Topic: '77 Honda CB550 Supersport problem

[Narsist]

I am buying a bike off craigslist and i would like to know what you guys thought the problem might be...
the listing says.

This bike is a '77 Honda CB550 Supersport that has been converted to a cafe racer. it currently DOES NOT RUN, and im no mechanic but after taking it to my friend who works on dirt bikes, im pretty sure the problem either has to do with the starter or the transmission. when i try to start it electrically, it just clicks and when i try to kick start it, i get about 3/4 of the way down before the kick start just stops. i know it's not the battery because ive fully charged it. i know a great mechanic in hickory who specializes in vintage bikes and who would be more than happy to help anyone with the bike after purchasing it. i would have him fully rebuild it for me but all of my funds are tied up in other projects and bills.

really need this thing gone, gotta pay bills. cant take any trades at the moment ONLY other than plastics, parts and/or a power commander for an 00-01 honda cbr 929RR.

I have a lot of money tied up into this bike and it was working a couple weeks ago and although it is not working right now, it will be a perfect project for someone who wants a unique one-off cafe racer. you will be the only one with this bike. you will not find another bike this good cosmetically or this good looking for under 1000, running or not.

if this ad is still up, then the bike is still for sale/trade. please serious inquires only.

i called the guy and im picking it up tomorrow just wondering if what he said sounds like something specific or if you guys have any ideas. BTW yes it has a clear title and it looks great so i think its worth the 800 dollars im paying for it

thanks for the insight

Frank

[TwoTired]

Does not run and engine won't turn over.  As a guess, I say the PO was way over his head with anything mechanical,  and put the cam cover on wrong and bent some valves.  He has given up since is is going to cost to get it fixed.  He is dumping it on some unsuspecting buyer to get out from under his blunder.

[Narsist]

ok so lets say its a bad repair job and i have to replace/repair the head. I have rebuild b/c series Honda 4cyc engines with pretty good success but have no experience with cycle engines. What are we looking at for a rebuild of the motor or replacing it cost wise?

i got a pic of the bike i think even if i have to repair it, its still worth the 800 dollars what do you guys think

http://s96.photobucket.com/albums/l161/dreynolds20/?action=view&current=EOSpics2033.jpg  

[TwoTired]

To replace with new stuff, about a $1000.

If you get a used head w/valves maybe $100 and another $100 for a gasket set.  Labor is, of course extra.  1/2 to 1 days work for a professional, all parts in hand.

[Narsist]

thanks for the reply and info

Do you know any part sources for used parts ?

frank

[Flying J]

ebay will have everything you need or you can look in the parts for sale. People are often parting out bikes on here. Or post in the parts wanted area. Between those three you could likely build a bike from scratch.

[Narsist]

ok so i talked to the guy again he said that he was having starter problems(it was staying engaged) before the bike stopped working. Could the starter breaking up make the bikes engine/fly wheel (or whatever a starter on a bike turns) get stuck.

just wondering if you guys have ever heard of this?

thanks
frank

[the technological J]

if ur interested in working on it... u could prob talk him down a little( show up with cash) and keep ur eyes peeled for a parts bike its the best way to go.... but  get used to sppending or working on bikes theres everything u need on this site for help... welcome aboard i hope

unless the bike is in absolutly pristine condition 800 is alot for a nonrunning bike... where u from?

[Flying J]

I just bought a non running 77 cb550F for $350. It came with pink slip. Does your have the paperwork? All the one i bought needed was the points adjusted and new tires. Go check it out. Kick it over yourself. You dont have to buy it on sight. Find out what you can and then come back and let us know what you find. I can almost guarantee that bike is not going anywhere for 800.

[TwoTired]

ok so i talked to the guy again he said that he was having starter problems(it was staying engaged) before the bike stopped working. Could the starter breaking up make the bikes engine/fly wheel (or whatever a starter on a bike turns) get stuck.

just wondering if you guys have ever heard of this?

thanks
frank

The starter motor engages via a one way roller clutch.  Those don't seize very easily.
Staying engaged is probably the solenoid getting stuck on, or the starter switch in the bars has fallen to pieces.

Neither of these faults explain the kick start getting stuck.  That thing works via the trans.  And fixing that will likely mean taking the lower cases apart after it is removing the engine from the frame.

