Topic: First bike 76' cb 550

[TwoTired]

Yes.  To add to the confusion, Honda did put the K in the VIN for the last two model years, 77 and 78.

I give up.

[76 cb550]

I sent them a message we'll see what they have to say. 

I was attempting to measure my tappet clearance now that I have that cap off and I've run into a snag.  I hope when you say you give up you don't mean on me cause I am learning a lot and once I use a lesson I tend to remember it. 

My problem is I can't get my thickness gauge in between the bolts on the exhaust side of the engine.  I can work it in on the inlet side but there is more metal in the way on the exhaust so I can't get it in there.  I've fiddled with it a while now and I've admitted that I'm stuck.  any tips?

Also I've only looked at one tappet on the intake side but it was missaligned.  It didn't match up perfectly with the "bolt" under it.  Is this bad?  I'll go look at the other tappets now and see if they are the same.  Thanks in advance.

[TwoTired]

You do know you have to position the crank so that the piston fro the cylinder being measured is at TDC between compression and exhaust stroke, right?

Intake and exhaust use different thickness gauges.  Intake is smaller, as that heats less than the exhaust.

I put about a 45 bend in the feeler gauge about 1/2 inch from the tip so I can get the feeler flat on top of the valve stem.

If you can't get the gauge inserted with the above conditions, then the gap is too small and should be increased.

Be sure you are getting the gauge into the space where the gap actually is, and not hitting the side of the valve stem standing proud of the valve spring retainer.

With it correctly set, the gauge should slide, yet you should feel drag or resistance to movement after you have locked down the adjustment.

Cheers,

[76 cb550]

Yeah I have it positioned correctly (I think)  The Tmark is between the two lines not at one or the other right?

I'm using the correct thickness thank you.

Excellent Idea.  I guess I didn't think of it cause I just bought this tool and I didn't want to even think about modifying it.  That should work.  I'll go try it now.

If I can get the gauge into the gap is that the right (or close enough) width?  Cause on the intake side I can get it in on all the gaps but it is a really tight fit.  The gauge will move but there is a good bit of resistance.

Thanks again.

Also the rest of the intake tappets are slightly offset so I assume it's to make inserting the gauge easier.  Not a bad design move if that is the case.

[cafe750]

On the advance plate, there will be a T mark, an F mark, and then there will be a couple of little lines. There will be a set of those marks for 1-4, and 2-3, and they so labeled on that plate, when you look through that little hole. You will want to use the little line with the T under it for adjusting your valves, the F line for your points, and those other two little lines are "advance lines" to show that your mechanical advance is working properly.

[76 cb550]

thanks for the advance plate tip.  I have another question.  Should I be able to get the gauge all the way into the gap and have it sticking out the other side?

[cafe750]

Yes, you should be able to slide it back and forth in the gap, with slight resistance, so it will be able to poke out both sides.

[76 cb550]

hmm...I have a feeling i'll be tinkering with this a bit before I get it right.  thanks for the help.  I'll ask again if I have more trouble.

[76 cb550]

haven't gotten the tappets adjusted yet.  Putting it off for the moment for more pressing (easier) matters.  There are two places I see that the breather hose could go.  One is under the airbox the other is behind and under the battery.  There was a bit of hose left on the latter which leads me to think that that is where I should run the new hose to.  But the bit of hose doesn't really match the old hose.  I looked at the diagram in the service manual and it looked like it just ran straight down into nothing which couldn't be right.

EDIT: I just remembered there was a discussion (with pictures) about this in this thread.  I'll go looking now.

EDIT:2 found it.  It's behind the battery.  That sucks.  Hose I got from a 77 is too short.  Oh well.

EDIT:3 found it for real this time.  The bit of tube I saw dangling was the drain tube from the air filter.  I found a better diagram in the manual.  It showed me where to connect the breather tube and it showed where the drain tube comes from but it doesn't show where the drain tube goes?  So I have 3 questions.  Does the drain tube just empty onto the road and if it does is it necessary to have one?  If it is necessary then will a cut piece of breather tube work for the application.

The breather tube off the 77 was just barely too short and it had the wrong end on it.  Both ends on the 77 breather tube were the same.  One end of the 76 breather tube has an L on it.  the L had been cut off short so I just shoved the L into the 77 breather tube and electrical taped it all together.  I'm satisfied with this but I thought I'd mention what I did. 


The owners manual I have is for a 74.  It talks about greasing the back shocks using the grease nipples.  My grease nipples are just bolts...if someone could point me towards a PDF of the 76 cb550k I would appreciate it but a clarification on this topic will suffice.

EDIT 4: what is the nipple under the airbox for.  Can't find a diagram of it.

[TwoTired]

EDIT:3 found it for real this time.  The bit of tube I saw dangling was the drain tube from the air filter.  I found a better diagram in the manual.  It showed me where to connect the breather tube and it showed where the drain tube comes from but it doesn't show where the drain tube goes?  So I have 3 questions.  Does the drain tube just empty onto the road and if it does is it necessary to have one?  If it is necessary then will a cut piece of breather tube work for the application.

Some of this was already discussed on page 3 of this thread.
The filter drain tube does route down to the bottom of the bike just ahead of the swing arm pivot.  This has a "pinch slot" end. So, it normally blocks air ingress.  It is pinched to drain water at service intervals.

