Author Topic: Long distance on a 1976 cb550k (Read 2583 times)

brianzenk · « **on:** July 09, 2009, 09:37:11 PM »

I'm planning a long distance ride on my cb550. The trip will be from Seattle to Missoula Montana, its about 477 miles. My question is has any one gone this distance and I could use advice concerning a trip of this length.

the technological J · « **Reply #1 on:** July 09, 2009, 10:03:34 PM »

i havnt but id take a good tool kit and make sure its tuned to the hilt

my78k · « **Reply #2 on:** July 09, 2009, 10:10:25 PM »

You wanna distance riding on a SOHC? PM andy750...that man has done more miles in one leg of his many trips than I have in a life time! Check out the tour reports section....lots of other guys doing it to (admittedly I don't know who was on a 550 but I think Shenanigans was for his tour)

Dennis

andy750 · « **Reply #3 on:** July 09, 2009, 10:20:17 PM »

This should work for you....

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=41994.0

More tours in "Travellers Reports" - found here:

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?board=61.0

Good luck and have a fun trip! Go with the attitude that something will break down on your bike and you might need to fix it...if nothing happens you will be pleasantly surprised

cheers
Andy

bryanj · « **Reply #4 on:** July 09, 2009, 10:39:07 PM »

Fit a new HD (but NOT "O" ring) chain and stop and adjust/lube regularly---like every fuel stop

andy750 · « **Reply #5 on:** July 09, 2009, 10:45:05 PM »

Quote from: bryanj on July 09, 2009, 10:39:07 PM

Fit a new HD (but NOT "O" ring) chain and stop and adjust/lube regularly---like every fuel stop

Id say once a day or every two days....thats 500 -1000 mile intervals. If you are doing every fuel stop (~100 miles) then something is wrong with your chain...however I dont want to argue with Bryan who is THE 550 expert!

cheers
Andy

tomkimberly · « **Reply #6 on:** July 09, 2009, 11:09:54 PM »

That is going to a very long haul down I-90. When you get to Spokane I'm sure you are going to be ready for a long break.

Continuing on the view is killer going over the rocky mountains. Are you planning on riding in the evening? I-90 in Montana is not a good place to ride in the dark.

If it was me, I would allow two days to travel that road and distance.

Tom

ev0lve · « **Reply #7 on:** July 09, 2009, 11:32:40 PM »

Wow. Missoula. Have made that trip in a day in a car no problem but everything between the Cascades and Idaho is a straight boring line. Google says 7 hours but I'd probably add 15 - 20 minutes every 100 miles or so.

Maybe see if you can fit a throttle stop/lever/whatever they're called? Other than your butt and assuming the bikes in good shape I'm thinking that's the only thing that would be problematic.

Shenanigans thread is here
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=41994.0

Really fun read

Edit: I see Andy already beat me to the link

anparkinson · « **Reply #8 on:** July 10, 2009, 12:06:09 AM »

I've done over 400 miles in a day on my 550K3. Cruised at 6,000rpm which is about 75 - 80 mph (where possible) on mine as I have geared it up 7% on the front sprocket. It ran like a dream.

No aches at all but did stop 3 times for fuel, food and a bit of a stretch.

Off to France on it in 2 weeks so more big distances....

andy750 · « **Reply #9 on:** July 10, 2009, 12:26:07 AM »

I went to France on a CB750F2....overnight on the Chunnel and then sped to Paris to see the girlfriend at the time....arrived at 4am to a warm welcome

...that night took it for a ride around the Peripherique....and Arc De Triomphe....an experience not to be missed....good roads out in Brittany and over in Alsace.

Have fun!

cheers
Andy

OldSchool_IsCool · « **Reply #10 on:** July 10, 2009, 03:27:14 AM »

Quote from: Iggy on July 09, 2009, 11:32:40 PM

Maybe see if you can fit a throttle stop/lever/whatever they're called? Other than your butt and assuming the bikes in good shape I'm thinking that's the only thing that would be problematic.

