Topic: New guy with a 74 cb550

[Mcwilliams570]

Hello all just picked up my new project and this looks like a great place to ask questions and get answers. I picked this bike up in New York a few days ago needs some work but got it to start and run. I have included a picture of a part I need to get. I have looked around and cant seem to figure out what it is that I need. Where the tach cable goes into the engine there is a plate like thing that is cracked in half oil will seep out when the engine is running so figure I should replace that if anyone knows what its called please let me know.

I live in the Wilmington Delware area if anyone needs help or wants to go riding. Thanks again guys/gals I am looking forward to this project should be fun.

[Rgconner]

I just purchased a 75...

wow, they are a real treat when you get them running right!

[WarwickE36]

Bike looks great, mind me asking what you paid?

[Bankerdanny]

You can try posting to the parts wanted area that you need the tachometer cap for a '74 550. My guess is that more than one owner has a spare engine or parts bike around and would be able to sell you one.

You may be able to get it new too. Assuming it's the same, Powers Edge motorsports in Michigan, where I order some of my parts from, shows that the part is available for the '76 and '77 (they don't have fische for earlier 550's) for about $25.

[Mcwilliams570]

Bankerdanny thanks for the info will help me with my search and will post on the parts forum. Thanks for the info..

WarwickE36 paid 900 for it probally a bit too much but was what I was looking for.

Rgconner Grats how do you like it so far. The wife and I drive and collect yamaha vmax I was just fooling around on ebay a few months ago and came across a cb550 and fell in love with it. Did some research for a bit and finally found what I was looking for. I cant wait till winter to tear it down and do some work on it thinking of going cafe style with it that look just stirs my soul....

[WarwickE36]

If you overpaid, I got bent over and sodomized.  I bought my 74 CB550 non running for $750.  Good luck with the bike, If you have some questions this is the best place to find them.  As a fellow '74 550 owner I will try my best to tell you what I've learned.  Glad you found a nice 550.  Enjoy!

[Rgconner]

Bankerdanny thanks for the info will help me with my search and will post on the parts forum. Thanks for the info..

WarwickE36 paid 900 for it probally a bit too much but was what I was looking for.

Rgconner Grats how do you like it so far. The wife and I drive and collect yamaha vmax I was just fooling around on ebay a few months ago and came across a cb550 and fell in love with it. Did some research for a bit and finally found what I was looking for. I cant wait till winter to tear it down and do some work on it thinking of going cafe style with it that look just stirs my soul....

I love it. Still needs some work, but there is so much potential there.

I am going to keep it stock looking, with some upgrades to the suspension and maybe the engine at a later date. Nothing major, but likely a port and polish, maybe a better cam. Not sure yet.

Right now it runs good and handles pretty well. I have not pushed it too hard yet, but it runs easily at 75mph, and loves the curves on the B roads out here!

Personally, I find it a great balance of power and agility... won't be setting any records with it, but it is well behaved and more than up to the task.

[johnrdupree]

Welcome aboard.  There are plenty of 550 owners here willing to answer questions and help out with whatever issues you have.

Motogrid is an invaluable resource: http://www.motogrid.com/pages/OemParts?aribrand=HOM

Here's the fiche for your cylinder head: http://www.motogrid.com/pages/OemParts?aribrand=HOM#/Honda/CB550_A__MOTORCYCLE%2c_JPN%2c_VIN%23_CB550K-1000001/CYLINDER_%2b_HEAD/CB550-JPN-A/2Y133740E13374001C

You need item 19: OEM Part #12451-323-000, CAP, TACHOMETER, $27.86 (or so, depending on where you get it.)  A part number lookup shows that being common to the 500/550/650 four cylinders.  You may want to get a new O-ring, too, since that's what stops the oil from getting out.

Somebody here has one laying around, I'm sure.  One note, that screw, like a lot of them on an old bike, can be sticky and easy to strip.  A quality screwdriver and patience will get it out.

Oh, and them some fancy tappet covers you got.  I'm kinda jealous.

~john

[dave500]

the 500/550 share the same tach drive,should narrow your search down,you might come across a dead engine cheap enough with that part you want,,the 500 and 550 bottom ends are different though so keep that in mind.

[Mcwilliams570]

the 500/550 share the same tach drive,should narrow your search down,you might come across a dead engine cheap enough with that part you want,,the 500 and 550 bottom ends are different though so keep that in mind.

Thanks dave have been searching around nothing yet but going to a salvage yard this weekend see what I can get there.

Welcome aboard.  There are plenty of 550 owners here willing to answer questions and help out with whatever issues you have.

Motogrid is an invaluable resource: http://www.motogrid.com/pages/OemParts?aribrand=HOM

Here's the fiche for your cylinder head: http://www.motogrid.com/pages/OemParts?aribrand=HOM#/Honda/CB550_A__MOTORCYCLE%2c_JPN%2c_VIN%23_CB550K-1000001/CYLINDER_%2b_HEAD/CB550-JPN-A/2Y133740E13374001C

You need item 19: OEM Part #12451-323-000, CAP, TACHOMETER, $27.86 (or so, depending on where you get it.)  A part number lookup shows that being common to the 500/550/650 four cylinders.  You may want to get a new O-ring, too, since that's what stops the oil from getting out.

Somebody here has one laying around, I'm sure.  One note, that screw, like a lot of them on an old bike, can be sticky and easy to strip.  A quality screwdriver and patience will get it out.

Oh, and them some fancy tappet covers you got.  I'm kinda jealous.

~john

wow thanks John I have been looking at some of the fiche to try and figure out what part I needed but for some reason they show up so small on my computer is so hard to tell what is what.

thanks on the tappet covers after you said that I looked around and I dont seem to see those on any other 1974 cb550 so I assume they were added. They may look nice but mark my words I dont know when but those covers are going to take a nice chunk out of my nuckles .

[Mcwilliams570]

Oh forgot to put these pictures up they are of the throttle cable and clutch cable. The guy rode it around like this for a few years before he parked it, he said his mechanic said it was alright. HUH you got to be kidding me is such a easy fix by installing the right parts. Oh well this leads me to beilve I am going to come across some other interesting things while redoing this bike

[dave500]

no worries 570,,and dupree
Oh, and them some fancy tappet covers you got.  I'm kinda jealous.

i let a set of those go on a bike i just sold,theyre a pain to get off and you have to flex the tank on its rubber mounts to switch the fuel tap to reserve.

[Doggie]

570,
      Let me know if you find that tach part. I have one off a cb650. Any good stuff at that wrecking yard? Is it just bikes?

                                                Doug
                                       

[Mcwilliams570]

Going to a new slavage yard this saturday let ya know what is there and I am still looking for that tachometer cap . The yard we went to this saturday I just walked away after a few minutes of  talking to the guy they decided all the 70's bike werent worth keeping and they scraped and crushed them them. He wasnt a pleasant guy and made me sick to think they would do that so I left after a few minutes of talking to him .

[Doggie]

Now i'm going to be sick

[Tews19]

Nice bike and welcome to the site. Lots of great information shared here.

[Hotcorner]

Digging those fancy pants finned tapped covers.