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Author Topic: Hello from Green Bay, WI  (Read 992 times)

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Offline Shoe007

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Hello from Green Bay, WI
« on: September 18, 2010, 06:17:43 AM »
I am new to the site, new to SOHC4's and new to riding in general. I picked up an '82 CM450C from a friend this spring and obtained my license. I have put on a little of 3k mi on it since July 1st and I am loving riding.

I recently acquired a '76 CB550 that I had been asked to resurrect. It is the orange and black and is in amazing condition. It had been sitting since 1987 and the carbs were extremely gunked. I got it running and the owner offered it to me. I really fell in love with the noise this thing makes, incredible.

Big thanks to the members on here as I have used your advice on many things already. I was having a bit of popping in the exhaust and found the info on setting points and timing very helpful. It was a bit frustrating, but it seems dead on at the moment and is starting much easier. The big debate right now is whether to try to get it roadworthy this season (needs tires) as the weather has already started to turn. A sane person would just keep riding the 450 this year and sell it in the spring.
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Offline Johnie

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Re: Hello from Green Bay, WI
« Reply #1 on: September 18, 2010, 06:22:16 AM »
Welcome from Oshkosh. Sounds like you have a nice project going there. You will get plenty of looks riding that vintage bike around Packer country. Post up a few pics of those bikes when you get a chance.
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1970 CB750K0 - Candy Ruby Red
1973 CB750K3 - Candy Bacchus Olive or Sunflake Orange
1970 Chevy Chevelle SS396 - Cortez Silver
1976 GL1000 Sulphur Yellow

Oshkosh, WI  USA

Offline Stev-o

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Re: Hello from Green Bay, WI
« Reply #2 on: September 18, 2010, 07:49:57 AM »
Hello Wisconsin! [from Texas]

I also havea '76 550F, great bike.  I suggest a full "3000 Mile" tuneup to get it running right.
You may need to clean the carbs again, it is so important to have them super clean.

How 'bout some pics?!?
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'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline Shoe007

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Re: Hello from Green Bay, WI
« Reply #3 on: September 22, 2010, 05:10:17 PM »
After reading more I am wondering if my starting is not so uncommon. It starts right up, but doesn't seem to have a "high idle" like I can get using the choke on my CM450C. That one I just slide the choke to 3/4 after start up and it goes right to 2k rpms. I can get the 550 to behave great if I adjust the idle screw and just back it off as it warms.

Still just amazed with the way the thing sounds. The guy I bought it from had been telling me since I met him that the sound is why he bought it. The first moment I got it to fire I understood what he meant. In the land of Harley's it is nice to find something that has a similar level of authority without sounding like it wants to die.

The PO had just done an oil change and replaced the plugs. I adjusted the valves and cleaned the carbs (including replacing jets).

I noticed the other day that the headlight was out. OEM looks crazy, I hope some of the aftermarket options are good.

I have a walk around and start-up video on photobucket.
http://s162.photobucket.com/albums/t262/shoemakersp/Motorcycles/?action=view&current=1976HondaCB550K.mp4


and my CM450C after putting on new bars and mirrors. Amazing what a difference $40 and 30 minutes of work can make. I think it looks better, but the difference in handling, control and comfort (I am 5'11") is incredible.


« Last Edit: September 22, 2010, 05:22:48 PM by Shoe007 »
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Offline hoodellyhoo

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Re: Hello from Green Bay, WI
« Reply #4 on: September 22, 2010, 06:39:00 PM »
very nice looking 550 you have there. I know on my 350 that the choke didn't change my rpm's at all until I got the carbs properly synched.
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1972 CB350F (Back from the Dead!)- http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=20822.0
1965? S65 - Coming Eventually!
1972 CB750K2 (father-son project)
1976 CB750K6- (sold) http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=96859.0
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Offline Skonnie Boy

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Re: Hello from Green Bay, WI
« Reply #5 on: September 22, 2010, 09:15:15 PM »
Never discount the power of an Italian tuneup.  Nice bike.  Bet you turn a few heads up there when you ride around.  Know anyone with a carb synch tool?  Even the cheap ones at O'Reilly's or Autozone work well.

Go Pack, go!  Bears still suck!
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Offline Stev-o

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Re: Hello from Green Bay, WI
« Reply #6 on: September 23, 2010, 06:22:50 PM »
Quote from: Skonnie Boy on September 22, 2010, 09:15:15 PM
Bears still suck!

Guessing you missed that game last Sunday against the Cowgirls?!!?
Da Bears were hot! I'm in Texas and loved it, obviously not a cowboys fan.
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'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline Johnie

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Re: Hello from Green Bay, WI
« Reply #7 on: September 23, 2010, 07:20:35 PM »
They are really promoting the Packer / Bears rivalry for Monday night. Both 2-0 should be a good game.
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1970 CB750K0 - Candy Ruby Red
1973 CB750K3 - Candy Bacchus Olive or Sunflake Orange
1970 Chevy Chevelle SS396 - Cortez Silver
1976 GL1000 Sulphur Yellow

Oshkosh, WI  USA

Offline Stev-o

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Re: Hello from Green Bay, WI
« Reply #8 on: September 23, 2010, 07:34:06 PM »
Quote from: Johnie on September 23, 2010, 07:20:35 PM
They are really promoting the Packer / Bears rivalry for Monday night. Both 2-0 should be a good game.

I didn't hear, but now know what I'm doing on Mon nite!
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'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline Skonnie Boy

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Re: Hello from Green Bay, WI
« Reply #9 on: September 24, 2010, 09:30:47 PM »
Well, the Bears almost dumped a load in the Lion's kitty litter in week one, so who's to say how good the Bears really are.  Same for the Pack.  Guess we'll find out monday night.

Sorry for the thread hijack, Shoe.  Lotsa chatter on this site besides bikes, and thank god for that.   
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Offline Shoe007

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Re: Hello from Green Bay, WI
« Reply #10 on: October 04, 2010, 07:07:49 AM »
no prob, been a disappointing couple of weeks for the Pack. First a lose to the Bears and then beating Detroit by "only" 2 points. Actually thought we looked better against the Bears.

Haven't been riding the 550 around yet, needs tires and now a headlight (they seem ridiculously expensive). I wish I was, it definitely looks nicer than my 450 and has a large windscreen which would be great now that the weather has turned colder.

I haven't sync'd the carbs yet and hopefully that will finish smoothing her out. I suppose that does make sense. I had talked to a mechanic and he even told me, plugs, then points, then timing, then carb sync and she will be running perfect.

Also, I went to move it around the other day and the front brake seems to be seized again. I have had it "apart" once. That is to say I took the pads out, lubed every thing up, put them back in and changed out the fluid. I did not actually take the piston out of the caliper, so I would assume that is what is hanging up.
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