I have a device called a "CrampBuster" on my 550K3 and like it very much. It's not the type that locks down the throttle, rather it's a paddle-like device that lets you rest your palm on it. It at least gives you a choice on how to set your speed.

I got mine at a swap meet, but here is a link to an on-line vendor. You will need to decide on grip diameter and paddle size if you order one.

http://www.cruisercustomizing.com/detail.cfm?Category_ID=10&manufacturer_ID=284&product_ID=27727&sblid_name=Crampbuster_Oversized_Cruise_Assist___CB__________inch_diameter___Wide_Paddle___Throttle_Control

bryanj · « **Reply #11 on:** July 10, 2009, 04:38:43 AM »

Probably wont need adjusting as often as i said unless its raining but always a good idea to lokk and see! Also do the other infrequent check of oil level when you gas up, they can use more when run conistently hot

Milkman666 · « **Reply #12 on:** July 10, 2009, 06:57:13 AM »

I was on a road trip last week on my VTX 1300 to Winnepeg, Manitoba, and I ran into a guy doing the Vancouver to Montreal (I think) run on a 550. He'd only owned the bike for a couple of months too. Bike sounded good when I saw him north of Sault Ste. Marie though.

If you're that guy (said he'd been on the board before), let me know how you made out!

lowmileage · « **Reply #13 on:** July 10, 2009, 07:45:29 AM »

Have a good trip - ride safe

brianzenk · « **Reply #14 on:** July 10, 2009, 03:33:03 PM »

Thanks for the advice. I might be reconsidering the idea after a ride today. I got the #$%^ beat of of me with wind and my back hurts after an hour out there in messed up Seattle traffic. I might have to reconsider the idea due to age. Also the bike might no have enough get up a go to deal with some of the speed mongers I had to deal with today on I-5. Inner city and short runs no problem. Ok I admit it I probably will never be on any iron Butt lists. Thanks for the advice.

Sporkfly · « **Reply #15 on:** July 10, 2009, 03:45:38 PM »

Fit your bike with a windscreen, even a small one will make a huge difference over distance. A fairing would make for an even more comfortable ride - those touring guys don't just have them to look silly! I'm planning on going down to Illinois (about 527 miles) at some point this year as a friend recently married and I'd like to meet the bride; you'd better believe I'm getting a windscreen or half fairing before then.

DavePhipps · « **Reply #16 on:** July 10, 2009, 04:46:03 PM »

My advice/list

Tank Bag
Saddlebags optional.
map
cell phone
earplug, highway wind is loud after a while
Tool kit
Camera

Seattle traffic sucks untill you can hit an HOV lane.
Highway long distance is much easier.

/edit
I took my old 550 from Bloomington Indiana to Saratogo NY with no problems.

Mekun · « **Reply #17 on:** July 10, 2009, 05:32:01 PM »

Ear plugs is a must. After a ride to the coast and back my ears where ringing, that was only 60 miles one way.

brianzenk · « **Reply #18 on:** May 02, 2010, 11:05:40 PM »

Do you ever have that nagging question about how much gas is actually in the tank ? I'm planning to take the ride to Montana in June its around 490 miles from Seattle to Missoula, I chickened out last summer. If the bike breaks down this summer I'll find a U haul and bring it back, whatever. So this weekend I figured out the specifications were correct concerning the amount of gas in the tank. 3.7 gallons which is exactly what I measured out. Gas friggen stinks which was the worst part of the project - GAG. So when I looked into the tank there was still gas in there even below the reserve level. WTF 1 ? So I dumped that gas out and measured another 9 cups of gas below reserve, WTF 2. The gas tank is really 4.1 gallons. I had an extra petcock and cut the reserve tube off and put it all back together and poured the 9 cups back in to see what would happen and yes 9 cups a little more than a half gallon is just hanging out in there.

