Author Topic: Novice with a non-running '77 CB550 (Read 7693 times)

knowsnothing · « **Reply #25 on:** March 12, 2012, 10:21:31 AM »

I think one way to check if its the battery or something else is to manually jump the starter solenoid. If you take a screw driver and connect the two poles of the solenoid it should cause the starter to spin. If it spins, then it might be something other than the battery, like a bad connection or loose wire somewhere. I would wait until someone else confirms though

Word of caution - this can cause a few sparks so make sure there isn't flammable stuff anywhere in the vicinity (ie spilled gas from drippy carbs)

dave500 · « **Reply #26 on:** March 12, 2012, 12:48:56 PM »

so you checked the points settings before you tried to start it?you might undo the carb drain screws and see if they are filling up?

Chad · « **Reply #27 on:** March 12, 2012, 06:35:56 PM »

Thanks for the advice guys. I'll check the battery and make sure it's fully charged before I try and start it again.

Dave.. I did adjust the point settings. I'll try removing the drain screws. Hopefully this will be easily resolved and I'll have a running bike soon.

Chad · « **Reply #28 on:** March 20, 2012, 08:32:59 AM »

It's been a busy couple of weeks. I finally got back to the bike this past weekend. The battery is good and still nothing when I try to start.

When I first got the bike, I put it in 4/5 gear and pushed it to see if the engine would turn over, and it did. It no longer does this and when I try and start it, it just clicks still. It was turning over fine, and then all of a sudden it just stopped. I'm thinking I should take apart the top end and see if there is anything jammed in there. Does that seem like the most logical thing to do at this point? All advice is welcome!

knowsnothing · « **Reply #29 on:** March 20, 2012, 09:08:41 AM »

1st - not sure about the 550, but my 750 has to be in neutral in order to use the starter. It doesn't matter if the clutch is pulled in or not, it must be in neutral.

2nd - Have you tried to use the kickstart? Make sure it is in neutral, maybe pull the plugs and see if you can kick it over. I think tearing into the head may be a little premature at the moment.

Chad · « **Reply #30 on:** March 20, 2012, 10:16:21 AM »

I did try and start it in neutral. Still no luck. It does not have a kick start lever on it. I will try and start it tonight with the plugs pulled and see of it will turn over. Any other ideas?

dave500 · « **Reply #31 on:** March 20, 2012, 01:03:33 PM »

if its just going click with a good battery try bridgeing the solenoid connectors,the thing that clicks,,it has two nuts on top securing cables,jump them together with heavy wire or a screw driver and see if the starter spins,,make sure its not in gear and be ready for some sparks.

Chad · « **Reply #32 on:** March 20, 2012, 03:18:33 PM »

I tried bridging the solenoid and still no luck. Just a click. Any more ideas before I take it all apart?

dave500 · « **Reply #33 on:** March 20, 2012, 04:18:26 PM »

try running a heavy wire direct from the positive terminal of the battery to the starter motor wire.

Chad · « **Reply #34 on:** March 20, 2012, 06:14:00 PM »

So while I was trying to start it, the engine tried turning over and I heard something strange from inside the engine which made me tear it apart. I got the top end off and found this:

The 2nd piston is destroyed. It looks like the metal melted at some point. (Maybe this was the cause of the crash?)

So..... time for a broad question... now what?

Tews19 · « **Reply #35 on:** March 20, 2012, 06:22:31 PM »

Man that is horrible..... If it were me, I would be livid calling the PO. Nothing to do now but rebuildor buy a motor... I would try to do the easiest and most cost effective. What do you think is easiest for you?

Chad · « **Reply #36 on:** March 20, 2012, 06:42:51 PM »

Well, first question is... How much would a running 550 motor cost me? Second question is what would all be involved in rebuilding the current motor? I don't know a lot, but I am having a ton of fun working and learning on this bike. If there isn't to much crazy complicated stuff in rebuilding, I wouldn't mind diving in and doing it. Anybody been down these roads? Pros/cons?

