Topic: <<<the simple little question thread>>>

[TwoTired]

Can I remove the double screw type petcock screen? And just use an inline filter? In another thread I mentioned I could not, for the life of me manage to screw in the bowl into the bong with both o-ring and screen. 3 people have tried now and we have failed. Thanks.

-Kouros

The screen goes in after the two screws are seated.  The screen is held in with gasket and the sediment bowl.

Maybe the washers you put on the screws are too many, too thick?

[TwoTired]

My turn Is it sufficient to remove the airbox rubber to get the carbs off a CB500 ? First time I removed the carbs, I removed the whole airfilterbox and batterybox.

You don't need to remove either of the forward or rear carb boots to remove and install the carbs.
 You DO have to completely remove the rear band clamps.  And you should remove the air filter box screws to gain room.  The rear rubber boots must be carefully deflected during the removal and install sequence, so they won't get torn.

Didn't you notice that the rear air plenum boots were glued in?

Cheers,

[TwoTired]

While that maybe a stupid question I have a question that I actually feel stupid asking. I was told by a mechanic that you can't have cb500 brake rotors turned, is that true? Personally I call bs, but at the same time I don't want to send them out if I'm going to regret it.

The rotors on our bikes are stainless steel, which is harder to machine than regular steel.  This is very hard on cutting tools causing them to dull quickly.  Unless you pay higher costs for very durable cutting bits, it is better to have the stainless rotors ground, rather than turned.  This is a different machine type than your average lathe.

So, he was correct than stainless rotors can't be turned... on his particular machine.
You will have to find a shop that can handle stainless rotors.  They can be resurfaced to a smaller dimension as noted above.  With the right equipment.  Usually flywheel shops have the proper grinder (to remove hard spots), and the tooling to resurface flywheels and rotors.

Cheers,

[ckramlic]

I don't know nothin' about that neutral light, mine hasn't ever worked...sorry...my question is...if your airbox rubbers are hardened, how do you get 'em out of the airbox for the wintergreen treatment?  I honestly never realized they were supposed to be soft until reading so around here?

Hey, I just had my carbs out the other day and it's a lot of fun !) You should be able to push the boots back into the airbox and get them out that way. When you put them back on you'll have to go from the outside though, unless you have ridiculously small hands and long finger. I've found that a little Armor All works nice to lube up old rubber parts so they don't tear when you're working on them.

[seanbarney41]

thanks everybody on the airbox boot question!   That one has been buggin' me for a long time...

[kerryb]

Going back to the neutral switch chapter...The switch is actually quite easy to get to, provided you have an impact driver for the cover screws.  I just inspected/cleaned mine ('77-550).  Two screws will remove the switch contact and the cam on the gear selector.  Wipe these off, check for continuity and then open up the dashboard light to check continuity/bulb condition at the other end.

if that's not clear I could take some pics.

[Kouros]

Thanks on the Petcock issue. The old rubber o-ring and the new one are the same size. Yes, I've everything you mentioned...no worke yet.

Kouros

[mickey6]

so here's another one, will 550 pipes fit on a 500. I would think they would but...

[Doggie]

     Answer to the hard rubber question: I soaked mine in power steering fluid additive and it worked great. Found that on this forum a while back.
     Answer to neutral safety switch: Mine wasn't working either so while my front sprocket cover was off I looked and the tab that makes contact in neural wasn't making contact. Bent it ever so slightly till the light cam on.
                                   Good luck     Doug

[nayto550]

My simple little question:  Does anyone know if the sprocket carrier (the part that goes in the cush-drive in the rear hub) on a 750F is interchangeable with a 550F?

... maybe not that simple   

[TwoTired]

so here's another one, will 550 pipes fit on a 500. I would think they would but...

The 4 into 4s from years prior to 77 are all interchangeable.
The engine port interfaces are the same for all.  The frame attachments differ for 77-78 4 into 4 styles and the F model exhaust.
The F model exhaust also needs frame, brake lever, and kick starter mods crossed to other models.  Center stands are different too, on the highly desirable F models. 

Cheers,

[mickey6]

so here's another one, will 550 pipes fit on a 500. I would think they would but...

The 4 into 4s from years prior to 77 are all interchangeable.
The engine port interfaces are the same for all.  The frame attachments differ for 77-78 4 into 4 styles and the F model exhaust.
The F model exhaust also needs frame, brake lever, and kick starter mods crossed to other models.  Center stands are different too, on the highly desirable F models. 

Cheers,

Thanks, what about 4-1's?

[TwoTired]

so here's another one, will 550 pipes fit on a 500. I would think they would but...

The 4 into 4s from years prior to 77 are all interchangeable.
The engine port interfaces are the same for all.  The frame attachments differ for 77-78 4 into 4 styles and the F model exhaust.
The F model exhaust also needs frame, brake lever, and kick starter mods crossed to other models.  Center stands are different too, on the highly desirable F models. 

Cheers,

Thanks, what about 4-1's?

I thought I covered that in the F model exhaust.  They were 4 into 1.

Or maybe you are referring to aftermarket?  Again the engine ports are the same.  It's the frame mounting that could be tricky, or need some ingenuity to hang properly.  Kinda need to know what the aftermarket maker intended to replace.

Cheers,

[Roach]

so i put in new piston rings new base gasket new head gasket...

my question is before i start the motor anything i should do? out some oil down the spark plug holes?

[joerizzo0]

great thread!

now what type of oil should i use?

joking!!!!!!

[magconpres]

Mickey6, if you have hardened carb or airbox boots, you can soak them in Wintergreen oil(can be found at the drug store)and it will soften the rubber...

Don't get it from the drugstore.  It's way expensive there (something like $8/oz).  You can get a quart of it for around $20 on eBay.  Go Kart racers use it to soften tires.  Search for tire prep.  I think mine was from a company called Thor.

[mickey6]

anyone know any tricks to lining up clip-ons?

[Roach]

anyone know what i can do about my kick stand on my 550 i put cb900f showa shocks and now my nike looks like it can tip over any second....i need ideas???


i dont have a centre stand bike never came with one

[nayto550]

anyone know what i can do about my kick stand on my 550 i put cb900f showa shocks and now my nike looks like it can tip over any second....i need ideas???

i dont have a centre stand bike never came with one

When I lowered my Harley, I put a torch to the sidestand and just bent it out until the bike sat in a way that was acceptable to me.  Dunno if you would want to go that route, though.

[Roach]

yeah i don't think bending it out would help lol might fall over even faster than it in stock position. and bending it in might not work either....hm mm I'm in a pickle that's forsure

[MCRider]

yeah i don't think bending it out would help lol might fall over even faster than it in stock position. and bending it in might not work either....hm mm I'm in a pickle that's forsure

With the 900 shocks, are you saying it leans too far, or it stands up too striaght?

In any event, if it stands up too straight, cut the stand and reweld shorter. Leans too much, weld a medallion of appropriate thickness to the foot of the stand. I did that, it helps in soft pavement and gravel/dirt parking situations, too.

[Greggo]

Is the rear sprocket cover a safety item?  I've seen bikes without them, but I'm wondering if there are mods needed to achieve that look (spacer, bearings, etc.).

Thanks

[seanbarney41]

I was kinda wondering about this too...I already went ahead and ditched mine...1000miles and no problems yet...

[TwoTired]

Not sure what you are talking about.  But, if it is what I think, consider if the chain jumps of the sprocket while the rear wheel is turning.

Cheers,

[seanbarney41]

...yeah...mine's already all bent and effef up from this happening to some po...so this makes me wonder if there is really any value to this part...anybody got a straight one?