Topic: New here with a CB550 Problem

[DJDAudio]

First every search I did on google brought me to this forum where I have learned allot!

So I decided to join up.

Recently I had a CB550E motor dropped off on my door step, it was going to the scrap yard and a friend of mine said take it or it is scrap.

IT was built into a crude gocart frame.

I pulled every plug and cleaned and gaped it. I then checked each coil and wired it up.

Last, Pulled apart each carb and did a thorough cleaning. One Jet was clogged completely.


Here is my question,

The clutch linkage seems to be very weak, as in almost will not return on its own power.

When running the clucth will do nothing. IT will slam into gear and I have no way of removing power from the rear wheels.

Any thoughts?

By guess is this engine has sat in a garage for a good 10 years without running. ( judging by the varnish, that was once gas in the carbs. haha

Here is a picture of it,



And here is the project //rat rod tractor   That it is going into.

A 1963 Jacobson Tractor



And while on topic, Any thought as to why it will only run at full choke? Normally this is a sign of starving for fuel, but I just cleaned the carbs.

[fastbroshi]

  Maybe your floats need to be adjusted??  Wouldn't hurt to check then and see where they're JUSTcontacting the the needle valve to make them open.  Idle circuits may still be plugged; did you pull ALL the jets when you cleaned them??

[Ecosse]

just in to welcome you to the forum.

[1timduke]

How much range of motion is in the clutch lever on the case?   It may not be fully engaging when you pull the lever.

I'd keep it in the go cart frame, lower C of G means better cornering, right?

This project looks like a real treat, I can't wait to see it all together!

Yeah, if the carbs sat in gas for a long time, they're definitely in need of a thorough cleaning and carb sync.

-Tim

[DJDAudio]

  Maybe your floats need to be adjusted??  Wouldn't hurt to check then and see where they're JUSTcontacting the the needle valve to make them open.  Idle circuits may still be plugged; did you pull ALL the jets when you cleaned them??

Thanks for the quick reply. The fact that it does not like to idle is a good point!

Here is a quick Video, Forgive me I am a novice when it comes to Motorcycle engines haha.

I cleaned one of the jets. the one center large one that comes apart.

The secondary smaller jet does not look to come apart?

[DJDAudio]

How much range of motion is in the clutch lever on the case?   It may not be fully engaging when you pull the lever.

I'd keep it in the go cart frame, lower C of G means better cornering, right?

This project looks like a real treat, I can't wait to see it all together!

Yeah, if the carbs sat in gas for a long time, they're definitely in need of a thorough cleaning and carb sync.

-Tim

Thank you, this has been a fun project thus far, the tractor has been lowered 7.5" and the front axle flipped and raked out.


The clutch lever if it was a clock face looking at it ( carbs up to the left)



The lever at rest will sit at 7 and when fully lifted will sit at 9 so in total about 1" of travel.

[fastbroshi]

I cleaned one of the jets. the one center large one that comes apart.

The secondary smaller jet does not look to come apart?

That's the main. You're talking about the one in the center that is an interference fit, correct?  The idle is the smaller one that screws out, if it's anything like my 069A's.  Yours look different though, but I'm pretty sure they jets are the same type.  The identifying marks can be found on the body of the carb.  If you follow the neck of the carb down to the flange where the intake boot goes it should be right about there, stamped into the body.  Which ones do you have?

[DJDAudio]

I cleaned one of the jets. the one center large one that comes apart.

The secondary smaller jet does not look to come apart?

That's the main. You're talking about the one in the center that is an interference fit, correct?  The idle is the smaller one that screws out, if it's anything like my 069A's.  Yours look different though, but I'm pretty sure they jets are the same type.  The identifying marks can be found on the body of the carb.  If you follow the neck of the carb down to the flange where the intake boot goes it should be right about there, stamped into the body.  Which ones do you have?

I will go take a look!


Had some fun last night a friend of mine helped me set the motor into the tractor for a test fit, WOW it is going to be tight!

http://www.djdlabs.com/TRACTOR2/


I need to make the frame wider and lower the motor down into it.

Also need to get a good length of chain. Any idea what type drive chain they use? I can always get the micrometers out and spend an hour going through a mcmaster catalog haha.

[Zaipai]

Now that you have it in the tractor, you will need to get that gas tank a bit higher, either lower the motor or raise the tank so the fuel flow is a little better. Are you re-gearing the tractor? Will it be for hauling or just to get it to go fast?

[DJDAudio]

Now that you have it in the tractor, you will need to get that gas tank a bit higher, either lower the motor or raise the tank so the fuel flow is a little better. Are you re-gearing the tractor? Will it be for hauling or just to get it to go fast?

The gas tank is going to be relocated to where the battery is now and the motor will be dropped 2.5" for where it is now.

I am replacing the rear end with a solid live axle. It will have the same exact ratio as the stock CB550 even tire size is only 0.25" shorter haha.

Also the weight will be with motor 660Lbs.

So it should be a good quick ride. Mind you I would not want to go 100MPH on a tractor haha Just knowing I could makes me feel warm and fuzzy on the inside.

[DJDAudio]

Here is the Tractor with the 'Stock' 8HP Kohler engine. Top speed in top gear was 28.8MPH

[Zaipai]

Lol, yea perhaps you should name the tractor death wish, cause you would need one to even think about 100 mph. You will need to throw some air filter(s) on it, the stock one would be best, it may help with the choke problem, not sure where you would put it tho.

Good luck, I will be watching this build as its kinda what I always wanted to do but never did..

P.S. how'd she handle at 28mph? Also your neighbors are just going to LOVE you once that CB550 motor is in an humming.

[DJDAudio]

And here it is running with no exhaust in case you ever wondered what it sounded like. I don't like doing this to an engine for long, so it is a quick video.

[DJDAudio]

Lol, yea perhaps you should name the tractor death wish, cause you would need one to even think about 100 mph. You will need to throw some air filter(s) on it, the stock one would be best, it may help with the choke problem, not sure where you would put it tho.

Good luck, I will be watching this build as its kinda what I always wanted to do but never did..

P.S. how'd she handle at 28mph? Also your neighbors are just going to LOVE you once that CB550 motor is in an humming.

It is actually a very pleasant ride at speed. The tractor is from the 60's so everything is 1/4" to 1/2" cast so it is SOLID!

The steering was stiffened so now there is now only 1/16" of play in the total steering assembly. Better then I think it was stock haha.

And yes something about a large steel tractor going that fast that puts a little doubt as to your well being in the back of your mind.

And yes, a Engine friend of mine mentioned that a little vacuum is needed from the drag generated by the air filter assembly. So I will have to fabricate an intake plenum for it.