Topic: Getting ready to fire up my CB550, any last minute tips or suggestions?

[chopped550]

I'm going to at least attempt to kickstart my project bike tomorrow and hear it run.  I don't have any idea when the last time it actually ran, so I need some suggestions on making it as easy as possible.  Other than fluid changes, any suggestions? Will it needa battery to idle, or should it idle on its own?

[OldSchool_IsCool]

Yes, it needs a battery. 

Kick 'er about a dozen times with the key off.  Take a valve cover off each side of the engine and make sure oil is getting up to the cam shaft.

Did you
- adjust the tappets? 
- Check the timing? 
- Fresh gas? 
- Gap plugs?

Basically, did you perform a 3000 mile checkup?

[chopped550]

Yes, it needs a battery. 

Kick 'er about a dozen times with the key off.  Take a valve cover off each side of the engine and make sure oil is getting up to the cam shaft.

Did you
- adjust the tappets? 
- Check the timing? 
- Fresh gas? 
- Gap plugs?

Basically, did you perform a 3000 mile checkup?

yes, it'll have fresh gas, and I'm going to swap plugs out of a known running 550F.  Can I static time it?  I have a donor bike and I'm swapping all the stuff over to my bobber project.  I'm pretty sure the timing will be fairly close, and almost positive it'll be close enough to at least run. Hopefully I'll hear if run tomorrow.  Thanks for the advice.   

[OldSchool_IsCool]

Static time should be fine.  All you need is compression, a good air/fuel mix and a well timed spark.  She'll run again, they always do!

[Stev-o]

Some guys like to put a couple drops of oil in each cylinder for lube.
And as stated above, you need a good battery for spark.
I would check spark and fuel delivery before attempting to start.

Good luck...

[OldSchool_IsCool]

And having a can of carb cleaner handy to give 'er a little Happy Gas doesn't hurt either! 

[chopped550]

And having a can of carb cleaner handy to give 'er a little Happy Gas doesn't hurt either! 

ya, there will be plenty of that laying around, haha!  I actually don't think I'll be able to start it this morning, I pulled a spark plug wire out of it's boot last night and it appeared to be all green and corroded.  I'm going to double check again in better light this morning, but it doesn't look good. 

[OldSchool_IsCool]

And having a can of carb cleaner handy to give 'er a little Happy Gas doesn't hurt either! 

ya, there will be plenty of that laying around, haha!  I actually don't think I'll be able to start it this morning, I pulled a spark plug wire out of it's boot last night and it appeared to be all green and corroded.  I'm going to double check again in better light this morning, but it doesn't look good. 

An easy fix if the wire isn't too short.  Clip off about a quarter inch of wire til you get to clean copper.  Clean up the spike inside the cap as best you can or get new caps (5K ohms, match the angles, 2 @ 90* and 2 at 120* I think).

[chopped550]

And having a can of carb cleaner handy to give 'er a little Happy Gas doesn't hurt either! 

ya, there will be plenty of that laying around, haha!  I actually don't think I'll be able to start it this morning, I pulled a spark plug wire out of it's boot last night and it appeared to be all green and corroded.  I'm going to double check again in better light this morning, but it doesn't look good. 

An easy fix if the wire isn't too short.  Clip off about a quarter inch of wire til you get to clean copper.  Clean up the spike inside the cap as best you can or get new caps (5K ohms, match the angles, 2 @ 90* and 2 at 120* I think).

Oh wow, I never even thought of that!  I guess I WILL try and start it today! Thanks!

[chopped550]

Well, it won't start.  I can't get spark and I don't know why. This bike is completely custom, and I'm trying to wire it as simply as possible. I have to be missing something, I have the wires coming off the points/stator housing running to the coils. The negatives are body grounded, and I have good battery voltage. I need a wiring diagram!

[OldSchool_IsCool]

Do you have points?

If yes, do this:
- slip a business card or similar between the points connected to the blue wire
- key on, kill switch on, strong battery installed
- measure the voltage between the blue wire and ground
- Got 12 volts?

If no, what is the voltage of the black/white wire at the coils?
If yes, repeat above with the yellow wire

Report results back here.

[Stev-o]

Diagram:


http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=80305.0;attach=134226

[chopped550]

Do you have points?

If yes, do this:
- slip a business card or similar between the points connected to the blue wire
- key on, kill switch on, strong battery installed
- measure the voltage between the blue wire and ground
- Got 12 volts?

If no, what is the voltage of the black/white wire at the coils?
If yes, repeat above with the yellow wire

Report results back here.

I have no key or kill switch currently, so that takes some confusion out of the equation.  I'm just going to cut fuel as of now to shut it off. I'll check voltage and report back in a little while. Thanks!

[Bodi]

"I have the wires coming off the points/stator housing running to the coils. The negatives are body grounded"

Doesn't quite make sense.
- What negatives?
- The stator is on the opposite end of the engine from the points and should have no connection to the ignition circuit.

Battery "+" to coil primary (black/white wires maybe? or just black?)

Battery "-" to engine case

the colored wires from coils go to to the points. If the bike backfires through the carbs and won't start, swap these wires wires.

Have some sort of emergency ignition power disconnect, a switch or at least a wire you can pull off. Shutting off the gas will kill the engine after several minutes of idling... but if the throttle sticks open you your engine will self-destruct long before it runs out of gas.

[chopped550]

Are you saying the black/white wires coming off the coils are positives? I have the yellow and blue wires going to the points, and the black/white wires off the coils grounded. There is my problem. I'll try it after work. Thanks so much!!

[OldSchool_IsCool]

Yes, the black/white should be 12v from the kill switch. Honda motorcycles use black for +12v switched, red for +12v unswitched and green for ground. Very much UNLIKE what you would find under your car hood.

[chopped550]

Yes, the black/white should be 12v from the kill switch. Honda motorcycles use black for +12v switched, red for +12v unswitched and green for ground. Very much UNLIKE what you would find under your car hood.

well, that totally makes sense now.  I'll have to re-route a few wires when I get home from work and then I'll see if she'll fire.  You guys are the best!

[James]

...and magically it did appear....




.....with only the brake light....



......With no lights whatsoever.......





I just start by choosing something I dont want and edit it out in paint.

[chopped550]

Well, I have spark now! I had to mess around with the points wiring for a while, but I eventually got it right. Since I don't know when the last time this motor ran, I figured it'd be a hassle to start it. I got it to sputter a little once, and had to give up for the night. I'll try again tonight though. Here's a quick picture of it-

[Stev-o]

Progress!