probably get the new boots...don't wanna but I guess I'd rather spend an extra 30 bucks now than have to replace the old worn boots everytime they wear out.



I was browsing through a manual I printed off of this site trying to figure out where this hose goes.  It's the "blow by gas" pollution reduction system thing isn't it.  Should I replace and reattach this thing?  Also I'm missing the cover for my air filter...how important is that.
(a lot of these things are things I'm planning on fixing I'm just trying to sort my priorities.)

[Somemonkey]

I picked up a two foot heater hose that I ran from the head to about the end of my exhaust pipe. I did it that way because I didn't have room to run it between the carbs to the bottom of the bike. It works just fine for me. If you don't have an air filter, you'll want to get one. I wouldn't run without a filter for two reasons: One, these bikes were made to run with filters and two, you don't want stuff getting into the carbs. Now if you're planning on running with pods, then of course you wouldn't need the filter.

[76 cb550]

Yeah...I've got an air filter but apparently it's missing the two pads that go in underneath it...can't remember what there called.  Ones the element and the other is a seal of some sort.  I'll be replacing those when I order parts.  I was cleaning the air filter when this pic was taken.  Probably a bad idea to do that while she was running.  The RPM's went up when i removed the air filter if that tells you anything...at the time I thought it was just that it was dirty but now that I've read some I think it might be a sign that she's running lean/rich

[Somemonkey]

Yeah...I've got an air filter but apparently it's missing the two pads that go in underneath it...can't remember what there called.  Ones the element and the other is a seal of some sort.  I'll be replacing those when I order parts.  I was cleaning the air filter when this pic was taken.  Probably a bad idea to do that while she was running.  The RPM's went up when i removed the air filter if that tells you anything...at the time I thought it was just that it was dirty but now that I've read some I think it might be a sign that she's running lean/rich

Oh, I see. So does your air filter look like this one?

[TwoTired]

On another forum someone suggested that I use a bicycle tube repair kit to repair those boots.  How do you guys feel about that idea?

If parts were unobtainium, I'd give it a shot.  But, I'd have doubts that a patch would survive the carb installation procedure.  Besides, yours aren't just cracked, there's rather large structural chunks missing.  Repair patches aren't much for adding structure.

I was browsing through a manual I printed off of this site trying to figure out where this hose goes.  It's the "blow by gas" pollution reduction system thing isn't it.  Should I replace and reattach this thing?  Also I'm missing the cover for my air filter...how important is that.

The breather hose attaches to the side of the air filter box see #24 in the diagram.  Also, see pg 108, Chapter 8. of the Honda Shop Manual.  Please do restore it's proper operation.  Blow by and cranckcase vapors are carcinogens best burned by the engine.

The filter cover shown in the diagram is actually the type used on the F models, and maybe the 77-78 k.  Yours should have a tray with an oblong screened opening along the top facing the seat.  The tray fits onto frame rails.  There are two rubber pieces that fit onto the filter box top ends  that seal the air box to the tray.  These latter pieces, along with the tray I suppose, are nice to have, but not essential.  My 74 has been missing one of those rubber things for years.  What is important is the breather element pieces at the bottom of the filter box (19, 20, 21, 22) and the #5 spring leaf that holds the filter in place against the box outlet.  Without the breather element pieces, you can expect very short paper filter life, as the vapors will speed filter clogging.
BTW, I don't use paper filters anymore due to the expense. UNI NU4055 filters are foam, cleanable, reusable, and fit in the stock filter box like the stock one.  The filter along with the aerosol cleaner are a bit more expensive that a stock replacement, but when you consider the stock one must be replaced every year, the UNI is far more thrifty in the long term.

Cheers,

[76 cb550]

ok I might be wrong but I think i've got it right

I have part 2

missing 22? 21 and 20 and i think I'm missing 10 7 11 and 8 not sure though

EDIT: sorry I was typing while your post came up.  The f series thing might explain why where I thought I was missing 1 part (lid for air filter case) the diagram provided showed I was missing 4. I'll be replacing the missing elements when I order parts.  I want to figure out as much as I can so that I can make one order instead of 150,000.  Shipping ya know

[dusterdude]

what part of virginia are you in?

