Author Topic: I think I got a good deal.... we'll see (Read 8293 times)

MgMt CB550K · « **on:** March 26, 2008, 06:06:13 AM »

Hey guys I haven't been on much through the New England winter but it's good to be back. I been looking for bikes on craig's list through the winter and found a 1976 CB550 listed for $200. So I went in with a low ball offer of $135 (for some reason it sounded better than $130) and the guy took it. So that was some good news but of course there is some bad news to go along with that.

The Bad

There is no air filter/box/chamber and it looks like the PO ran her with nylon stockings zip tied to the end of the carbs. Im hoping that not alot of stuff got into the egine running it like that.
The PO lost the key so he then removed the ignition and put a toggle switch under the seat which seems to act like a kill switch
The wiring looks like a mess and there is no spark.
There is some rust but it isn't all that bad and it looks like I need to coat the tank
There are no hand controlls(blinkers,high/low beam, start, horn, all that good stuff)

The Good

It was only $135
The head light and tail light work
The tires are good
All the side panels are there

So I am going to start picking away at all the issues probably starting with trying to get some spark. I think I am going to start with trying to see if my ignition coils are good and checking to see what the wiring looks like for the Run/Stop switch that is usually on teh handle bars unless anyone has other suggestions? I will also get some pictures up in the next couple of days. Oh and it has about 20,000 miles $:-\$

trav72 · « **Reply #1 on:** March 26, 2008, 09:14:56 AM »

Sounds like a decent deal to me. Need pics

KB02 · « **Reply #2 on:** March 26, 2008, 09:44:00 AM »

SOunds like this thing needs some love (and is going to get it).

PICS! PICS! PICS! (I know you said they're coming, I'm just impatient.

)

MgMt CB550K · « **Reply #3 on:** March 26, 2008, 11:48:28 AM »

Quote from: KB02 on March 26, 2008, 09:44:00 AM

PICS! PICS! PICS! (I know you said they're coming, I'm just impatient. )

For those who are impatient

I had this photo on my phone of the bike when i picked it up. I will still get some more pics of ripping her apart and all the other fun activities.

Triffecpa · « **Reply #4 on:** March 26, 2008, 12:52:53 PM »

Get an automotive 12v test light and start at the battery and make sure that you have power thru the toggle switch and to the coils. One side of the coils should always have power. The other side grounds to the coils. check for power at the points. then I usually unscrew the spark plug caps and cut 1/4" off the end of the wire and reinstall the cap. use new plugs. In a pinch, you can run a hot lead off the battery (thru an inline fuse) to your "toggle switch" and then to the hot side of the coils.

TR

MgMt CB550K · « **Reply #5 on:** March 27, 2008, 06:17:56 AM »

I have been searching eBay for parts and have found several ignitions with keys up for sale but I'm not sure if any of them are going to work for my '76. A lot of the ignitions have a 4 prong female plug at the end. Does anyone know if this will work for me? Thanks

DCopp · « **Reply #6 on:** March 27, 2008, 12:43:25 PM »

i've got a key,ign for a 74 550 I'll sell ya...pm me

fuzzybutt · « **Reply #7 on:** March 27, 2008, 01:45:30 PM »

paint doesnt look too bad either.

MgMt CB550K · « **Reply #8 on:** April 04, 2008, 05:53:16 AM »

Hey guys I know I haven't gotten any pictures up yet besides that one but I haven't been working on it all that much since I haven't re arranged my shed from winter storage to work area. But I have been going a little crazy buying things on eBay

So far I have gotten a set of front/rear blinkers, right/left hand controls, and an ignition switch thanks to DCopp.

But last night when I was tinkering around with my left hand controls and ignition I have decided that it might make my life A LOT easier to replace my wiring harness The ignition and the hand controls all have the plugs but there is no plug on the wiring harness to go to!!! I know the wires are probably there somewhere but the PO seem to have just gone Edward Scissor hands on this thing.

So my biggest question now is, what year and model can I get a wiring harness off of? My bike is a 76 CB550 but I have only found harnesses for 78's and recently I have found one for a 75 CB550 and a 75 CB550 super sport on eBay. Would any of those work? Are the wiring harnesses basically the same through the years? I need some help with this one. Thanks guys.

MgMt CB550K · « **Reply #9 on:** April 10, 2008, 05:43:31 AM »

well I think I have gotten most of the parts I need to really start working on this thing. I just scored a wiring harness off of a 75 for about $13 including shipping off of eBay. So once that comes in I think I will be in business and really be able to make some progress. Next time I got out and work on it I swear I will take more pics.

bill440cars · « **Reply #10 on:** April 10, 2008, 08:42:33 AM »

Seems like you got a decent return for $135, to me. Getting your stuff together just takes a bit of time and it sounds like you are getting on with things okay. Good Luck with that one too!

Take care, Bill

754 · « **Reply #11 on:** April 10, 2008, 09:22:09 AM »

is that another,

formerly owned by PRINCE bike??

running>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

good deal tho..

MgMt CB550K · « **Reply #12 on:** April 10, 2008, 10:04:59 AM »

Quote

is that another,

formerly owned by PRINCE bike??

Hahahaha you would think so by looking at it!! The pictures on Craig's list made it look blue!

