Topic: Update: Holy Bodgejob Batman!

[tango911]

i told you if you posted that pic people would get a kick out of it!!

[Nortstudio]

It's pity

[Frankencake]

I was trying to get my oil pressure light to work, and finding that the wire end inside the bucket was attached, I took off the cover on the left side to see if it had come apart at the oil pressure switch.  The picture below is what I found...  Seems like some sort of "something" that was once in paste form, and hardens like nails!  Any idea if I try to take this thing off to replace it, will it snap something important in there?  The parts fiche shows the part, but not exactly what can of worms I will be opening

Is this a 550?  If so, I have what you need for the low, low price of shipping only.  I'll pull it off this week if you need it.  My donor engine is a '77 that I'm slowly taking apart.  Let me know, and you won't have to worry about that JB Weld crap.

[Nortstudio]

It is!  I would appreciate it more than you know.

[Frankencake]

It is!  I would appreciate it more than you know.

Finally!  Someone who needs parts for a 550 engine!.  I've been holding on to this thing for a few years now and offering it up once in a while.  I got your PM.

[Stev-o]

It is!  I would appreciate it more than you know.

Finally!  Someone who needs parts for a 550 engine!.  I've been holding on to this thing for a few years now and offering it up once in a while.  I got your PM.

Mighty nice of you Cuppy!

[Frankencake]

What goes around, comes around. 

[Nortstudio]

I'm going to start thinking of how I can hold up my end of the "comes around" bargain. 

Thanks again!

[Nortstudio]

Till then check the regulator and rectifier. Considering the skills of the PO, I wouldn't be suprised if they were toast.

What would I be checking for without the regulator and rectifier?  How would I know they are malfunctioning? I have found the regulator in the shop manual, but I don't even know where the rectifier is...

Thanks 

[DavePhipps]

Will look for pics and testing info and post them tomorrow. It's midnight here and I'm off to dreamland. OK, off to dreamland after I tell my kids to get off the Xbox, and other laptop.

[bender01]

For extra referance (sp) My 75 550k's dead unit before I replaced it.

[Frankencake]

I'm going to start thinking of how I can hold up my end of the "comes around" bargain. 

Thanks again!

You wouldn't happen to have a set of good shocks for a 750, would you?

Of course, it's not a deal breaker if you don't.

[Nortstudio]

Unfortunately no.  I've just got this broken down beast (my first) and it's in need of shocks too.

[gnarlycharlie4u]

It's pity

actually it's a putty.

[dave500]

the switch is an on/off type,its on with no pressure,turn the key on and the lamp should light,no oil pressure,you start the engine and oil pressure opens the contacts and your tell tale lamp goes out,to test it,remove it from the pump,then with a globe or meter,the main body will have full continuity to the terminal connection,the globe should light if not the switch is buggered,if you can blow air into the sensor hole in the thread at the same time the globe should go out,these are set a a specified pressure for different cars or bikes,its not real important to get the right one,you dont want a tight one that flickers at idle though,even though your oil pressure is ok at idle the sender is set at higher pressure for some other model car or bike and speaks with false tonque.

[05c50]

Did someone say putty?
 https://www.buymightyputtynow.com/flare/next?rtag=mightyputty&tag=he%7caf&a_aid=4be47e4c6d099&a_bid=c26f49e2

.........Paul

[DavePhipps]

Unfortunately no.  I've just got this broken down beast (my first) and it's in need of shocks too.

Are you're stock shocks toast?

I'm attaching the rectifier test info. The rectifier is located under the left sidepanel.
Have you downloaded the 500/550 factory service manual? This is from page 97.

[Nortstudio]

Sorry, should have updated you. I just read this exact section last night. What I'm not finding is the regulator. When the post felt that they might be toast, I realized I know nothing about them.

What would be the telltale signs of disaster?  Battery not charging? 

Thanks for all the info.

Scott

[Stev-o]

Yes, battery not charging.

[Nortstudio]

Well... thanks folks.  This goes on the list to check. 

I have been having some decent luck with the battery, it stays charged pretty well, but sometimes it's easier to kick start after a couple days sitting idle, and then the electric starter works fine for the rest of the day.  I have been bringing the battery up to my apartment occasionally to tender/recharge the battery.  That usually does the trick.  Works great as long as I'm starting it daily (or even every other day).

I assumed the cold weather was making it tough on those days after sitting (been in the 30's here at night).

[Nortstudio]

Are you're stock shocks toast?

Dave,

Don't have any frame of reference for the shocks (or any of this bike really), but they certainly look worn and rusted.  And although I have read several posts about the lack of comfort with the stock shocks on these bikes, it's always somewhat alarming when I hit a pothole or deep manhole cover here in the city.  Pretty rough, stiff "bottoming out" feeling.

[Frankencake]

Are you're stock shocks toast?

Dave,

Don't have any frame of reference for the shocks (or any of this bike really), but they certainly look worn and rusted.  And although I have read several posts about the lack of comfort with the stock shocks on these bikes, it's always somewhat alarming when I hit a pothole or deep manhole cover here in the city.  Pretty rough, stiff "bottoming out" feeling.

try giving your shocks springs a bit more preload compression by turning the collar on the shock.  Doing this might help with that bottoming out feeling.  It also depends on how big of a guy you are.

[Nortstudio]

 

try giving your shocks springs a bit more preload compression by turning the collar on the shock.  Doing this might help with that bottoming out feeling.  It also depends on how big of a guy you are.

Does this adjustment need to be done with the special wrench that came with the tool pack?  That tool, along with the rest of them, is long gone...

I'm about 200lbs.  But these bumps can be monsters!

[Stev-o]

See link for the tool, but you may not necessarily need it.

If your shocks are adjustable, they just need to be rotated.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SHOCK-SPRING-ADJUSTING-TOOL-ATV-DIRT-BIKE-MOTORCYCLE-/400165144419?pt=Motors_ATV_Parts_Accessories&hash=item5d2bb38763

[Nortstudio]

See link for the tool, but you may not necessarily need it.

If your shocks are adjustable, they just need to be rotated.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SHOCK-SPRING-ADJUSTING-TOOL-ATV-DIRT-BIKE-MOTORCYCLE-/400165144419?pt=Motors_ATV_Parts_Accessories&hash=item5d2bb38763

That's the one.  I definitely see what the manual is talking about with the I-V adjustments, I just wasn't sure how to rotate them.  can I do it by simply removing the weight from the shocks and turning them?  The manual shows a dude holding the special spanner, but gives no description of what exactly he is going to do with it???

I also see that there are nipples for grease, but I have yet to get a grease gun, so that would probably be a good step too.