[Narsist]

Ok guys i took your advise and took a look at it and what he said is what i saw you kick it and it goes down 3/4 of the way and stops. its a good looking bike i talked to the guy and i think he will come down.
take a look at the pics and see what you guys think.


http://charlotte.craigslist.org/mcy/1388284523.html


Also is there any Western NC guys out there.


 

[Flying J]

It is a nice bike but, i would go into it assuming you will be doing a full rebuild of the motor. Parts are not hard to find but do you want a bike to ride now, or do you mind spending money, time and money working on the bike? Other then that its a nice bike by the pictures.

[TwoTired]

Looks like he spent all the money on facade and not much on what makes a motorcycle a MOTORcycle.

If you want to pay money for a facade of a motorcycle then go for it.

If the motor won't turn over, I'd have to assume it is trash, which means it is a parts bike, or you will have to get another parts bike to make one whole motor cycle.

To eliminate a kick start mechanism issue, put the bike into 5th gear  (If you can get to 5th by rocking the bike fore and aft), let the clutch out and see if the rear wheel can make the engine turn over through a four stroke cycle (2 revolutions).  If not, I wouldn't pay for the motor in that bike, I don't care how pretty it is to you.  You will have to buy another motor for the bike, or enough parts and the time to remove repair and reinstall the damaged one that is now in the bike.

There is something about how the CL add was worded that leaves me full of distrust about his assessment of the bike, and he is looking to get as much for a machine he has determined as hopeless, from anyone willing to buy a facade instead of a motorcycle.

Add up the parts value that you see on it that you like.  That is how much it is worth to you.

[Flying J]

TwoTired its not even good as a parts bike because of all the cafe stuff, huh?

[TwoTired]

TwoTired its not even good as a parts bike because of all the cafe stuff, huh?

Cafes are nice to look at and awful to ride any distance.  I don't think anyone gets a cafe for the long term.  Something to flip and make money at, as in this example.  Or, to fill an emotional gap til a nicer bike comes along.
IMO

I already asked in a thread who had the oldest cafe conversion still riding. 
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=45449.msg475167#msg475167

[Shenanigans]

TwoTired its not even good as a parts bike because of all the cafe stuff, huh?

Cafes are nice to look at and awful to ride any distance.  I don't think anyone gets a cafe for the long term.  Something to flip and make money at, as in this example.  Or, to fill an emotional gap til a nicer bike comes along.
IMO

I already asked in a thread who had the oldest cafe conversion still riding. 
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=45449.msg475167#msg475167

You know, I was going to type up a long response in defense of that style of bikes and that if you could find a decent engine (and get the bike at a reasonable, say, 400$) it would be a decent deal. Also that there are people that actually ride them long distances and plan on keeping them for a very long time... not to just fill some short term "emotional gap"

...But then I opened the link and saw "59" painted on the side.

 

[the technological J]

its a pretty parts bike if u can find a running bike for cheap and wanta trade out the parts and aquire that for cheap it might be worth it but if this is ur first bike get something that u can ride home even it stalls at everys stop because those problems are easily fixable but this bike seems like a big bite to take and i wouldnt buy it for more than 400... if u have ur heart set on it tell him what u think  the problem is and why your offering him that price the worse he can do is say no

[Toxic]

It's unanimous it's worth half what he is asking.  It's strictly a parts donnor bike.

You are either doing a full engine build or buying another bike that runs perfect and swapping parts.

Do you have the skills to do a full motor build?

[Narsist]

wow thanks for the responses guys.

Im still not sure about the bike I think i just like the fact that its got the basic stuff i want to do to a bike on it . I have found a running cb550(owner says engine just got rebuilt) but its ruff around the edges (tank primered torn seat ect)but no rust. It was in a shed for 8 years and he got it out this summer and got the engine rebuilt. 500 dollars is not much i have a 2000 beginning limit on it and i know i can bolt on stuff instead of "learning" how to rebuild a motorcycle engine (i was in the military i can polish a shine on #$%*) on question what is the difference between a cb550k and a cb550f? also does anyone know where to getthe exhaust rap BLACK and what type of exhast is on the bike i linked ?

Thanks guys  

[the technological J]

exaust wrap on ebay get the 2inch by 100