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Author Topic: 78' CB550 Issues  (Read 1429 times)

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CO280fx

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78' CB550 Issues
« on: June 23, 2008, 09:53:07 PM »
Recently bought this bike and it was running great for a while...  Motorcycle newbie, so please forgive my complete ignorance.  Can't find anyone local who will even look at the bike.  Problems started a few days ago, steady but slow oil leak became excessive and worrisome.  A few nights ago the red oil light came on as I downshifted into 1st, and the engine stalled.  I replenished the oil, and with some slight difficulty started up again.  Later that night after waiting at idle for 5 mins or so, I shifted into 1st to relocate the bike, it stalled out again.   Red light came on and stayed on.  Couldn't get it to restart after that, and ended up draining the battery trying.  The electric starter made a faint noise, but the engine wouldn't turn.  Kickstart initially felt normal, but wouldn't start.  Eventually, it lost all resistance to my kicks.  Like it was detached?!  I abandoned the bike outside the bar and walked home.  Came back in the morning and the same story--dead battery, kickstart felt no resistance.  Tried to jump/push start it to no avail.  Ended up pushing the bike 3/4 a mile home...let it sit all day.  That afternoon, I put the keys in and lo and behold the battery had a charge, used the kickstart and it fired right up on the first try.  Engine was running smooth as ever.  Went for a long ride to fully recharge the battery.  Parked it for the night.  Next day, went on a timid ride to the grocery store and the engine died while slowing down at an intersection, red light back on (but PLENTY of oil).  Let it sit in a parking lot for 30 mins, and it fired up no problem with electric starter.  Brought her back home and have just let her sit.  Again, please forgive my total ignorance.  What could be goin' on here?  I live in Boulder, CO if there happens to be anyone in the area willing to lend a hand, or a reccomendation (will compensate fairly). 

Thanks!
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Offline TwoTired

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Re: 78' CB550 Issues
« Reply #1 on: June 23, 2008, 10:04:46 PM »
Bike doesn't charge the battery at idle. In fact, it drains at idle the battery at idle.  You will have to run the engine at 5000 RPM for about 4-5 hours to recharge a dead battery.  Get yourself a battery tender to restore the battery to full charge.  If you still have other issues then work on them one at a time.

Cheers,
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Lloyd... (SOHC4 #11 Original Mail List)
72 500, 74 550, 75 550K, 75 550F, 76 550F, 77 550F X2, 78 550K, 77 750F X2, 78 750F, 79CX500, 85 700SC, GL1100

Those that learn from history are doomed to repeat it by those that don't learn from history.

Offline Gordon

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Re: 78' CB550 Issues
« Reply #2 on: June 23, 2008, 10:08:35 PM »
Sounds to me like you just have an almost dead battery, which could be just the battery or a charging system problem, but you can't diagnose a charging system issue very well without a good, fully charged battery. 

The oil light is supposed to be on when the ignition is on but the engine isn't running, so it's not a problem that it comes on when the engine dies. 

When you were trying to kick-start it but getting no resistance did you have the clutch lever pulled in?  It needs to be in neutral with the clutch engaged for the kick starter to work.   


edit:  Too slow...  TT gets his revenge! ;)
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Offline 78 k550

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Re: 78' CB550 Issues
« Reply #3 on: June 23, 2008, 10:09:39 PM »
PM me your #. I can swing up early evenings.

Paul
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Paul
Littleton, CO

76/77 CB 750F, 
75 GL1000, (AKA GL1-242 NGWClub),
76 GL1000 LTD
84 GL1200 Standard
6 Bultaco's= 42, 49, 121, 152, 167, 188

CO280fx

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Re: 78' CB550 Issues
« Reply #4 on: June 23, 2008, 10:40:30 PM »
Thanks for the quick replies.  Feeling pretty dumb about the kickstart issue now  :-[.  It fires up right away in neutral while engaged.  Two other issues that led to that confusion: difficulty getting the bike into neutral (tightness) and false neutral indications.  The battery seems to be dead or nearly dead now, but it's only a few weeks old and freshly charged, so probably a charging system issue?
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Offline TwoTired

