Author Topic: 74 cb550 in the frozen tundra....Damn near done!  (Read 53897 times)

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Offline Bakeoff

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Re: 74 cb550 in the frozen tundra....Almost running!
« Reply #175 on: August 02, 2011, 08:50:39 AM »
SHE LIVES!  Okay, well she starts.  She doesn't want to idle and I have low vacuum on one cylinder, but she runs. It seems to have been a stuck float, but every time I shut it off, it starts draining gas through the airbox.  I'll figure it out eventually.  I think I need to redo the valve lash on it too.  Yippy.  But the rockers are making way more noise that can be any good.  lol 

With some help, I also got the front brakes bled and ready to go.  So, tonight I'll start with the valve lash, maybe sync some carbs, and do the fork oil.  Well, some of it might wait until Wed, since it National Night Out.  but most of my neighbors are shut in, #$%*s, so screw them.

Oh, PS: the exhaust note is....perfect!  I'm in love!

Offline Stev-o

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Re: 74 cb550 in the frozen tundra....Almost running!
« Reply #176 on: August 02, 2011, 05:31:08 PM »
Good news! Try tapping on that float bowl with the stuck jet..
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline Bakeoff

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Re: 74 cb550 in the frozen tundra....Almost running!
« Reply #177 on: August 02, 2011, 06:53:35 PM »
I pulled the carbs and found the float on 3 was sticking because of a catching valve.  Replaced that from my parts bike and threw it back together.  I just tried starting it again without the airbox and I have gas pissing out of 3 and 4, right at the carb inlet.  Its pouring out.  Any advice?  Aside from that, she seems pretty happy. 

Offline Nortstudio

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Re: 74 cb550 in the frozen tundra....Almost running!
« Reply #178 on: August 02, 2011, 07:29:18 PM »
Sounds like you have some float needle float level issues.  I'm going through the same thing right now.  Have you tried tapping them?  I use a rubber mallet, but as stev-O says, you can use a screw driver, or whatever strikes your fancy (I'm nearing sledge hammer at this point!).

1976 CB550K...in progress
1975 CL360...eventually custom
2009 Husqvarna TE610

a blog about wrenching in Brooklyn, NY

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Offline Bakeoff

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Re: 74 cb550 in the frozen tundra....Almost running!
« Reply #179 on: August 02, 2011, 08:29:05 PM »
I went back through it and swapped more parts from the parts carbs as they looked shinier. I've played with float levels and have them at 23-24mm right now, while 1 and 2 are at 22-23mm.  I'm seeing fuel coming out of the venture tube (assuming I'm calling it the right thing.  the little brass tube that the choke plate has a cut out for).

I tried blow into the fuel line and used my fingers to push on the pin that the float actuates and it did STOP the flow. So, I'm assuming its an issue with the idle jet and a float level... 
« Last Edit: August 02, 2011, 08:31:10 PM by Bakeoff »

Offline Nortstudio

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Re: 74 cb550 in the frozen tundra....Almost running!
« Reply #180 on: August 02, 2011, 08:45:53 PM »
Apparently, the way that the needle fits itself into the seat can be an issue.  My problem is that I mixed up needles and seats from 2 different sets of carbs, so that they may not be seated perfectly.  That can cause issues.  Also, what's your stock float level?  My '76 is 22mm.  Is the '74 different?

Keep in mind that pushing the needle with your finger is probably more pressure than the float applies, so that could still be causing you headaches.
1976 CB550K...in progress
1975 CL360...eventually custom
2009 Husqvarna TE610

a blog about wrenching in Brooklyn, NY

“Success is dependent on effort.”
~Sophocles

Offline Bakeoff

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Re: 74 cb550 in the frozen tundra....Almost running!
« Reply #181 on: August 02, 2011, 09:09:41 PM »
GOT IT!  I had two plugged bowl over flow tubes!  Got those cleared out and it stopped trying to force the gas and air up the veturi tubes.  She runs great!  Synced the carbs as best I could given that 3 is running rich, causing the needle to bounce like a mother...  SO HAPPY!

Offline Aladinsane07

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Re: 74 cb550 in the frozen tundra....Almost running!
« Reply #182 on: August 02, 2011, 11:07:13 PM »
That's awesome news, dude.  Maybe an unveiling is in order at Cars and Coffee this Saturday?  If I can get a couple things done, I may take the 550.

Offline Bakeoff

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Re: 74 cb550 in the frozen tundra....Almost running!
« Reply #183 on: August 02, 2011, 11:12:41 PM »
If things work out tomorrow and I get to take her out for a shake down run, I'll be hitting first thursday at Dulano's.  I'm hosting a friend's birthday party at my house Friday night and we always end up being up late between yard games and the giant movie screen I put up in my back yard. So, Cars and Coffee probably won't happen.  lol  I'm 30, have a mortgage, and still like to party like a 21 year old moron from time to time. lol

Offline Aladinsane07

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Re: 74 cb550 in the frozen tundra....Almost running!
« Reply #184 on: August 02, 2011, 11:30:55 PM »
Ha nothing wrong with that.  Maybe I'll see you at Dulono's if I'm really motivated this week.

