Author Topic: Green Hornet CB 550/650 # Some pics of my trip to Scotland with SOHC4 Honda  (Read 80279 times)

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Offline Vinhead1957

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VeryCool!   

Offline 70CB750

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Beautiful man, just beautiful!

Offline Bankerdanny

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Man I just LOVE that exhaust. And I am impressed every time I see that tach/speedo combo you made.

Once you get everything all painted up I predict a Bike of the Month nod coming your way.
"The problem with quotes on the Internet is that you never know if they're true" - Abraham Lincoln

Current: '76 CB750F. Previous:  '75 CB550F, 2007 Yamaha Vino 125 Scooter, '75 Harley FXE Superglide, '77 GL1000, '77 CB550k, '68 Suzuki K10 80, '68 Yamaha YR2, '69 BMW R69S, '71 Honda SL175, '02 Royal Enfield Bullet 500, '89 Yamaha FJ1200

Offline Oette

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Thanks guys! The bike is now stripped again to finish the electrics. And man, I really don't like that and it's the most feared and hated part to get through. The rear is nearly finished but all the wires ending in the headlight are just a huge net of colorful provocations.

Are there different versions of the lefthand switch? I measured every wire coming out of it but there are still a white and a blue and brown one I couldn't identify, since all necessary functions are provided by the other cables. This means: PA, horn, full beam +low beam, indicators left and right.

I thought it could be the switch of a Honda GL? Is that possible?

Offline strynboen

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    • http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?PHPSESSID=t9a6o9ufjkcj8ukc3vamdiejg4&/topic,60973.0.html
there are some un used vires think it are somthing vith safty start buttom..not used on european models
i kan not speak english/but trying!!
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=60973.0
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=144758.0
i hate all this v-w.... vords

Offline Oette

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Let's say she is "nearly" running.

CB 550 Four Cafe Racer - First start

I managed to fire her up, then tried to adjust the ignition with my stroboscope. The manual provided all necessary informations to get the right properties.

I adjusted the ignition at the "F"-mark for cylinder 1 and 4, then went on with the smaller adjustable plate to get the right position at the "F" for cylinder 2 and 3. Here my problems started.

The small plate is already at its limit and I can't move the ignition timing more forward to reach the "F"-mark. It is stuck at the "T"-Mark what means that cylinder 2 and 3 fire about 5 degrees too late. Look at this photo here, it's marked.




But that's one story. The other one is, that my centrifugal advancer doesn't advance the ignition timing enough at 2500rpm or above.
The manual says, that above 2500 rpm the advancer has to reach the marks right above the numbers 1-4 and 2-3. The timing where my advancer stucks is shown in the picture below.



I really don't know what to do. I already checked the whole system and replaced the springs with some of another advancer which is not useable because of other traits anymore, but there is still no difference.

Do you have any tips for me?
« Last Edit: May 27, 2013, 02:09:50 am by Oette »

Offline Godffery

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Re: Project "Eleanor" (CB 550 K) #The first fire-up!++Ignition issues
« Reply #256 on: May 27, 2013, 09:48:44 am »
With your Exhaust & Pod Filters, you will not be able to rely on stock settings.
 (BTW; K&N Pods would be MUCH better for tuning)

First you want to get the points set back 180 degrees from each other. You can do this with the engine not running; Turn the crank so the timing cam just starts to opens #1-4 point; the best way to do this is by putting a socket or wrench on the large crank nut (do not use the smaller 10mm bolt ! it will snap it off) Now mark the cam lobe or large nut where the point arm mikes contact with it, then use that to reset the #2-3 point.
You can also use an ohm meter to set the point location.

Once that is done, loosen the 3 screws on the main plate and find out what your maximum range of movement is and divide that by 4 and set the plate to about 3/4 full advanced. This will give you a good "ballpark" setting to start with.

Now, it sounded like your Carbs were out of balance as well so you will need to get those dialed in before doing any more timing.