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Re: 78' CB550 Issues
« Reply #5 on: June 23, 2008, 10:42:44 PM »
Quote from: CO280fx on June 23, 2008, 10:40:30 PM
Thanks for the quick replies.  Feeling pretty dumb about the kickstart issue now  :-[.  It fires up right away in neutral while engaged.  Two other issues that led to that confusion: difficulty getting the bike into neutral (tightness) and false neutral indications.  The battery seems to be dead or nearly dead now, but it's only a few weeks old and freshly charged, so probably a charging system issue?
Quote from: TwoTired on June 23, 2008, 10:04:46 PM
Bike doesn't charge the battery at idle. In fact, it drains at idle the battery at idle.  You will have to run the engine at 5000 RPM for about 4-5 hours to recharge a dead battery.  Get yourself a battery tender to restore the battery to full charge.  If you still have other issues then work on them one at a time.

Cheers,
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Lloyd... (SOHC4 #11 Original Mail List)
72 500, 74 550, 75 550K, 75 550F, 76 550F, 77 550F X2, 78 550K, 77 750F X2, 78 750F, 79CX500, 85 700SC, GL1100

Those that learn from history are doomed to repeat it by those that don't learn from history.

CO280fx

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Re: 78' CB550 Issues
« Reply #6 on: June 23, 2008, 10:52:46 PM »
thanks...
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Offline 78 k550

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Re: 78' CB550 Issues
« Reply #7 on: June 29, 2008, 07:56:34 PM »
Got John more familar with his bike.
The PO had the wrong carb to airbox boots so the 2 outer ones are sucking in raw air a little. Decent bike - the fairing :)
Much safer now a herd some loud clunking. further looking the rear adjuster on the right side was just hanging down. Got out the tool kit from Heffay's ride (350) and got it adjusted and did a little ride.

Paul

Pic of the ride on the highest paved residential road in North America. Magnolia Rd.

« Last Edit: June 29, 2008, 08:28:41 PM by 78 k550 »
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Paul
Littleton, CO

76/77 CB 750F, 
75 GL1000, (AKA GL1-242 NGWClub),
76 GL1000 LTD
84 GL1200 Standard
6 Bultaco's= 42, 49, 121, 152, 167, 188

Offline heffay

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Re: 78' CB550 Issues
« Reply #8 on: June 30, 2008, 12:19:12 PM »
checked out the bike yesterday... we're in need of a new set of carb intake boots w/ clamps...  anyone?


great ride and mexican food!!
« Last Edit: June 30, 2008, 12:21:08 PM by heffay »
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Today: '73 cb350f, '96 Ducati 900 Supersport
Past Rides: '72 tc125, '94 cbr600f2, '76 rd400, '89 ex500, '93 KTM-125exc, '92 zx7r, '93 Banshee, '83 ATC250R, 77/75 cb400f

Offline 78 k550

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Re: 78' CB550 Issues
« Reply #9 on: June 30, 2008, 12:35:22 PM »
Just called local Honda dealer. Not aval.
You cant just order the rubbers you need to order the housing.
Maybe Service Honda?

Paul
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Paul
Littleton, CO

76/77 CB 750F, 
75 GL1000, (AKA GL1-242 NGWClub),
76 GL1000 LTD
84 GL1200 Standard
6 Bultaco's= 42, 49, 121, 152, 167, 188

Offline heffay

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Re: 78' CB550 Issues
« Reply #10 on: June 30, 2008, 05:50:25 PM »
i'm working near longmont the next couple of days... maybe i can get in to the junk yards and see. 
my hopes are not high.
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Today: '73 cb350f, '96 Ducati 900 Supersport
Past Rides: '72 tc125, '94 cbr600f2, '76 rd400, '89 ex500, '93 KTM-125exc, '92 zx7r, '93 Banshee, '83 ATC250R, 77/75 cb400f
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