Offline Bakeoff

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Re: 74 cb550 in the frozen tundra....Almost running!
« Reply #185 on: August 03, 2011, 06:05:20 PM »
My buddy, Cleve, stopped by with his daughter, Grace, while we were playing with the carbs.

GOPR0014

My sister is working on the seat tonight, so while the bike runs a little rich, I'm taking it for a test ride in a little bit.

Offline Bakeoff

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Re: 74 cb550 in the frozen tundra....Almost running!
« Reply #186 on: August 03, 2011, 08:23:37 PM »
And the Maiden voyage! Forgot to tighten the rear axle, the shifter arm was loose and in the wrong position, and someone forgot to open the petcock, so it choked out and died in the last 100ft... Oops! Otherwise...I'm a happy guy!

Maiden Voyage

Offline Aladinsane07

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Re: 74 cb550 in the frozen tundra....Almost running!
« Reply #187 on: August 03, 2011, 09:04:01 PM »
Time to change that thread title, huh?

Offline Bakeoff

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Re: 74 cb550 in the frozen tundra....Almost running!
« Reply #188 on: August 03, 2011, 09:38:58 PM »
HAHA!  True story.  See you at Dulano's tomorrow?

Offline Stev-o

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Re: 74 cb550 in the frozen tundra....Damn near done!
« Reply #189 on: August 04, 2011, 06:39:07 AM »
Awesome! 

Is that a GoPro camera you used? Thinking about getting one.
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline Aladinsane07

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Re: 74 cb550 in the frozen tundra....Damn near done!
« Reply #190 on: August 04, 2011, 06:48:24 AM »
HAHA!  True story.  See you at Dulano's tomorrow?

I'm going to try my darnedest  8)

Offline Bakeoff

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Re: 74 cb550 in the frozen tundra....Damn near done!
« Reply #191 on: August 04, 2011, 06:50:08 AM »
Indeed, it is a GoPro.  I love the thing!  Its an HD and while it doesn't have the best picture in low light situations, its amazing in the sun.  Much better than the wide angle or standard old GoPro.  Obviously, I had something on the lens and didn't realize it.  But for the easy of use and great video you can get out of it, its about the coolest toy I've picked up this year....and I spend money on some frivolous stuff!

Offline Bakeoff

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Re: 74 cb550 in the frozen tundra....Damn near done!
« Reply #192 on: August 04, 2011, 06:51:26 AM »
HAHA!  True story.  See you at Dulano's tomorrow?

I'm going to try my darnedest  8)
We're leaving my place around 6:30.  I need to stop by Honda Town to pick up the new front brake switch, and then I'll be there.

Offline bluesmoke69

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Re: 74 cb550 in the frozen tundra....Damn near done!
« Reply #193 on: August 04, 2011, 09:17:55 AM »
Glad to see you got it on the road, wish mine was done. The bike looks great!!!

Offline Bakeoff

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Re: 74 cb550 in the frozen tundra....Damn near done!
« Reply #194 on: August 04, 2011, 11:34:39 AM »
Pics of her completed.  Well, almost...  I'm stopping by Honda Town tonight after work to get a replacement front brake switch.  Then I think she's pretty well wrapped up.



Offline assquatch20

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Re: 74 cb550 in the frozen tundra....Damn near done!
« Reply #195 on: August 04, 2011, 01:59:42 PM »
I think this is a good time to blow my first post on telling you how awesome you did. I would've incorporated that gold shock color into some lame Iron Man-ish thing, but I'm tacky like that. That's a very nice thing you've got there.

Offline Bakeoff

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Re: 74 cb550 in the frozen tundra....Damn near done!
« Reply #196 on: August 04, 2011, 02:11:47 PM »
I was torn on what to do with the rear shocks, but I think leaving them alone and not trying to tie the color in anywhere else worked out.  Thanks for the compliments!  And hilarious screen name! 

Offline Stev-o

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Re: 74 cb550 in the frozen tundra....Damn near done!
« Reply #197 on: August 04, 2011, 04:49:03 PM »
That looks just fabulous! I am nominating you for Bike of the Month!!
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline Bunicula

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Re: 74 cb550 in the frozen tundra....Damn near done!
« Reply #198 on: August 05, 2011, 09:09:12 AM »
Just stopping in to say Congrats dude! thing looks awesome and from the video looks like it scoots along pretty well too  :)

how did last night go bud? did you end up getting your front brake switch swapped out? rear axle and shifter arm all set as well?  Loving the gopro vids as well.. would love to see some open road rolling shots from the side, i bet it looks so ill going down the road.

Offline Bakeoff

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Re: 74 cb550 in the frozen tundra....Damn near done!
« Reply #199 on: August 05, 2011, 11:50:53 AM »
I took it out to the local bike night and while it didn't go horribly, it wasn't as smooth as I had hoped.  I forgot to tighten the jam nuts when I synced the carbs, so the idle gradually started getting higher and higher as the night went on.  By the time I got it home, it was just a hair under 4k...  Not the most fun.  It was all stop and go traffic, so I had silicone spray burning off the header wrap, crazy high idle, rings that haven't seated, so I had oil vapor because I forgot to recirc the pvc line into the air box, and the #2 carb seems to leak after shutting it down now.  lol  Once I get a few things sorted out, I think she'll be an awesome little bike.