Author Topic: New Guy here !!! w a CB550 Four (Read 3170 times)

jimkalfakis · « **on:** October 14, 2010, 05:22:20 PM »

Hey guys, new here. I recently picked up this cb550. I found it in somebody`s garage covered w/ a tarp. It`s been sitting for years and we shook hands on $300. So far a flushed the tank, flushed the carbs with carb cleaner through the fuel lines and up from the drains until all the crap came out. I cleaned the fuel switch filter and installed tiny filters on the main line and the reserve line. I cleaned the plugs and dropped the oil a filter. With a new battery and fresh gas it started right up.

It was idling nice and revving real smooth until today. Today I started it and one of the carbs was overflowing gas all over the driveway. I`m scared that I`ll have to rebuild them. May I need to get it on the street and put a load on it a few times

Right now I`m in the middle of rebuilding the front caliper and master.
This website has so much info!

How the heck do I load pics! Please help!!!

maxspeed140 · « **Reply #1 on:** October 14, 2010, 05:46:18 PM »

Welcome! Sounds like a nice find. Carbs are pretty easy to rebuild. I never did it before reading how to on this site. Mine came out real well. To post pics click this link it's pretty self explanatory. http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=70243.0

You might want to go over to the main forums part of the site and introduce yourself. Looking forward to the pics!

Nortstudio · « **Reply #2 on:** October 14, 2010, 05:47:50 PM »

You can sign up for a free photobucket account. They provide a direct link to the photo next to whatever you upload, so it shows directly in the posts.

I'm new too, and these folks have provided a ton of info for me too, including this little gem of free photo hosting.

I'm far too new to offer advice, but have you checked the float/needle?

Good luck.

sandbarsurfer · « **Reply #3 on:** October 14, 2010, 05:57:25 PM »

hey and welcome

I had the same problem when i got my 550f. I think the floats just like to stick after sitting that long because for me the problem solved it self and on the third ride no more overflow. Riding it seemed to clear it up and hopefully you get just as lucky haha

Stev-o · « **Reply #4 on:** October 14, 2010, 06:03:43 PM »

Def sounds like a stuck float, try tapping on it gently with the handle of a screwdriver. And ride it! [but after you fix the brakes!!]

PS. Welcome

Nortstudio · « **Reply #5 on:** October 14, 2010, 06:05:36 PM »

Wow. I can't believe I was in the ballpark

Stev-o · « **Reply #6 on:** October 14, 2010, 06:07:45 PM »

Quote from: Nortstudio on October 14, 2010, 06:05:36 PM

Wow. I can't believe I was in the ballpark

What are you doing here? Go get that 550!!

Nortstudio · « **Reply #7 on:** October 14, 2010, 06:28:52 PM »

The seller is waiting on the replacement title from Albany. In my experience, that could take....forever!

Hoping to hear from him tom'w, but of course I then have 16 hour days all next week (recording live concerts). So unless I can get there early one morning, no registration/plates for me until the following week.

Plenty I could do (or simply stare at) in the meantime

jimkalfakis · « **Reply #8 on:** October 14, 2010, 07:30:14 PM »

Alright, hope this works

Scott S · « **Reply #9 on:** October 14, 2010, 07:37:21 PM »

Not a bad looking bike. I personally think the seat would look better in black. That, and you need to sell me that exhaust.
Are those highway pegs?

Don't be too afraid of the carbs. They can be VERY frustrating, but the worst part is taking them on and off over and over again to work on them. The actual work is tedious and time consuming, but not hard.

jimkalfakis · « **Reply #10 on:** October 14, 2010, 07:51:49 PM »

No Scott, I`m not scared to do them. Let`s face it, who the hell has the time. The seat is ultra-gay. What you haven`t seen was the massive sissy-bar (with lights on it) that I removed before taking the pic. There`s no highway pegs but what you see are custom twisted square bar engine guards. I think the guy before me was going for the chopper look. The exhaust looks aftermarket with the baffle gutted out. I`ll need a new exhaust, it`s way too loud.

Stev-o · « **Reply #11 on:** October 14, 2010, 07:54:06 PM »

Agreed, nice looking bike. But, the seat, let's just say looks a little odd.
And you don't need highway crash bars...just sayin'.

Just remember, it's your bike and do with it what you please.

Good Luck.

dave500 · « **Reply #12 on:** October 14, 2010, 10:04:15 PM »

its an ex "pimp my cb"bike,looks bloody good,ill have ten at that price,have a gander though the faq section and download the workshop manual,the 500 one is the same more or less,you can ,or should drop the bowls off the carbs to get the final finest crud out that will block the tiny jets in the idle circuit,you can replace the needle and seats without dropping the carbs if your not ham fisted and check the float heights as well,ill guess a little crap has gotten stuck and just needs that final clean out,good luck and welcome.