Also; If you haven't already, make sure the valve clearance has been checked and the Cam chain tension has been adjusted. (BEFORE going to the Carbs).

Offline Oette

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Re: Project "Eleanor" (CB 550 K) #The first fire-up!++Ignition issues
« Reply #257 on: May 27, 2013, 12:54:30 pm »
Thanks Godferry,

 Both ,the valve clearance and the contact breakers' clearances are perfect.
Today I took the advancer off again and polished the socket of the cam. It now runs MUCH better and with some high temp lubricant it really does its job.

Then I measured all components of the ignition and found out that one condensator was clearly damaged. I replaced it with another one lying in my spare parts box.
Now the bike runs really smooth, idles well and there are no more false ignitions.
It accepts the throttle well and again I just can say that it now runs in another universe, no comparison to before.

I'm waiting for an colortune spark plug to adjust the carbs better, then I'll go on synchronizing them again and do the jetting, if necessary. Since I already replaced the main jet with a #105 one, I'll check it with the colortune first.


Offline Godffery

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Re: Project "Eleanor" (CB 550 K) #The first fire-up!++Ignition issues
« Reply #258 on: May 27, 2013, 02:58:49 pm »
Oette,
You will like find that 115 main jets and the needles set 2nd from the bottom clip, perform the best with your current intake & exhaust.

Offline Raef

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Re: Project "Eleanor" (CB 550 K) #The first fire-up!++Ignition issues
« Reply #259 on: May 28, 2013, 08:22:52 am »
Oette,
You will like find that 115 main jets and the needles set 2nd from the bottom clip, perform the best with your current intake & exhaust.
this is about how my 76 550 F is set up with open filter box and foam filter. I started drilling my main jets between rides and stopped drilling at 114

Offline Oette

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Re: Project "Eleanor" (CB 550 K) #The first fire-up!++Ignition issues
« Reply #260 on: June 03, 2013, 01:59:05 pm »
And now she's running well.

First ride on my CB 550 Cafe Racer

That's just a so damn good feeling to have everything working after 25 months of building time!  ;D

Some more steps, which were completed in between:

Chain guard is riveted and installed



Now all lights are connected and working







Next step is locating a painter and seat manufacturer.
« Last Edit: June 03, 2013, 02:04:36 pm by Oette »

Offline RAFster122s

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Congrats!
David- back in the desert SW!

Offline Oette

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I finished my selfmade front fender and all the necessary parts went to the painter. It will be a green comparable with the stock color "candy jade green" and a centered black stripe running all over the bike.






Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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I liked the shortened front fender.  Looks just right.
1975 CB550K1 "Blue" Stockish Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=135005.0)
1975 CB550F1 frame/CB650 engine hybrid "The Hot Mess" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,150220.0.html)
2008 Triumph Thruxton (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,190956.0.html)
2014 MV Agusta Brutale Dragster 800
2015 Yamaha FZ-09 (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,186861.0.html)

"There are some things nobody needs in this world, and a bright-red, hunch-back, warp-speed 900cc cafe racer is one of them — but I want one anyway, and on some days I actually believe I need one.... Being shot out of a cannon will always be better than being squeezed out of a tube. That is why God made fast motorcycles, Bubba." Hunter S. Thompson, Song of the Sausage Creature, Cycle World, March 1995.  (http://www.latexnet.org/~csmith/sausage.html and https://magazine.cycleworld.com/article/1995/3/1/song-of-the-sausage-creature)

Sold/Emeritus
1973 CB750K2 "Bionic Mongrel" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132734.0) - Sold
1977 CB750K7 "Nine Lives" Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=50490.0) - Sold
2005 RVT1000RR RC51-SP2 "El Diablo" - Sold
2016+ Triumph Thruxton 1200 R (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,170198.0.html) - Sold

Offline Tews19

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Im curious how your tach/speedo performs. Can you make a video of it running?
1969 Honda CB750... Basket case
1970 Honda CB750 survivor.

