Topic: Hello all, new 76 CB550F owner with a rather idiotic question....

[CTCStrela]

I tried doing a search in the forum, also browsed the owner's manual, but this slightly important set of instructions seems to be missing.

Checking the oil level... Is it done on the centerstand, or balanced vertically,  or on the kickstand? 

Do you remove the dipstick, wipe it, and then put it in without tightening it down,  or do you tighten it all the way down, then back out, to check it?

Thanks in advance!

[Harry]

I. centerstand

II. remove the dipstick, wipe it, and then put it in without tightening it down, 

[CTCStrela]

Thanks a bunch, figured it was the same as every other honda I've ever been around, but wanted to make sure, as with everything.

There was some kind of argument in the 'spun archives over whether or not it was "sidestand" designed...so I thought I'd ask!

While I'm asking silly questions...the bike runs phenomenally, but the bottom end of the motor chatters pretty badly at idle.  I've isolated the noise to the lower left of the motor, either directly behind the clutch/flywheel cover, or in the lower end itself...

 I adjusted the cam-chain two days ago,  and the chain-noise got much quieter, but the motor still makes a bit of a clatter (different noise than camchain) under 1500 or so rpms.. Should I just adjust the idle up to 1600 and ignore it?

I assume it's the "clutch basket" issue with these bikes.  Idle is nice and smooth,  midrange strong, wot is great, no burbles or backfires, or missteps... 

Are they just a "chattery" motor, or is this indicative of a problem? 

I remember my fathers 82 GL-1100 Goldwing was very chattery at idle, from the first day he bought it (new) to the day he sold it (12 years, 68,000 miles)...

Thoughts?

[smithrelo]

HI CTC:

I have 74 550 K and am hoping when I meet with other sohc4 owners they will telll me why my engine chatters.  To me...it kind of sounds like there is a chain clattering somewhere under the left inside piston??From your description, we may have the exact same situation.  Mine makes this weird noise...and I'm hoping someone can tell me what is going on.

And FYI - 550 owners do not ask "idiotic" questions...we seek optimum knowledge of our "S.O.B's" - (Significant Other - Bike!) - so ask away, everyone here seems willing to share knowledge!

Congratulations on your bike-how many miles??  And Where is your photo!!!

Linda (who slobbers over the lovely bikes I see here! and Covets a 1000 cbx - which I have NEVER seen in person!!)

[MetalHead550]

Hi and congrats on the new bike!  How many miles on it?  Was it ridden alot before you got it or did it sit quite a bit or in storage?  Have the carbs been rebuilt recently?  The backlash in the clutch/trans is usually caused by carbs that are out of sync since if one or more of the cylinders isnt getting enough air/fuel from the carb, the other properly firing pistons will essentially "carry" the one thats not and create a pretty nasty noise like you describe.  But then it probably wouldnt run as well as you say so Im kinda stumped.  Those engines are rock solid and should run like silk at about 1000-1100rpms idle.  So make sure its happy and dont ignore it by bumping up the idle.  Let us know! 

Youre not the only one who wants a cbx Linda!  Those things are rare and awesome!  Expensive too, but can you imagine driving a six cylinder Honda with thousands of exhaust pipes stickin out everywere?  Crazy!

[Gordon]

The lower end rattling is either the clutch or the primary chain (or both).  These are both common noisemakers on these bikes and nothing to worry about.  As mentioned before, a good carb balance will usually clear most of it up, but if you're really serious about it, check the valve clearances, check the timing, adjust the cam chain, and then balance the carbs and set the air mixture screws.  This should make the noise stop for at least a week.

Gordon

[Kixx007]

My 550 makes the same noise. From about the same area. 

And about the CBX's they are a sweet bike.  My dad taught Industrial Technology at the highschool level for a long time, they had 10 CBX's donated from honda, the students tore them down and rebuilt them every year (not every bike, but one or two of them).  He also had a handfull of hondamatics, not sure on size?  I would have loved to bring one of those CBX's home and park it in my garage, as would my father.  But he moved up at the school, and the program has slowly been dying off.  I am sure many of you will cringe at this, but all those bikes, mint with under 1000 miles, met a car crusher.  The agreement with American Honda was the bikes would NEVER be sold, or registered for the street.

[CTCStrela]

No photo yet, the bike is *very* ratty looking, but it's getting better all the time.  Spent the last 2 days masking off, sanding, zinc chromate priming, and respraying the frame....tuning tuning tuning.  Rock solid idle around 1300 or so,  any lower and it chatters too much.  Figure I'll have to get a carb-synch tool soon, although it runs like a top, clean all the way into the redline (although I've only done that twice, don't want to overstress the old thing).  33335 miles on the clock.

