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

[Roach]

Hope this will work...
I have noticed allot of threads being started on short little questions that probably don't need to have there own thread.

so in order to clean up the forum a bit put all little questions in here.

please still remember to put in the question

bike year and model so people can best help you.

[Roach]

first question 1978 cb550k

can i put gasket sealer on my head gasket or should it just be the gasket?

[MCRider]

first question 1978 cb550k

can i put gasket sealer on my head gasket or should it just be the gasket?

IMO sealer or dry is fine. If you use sealer DO NOT USE SILICONE! It squishes out, hardens, breaks off and finds its way to places it shouldn't. Use "elephant snot" type sealers that never harden like gasgacinch. And only sparingly.

[phil71]

there was a permatex spray called hi-tack (i think) that was recommended for car head gaskets.. think that would be okay too

[MCRider]

there was a permatex spray called hi-tack (i think) that was recommended for car head gaskets.. think that would be okay too

I would agree with that. Tacky non-hardening is the key.
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/3/13/125/22862/ITEM/Permatex-High-Tack-Gasket-Sealant.aspx

[nayto550]

there was a permatex spray called hi-tack (i think) that was recommended for car head gaskets.. think that would be okay too

Hi-tack is great stuff, Permatex also makes a product called Hylomar (spelling?).  I like the hylomar, because in addition to using it on gaskets, it is soluble in gasoline, so you can use it on those awful carb bowl o-rings without any ill effects.  Just remember when using any of these products, a little bit goes a long ways!

[Roach]

there was a permatex spray called hi-tack (i think) that was recommended for car head gaskets.. think that would be okay too

Hi-tack is great stuff, Permatex also makes a product called Hylomar (spelling?).  I like the hylomar, because in addition to using it on gaskets, it is soluble in gasoline, so you can use it on those awful carb bowl o-rings without any ill effects.  Just remember when using any of these products, a little bit goes a long ways!

how is the stuff when in high heat areas?

[nayto550]

I've never used it on head gaskets (I install dry), but I use it on base, rocker cover, and intake gaskets religiously and have never had a problem.

[swellguy]

Great idea for a thread, Roach. Thanks.

[MCRider]

there was a permatex spray called hi-tack (i think) that was recommended for car head gaskets.. think that would be okay too

Hi-tack is great stuff, Permatex also makes a product called Hylomar (spelling?).  I like the hylomar, because in addition to using it on gaskets, it is soluble in gasoline, so you can use it on those awful carb bowl o-rings without any ill effects.  Just remember when using any of these products, a little bit goes a long ways!

how is the stuff when in high heat areas?

The Permatex label says good to 500°F. The Gasgacinch label says best product for head gaskets, so it must be high enough.

[nayto550]

The Permatex label says good to 500°F. The Gasgacinch label says best product for head gaskets, so it must be high enough.

"Best product for head gaskets"  says the people that manufacture said product.  Not saying that it isn't, it just always makes me chuckle when I see stuff like that on any label.

[txbikeguy]

My shot at stupid little questoin.

Rode my bike a liiiiiittle too hard yesterday, and the neutral light stopped working.

67 cb550

Question - Besides the light and the connection to the instrument panel, what should I check first.

I'm assuming it's a connection problem with the switch inside the case, but I'd like to check everything else before I check that, but I'm pretty sure that's what it's going to be, judging by my shifting antics yesterday.

Had this bike for a few weeks now and haven't been riding it very hard until I do some tune up work, but that's just what happens when you hang out with cafe racer crews in Austin, these guys (AND girls) roll hard as fuuuuu....

[seanbarney41]

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?

[Flying J]

My shot at stupid little questoin.

Rode my bike a liiiiiittle too hard yesterday, and the neutral light stopped working.

67 cb550

Question - Besides the light and the connection to the instrument panel, what should I check first.

I'm assuming it's a connection problem with the switch inside the case, but I'd like to check everything else before I check that, but I'm pretty sure that's what it's going to be, judging by my shifting antics yesterday.

Had this bike for a few weeks now and haven't been riding it very hard until I do some tune up work, but that's just what happens when you hang out with cafe racer crews in Austin, these guys (AND girls) roll hard as fuuuuu....

I believe that the neutral light works backwards from other lights on the bike. In that it comes on when the switch on the bottom of the crank case is grounded. So check the continuity of the wire going from the light to the case with the ground while its in neutral. If you have continuity then its something else.

[mickey6]

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?

What is the wintergreen treatment? 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.

[B.O.X.N.I.F.E.]

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?

What is the wintergreen treatment? 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.

Sure you can. I think min spec is around 5mm, stock is 7mm. I wouldn't go that low personally. Take it to a shop that resurfaces flywheels.

[seanbarney41]

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...

[CycleRanger]

I think the idea for this thread is a good one however a more proper title for this thread would be "simple little question thread".
Imho, the word "stupid" invokes negative connotations.

Jus' sayin. 

[Bob Wessner]

I agree. I modified the title. 

[Roach]

I agree. I modified the title. 

thanks for the fix on the title 

[CycleRanger]

Thank you both for accepting my suggestion in spirit in which it was intended.
This place is uncharacteristically civil for an internets forum....   

Now, on with the questions! 

[nhodges]

SeanB,

I removed my whole air box, took it apart, and ran hot water over the air boots.  I think I may have soaked the whole top of the air box in hot water.  It softened the boots enough to remove them.  I also wintergreen oiled my boots and it worked great.

[Flying J]

Use a hair dryer or a heat gun to losen them up.

[ray]

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.

[Kouros]

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