The breather tube off the 77 was just barely too short and it had the wrong end on it.  Both ends on the 77 breather tube were the same.  One end of the 76 breather tube has an L on it.  the L had been cut off short so I just shoved the L into the 77 breather tube and electrical taped it all together.  I'm satisfied with this but I thought I'd mention what I did. 

The hose is ordinary hose.  The L connection on the filter box side is another part that adapts to the filter box nipple. (see page three of this thread)  Electrical tape will not last very long and is a temporary fix, at best.  But, I'd rely on it a couple weeks, I suppose, until you can get the correct right angle part.  Oil and gas vapors will dissolve the tape adhesive, and heat from the engine will soften the adhesive and make it lose grip, particularly if there is any stress involved.

The owners manual I have is for a 74.  It talks about greasing the back shocks using the grease nipples.  My grease nipples are just bolts...if someone could point me towards a PDF of the 76 cb550k I would appreciate it but a clarification on this topic will suffice.

You mean the swing arm pivot?  You should have a single grease nipple near center of the swing arm.  But, unless you have a bike lift, you need to stand on your head to see it.

Cheers,

[76 cb550]

sorry.  I hate making people repeat themselves. 

So I have to get the drain tube.  ok. 

If I'm reading correctly your saying that I should get a different angle piece for the breather tube?  Shouldn't the L be right and the breather hose be wrong?  If you said the electrical tape wouldn't work (which I kinda figured considering how long my ideas have lasted in the past ) I was planning on replacing the breather hose with a new (correct) one.

apparently I don't mean the swing arm pivot as I am suppose to have 2 grease nipples.  I'm pretty sure it specifically said rear shocks.  I can see where the grease nipples are suppose to be quite easily.  There are bolts instead of nipples.  I'll go look for the page in the manual and post it here.

EDIT:http://www.sohc4.net/files/74550OM.pdf
p79
I was wrong.  it's the rear fork bushings.  sorry about that.

[TwoTired]

If I'm reading correctly your saying that I should get a different angle piece for the breather tube?  Shouldn't the L be right and the breather hose be wrong?  If you said the electrical tape wouldn't work (which I kinda figured considering how long my ideas have lasted in the past ) I was planning on replacing the breather hose with a new (correct) one.

As far as I know, any breather hose for a CB550 will work 74 -78 regardless of model.  The part you need for the filter box is:
Piece, air cleaner joint,  17359-374-000

apparently I don't mean the swing arm pivot as I am suppose to have 2 grease nipples.  I'm pretty sure it specifically said rear shocks.  I can see where the grease nipples are suppose to be quite easily.  There are bolts instead of nipples.  I'll go look for the page in the manual and post it here.
I was wrong.  it's the rear fork bushings.  sorry about that.

"Rear fork" and "swing arm" mean the same thing to me.  Look for that single grease nipple near center of the "fork".

Cheers,

[76 cb550]

got a new breather hose.  Fits better.

Well I got brave and pulled the headlight off tonight.  Intimidating rats nest in there with lots and lots of broken and cracked insulation.  I think I can manage a rewire although I don't have the money for it right now... My question is on the headlight there is a plug that has three wires going into it.  Seen a lot of these kinds of connections just never taken one apart and put it back together before.  How do I remove the wires that are in there and rerun the new wire.

Fix one thing find another...How long does it take for that to stop on average? 

[TwoTired]

My question is on the headlight there is a plug that has three wires going into it.  Seen a lot of these kinds of connections just never taken one apart and put it back together before.  How do I remove the wires that are in there and rerun the new wire.

The headlight socket, right?  The terminals are springy.  On the side across from where the wire goes in, find something narrow to squeeze the terminal together, so it will clear the retention blocks.  Then, withdraw the terminal and wire from the socket.

Fix one thing find another...How long does it take for that to stop on average? 

Just enough time to overcome 32 years of abuse and neglect.

Cheers,

[76 cb550]

sorry my thread got pushed off the first page really quick so I started a new one specifically about the electrical issue.

OK I think I can manage pulling the wires outta the headlight socket.  What do I use to reconnect new wire?  Just a normal blade connector?


32 years of neglect...good point...I'm really enjoying working on the bike I just wish that I had been right about the "inexpensive ride" idea that I had going into this.

[TwoTired]

OK I think I can manage pulling the wires outta the headlight socket.  What do I use to reconnect new wire?  Just a normal blade connector?

The one I have in front of me here, has the wire soldered to the terminal.  Desolder old wire.  Solder on a new one.

32 years of neglect...good point...I'm really enjoying working on the bike I just wish that I had been right about the "inexpensive ride" idea that I had going into this.

If you're enjoying working on the bike, isn't it money well spent?
And, when you get it back as a reliable driver, won't the pride be worth something, too?
Further, you get the knowledge gained of repair principles, and the thrill of resurrecting what others thought was hopeless.
Also, with the knowledge gained from this odyssey, won't you be better equipped the next time you fancy such a venture?
Instant gratification is often forgotten just as quickly.
You'll not likely forget the lessons learned with this bike.  You simply haven't gotten to the "Rewards" part.  Patience., and enjoy the adventure!

Cheers,

[76 cb550]

I really envy your outlook TT.

I'm amazed that you can come on here everyday and answer the same questions and still keep such a wonderful perspective.

YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT

Pics will be in the new thread in a couple minutes