Author Topic: 1976 CB550 F - First Bike, First Build (now with photos) (Read 13521 times)

JoshuaJames · « **on:** November 07, 2009, 01:10:19 PM »

Hi,
I am new to this forum, motorcycle ownership, and mechanics (zero experience with all of the above). As a result, I was hoping to get a helping hand from some of you knowledgeable forum members. I just bought a 1976 CB550F from JCMotorsports (great guy, made this purchase very easy for me). Quick question, what should I do first? Battery, carbs, wiring, engine, starter........ I have no idea where to begin, and I am looking for some guidance. Any tips would help.

If someone could point me in the right direction, that would be great!

Photos, intentions, and updates to follow.

thanks

Stev-o · « **Reply #1 on:** November 07, 2009, 01:20:18 PM »

Congrats on buying a great bike! [I recently bought the same model too].

First thing I did was fire it up and see how it ran. I then made a list of parts needed and started disassembly and cleaning it up. There are a lot of parts available for these bikes but not necessarily from Honda [from this forum and ebay].

I suggest the same for you and good luck.

Let's see the pics!

-Steve

JoshuaJames · « **Reply #2 on:** November 07, 2009, 05:51:46 PM »

good idea, problem is, I have no battery in yet, and the carbs came seprately. i just bought a battery, only to learn that I have to charge it, I will do this tomorrow.

Should I begin by pulling the engine out and going through it bit by bit? Or should I just leave it in and work on it while it is still on the frame?

If I have the engine out, and the battery in, could I do all the wiring and make sure that the lights, horn work? Or, do I need the engine in for this?

thanks for the help and quick responses. Photos will be posted tomorrow.

78whiteorbs · « **Reply #3 on:** November 07, 2009, 07:12:44 PM »

I'd check for compression first and slap the carbs on and see how it runs first. Then go through it one section at a time. electrical(check for spark and set and adjust the points gap and advance), clean carbs(get a carb kit and soak all your carb parts in cleaner) , fuel systems (check your tank for rust and check petcock for functionality) Then trouble shoot when you hit a snag. If you just go pulling stuff apart you are gonna end up cutting teeth on this bike ,but you will prolly do that anyways !

We all have at one point or another. Enjoy it ! And post pictures and ask questions and learn . 550's are cool bikes , I just parted with a 75' and really enjoyed riding and working on that bike~

JoshuaJames · « **Reply #4 on:** November 08, 2009, 08:51:15 AM »

Okay, so I have a battery and the carbs sitting on my work table.

Battery - I need to fill it with acid and buy a charger to charge it. Any idea what these cost? Hopefully I will get this done today, and install the battery. I am praying that some lights come on when I do so.

Carbs - I need a step by step on getting these cleaned and re installed. I have read that lemon juice has worked for most people, so I think I will try that (free) method. However, I do not know what to take off the carbs, what to leave on, how to get the parts that need to come off actually off, etc...... I know nothing!!! lol. If anyone has a website, or PDF, or video, or something that could point me in the right direction, that would be great

thanks

strynboen · « **Reply #5 on:** November 08, 2009, 09:13:51 AM »

try to find somone to help you..its hard to start alone,,lots of peaple likes to vork for free,,to save a old honda,,,and give you right direktion im vork...its kan easy go vrong ,,specali in begening....sorry i am on the other side of atlantic,,så luck to you..

Stev-o · « **Reply #6 on:** November 08, 2009, 11:55:03 AM »

Battery chargers can be had for as little as $25 for a small one adequate for your Honda battery.
If you have a car/truck, you may consider getting a larger one so you cab use it for all vehicles, and the nice ones have a postion you can set it on to start a vehicle with a dead battery.

Carb rebuilding is not to be taken lightly and I would not normally recomend to be taken on by a "rookie".
Here is some good required reading:

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=5410.0

Suggestion: get the battery charged and installed. Install the carbs and try to fire it up, it may surprise you!
If it won't fire, check spark, fuel delivery and compression.