Tews19 · « **Reply #37 on:** March 20, 2012, 07:15:14 PM »

google allofcraigs

Type in Honda cb550. It may give you an idea how much a used engine will run. Sometimes members here will sell them.. Look in the for sale thread.

LesterPiglet · « **Reply #38 on:** March 20, 2012, 08:28:22 PM »

How badly are the crank and cylinder scored? It's hard to tell from those pictures?

dave500 · « **Reply #39 on:** March 20, 2012, 09:54:41 PM »

broken a big end?

Chad · « **Reply #40 on:** March 21, 2012, 09:01:44 AM »

Quote

google allofcraigs

Type in Honda cb550. It may give you an idea how much a used engine will run. Sometimes members here will sell them.. Look in the for sale thread.

I found a couple, but I think I'm going to rebuild. I'll be happier in the end going this route.

Quote

How badly are the crank and cylinder scored? It's hard to tell from those pictures?

The cylinder doesn't appear to be damaged at all. It's actually in surprisingly good shape. I'm not sure about the crank. I am planning on getting the crankcase opened up and seeing what the damage is on Friday. Just from looking into the case at the crank, I couldn't see any damage. Maybe it's just the connecting rod that is damaged... or maybe I'm being too hopeful.

Quote

broken a big end?

Not sure what you're asking?

LesterPiglet · « **Reply #41 on:** March 21, 2012, 09:52:12 AM »

The big end is the connection between the con rod and the crank.
You could be very lucky.

Chad · « **Reply #42 on:** March 21, 2012, 10:21:26 AM »

Ah yes. (Excuse my ignornace.

)

It is somewhere down in the crankcase. It was unattached when I pulled the piston and connecting rod out. I assuming that it's destroyed since it is no longer connected. I'll open it up and post pics this weekend.

Chad · « **Reply #43 on:** March 26, 2012, 11:47:55 AM »

Update:

As time goes on, I am getting more and more busy and having less and less time to work on the bike and given the extent of the work needed, I am just going to buy another motor. I definitely want one that is running that I can just drop in and go. (Wouldn't mind doing the usual stuff i.e. cleaning carbs, but a mostly running engine).

So I will be on watch for a motor on the forum, CL, and eBay. Anybody know of any other places to look? Or better yet, have a motor they wanna sell?

I found one in MN (I'm in TX) for $300, but paying the shipping will probably double the cost. Something in (or close to) TX would be ideal so I can just go pick it up myself. One more question, what other motor's will fit in this frame? It's a '77 CB550K frame.

Thanks!

lucky · « **Reply #44 on:** March 31, 2012, 10:28:34 AM »

You need a workshop manual now.

dave500 · « **Reply #45 on:** March 31, 2012, 02:13:53 PM »

any 500 or 550 motor will bolt straight in,the 500 uses a different clutch cable,,the 550 has a little more torque and a different improved clutch release and shifter mechanism,look for another 550.

Chad · « **Reply #46 on:** March 31, 2012, 03:47:56 PM »

I found a complete and running 550 motor for $300. Getting it shipped in the next week or so. Project will keep going.

Also found a CB500 with a frozen motor. Cosmetically it is in great shape. I might possibly be getting it for free and if I do, I'm going to drop the new engine in that.

Chad · « **Reply #47 on:** April 06, 2012, 01:00:58 PM »

So... my wife decided to let me buy a different bike.

I found this 550 in Wisconsin for $1495. Should be here in a couple of weeks. Going to do a slight cafe with it. Prob just get new bars to start. I'll start a new thread when I decide to start really working it. Thanks for all your help guys!

OneWheelDrive · « **Reply #48 on:** April 06, 2012, 01:40:13 PM »

Nice! Love those understanding wives. Don't give up on the other bike though. There's nothing like having another bike to ride while you try to flush the problems out of a project bike.

Tews19 · « **Reply #49 on:** April 06, 2012, 05:13:47 PM »

What are you doing with the non running one? Interested in possibly selling a few parts such as keyed ignition and coils?

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Author Topic: Novice with a non-running '77 CB550 (Read 7693 times)