Deltarider · « **Reply #13 on:** October 14, 2010, 11:58:01 PM »

That bike is new. Don't worry about the overflow: it's easily cured (see above). I and others here do not favour extra inline fuelfilters. If you run into a running (like stuttering)problem, they're the first suspects. Congrats.
Btw, what's that ignitionkeyswitch doing up there

dave500 · « **Reply #14 on:** October 15, 2010, 12:23:47 AM »

im with delta on the extra inline filters,make sure the tank is clean,and the factory filter,and all should be good,the lines cant be replaced with out removing the rack(unless your bloody good),so if they do come off for what ever reason fit the highest quality fuel line you can,even if you have to sell your grandmothers wedding ring.

jimkalfakis · « **Reply #15 on:** October 15, 2010, 05:59:16 AM »

You feakin guys are funny. So you guys don`t think I should just rebuild the carbs? I`m just waiting for dry roads to ride the hell out of it, and hope it clears out. If not, I planned on ordering rebuild kits.

Also, I put inline filters in to prevent problems. You guys think thats bad? Please, any advise I can get.

jyck · « **Reply #16 on:** October 15, 2010, 06:23:11 AM »

I got into the habit of turning my fuel off at the petcock whenever I stop. There's definitely something going on inside your carb though. Use premium gas with a little techron and see if that cleans things up a little after a few rides.

If not, try tapping on the carb bowl to free it the float as previously mentioned.

How does it run overall?

tango911 · « **Reply #17 on:** October 15, 2010, 06:33:25 AM »

congrats! thats a great find for $300 i just bought a second one for $300 but in much worse shape. But it does run great.

I had sissy bars and seat back on mine too when i got it. They came off right away and i put drag bar on it.

nice find, keep the pics and updates coming,
steve

Nortstudio · « **Reply #18 on:** October 15, 2010, 06:57:42 AM »

Congratulations on the new bike. I am VERY close to getting one very similar - but in much worse shape

Guys, can you tell me if this picture shows the in-line filter you are speaking about. The seller pointed it out shortly after I looked inside the tank (which didn't seem that bad to me), which struck me as a potentially shady, easy fix to a bigger issue. Just a gut feeling.

Can you explain why you prefer to avoid these?

tango911 · « **Reply #19 on:** October 15, 2010, 07:21:38 AM »

i use these all the time, dif brand, but i put a filter in each fuel line. better to catch the junk before it gets to the carb and engine, and cheap.

Nortstudio · « **Reply #20 on:** October 15, 2010, 07:33:40 AM »

I'd love to know the pros/cons to these little units. It makes sense to me, but do people feel it restricts the flow somehow, or other issues?

Hope this wasn't hijacking a thread, it seemed connected to Jim's questions.

Thanks for the response.

Stev-o · « **Reply #21 on:** October 15, 2010, 07:49:40 AM »

Quote from: Nortstudio on October 15, 2010, 06:57:42 AM

Congratulations on the new bike. I am VERY close to getting one very similar - but in much worse shape

Guys, can you tell me if this picture shows the in-line filter you are speaking about. The seller pointed it out shortly after I looked inside the tank (which didn't seem that bad to me), which struck me as a potentially shady, easy fix to a bigger issue. Just a gut feeling.

Can you explain why you prefer to avoid these?

Yes, that's the inline filter and the petcock is set to reserve. If tank and fuel is clean and stock filter is good and in place, there is no need for an additional inline filter.

Nortstudio · « **Reply #22 on:** October 15, 2010, 08:01:45 AM »

In this setup, has the hose/line been cut? I would need to get a stock line if I were to remove them? Sorry, very, VERY newbie here!

Appreciate your time folks.

tango911 · « **Reply #23 on:** October 15, 2010, 08:38:37 AM »

Quote from: Nortstudio on October 15, 2010, 08:01:45 AM

In this setup, has the hose/line been cut? I would need to get a stock line if I were to remove them? Sorry, very, VERY newbie here!

Appreciate your time folks.

yes you can get stock line that will go from your carb to the petcock. Then you cut the hose and insert the filter with the arrow pointing toward the carb.

Deltarider · « **Reply #24 on:** October 15, 2010, 08:52:06 AM »

Quote

yes you can get stock line that will go from your carb to the petcock. Then you cut the hose and insert the filter with the arrow pointing toward the carb.

... and you'll have a good chance the line will kink and block fuel flow. That has happened with mine. With stock tank- or petcockfilter in place, there's no need for extra filters.
As often with the mother instinct: people tend to overcare. But it doesn't make sense.

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Author Topic: New Guy here !!! w a CB550 Four (Read 3170 times)