Good Luck,
-Steve

PS Where are you located? (you may be close to another forum member that may be willing to help)

JoshuaJames · « **Reply #7 on:** November 08, 2009, 12:10:54 PM »

thanks for the info, I will give that a try tomorrow after work (battery is charging now, takes 6 hours).

should I just rinse the carbs out in some soapy water then, and reinstall? They have some dirt in them, but are pretty clean otherwise. I need to print a diagram on how to reinstall. i will try the battery and carbs tomorrow.

I am located in Mississauga, near Erin Mills Town Centre. Anyone in the area?

thanks

manjisann · « **Reply #8 on:** November 08, 2009, 01:43:30 PM »

There are some basic questions here that need answers before you do much else. First what are your plans for this bike? If you just want it as a daily runner and like how it looks cosmetically now, then do as little as you can and get riding. Take it slowly and for heavens sake don't tear into the carbs unless you must. Carbs aren't difficult once you understand them, but they can easily become a nightmare.

In all honesty the biggest question is what the plans are, and does it run right now, once the battery and carbs are in. That being said, read tons, and have fun. I only started on motorcycles a year and a half ago, i'm only moderately mechanically inclined, but I firmly believe that anyone is capable of fixing and maintaining these old beauties if they are willing to put in some time and have some patience.

Also, buy a manual and read it a couple times, it's really a must.

Brandon

nvr2old · « **Reply #9 on:** November 08, 2009, 11:26:40 PM »

I totally agree about getting an official Honda manual for it, first and foremost. Clymers and Haynes don't cover the steps nearly as well as a Honda manual. It'll tell you step by step how to do whatever you need to. Find out if it runs. Do a leak down and compression test. If all is well do a complete tune and service. Adjust the valves, put in new points and plugs, set the timing. No need to go into the motor or the carbs until you have to. These engines run a long time when maintained correctly. It might be easier and cheaper in the long run to have a Honda tech check it out for you so you know where you stand before just tearing into it.

wardenerd · « **Reply #10 on:** November 09, 2009, 06:51:50 AM »

ADVICE FROM ANOTHER NEWBY
I am not really mechanically inclined but I have repaired everything on my 77 myself except carbs.. It was running, sometimes but barely. I cleaned and repainted everything. I cleaned every contact point for the electrical system ignition and running gear. Corrosion is an issue on these old bikes. Careful of the brakes . I was riding mine when the front brake seased while being applied . fortunately I was at a stop light. Rebuilding the master cylinder and caliper are simple with new parts. Cables, Lube and inspect them. I had a throttle cable break on a ride . I have replaced them all. Inspect and lube your chain. Switches the right hand switch on my bike was poorly repaired and I replaced it. Left hand switch was cleaned and is OK. Check the tank and the petcock. I relined my gas tank and my bike had a homemade petcock which I replaced Don't half ass repair anything. It will only break down again shortly. Remember these are gravity fed fuel systems so fuel line routing and a clean fuel system is critical

PARTS shop parts! not everthing on EBAY is cheap some parts are still available from Honda and on occassion these factory parts are cheaper than EBAY. Get to know the parts guys at the dealership they know alot about these bikes.
I rebuilt the carbs and the bike ran but very unevenly and I ended up taking it to a local motorcycle mechanic and he rebuilt them and did a great and expensive job $300. Thes bikes have 4 carbs and is is old technology. I paid $500 for my bike and have spent another $1000 on it. Knowing what I know now I would have spent more upfront for a better starting point. I have thoroughly enjoyed my 6 month odyssey and now it is winter and I am repainting when it gets too cold to ride. My local Honda shop does not work on any bikes over 10 years old.

j-conn · « **Reply #11 on:** November 09, 2009, 01:16:30 PM »

its kind of a requirement to ask advice you need to post pics...
jk
(but seriously... we'd love to see it!)

JoshuaJames · « **Reply #12 on:** November 21, 2009, 05:25:49 PM »

sorry for the lack of activity, been away for the last 10 days. Here are some updates, with photos:

got the exhaust off (4 - 1, which I do not want), started looking at the wiring, oil chain, filter change, bought new spark plugs (having trouble getting the old ones out though, my spark plug took will not fit, any suggestions?)

mystic_1 · « **Reply #13 on:** November 22, 2009, 05:38:38 AM »

Looks like you've got some aftermarket finned covers on there, nice little bonus.

