Author Topic: Birddog's '78 CB550 (Read 3208 times)

birddog1148 · « **on:** December 03, 2011, 03:28:35 PM »

Picked this up the other day for $250, thought it was too good a deal to pass up. Drug it back to my shop and parked it. Finally got to dig in to it some today. Pulled the carbs off and pulled the bowls off the two center carbs and they were remarkably clean inside, like the previous owner had run the gas out before he parked it. Pulled the fuel valve off the tank and the filter out and cleaned them. The tank had some old nasty has in it, very little though and doesnt look to be rusty from what I can see. The brake master cyl looked like it was full of sawdust, scraped that out and have it soaking. Did get it to fire with starting fluid sprayed in the intake. Forgot my camera so no pics but will take it next time I go work on it.
The air box is missing otherwise it looks pretty complete. What would be the problems with getting four cone filters instead of a stock air cleaner? I thought I read somewhere that this bike had a 4 into one exhaust, but it has dual 2 into 1 exhaust. By the way, was last tagged in '93 so looks like it has been sitting 18 yrs.

brooze72 · « **Reply #1 on:** December 03, 2011, 03:42:00 PM »

Nice find Birddog! Looks like vintage Vetter Fairing & luggage mounted. You can go with cone filters (pods) but do some research on our site first, tuning can be a bear with pods, so the consensus goes. If it is a '78, I think they had 4 into 4 exhausts, "F" models '75~'77 had 4 into 1. Others here will know for sure. Welcome aboard!

birddog1148 · « **Reply #2 on:** December 04, 2011, 03:17:34 PM »

Played around a little more with it today. Think I am going to call it the "Rustwing" 'cause it aint gold. Here are some more pics.

Looked in tank and there is only a little rust on the bottom of the tank, the rest is silver and nice.

Inside carbs

Cant get stereo to work yet, probobly swap in a cheap cd player with a MP# input anyway.

I dont think it looks that bad for it's age so I think I will just clean it up as good as I can and make it run right and savor the "Patina" that it has.
Couple questions, there are 2 holes in the bottom of the master cyl. Are they both supposed to be open? The nail shows a hole that is plugged? Or just never drilled?

And what is this other fitting for? Its smaller than the fuel inlet.

I got it started but it only runs with the choke closed and if I keep working the throttle. And I found a pretty bad oil leak at the shifter, how hard is that seal to change?
And when can I stop entering verifications to post? $:-\$

brooze72 · « **Reply #3 on:** December 04, 2011, 03:34:19 PM »

Your plan sounds good, clean er up & ride! Tank looks clean, that's a releif. Haven't changed the shifter seal myself, so guess we'll have to wait for others to chip in. Dave500 is a real good source of kowledge on these 500's (among others) I think there is only one hole open in that brake reservoir you showed.

Stev-o · « **Reply #4 on:** December 04, 2011, 03:49:36 PM »

First off, welcome and good find! Judging by your sidecovers, you have a K model, which came with 4 into 4 exhaust. [Brooze is correct, the F model came with 4 into 1].
The shifter seal can be easy to change, you'll have to get the engine cover off. Use an impact wrench to loosen those screws. Most likely the carbs need a good cleaning to run right, there are tiny openings that could be clogged.
Good luck.

birddog1148 · « **Reply #5 on:** December 05, 2011, 06:39:25 AM »

I got the side cover off, just didn't take a pic, just used a big screw driver and a good tap from a hammer. The side kickstand lets the bike lean WAY over, I have 2 2x4 under it and the center kickstand is off. What do I need to put the center one back on? I see the brackets underneith but dont know what I am missing. And how to I make the side one hold the bike more upright?

brooze72 · « **Reply #6 on:** December 05, 2011, 07:28:06 AM »

A large bolt or some type of shaft will temporarily hold your center stand on for work. You will need to look up the right one to use (need springs too to keep it up when not in use), parts lists are on Bike Bandit etc. Sounds like your side stand may be bent? Does it stick out pretty far when up?

Stev-o · « **Reply #7 on:** December 05, 2011, 05:46:23 PM »

You need a pipe for the center stand, look here:

http://www.powersportspro.com/pages/OemParts?aribrand=HOM#/Honda/CB550K_A_(78)_MOTORCYCLE%2c_JPN%2c_VIN%23_CB550K-2100001_TO_CB550K-2122082/STAND_%2b_STEP/CB550K-78-JPN-A/2Y134043F13404319A

And yes, your side stand is most likely bent. Some heat and a big hammer will fix it!

birddog1148 · « **Reply #8 on:** December 05, 2011, 06:09:31 PM »

Quote from: Stev-o on December 05, 2011, 05:46:23 PM

You need a pipe for the center stand, look here:

http://www.powersportspro.com/pages/OemParts?aribrand=HOM#/Honda/CB550K_A_(78)_MOTORCYCLE%2c_JPN%2c_VIN%23_CB550K-2100001_TO_CB550K-2122082/STAND_%2b_STEP/CB550K-78-JPN-A/2Y134043F13404319A

And yes, your side stand is most likely bent. Some heat and a big hammer will fix it!