The carbs were very recently rebuilt, and the po was an absolute idiot about many things.  Still,  it runs fine now that I've fiddled with it,  although I really should synch it up.  Soon as I can, I s'pose!

[MetalHead550]

 

And about the CBX's they are a sweet bike.  My dad taught Industrial Technology at the highschool level for a long time, they had 10 CBX's donated from honda, the students tore them down and rebuilt them every year (not every bike, but one or two of them).  He also had a handfull of hondamatics, not sure on size?  I would have loved to bring one of those CBX's home and park it in my garage, as would my father.  But he moved up at the school, and the program has slowly been dying off.  I am sure many of you will cringe at this, but all those bikes, mint with under 1000 miles, met a car crusher.  The agreement with American Honda was the bikes would NEVER be sold, or registered for the street.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!   Owwwww!  Thats wasteful to the point of blashphemy.  Why the hell didnt they just have the kids take them apart and sell them as parts.  The title goes with the frames right.  They would have made a buttload of money selling them like that and still not have breached the agreement right?  But then youre dealing with the educated idiots who are the admin. ect. for school districts and they are pros at wasting money or the means to make it.  I work for a school district so I know. Im sure your dad would tell you as much.  Couldnt they have just donated or given them away..like to a museam.  Shame, wish you hadnt told us!  I am cry! Me so cry!

[Tim.]

To all the new and old CB500/550 owners, make sure you get your manuals from

www.honda4fun.com

Also, if anyone has some hosting space, I have EXCELLENT quality scans of the factory Service Manual in PDF format and the parts manual for the CB550F also in PDF.  The Service Manual is quite large - 100's of MB's.

[smithrelo]

Kixx007- I am truly ill!  The image of 10  CBX 1000's being crushed makes me sick to the bottom of my heart!

OMG-I'm sick, sick, sick!

(And I've never even seen on in person!)

Tintin-how can I get that service manual stuff?  (what is "webhosting space?")  I'm very interested in that specific info!!

Metalhead550-I can only dream!  By the way:  there is a tv commercial where the guy has bought his wife a table-has it in his truck, - sees a cool bike, and puts the bike in the back of the truck.  WHAT is that BIKE?  Does it have 6 exhausts - I've run that commercial thru my tv a dozen times and I just can't quite identify it.

Linda (who doesn't know how she will be able to sleep tonight, with images of CBX 1000's crushed....soooooooooooo depressing!!!)

[Harry]

Also, if anyone has some hosting space, I have EXCELLENT quality scans of the factory Service Manual in PDF format and the parts manual for the CB550F also in PDF.  The Service Manual is quite large - 100's of MB's.

Hey, maybe we can figure something out, I am hosting the SOHC movies already. Would you be prepared to send me the files on CD? Send me a PM...

[SteveD CB500F]

Or to send out CDs for a small charge (I'd be interested)

Harry - if you can host 100's of Megs, that would be the way to go.

[Flood]

I had assumed this was common knowledge

The links to those manuals have been posted a while ago on the greenspun boards. I didn't find them there but after some research:

http://ca.briefcase.yahoo.com/taysan216@rogers.com

this is actually tintin's briefcase who wasn't sure whether the link would still be active. I PM'd him and he says it's OK to post.

This is the complete, big mofo of a  1977 service manual for the 500, 550, K-K3, F-F2, including details comparing 500 and 550 and supplements for the newer K's and F's.

AND

The parts catalogue for the 550F.

The quality of the drawings is very fine, the photos are a bit rough when laser printed (at work ).

I have one filed in clear sheets and 2 backup CD's.

Again, thank you, Tintin!

Cheers, Remi

PS: this might be something for the FAQs.
PPS: credits go out to Honda4fun.com as well.

[Tim.]

These are the lower quality (I think) version of the manual.  I'm trying to find my higher-quality, larger versions.

I also have a brand-new original Service Manual, which I'm going to try to scan at work into PDF's.  They will be excellent quality, but will likely require CD or even DVD to store.  I'll be happy to burn copies for people for a nominal charge to cover the cost of the DVD and postage.  Will keep you posted.

[Harry]

PS: this might be something for the FAQs.

I hear you! Most manuals are already hosted at honda4fun.com. Either we should host the manuals honda4fun doesnt have, or we should host higher resolution scans. Problem is, we need a lot of space to host these manuals. In my opinion we should find what honda4fun is missing, arrange to have it PDFed and uploaded to their site! Or we should make series of CDs which could be sold as merchandise by the club.....