Your intakes look like they were capped with duct tape when the carbs were pulled, this is actually a good sign as many motors get ruined from sitting with the intakes open and water gets in to rust up the internals. Peek in through there to see what's going on.

As far as getting the spark plugs out, the OEM spark plug tool works best. See attached pic. You can find similar tools at the hardware store in the lawnmower or snow blower isle.

mystic_1

JoshuaJames · « **Reply #14 on:** November 22, 2009, 11:46:00 AM »

thanks for the advice, I will take a look.

Anyone know what size pod filters I would need for this bike? I have seen 39-41mm, and would like to know for sure.

thanks

Stev-o · « **Reply #15 on:** November 22, 2009, 02:41:06 PM »

Interested in exhaust, sent PM...

-Steve

steamnjn23 · « **Reply #16 on:** November 22, 2009, 09:45:23 PM »

start here:
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=17788.0
and here:
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=426.0

JoshuaJames · « **Reply #17 on:** November 24, 2009, 06:12:20 PM »

okay, so i have the oil changed, carbs back on, new spark plugs waiting to be installed, temporary gas tank set up, battery......I need to get an air filter still. Anything else I should check or do before trying to turn it over?

mystic_1 · « **Reply #18 on:** November 24, 2009, 07:48:39 PM »

Quote from: nvr2old on November 08, 2009, 11:26:40 PM

Adjust the valves, put in new points and plugs, set the timing.

Do these. Might not necessarily need new points and condensors but at the very least, clean and adjust them.

mystic_1

Narsist · « **Reply #19 on:** November 24, 2009, 10:03:32 PM »

it might just be me but every time i start a motor for the first time after its been sitting for a while I.

1 Check valve clearance
2 check cam chain tension
3 Put a squirt of marvel/or Wd-40 in each cylinder to help make sure those rings wanna slide

Its better to be safe than sorry

Have fun

BTW where are you located there might be some people on here that would be willing to get dirty for some beer on a saturday.

Later
Frank

Narsist · « **Reply #20 on:** November 24, 2009, 10:13:27 PM »

NM the last question just saw you said your a Canuck (but we wont hold that against you) Ontario right?

its all aboot helping each other out

let us know how it turns out when you kick it for the first time

Later
Frank

mystic_1 · « **Reply #21 on:** November 25, 2009, 05:27:37 AM »

Quote from: Narsist on November 24, 2009, 10:03:32 PM

1 Check valve clearance
2 check cam chain tension
3 Put a squirt of marvel/or Wd-40 in each cylinder to help make sure those rings wanna slide

Good call on the cam chain. In fact, the entire tune-up procedure should probably be done. So, cam chain, valve clearances, timing, spark plugs, float levels, idle screws. Obviously you can't sync the carbs until the engine is running but go ahead and do everything else.

mystic_1

mystic_1 · « **Reply #22 on:** November 25, 2009, 05:28:59 AM »

Quote from: Narsist on November 24, 2009, 10:13:27 PM

its all aboot helping each other out

Shouldn't that be "it's all aboot helping each other oot"?

Not sure, my Canuck is rusty.

mystic_1

JoshuaJames · « **Reply #23 on:** November 25, 2009, 06:21:43 AM »

sounds great, thanks for all the help. I have the owners manual, and shop manual, and about 30 other "how to's" printed, so these should come in handy.

going to try and get these items done between now and sunday, and hopefully kick it over then.

thanks

JoshuaJames · « **Reply #24 on:** November 25, 2009, 06:55:14 PM »

okay, so i tried to turn it over, with no luck. I got virtually nothing out of the kick start. the push start sound like it was trying to go, and it kept trying, but nothing. Gas was almost poring out the bottom of the carbs, so I must have flooded it.

What could be the problem here? I have not put the new spark plugs in yet (because I cannot get the old ones out), I also have no air filter attached. I have 8 tubes that leave my carbs. 2 go to the petcock, and 4 out the bottom. Then I have two in the middle that I am not familiar with. Could these be the problem?

help

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Author Topic: 1976 CB550 F - First Bike, First Build (now with photos) (Read 13521 times)

Narsist

Narsist