[76 cb550]

far south central. martinsville hour north of greenboro 30 minutes from danville.

why do you ask?

[TwoTired]

Here is a drawing that better applies to your bike.  It's a clip from the CSML site.
You should have the tray 64 with the screen 65.  But, they are kinda optional.  The tray does support the tool kit, though.
21 is the rubber seal between  20 and 64.

In this drawing, you will also need 27,28,29,30 for the breather to work correctly.

Hope the picture posts...

[76 cb550]

don't have 64 65 21 28 29 or 30?  might have 30

I assume 31 is the breather hose for the blow by?

[TwoTired]

I assume 31 is the breather hose for the blow by?

No, that is the water drain with a pinch tube end.  The valve cover breather hose goes to a side fitting on the filter box (behind the battery).  Not shown clearly in my drawing post.

Cheers,

[76 cb550]

ah ok.  clear as crystal now.  Thought I was gonna have to replace those tubes too.  One had dried mud way up inside of it.  Don't know how... the others where completely plugged with mud too but only at the end.  I was so confused when I figured out those tubes didn't lead anywhere.

[76 cb550]

anybody else having trouble with the forum?  It's slow and sometimes it says the servers down.

Here comes the question I've REALLY been dreading to ask.  So much so that I haven't even thought to ask until now.  What do I do if I have leaks in my exhaust pipes.  They're small but they are there

EDIT: sorry about the double post.

[cbass*gxc]

Hey 76 dont know if they will fit but I am taking my airbox off of my 78 550 and my box is in decent shape and the boots are in good shape.  Anyways if you would like me to look and see if I have any of the parts you need, I can.  I have my boots that I would sell cheap if you wanted them. 

Can anyone tell me if my 78's are the same as the 76? 

jay

edit - Well I looked here. http://hondaparts-direct.com/fiche_select.asp  And it looks like they are 2 different setups so I dont know if any of my parts will work.  Maybe one of these guys can tell us for sure. 

[TwoTired]

ah ok.  clear as crystal now.  Thought I was gonna have to replace those tubes too.  One had dried mud way up inside of it.  Don't know how... the others where completely plugged with mud too but only at the end.  I was so confused when I figured out those tubes didn't lead anywhere.

There are insects such as mud dawbers that build nests in opening like those tubes.  The drain tube is supposed to have a cap with a slit across it.  'twould thwart nest making there.  And keep the engine from sucking air in there, too.

Exhaust leaks are rust holes, most likely.  They will grow.  Near where the muffler is joined to the head pipe is a moisture drain hole at the low point.  That hole is legit and should be kept clear.  Other small holes are bad news.

A 78 CB550 air box and rubber couplers are different than prior years.  Different length and diameter to go with the different carbs.  The filter box components are mostly the same, though.

[76 cb550]

Other small holes are bad news.

Well then I have some bad news for me...is there anything I can do to fix it.  JB weld was the first thing that came to mind but solder and welding also came to me.  I could of course replace the entire exhaust pipe but umm yeah I'm poor and I bet a new set of pipes would cost me more than the bike did.


Most of the parts I need are rubber.  And your bike is about as old as mine so they'd be in roughly the same shape. With the exception of the shattered couplers I have.  Any of the air filter parts I listed above would be greatly appreciated (if they fit) also I don't have the tray , net, tool kit.  All things I'd like to acquire.  Let's see what else do I need.  Off the top of my head I can't think of anything else.  I should have the bike indoors after tonight so I'll be able to give her a good once over no matter the weather. 

EDIT: I'm gonna add the breather hose (31) to that list if it'll fit

[TwoTired]

The mufflers rust from the inside out, thinning the metal, until they get small holes.  Then the holes get bigger.  You can plug/patch the holes for a short while, then more and bigger ones happen, and the patches fall out/off.

I replaced mine new from Honda about 10 years ago.  $700-800.  I like them.

Many just get a Mac 4 into 1 system for $300 or so.

Cheers,

[76 cb550]

well the hole I've noticed appears to be from contact with a foot peg.  It looks like it was dropped once and the exhaust pressed against a peg or something don't remember exactly.  I'll take a pic in daylight and show you.

What can I patch with?