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Offline alterego

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Taken the plunge
« on: September 30, 2011, 06:42:51 AM »
Hi everyone!

I'm Laura and yesterday I picked up my first ever '78 CB550K. It looks a bit rough all around and I intend to repair/restore/maybe modify it, hopefully doing a lot of work myself which should be quite a steep learning curve because I've never done anything like this before... I suppose I'll be spending a lot of time on these forums to learn!

So far I've identified the following issues:
Clutch Rattle?
Oil pressure switch? (the oil light comes on after the bike gets quite warm, only to cut out at say 3000-4000rpm or over)
Front brake catches permanently and hardly does anything when you do press it
Clutch is very hard and seems to only engage when you squeeze the lever almost all the way
White smoke & smell
Slight leak from gear change lever
Feels sluggish, but then I already know the brake is sticking and perhaps the clutch isn't in the best condition..  and on the other hand I've not ridden one of these in good condition so don't know how it should ride.
Bodywork/paint is quite ugly
Superficial rust on most of the chrome

On the bright side it starts first time every time (so far), it's (supposedly) road legal and got me home (100mile ride) without any problems as such. Oh and the seat is in good condition, that has got to count for something!

Cheers,
Laura
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Offline madmtnmotors

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Re: Taken the plunge
« Reply #1 on: September 30, 2011, 07:25:28 AM »
Welcome aboard!

*Check the tires before the long ride home. Make sure they are not weather-checked (cracked sidewalls) and that the air pressure is good.
*Do the 3000 mile tune-up once you get it home
*Lube all cables and check for proper adjustment. Proper clutch adjustment may cure clutch issues.

Ride safe!

Modified:

Oh yeah, see 70CB750 reply below. Definitely free up that front brake before the long ride home too.
« Last Edit: September 30, 2011, 09:07:03 AM by madmtnmotors »
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TAMTF...


Wilbur



Projects:
"Evolution": http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=100352.0
"P.O. Debacle": http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,126692.msg1441661.html#msg1441661
F2/F3 O-rings: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=113672.msg1300721#msg1300721
Cam Tower Studs: https://www.mcmaster.com/#93210a017/=t19sgp
Clean up that nasty harness: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=137351.msg1549191#msg1549191
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,148188.msg1688494.html#msg1688494
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,139544.msg1579364.html#msg1579364
                                          
Charging system diagnosis: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=1012.msg8345#msg8345
Get the manuals: http://manuals.sohc4.net/cb750k/
The Dragon: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=45183.msg1571675#msg1571675
Headlight Switch: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=113986.msg1283236#msg1283236
Branden's leak free top end thread: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=107040.0
Engine Lifting Made Easy: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,58210.msg1684742.html#msg1684742
                                      http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,100352.msg1675840.html#msg1675840
Static and Dynamic Timing: http://www.hondachopper.com/garage/carb_info/timing/timing1.html
Airbox Gasket Replacement: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,114485.msg1290000.html#msg1290000
"Café" : http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,84697.msg953814.html#msg953814
PD Carb Choke Linkage: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,100352.msg1669248.html#msg1669248
                                    http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,110931.msg1248354.html#msg1248354
                                    http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,48858.msg515204.html#msg515204
Follow up on your damn posts: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,144305.msg1791605.html#msg1791605
Taiwanese Cam Chain Tensioners:  http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,155043.msg1774841.html#msg1774841
Gumtwo Seat Cover: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,164440.msg1897366.html#msg1897366
Primary Drive: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,166063.msg1919278.html#msg1919278
Tank Latch: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,165975.msg1919495.html#msg1919495
Shorten your forks: http://vintage-and-classic-honda-s.456789.n3.nabble.com/How-to-shorten-forks-td4042465.html DO NOT CUT THE SPRINGS!
Clutch How To: http://vintage-and-classic-honda-s.456789.n3.nabble.com/How-to-change-and-adjust-a-clutch-SOHC-td4040391.html
Late model K7/K8/F2/F3 front sprocket cover removal: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,178428.msg2072279.html#msg2072279
630 to 530 conversion: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,180710.msg2094423.html#msg2094423

Sent from my Tandy TRS-80!

Offline 70CB750

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Re: Taken the plunge
« Reply #2 on: September 30, 2011, 07:35:13 AM »
Welcome!

The front brake piston is probably rusty, take it apart and clean it up. 

Oh, step 0 - if you dont have the manual, you can find it either on SOHC or here:

http://www.honda4fun.com/man_officina/man_officina.html

download, print and put in a binder, you will be using it a lot.
« Last Edit: September 30, 2011, 12:58:10 PM by 70CB750 »
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Prokop
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I love it when parts come together.

Dorothy - my CB750
CB750K3F - The Red
Sidecar


CB900C

2006 KLR650

Offline CycleRanger

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Re: Taken the plunge
« Reply #3 on: September 30, 2011, 12:55:03 PM »
Howdy!  :)
Welcome!

I don't think I've ever bought a bike I could ride 100 miles the day I bought it!
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Do you have a copy of the Honda Shop Manual or Parts List for your bike? Get one here:
https://www.honda4fun.com/materiale/documentazione-tecnica
CB750K5        '79 XL250s     CL350K3
CB750K3        '76 XS650      '76 CJ360T

Offline alterego

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Re: Taken the plunge
« Reply #4 on: October 02, 2011, 12:00:04 AM »
Thanks for the advice :)

After working on it yesterday the front brake is now functional and a new cable seems to have solved the clutch issues (the old one was very much stuck, I'm surprised I managed to use it at all previously!)

I do have a manual which the vendor kindly gave with the bike, Haynes CB 400 & CB550 Fours it says 73-77, mine's a 78 would there be a lot of differences?

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Offline seanbarney41

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Re: Taken the plunge
« Reply #5 on: October 02, 2011, 12:18:24 AM »
Haynes manuals are decent info and easy to understand, there may be a few slight, but important, differences between '77 and '78...factory service manual is free to down load at above link and, although slightly more difficult to use, contains complete, accurate info on your model...read both and it sounds like you can figure it out...already fixed the brakes... :D
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If it works good, it looks good...

Offline Stev-o

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Re: Taken the plunge
« Reply #6 on: October 08, 2011, 05:41:09 PM »
First off, welcome!

Sounds like your off to a good start. We'd like to see some photos of your bike, can you post?
I would change the oil pressure switch, most likely that is your issue with the light.
Click here for model info:

http://www.sohc4.net/?page_id=2765


Good luck
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'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........
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