Topic: Help me with my '75 CB550

[speedy_the_drummer]

I'm going to need help in the near future with this build, I just know it. So I'll just post everything in this one thread.

Here's the bike how I got it.

It's a 1975 CB550F

It is currently down to just the frame which was just sandblasted and primed yesterday.

Question 1:
What do I need to rebuild the engine?
It has good compression and is not locked up (it's just ugly as hell). It may be fine, but I'd rather just redo it all while its off and the bike is being rebuilt.

Q2:
I want to repaint the engine silver. What should I do? What do I need?

[Elkie]

I'd start with blasting the engine, looks heavily oxidized. Use a duplicolor engine paint. As far as rebuilding the engine, start with a gasket kit, order new seals, new rings, new primary chain, new cam chain, and I'm sure you'll find some other things while inside that need replaced.

[speedy_the_drummer]

I had to pay to get the frame blasted, so that took too much of my funds. Can I just clean it myself?

Where is the best place to order gaskets/seals/rings?

[Elkie]

Can try cleaning it with a brass or nylon wheel, not sure how much success you'll have, it is aluminum so you'll have to be somewhat careful. CLR (Calcium Lime and Rust remover) comes to mind, might want to check to see if it will hurt anything though, I think its an acid. I got my seals from Service Honda. For a complete gasket set and rings check out David Silver Spares.

[TwoTired]

What makes you think the inside of the engine is as bad as the outside looks?

[speedy_the_drummer]

I don't know. An educated guess I suppose...?

Why do you ask?

[OldSchool_IsCool]

Depending on how many miles were on it before storage and how it was stored, you may not need to crack into the engine. 

How many pre-storage miles?
Was it stored in a dry area? 
Was the gas drained from the tank/carbs before storage?

You may wana just clean/rebuild tha carbs, change the oil and filter, fresh gas, clean/set points, timing, tappets and try to fire 'er up!

[speedy_the_drummer]

I was sold to a local shop/junkyard about 8 months ago. Sat outside ever since. The engine stayed closed off. There was no tank on the bike (the one in the pic was off another)
It read 21800 on the odometer.

The only thing that was off was the front tire and the oilfilter bolt.

I drained the oil and it was dark, but I don't recall seeing any water in the mix.

The carbs are hard to move, but I haven't had a chance to open them up.

[OldSchool_IsCool]

Does the engine turn?  How does the compression feel? 

Add 4 new NGK D7EAs and a fresh battery to your shopping list if you don't have them already.  See if you can get a fat blue spark off each coil wire.

[speedy_the_drummer]

The engine is free. The bike rolls fine.

I was told the it has good compression.

[speedy_the_drummer]

which kit do i need?

http://www.davidsilverspares.co.uk/parts/part_28860/

or

http://www.davidsilverspares.co.uk/parts/part_4774/

[Elkie]

Depends how far you intend to tear into it. Bottom end would be clutch cover, points cover and stator cover. Top end would be from the case up. Take the advice of some of the other members. Clean up the carbs, and follow the maintenance instructions from the service manual. See what you can do.

[OldSchool_IsCool]

What Elkie said.  You may very well need to crack 'er open, but nothing said so far suggests it's your top priority.

[speedy_the_drummer]

Yeah, I'll just rebuild the carbs and go from there.

Why can I find the bottom end kit and the top and bottom kit, but not just the top end?

[speedy_the_drummer]

One last question for the day...

Are these good rebuild kits?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Honda-nos-CB500-CB550-CB-550-K-550K-500-carb-gasket-kit_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem35a89027a9QQitemZ230461286313QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

[OldSchool_IsCool]

I got a top kit (OEM from Western Hills Honda in Cincinnati) about 4 years ago.  I think the Honda kits have since been discontinued.  Even so, it didn't have the sealing rubbers of the valve seals.  I had to order those separately.

You could try Western Hills.  They guys at the Vintage Parts desk are pretty sharp.

[OldSchool_IsCool]

One last question for the day...

Are these good rebuild kits?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Honda-nos-CB500-CB550-CB-550-K-550K-500-carb-gasket-kit_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem35a89027a9QQitemZ230461286313QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

The red labeling suggests they are Honda OEM, so they would be top notch.  Look around though, I've seen those kits for $20-$25 a carb.  That FleeseBay price is a tad high for one kit!

EDIT:  Oh, that auction is for FOUR kits!  May need to pick up a set for my 77!! 

[Fritz]

What do I need to rebuild the engine?

I had to pay to get the frame blasted, so that took too much of my funds.

Am I the only one who's seeing the irony?

Sorry, Speedy, but I think that rebuilding the enginge just because you've got it out of the frame, whithout knowing if has any troubles at all, is going to cost you money that you could better spend on parts that you are not able to polish the rust out.
If it was my bike, I'd begin with the carbs and see if they need/are worth to be rebuilt. Maybe they need a rebuild kit, maybe just a good cleaning and some float bowl gaskets.
Then I'd get a fresh battery and try to get the ignition right. If I managed to start her, I'd think about further steps. Neither painting the frame, nor rebuilding the engine would be on top of my priority list.

But please go ahead: I'd love to hear that you've managed to make her run

[speedy_the_drummer]

I'll look into those places, thanks!

and that auction is for 4 kits, not 1.

[speedy_the_drummer]

When I was speaking about funds, that was short term. Rebuilding the engine is long term. I'll get paid again tomorrow, so more money will be spent soon. I just don't have the immediate funds to blast the engine, plus I think I can clean it up myself with a lot of time.
I've just spent a big chunk in a short time with buying the bike, a few hundred in parts, over a hundred in blasting, etc.

I'm just asking these questions so when the time comes, I'll have answers in my head already.

This is going to be a long project. Long.

[OldSchool_IsCool]

This is going to be a long project. Long.

You got that right!  Or better yet, it depends on your goal.  A ground up, showroom resto would be VERY expensive and VERY time consuming!  If you are looking for a daily rider (reliable, not a head turner) you are talking moderate money and a lot of sweat.  Cafe?  Bobber?  post-apocalyptic rat bike?  Guess it would depend on your final vision.

[speedy_the_drummer]

The showroom restore would be sweet, but way too much money. I'm thinking of doing that to my '73 CL350 one day...

I'm thinking something like a cafe, but I want to be able to ride with my lady behind me. Plus I want to go on trips, which is hard with a 350. So it will need to be comfortable.

I just want it to shine. New chrome, new paint (probably some kind of shiny silver, I really like the 'shiny metal' look)

It's kind of all up in the air, but I know I just need to get the darn thing running before I plan too far ahead.

[bender01]

Check your vin #s engine and frame . It looks like a 550k! Not a 550f! I dont think fs had fork gaiters or those rear shocks. Just so you dont buy wrong parts.

[OldSchool_IsCool]

A reliable two-up rider is well within reason.  Prolly not this year unless you are going to dedicate a lot of free time to it.  The kind of time that may render you WITHOUT ur lady friend by the time you are done!

Good luck and keep us informed!

[OldSchool_IsCool]

Check your vin #s engine and frame . It looks like a 550k! Not a 550f! I dont think fs had fork gaiters or those rear shocks. Just so you dont buy wrong parts.

Good point Bender.  The kick stand suggests an F frame anyway.  Hard to say what mods could have been made in 30+ years though.