Topic: Green Hornet CB 550/650 # Some pics of my trip to Scotland with SOHC4 Honda

[Vinhead1957]

VeryCool!   

[70CB750]

Beautiful man, just beautiful!

[Bankerdanny]

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.

[Oette]

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?

[strynboen]

there are some un used vires think it are somthing vith safty start buttom..not used on european models

[Oette]

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?

[Godffery]

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).

[Oette]

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.

[Godffery]

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.

[Raef]

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

[Oette]

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! 

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.

[RAFster122s]

Congrats!

[Oette]

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.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I liked the shortened front fender.  Looks just right.

[Tews19]

Im curious how your tach/speedo performs. Can you make a video of it running?

[Oette]

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

[brandEn]

diggin' this build!

[Oette]

Paint is done and these are the current results after putting everything together again!

[davidtime]

Looks good man. Did you find anyone to do the seat yet?

Also what tank is that on there?

[Oette]

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.

[Viktor.J]

Your bike looks great. Love the Cx500 tank and the color !

[davidtime]

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.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Kick ass!  Nice paint. The CX tank has great lines.

[Syscrush]

Your bike looks great. Love the Cx500 tank and the color !

Agreed.  I never knew that the CX500 tank looked so good.

[cheftuskey121]

hurry up and finish this thing. its so gorgeous with that tank and tailpiece!