Offline Oette

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I'll make a video for sure, but only as soon as the bike is completely finished ;)

Offline brandEn

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diggin' this build!

Offline Oette

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Re: Project "Eleanor" (CB 550 K) #Paintjob done, Bike nearly finished :>
« Reply #267 on: June 26, 2013, 01:41:32 pm »
Paint is done and these are the current results after putting everything together again!










Offline davidtime

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Re: Project "Eleanor" (CB 550 K) #Paintjob done, Bike nearly finished :>
« Reply #268 on: June 26, 2013, 02:06:17 pm »
Looks good man. Did you find anyone to do the seat yet?

Also what tank is that on there?

Offline Oette

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Re: Project "Eleanor" (CB 550 K) #Paintjob done, Bike nearly finished :>
« Reply #269 on: June 26, 2013, 02:18:44 pm »
Yep, seat will be made in approximately one week. The tank is from a CX 500 but with another pair of mounting brackets welded on and the rear mount bent up and modified a bit to fit the 550's frame.

Offline Viktor.J

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Re: Project "Eleanor" (CB 550 K) #Paintjob done, Bike nearly finished :>
« Reply #270 on: June 26, 2013, 02:35:26 pm »
Your bike looks great. Love the Cx500 tank and the color !
Please ! Take a look and give me feedback in my project thread, its much needed :)
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=112745.0

Honda CB750 K2

Offline davidtime

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Re: Project "Eleanor" (CB 550 K) #Paintjob done, Bike nearly finished :>
« Reply #271 on: June 26, 2013, 02:48:27 pm »
I went with the CB500T tank that I like but man the bulkiness of the CX its something to admire especially with that paint color. I will have to remember that for the next one I do.

Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: Project "Eleanor" (CB 550 K) #Paintjob done, Bike nearly finished :>
« Reply #272 on: June 26, 2013, 06:05:52 pm »
Kick ass!  Nice paint. The CX tank has great lines.
1975 CB550K1 "Blue" Stockish Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=135005.0)
1975 CB550F1 frame/CB650 engine hybrid "The Hot Mess" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,150220.0.html)
2008 Triumph Thruxton (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,190956.0.html)
2014 MV Agusta Brutale Dragster 800
2015 Yamaha FZ-09 (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,186861.0.html)

"There are some things nobody needs in this world, and a bright-red, hunch-back, warp-speed 900cc cafe racer is one of them — but I want one anyway, and on some days I actually believe I need one.... Being shot out of a cannon will always be better than being squeezed out of a tube. That is why God made fast motorcycles, Bubba." Hunter S. Thompson, Song of the Sausage Creature, Cycle World, March 1995.  (http://www.latexnet.org/~csmith/sausage.html and https://magazine.cycleworld.com/article/1995/3/1/song-of-the-sausage-creature)

Sold/Emeritus
1973 CB750K2 "Bionic Mongrel" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132734.0) - Sold
1977 CB750K7 "Nine Lives" Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=50490.0) - Sold
2005 RVT1000RR RC51-SP2 "El Diablo" - Sold
2016+ Triumph Thruxton 1200 R (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,170198.0.html) - Sold

Offline Syscrush

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Your bike looks great. Love the Cx500 tank and the color !
Agreed.  I never knew that the CX500 tank looked so good.
Life is precious: wear your f'n helmet!
There's nothing more expensive than a free bike...
FWIW, I'm not a shill for Race Tech - I've just got a thing for good suspension and the RTCE's are the most cost-effective mod for these old damping rod front ends.

Offline cheftuskey121

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Re: Project "Eleanor" (CB 550 K) #Paintjob done, Bike nearly finished :>
« Reply #274 on: July 03, 2013, 09:23:37 pm »
hurry up and finish this thing. its so gorgeous with that tank and tailpiece!