OldSchool_IsCool · « **Reply #19 on:** May 03, 2010, 03:18:00 AM »

Reserve tube? The stand pipe that sticks up from your petcock is your "main tank pickup" and is supposed to leave gas in the bottom. The reserve pickup is at the floor of the tank. Switching to reserve will access this stash of left over gas, but more importantly, lets you know it's time to fill up.

By cutting off the stand pipe, you've in essence turned the entire tank into "reserve" giving you no warning of an empty tank.

Fabricator · « **Reply #20 on:** May 03, 2010, 04:52:33 AM »

Old school nailed it. Main fuel standpipe is your pal!

If you had "9 cups" left, the problem is in the petcock, and it may have a clogged reserve port. Since the reserve is not something that sees regular use, it can happen. Your petcock seal could be in wrong, etc... Check that baby, you NEED a functioning reserve to prevent long walks. Good luck on the ride!

Fabricator

the technological J · « **Reply #21 on:** May 05, 2010, 08:31:10 AM »

if you need a new o ring take the bottom of your petcock to a hardware store and get an oring...... the smallest part form honda is 28 bucks

BeSeeingYou · « **Reply #22 on:** May 05, 2010, 09:26:45 AM »

Don't worry so much about how much fuel your tank has. On my cross country trips with my XS650 I knew I would run out at 150 miles and then have 25 on reserve so I reset the trip meter at each fill up. In 30K miles I never ran out of gas. It's not rocket science. Don't worry yourself out of the trip, just do it.

In the interest of full disclosure I did run out with my 750F in the first few hundred miles of ownership but the bike was new to me and I did not now how far it would run. Not as far as I thought.

A little tip: Take the highway 12 route from Lewiston, Idaho to Missoula. Stop off at Jerry Johnson Hot Springs near Lolo for a soak in a series of natural hot pools. This stretch of road is very scenic and should not be missed just check your gas as the last 80 or so miles there are no services.

Just to add to what some others have said. You don't want to be sucking out the last bit of gas in the tank even on reserve. You need a little buffer for water and other junk to stay and not be sucked into the carbs or clog you petcock.

ryder60 · « **Reply #23 on:** May 05, 2010, 10:50:21 AM »

I did Vancouver to Fargo, ND on my old 550 via the highway that runs west from Sedro Wolley. It doesn't take any maintenance beyond the usual you should be doing. Do not ride the interstate; that's torture. Yes, you can ride it in one day but don't, you'll be sorry. You will also find it easier if you don't try to ride extra fast. The product I use for my throttle hand is called a Throttle Rocker.

What gear are you taking with you. I use a tank bag, saddle bags and I have a Cdn. army sleeping bag carrier for the bag, the air mattress and a garbage bag of dirty clothing. I devote the tank bag to wet/cold weather gear. The bike gets one saddle bag for oil, chain lube and a sock holding tools. The other saddle bag is for my clothing and toiletries. I use a couple of cargo nets to hold the bag and small tent behind the seat. Don't put too much there because it'll tend to push you forward.

Keep changing positions cause your butt will go dead, don't let your shoulders and neck freeze up on you so stop when you need to and calculate your fuel and you'll not run out. Lube the chain at the end of the day with the bike running in gear up on the center stand and give it lots. You want the chain hot and it will clean and burn off the solvent and leave the wax.

The 550 is adequate but not near as good as my GS1000 for a highway trip. If you are going to do many long trips and can motel along the way the 550 should meet all your needs. Remember, it's not a rocket, don't try to make light speed.

seaweb11 · « **Reply #24 on:** May 05, 2010, 11:59:38 AM »

Quote from: ryder60 on May 05, 2010, 10:50:21 AM

Lube the chain at the end of the day with the bike running in gear up on the center stand and give it lots. You want the chain hot and it will clean and burn off the solvent and leave the wax.

Last thing you want to do at the end of a long day in the saddle, but it's the best time to do it

P.S. The more extra parts and tools you bring, the less you will need them.

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Author Topic: Long distance on a 1976 cb550k (Read 2583 times)