Even though I really love purple

I think my plan is to paint it a flat green color or something like that. One of my buddies thinks I should go flat black but I have seen enough flat black bikes. Nothing against them, I just want to do something different

MgMt CB550K · « **Reply #13 on:** April 16, 2008, 08:28:29 PM »

Hey guys with the nicer weather here in the New England area I have been in the shed tinkering for a bit. But I still haven't made much progress on the new bike. This friday I am supposed to be getting a wiring harness that I won off of ebay for $12, lets just hope it works.

But finally here are some pics of the bike.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25737879@N02/sets/72157604577686456/

Just for kicks here is my other bike that I cleaned up this spring and last fall...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25737879@N02/sets/72157604582225211/

MgMt CB550K · « **Reply #14 on:** May 13, 2008, 06:07:35 PM »

So I have started to try and work through the wiring mess that I have with this bike and so far it has been going ok. I have a wiring diagram, beer, and I have been matching colors up in the front of the bike. My main issue now is the back part of the wiring, like under the left side panel. It seems like it should be easy and the plugs should just plug in but I have only been able to connect one of the plugs and now I have two plugs on my wiring harness and one plug coming from the panel but they are all female ends.

I tried to take some pictures a little while ago and put some letters to the pieces that I need matched up. So far I know that A goes to A but im not sure where E and F go or what should plug into H. I can take more pictures if needed.

This is not the original wiring harness. I got it off of Ebay and it is supposed to be off of a 75 CB550.

TwoTired · « **Reply #15 on:** May 13, 2008, 06:50:05 PM »

I can't make out the wire colors.

I guess I can go look at my collection...when I get time.

You have a 77 550 K model and you want to graft a 75 CB550 (F or K?) harness right?

Cheers,

fastbroshi · « **Reply #16 on:** May 13, 2008, 07:04:19 PM »

Attack of the ape hangers, noooooo! JK, but please take that mud flap off! Good score for that much. And I have a set of bars you can have if you need them.

MgMt CB550K · « **Reply #17 on:** May 13, 2008, 08:10:38 PM »

Quote

You have a 77 550 K model and you want to graft a 75 CB550 (F or K?) harness right?

The bike I am trying to wire is a 76 CB550 (it doesn't say F or K on the stem like my other bike so I don't know) and I believe I am using a wiring harness from a '75.

I do have a 77 CB550k that I have been using for a little bit of refference but for this it's not giving me much.

Quote

Shocked Attack of the ape hangers, noooooo! JK, but please take that mud flap off! Good score for that much. And I have a set of bars you can have if you need them.

Haha I know, don't worry the bars are already gone. What kind of bars do you have? Im thinking of going cafe on this one since I have a clean stock bike already and this thing is FAR from clean and stock!

fastbroshi · « **Reply #18 on:** May 13, 2008, 08:42:52 PM »

Stock type, off of a '78 550k.

TwoTired · « **Reply #19 on:** May 13, 2008, 10:18:56 PM »

Quote from: MgMt CB550K on May 13, 2008, 08:10:38 PM

The bike I am trying to wire is a 76 CB550 (it doesn't say F or K on the stem like my other bike so I don't know) and I believe I am using a wiring harness from a '75.

If is doesn't say F on the headstock badge, its a K.

I don't have a 76 K model 550. And, I'm not sure I've ever seen one up close. I do have 75 K model. The red connector (E) goes to a starter motor safety switch box. Your F labeled connector goes to a three position Fuse box.

I can post a picture, if needed. But, if you don't have the 75 parts to mate with your 75 harness, it probably won't do much good. I'd guess that you might be able to move the your old 76 fuse block connector to the 75 harness by extracting/inserting terminals.

You should compare the 75 and 76 wire diagrams.

Cheers,

MgMt CB550K · « **Reply #20 on:** May 14, 2008, 10:24:17 AM »

Where can I find specific modle/year wiring diagrams? I have a standard CB550 wiring diagram that I have been using for some refference but im not sure what year it is really for. I got it from...

http://oldmanhonda.com/MC/WiringDiagrams/MCwiring.php#class

I will try to get some good close up shots of the wires and plugs that I have so the colors stand out. I am assuming that I will need to create some connections but im just not sure where to.

Muk · « **Reply #21 on:** May 14, 2008, 10:28:57 AM »

I have an an airbox with boots and a couple extra seats 1 in near perfect condition if your interested for your budget bike

MgMt CB550K · « **Reply #22 on:** May 14, 2008, 11:47:03 AM »

Quote

I have an an airbox with boots and a couple extra seats 1 in near perfect condition if your interested for your budget bike

Thanks Muk I will let you know if I need a seat. At this point I am really trying to just get it running and then go from there.

Quote

I can post a picture, if needed. But, if you don't have the 75 parts to mate with your 75 harness, it probably won't do much good.

TwoTired, After thinking about it any pictures that you can post for me would be helpful. The starter motor safety switch box is pretty tiny with a 2 wires going to it right? I saw something like that on the wiring panel and I have yet to connect that up to any new wiring. I also have a male connector that I might be able to use if I know what i cut off and where to plug it $:-\$

TwoTired · « **Reply #23 on:** May 14, 2008, 02:37:37 PM »

Here's a pic of my 75 550K.

MgMt CB550K · « **Reply #24 on:** May 14, 2008, 03:51:30 PM »

So the blue/faded gray box above the fuses is my starter motor safety switch box? The one on mine is smaller, maybe it isn't stock? Will a switch from a 75 work on mine? I will get a picture of it tonight and I have cleaned up the wiring a bit.

Thanks TwoTired

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Author Topic: I think I got a good deal.... we'll see (Read 8293 times)

trav72

fuzzybutt