Topic: I literally know nothing about restoring a motorcycle.

[abowersb]

I recently purchased a 1977 Honda CB550k. It will not start up. I wanted tips on what tools I will need to purchase to get started using my Hanes Manual that just showed up. Is there any one tool that you found particularly valuable. Also, I will need some sort of a voltage kit to help determine what is wrong with the bike. Does anyone have suggestions on a particular model? Again, anything that you may have to say will help. I know literally nothing about motorcycles. Just wanted to jump in and get going.

Thanks everyone,
Andy

[Huh??]

Ewwww....in before the tidal wave

Start with metric socket sets and/or wrenches, new anything that is a typical wear 'n tear item (tires, spark plugs, fuel lines, etc.) Learn about at least cleaning the carbs, charge/change the battery, and "...the search feature on this forum is your friend."

[Roach]

Ewwww....in before the tidal wave

Start with metric socket sets and/or wrenches, new anything that is a typical wear 'n tear item (tires, spark plugs, fuel lines, etc.) Learn about at least cleaning the carbs, charge/change the battery, and "...the search feature on this forum is your friend."

you almost forgot the most important thing

beer

[Roach]

also down load the  Manual  at the top of the sohc/4bikes page will probably help you out alot more than the hanes will

[Gordon]

Impact driver. 

Far more valuable when working on these bikes than the $25 it will cost you. 

[Huh??]

Ewwww....in before the tidal wave

Start with metric socket sets and/or wrenches, new anything that is a typical wear 'n tear item (tires, spark plugs, fuel lines, etc.) Learn about at least cleaning the carbs, charge/change the battery, and "...the search feature on this forum is your friend."

you almost forgot the most important thing

beer

Ah...yes! I should have said that first. Good beer is critical.

[Anti-Johnny]

start practicing using the search function. Its a bit testy, sometimes I google "sohc4 (my problem)" and it works better. And being as general as you think you can be when searching helps too. Myself and the other admins are cleaning up the How To sections. I hope to start encouraging people to take videos to post on Youtube then to link here to help people like you and me.

I knew nothing about motorcycles other than how to ride one 4 months ago. Now I know very little. But damn is it fun.

also, and this might not apply, never tell your significant other how much youre spending on anything bike related. Its like an "I WIN" card during the next argument.

[Grnrngr]

also, and this might not apply, never tell your significant other how much youre spending on anything bike related.

It's incorrect terminology that causes the problem...you're not spending, you're investing...  
+1 on the impact driver..a must for any Japanese bike, and it's a good idea to swap those phillips head screws that get used a lot (and easily stripped) to allen head screws, so naturally, a good allen wrench set..

[Stev-o]

You'll need the proper spark plug wrench and a voltmeter to get you started.

Most likely, you will need a new battery,these bikes need proper voltage to run. Give it te full tuneup too.

Good Luck.

[seaweb11]

You will need one of these

[stueveone]

Hand held impact driver - For those hard to remove screws.

[dave500]

buy a cheap multi meter,not just a volt meter

[Hush]

Learn some good strong new swear words, if you need help in this just ask...we know them all!
Don't be scared to ask us the "dumb" questions, better to give us a good laugh and learn something useful than try to guess it and cost you money.
Oh yeah and rule #1 is that there are no dumb questions OK! 
We have all been where you are, we all started somewhere scratching our heads muttering about waste of money and why did I buy it.

[Mark M]

Suck, squeeze, bang and blow - once you can get your head round all four of these you
will find it so much easier to develop a methodical approach to getting a four stroke working.

[fastbroshi]

Might be able to get you on the fast track if you can give us some symptoms.  Does it just not try to start at all, or does it cough and sputter a bit?  Got a good charge on the battery?

Fuel, Spark, and Compression.   If the motor has these three things, it HAS to run wether it likes it or not.

Check that fuel is getting through the tank, petcock, and through the carbs.   Easy way would be to take the spark plugs out and smell them.  If one doesn't smell like gas, work your way through the fuel delivery system.

Take each spark plug out, put it back in it's cap, and ground it on the motor.  Try to start it and look for a spark.  All four should be giving you a spark.  Helps to have someone lend a hand here.  Do one at a time.

Got a compression tester?

After you get it running you can address all the maintenance items.  Even with these out of adjustment or just in a bad way, the motor will still run to a degree.

This is a good website for a newb:
http://www.dansmc.com/

[flybox1]

Download the shop manual and the electrical wiring diagram for your bike from this site.
print them out and stick them in a binder to have near your workspace.
i enlarged my electrical diag, and had it laminated, hung in my garage, and can write on it with a dry-erase marker/china pencil when i cover stuff.

a nice pair of good fitting mech gloves.
$7 harbor freight Multimeter
0000 steel wool
$2 brass bristle bore brush (like one from a .22cal, to clean all those female bullet connectors)
can of carb cleaner
1gal simple green
tube of dielectric grease

[Really?]

I am amazed at all of you.  A guys first post and no one asked for a pic!  OMG, what's this forum coming too?   

[lrutt]

Andy, where are you located. Me thinks you will need some guidance and there might be some local members willing to do a little tutoring.

[strawhouse]

bandages

[lofton05]

Number one take as many pictures as possible b/c when its time to put it back togther you will never remember......Label everything as it comes off the bike,  +15 on the impact driver,  torque wrench, simple green couple of gallons,  pb blaster

Don't bother tracking the expenses it will only depress you.

[cameron]

+1 on gloves.

Your knuckles only grow back so many times.

[Goofaroo]

You say you don't know anything about motorcycles but you didn't mention any other mechanical experience you may have. If you have ever worked on you own car, repaired a refrigerator, or any other project that you seemed to have some ability to tackle, then your motorcycle is no different. Just dig in and figure it out as you go. A manual will have all the information you need and should be able to guide you through the process. The forum will also be a good source of guidance. However, if you are the sort of guy that has never even changed your own oil, then this could be either a horrific nightmare bound for failure or a learning experience that will last a lifetime. The outcome, my friend, is entirely up to you.

[weekend_junkie]

You'll be shocked at what a rubber mallet can fix with an old bike.

[splitt]

Before you try to start it, drain all of the old gas from the tank & carbs. This newer gas has ethanol in it, so it doesn't last for squat.

[Don R]

When you find the perfect size phillips screwdriver or bit, get the next bigger size and use it. These are not really phillips but JIS screwdrivers are a bit hard to find.