Topic: Rebuilding from the ashes...

[bmwright]

Well I've had a couple posts on here already, but I'm still basically new. I might as well say a little about myself before continuing.

My names Brandon, I'm 22, and I have an addiction to building things and not finishing things (my girlfriend hates it). My first car (and still my car) is my '66 Nova wagon. I'm pretty much always either in the garage, at work, or out with my girlfriend. Luckily my girlfriend is starting to enjoy working on the car and bike with me so that means more time in the garage (yay!). Oh, and I'm on the Tech Support team for a large web host based out of LA called Dreamhost.

Well, that's good enough. Onto the bike!

A couple months ago I picked up my first bike. A '75 CB550F for next to nothing (which is really good because looking at it now, I probably shouldn't have even payed for it!). Well the limited story behind it is that there was a fire under the seat and melted just about every wire that was close to it. So I went into it with every ambition to finish it, a few bolts that felt practically welded on, and a whole lotta and now I'm ready for some help.

Well because the bike didn't come with a tank/seat/battery, I never found out for myself if it even starts. It kicks great and seems to have good compression. My buddy from work ended up hooking me up with a seat and tank, so that's all squared away for now. I started tearing into everything when I finally realized.. "why am I doing this when I have no idea what I'm even looking for yet?" So I decided I'm going to start replacing the stuff I know needs replacing, and THEN see what doesn't work and tear into it. What I need to know is this..

What all am I needing?! I know you can't see everything to know for certain but basically anything with wires coming out of the case is melted. Starter, stator, contact points, wiring harness, fuse box. Basically anything electrical and I think it's going to be replaced/repaired.

Normally I would offer more pictures/explanations of what I need, but I need to get running and figured I'd get this up as soon as I could to at least start getting input. You guys have been a HUGE help already from just reading through the forums. When I get free time tomorrow I'll get some pictures up and do a better job explaining what's going on. I appreciate it guys! Let me know if I forgot anything!

Thanks,
Brandon

[wrenchmuch]

I had a look around at the usual sources and it doesn't seem like the harness for your bike is still available new . There is a harness for a 73 550 f on ebay right now . I don't know if it will work with a 75 . Maybe someone else can help out with that .
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Honda-1973-CB550-F-CB-550-Wiring-Wire-Harness_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem23056b8608QQitemZ150414788104QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories
Failing that you will need to get good with a soldering iron and heat shrink tubing to repair what you have . There are links in the faq under "Where can I buy parts for my sohc " for electrical connectors . A good corrosion free harness will help your bike run gremlin free . Resistance = trouble . Good Luck .
Mike

[Tom in Newcastle......Ontario]

Brandon where are you from................and do you need a harness..........if yes e-mail me

[scottly]

Brandon, if I were you, I would rig a minimal ignition system to try to get the motor running, and find out what you have...

[bmwright]

Hey guys, really appreciate the replys.

I had a look around at the usual sources and it doesn't seem like the harness for your bike is still available new . There is a harness for a 73 550 f on ebay right now . I don't know if it will work with a 75 . Maybe someone else can help out with that .
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Honda-1973-CB550-F-CB-550-Wiring-Wire-Harness_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem23056b8608QQitemZ150414788104QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories
Failing that you will need to get good with a soldering iron and heat shrink tubing to repair what you have . There are links in the faq under "Where can I buy parts for my sohc " for electrical connectors . A good corrosion free harness will help your bike run gremlin free . Resistance = trouble . Good Luck .
Mike

Will I be able to salvage the ends easily of I can solder well? I was wondering if what I had was repairable or not, and figured it would be a no go.

Brandon where are you from................and do you need a harness..........if yes e-mail me

I do need a harness. I'm in Yorba Linda, CA. Pretty much Orange County. I'll PM you. Would love to talk.

Brandon, if I were you, I would rig a minimal ignition system to try to get the motor running, and find out what you have...

This is pretty much exactly what I was looking for. Would doing that be hard? Know of any resources someone already put up on doing this or how to test what I do have?

[754]

Clean your carbs, and rig a fuel supply or tank.
 Get a battery, even a car battery beside bike will do.
 Wire from battery to coils, a fuse and switch in between would be a good idea, then hook the points wires to coils. Make sure the points appear to function.

 Then try starting it..

[bmwright]

Clean your carbs, and rig a fuel supply or tank.
 Get a battery, even a car battery beside bike will do.
 Wire from battery to coils, a fuse and switch in between would be a good idea, then hook the points wires to coils. Make sure the points appear to function.

 Then try starting it..

Thank you. That's awesome.


I found this article which seems great:

http://cb550.havocware.com/2009/05/30/stock-fuse-box-upgrade-to-atc-blade-fuses/

However his links are expired and I don't know where to get the stuff he's talking about. Anyone have any links?

[bmwright]

http://www.amazon.com/6-section-ATM-Automotive-Fuse-Block/dp/B0023TCSPQ/ref=pd_bxgy_auto_text_b

Found it! Should be pretty simple, yeah?