Thanks Stev-O! Ordered what I needed and the shifter seal as well. Well I didnt order the cotter pin, will source that local if I dont already have one.

birddog1148 · « **Reply #9 on:** December 27, 2011, 02:39:53 PM »

How long does this placeb take to ship? Still havnt gotten my parts!

Got bored waiting and picked up a '71 VW camper

Tom in Newcastle......Ontario · « **Reply #10 on:** December 28, 2011, 11:40:33 AM »

Bird dog......on your master there is supposed to be two holes ,one is very small,acts like a pressure relief,use a guitar string to clean it..

If you are looking for an air box ... there is one in the for sale section http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=98339.0

wedoo2 · « **Reply #11 on:** December 30, 2011, 05:19:28 AM »

I can't imagine that the bike started. Shows how tough these bikes are. There is hardly a surface that does not need cleaned. Exciting project. BTW both of those ports on the master cylinder need to be open. I've read where folks have used a solvent and then some guitar string to open things up.

With all the luggage and fairing on that bike, it is hard to believe there was room for a rider.

I guess the PO had Gold Wing envy.

birddog1148 · « **Reply #12 on:** January 02, 2012, 02:09:09 PM »

Emailed Dillon brothers to ask where my parts are, been almost a month.

I figured that other hole needed openened up. I was using stainless MIG wire. Had to order parts for the bus maybe my bike parts will come in while I wait. The way it leaks oil I cant really do much till the shifter seal comes in.

birddog1148 · « **Reply #13 on:** January 11, 2012, 02:06:56 PM »

Ordered the parts on the 5th of Dec, recieved the parts on 11 Jan. 2 emails inquiring about the status of my order were un-answered

. Well at least I can get back to working on this thing while I wait on parts for my VW Bus.

A buddy is supposed to be getting me an airbox so We can get this thing going!

birddog1148 · « **Reply #14 on:** January 12, 2012, 03:59:48 PM »

Parts

No more oil leak now

Found the center stand was bent and a weld broke.

So I welded it

Not sure where to hook the spring on the frame or where the 2 "c" clips go on the kick stand. Looks like the carbs are coming back off and getting cleaned real good.

birddog1148 · « **Reply #15 on:** January 20, 2012, 01:14:07 PM »

Is that all there is to the air box besides the filter and clamps?

Tom in Newcastle......Ontario · « **Reply #16 on:** January 20, 2012, 02:03:56 PM »

A couple more pieces then just the filter and clamps

http://www.motogrid.com/pages/OemParts?aribrand=HOM#/Honda/CB550K_A_%2878%29_MOTORCYCLE%2c_JPN%2c_VIN%23_CB550K-2100001_TO_CB550K-2122082/AIR_CLEANER/CB550K-78-JPN-A/2Y134043F13404316A

birddog1148 · « **Reply #17 on:** January 20, 2012, 02:32:24 PM »

Thanks, thats what I thought

TwoTired · « **Reply #18 on:** January 20, 2012, 02:53:26 PM »

Quote

Is that all there is to the air box besides the filter and clamps?

No. See:
http://www.cmsnl.com/honda-cb550k3-four-usa_model1015/partslist/F++16.html

There is a top cover/air horn and a rubber moldeded part for a seal to the box. Items 7,8,9,10 with item 6 very nice to have.
There is a arched spring to hold the filter in place. Item 5
Um, you need a filter element. Item 2
I can't tell from the picture. But, at the bottom is supposed to be an engine breather with two metal parts (one is a perch for the main air filter element), another rubber seal, and a foam pad. Items 18,19,20, 21.
The side of the box should have a right angle fitting for the engine breather tube. Item 23. (If it doesn't, then is was from a CB500 and the rubber carb couplers will be wrong for the PD carbs.)
There should also be a drain/pinch tube for the bottom to drain off condensate collected from the engine. Item 22
Also look like you are missing mount brackets 3,4,14,16, and spacers 24 and 25.
I can't tell if you have #15 from your posted pic.

Quote

And what is this other fitting for? Its smaller than the fuel inlet.

It is a supply tube for carb's venting system. A small tube attached to it and routed back to a place between engine case and swing arm, where all the other drain tubes collect.

Cheers,

Tom in Newcastle......Ontario · « **Reply #19 on:** January 20, 2012, 03:17:26 PM »

Quote from: TwoTired on January 20, 2012, 02:53:26 PM

Quote
Is that all there is to the air box besides the filter and clamps?
No. See:
http://www.cmsnl.com/honda-cb550k3-four-usa_model1015/partslist/F++16.html

There you go confirmed by the expert............

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Author Topic: Birddog's '78 CB550 (Read 3208 times)