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Author Topic: 1976 CB550K Four Restore  (Read 1534 times)

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Offline thewudd

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1976 CB550K Four Restore
« on: July 19, 2011, 08:07:17 AM »
I just acquired the above mentioned bike and can't wait to get started restoring it.  Step one will be getting it running.  I'll upload some pics soon and seek a lot of support.

This is my first ever bike and I'm pumped.
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Offline Bankerdanny

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Re: 1976 CB550K Four Restore
« Reply #1 on: July 19, 2011, 09:29:28 AM »
Welcome. I look forward to the before and after pictures.
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"The problem with quotes on the Internet is that you never know if they're true" - Abraham Lincoln

Current: '76 CB750F. Previous:  '75 CB550F, 2007 Yamaha Vino 125 Scooter, '75 Harley FXE Superglide, '77 GL1000, '77 CB550k, '68 Suzuki K10 80, '68 Yamaha YR2, '69 BMW R69S, '71 Honda SL175, '02 Royal Enfield Bullet 500, '89 Yamaha FJ1200

Offline thewudd

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Re: 1976 CB550K Four Restore
« Reply #2 on: July 20, 2011, 07:21:47 AM »
so here is the downlow on the bike as i bought it.

-PO had removed/cleaned the carbs up pretty well.  no gunk or rust to be seen there. 
-exhaust removed and junked due to rust and wear
-wiring has a few hack job fixes (starter button and high-beam have have switches not on the main controls)
-front brake system will need an overhaul
-no battery
-plugs are a little fouled and will need to be replaced
-tank was a little rusty inside
-front fork will need to be redone

i think that is the bulk of the issues.  motor turns nicely, has good compression, and all the metal seems to be ok.  the fenders and such look to be in great shape.

despite being a noob i think i can handle all of these jobs.  i am doing electrolysis on the tank right now when that is completed we'll get her fired up hopefully. 
« Last Edit: July 20, 2011, 07:26:52 AM by thewudd »
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Offline thewudd

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Re: 1976 CB550K Four Restore
« Reply #3 on: July 28, 2011, 11:02:23 AM »
i have to find an exhaust for this but don't want to spend a ton of money.  anyone know a good spot to look for cross fitment from other years etc?  i'd really like to go with a 4-1 or 4-2 but i'm lost.  would really like a black finish on them.  i hope to pick up some used ones for a reasonable price.  maybe i'll get lucky and someone will have some they want to get me on the cheap.

i'm all but done w/ the electrolysis on the tank.  i have a newer charger and it didn't want to run when hooked up to the tank alone so i hooked it up to a battery and then the tank and finally started collecting rust.  what recommendations do ya'll have for sealing it or do i even need to once the rust is out?  i live near memphis so i really don't ever have to winterize the bike for a long period of time. 

need to pick up a few misc. parts like a throttle sleeve, new jet (one was broken and placed back in despite the fact), starter switch, and possibly a starter/magnetic converter.  hope to get it back running soon then i'll move on to some fun mods.  i'll post some pics when i have time.  this week work has been rough and my second job has required many hours as well.  thanks god the weekend is near.
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Offline hsr

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Re: 1976 CB550K Four Restore
« Reply #4 on: July 28, 2011, 01:10:54 PM »
Quote from: thewudd on July 28, 2011, 11:02:23 AM
i have to find an exhaust for this but don't want to spend a ton of money.  anyone know a good spot to look for cross fitment from other years etc?  i'd really like to go with a 4-1 or 4-2 but i'm lost.  would really like a black finish on them.  i hope to pick up some used ones for a reasonable price.  maybe i'll get lucky and someone will have some they want to get me on the cheap.

Looking good.  I will PM you about the exhaust that I have for sale.

Jeff
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Offline jiggliemon

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Re: 1976 CB550K Four Restore
« Reply #5 on: July 30, 2011, 10:37:01 AM »
Chris is selling some more of his 4-1 550 exhaust.

http://motogpwerks.com/
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Offline thewudd

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Re: 1976 CB550K Four Restore
« Reply #6 on: August 31, 2011, 06:28:34 AM »
so i got snookered on ebay i think.  i bought a 4-1 system.  it looks pretty good, but when i tried to install it, it seems i will have to force some of the pipes into their particular port holes.  that's okay i guess and i can handle it w/ an extra pair of arms.  my next problem is that the shims i have don't fit the pipes.  so these are obviously a larger diameter and i can't get the pipes to seat against the ports.  they are a half inch off.  has anyone had this problem w/ an aftermarket exhaust?  i'm thinking i can use the outer pair of the shims and just grind off some of the ring so that they will fit b/t the posts that have the bolts that the nuts thread on to.  does that make since or am i way off base?  or maybe i'm lucky and someone has a set of larger diameter shims laying around that they want to get me on the cheap.  i guess i can put pics up if needed...
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Offline Cheffish

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Re: 1976 CB550K Four Restore
« Reply #7 on: August 31, 2011, 11:18:22 AM »
Post some pics. It sounds like the pipes not meant for your bike. A half inch off alignment seems like an awful lot. If the diameter is that much bigger I also don't think the pipe will seat right even if you do tweak it enough to match the ports.
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Offline sniper1

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Re: 1976 CB550K Four Restore
« Reply #8 on: August 31, 2011, 05:48:05 PM »
Can you tell me how you did the electrolosys on the tank? What did you use? How did you set it up? How long do you do it? and how were the results? I have a rusty tank, that I may have to do this with also.

Thanks,
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Offline thewudd

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Re: 1976 CB550K Four Restore
« Reply #9 on: August 31, 2011, 07:19:34 PM »
i'll try to get some pics of the exhaust.  on a totally related note, if they are not meant for my bike, i have a 4-1 exhaust painted black for sale.  i've been totally busy and am behind on this project as well as others.  my issue is that w/o the shims, it isn't even close to seating on the copper crush ring and the shims won't fit.  again, i think i was snookered.  worst part is the guy took like 3 wks to ship!

regarding electrolysis: i googled it and used a pc of threaded rod that i bent to run down the length of my tank.  used an old spray paint cap and washer to secure it to the top w/o touching the tank.  i used a newer battery charger that charges at 6 amps but has some security feature where it has to have a battery in line.  so i just hooked it up to an old marine battery and used the jumper cables to go to the tank.  cleaned it up pretty nicely.  i left it on for a few days and would use a steel brush on the anode every day.  i'm gonna run some CLR through it as well to try and get a little better look inside.  hopefully this explains it well enough. 
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