Topic: Honda CB550 only running on 2

[country joe]

 hi, I'm new to the honda sohc website. I currently have a Honda CB550 that was given to me. My brother had the bike last, and had no use for it (He's a british bike guy). Anyway he had it running, but it only ran on two cylinders. which two I'm not sure. I haven't had time to play with it much, but I plan on making a bobber project out of it this spring. Anyone know if this is a common problem with these models, or anything else I should know about the CB550. Any advice or comments would help me out. I have more experience with Harleys than I do with these four cylinders so its all new to me. Thanks,  Country Joe

[Deltarider]

If you can identify which two are not running, we can start commenting.

[Gordon]

If you can identify which two are not running, we can start commenting.

+1

Could be lots of things, but knowing which cylinders will help narrow it down a lot. 

[SHELLFISH]

To get you started:  cylinders #1 and #4 run off of one of the points and one of the coils.
Cylinders #2 and #3 run off of the other points and the other coil.
So if #1 and #4 are not running or if #2 and #3 aren't running look at the points and or coils.
If it is a different combination say #1 and #3 then look at the carbs, fuel, vacume leak, compression or something else!    Good luck on your search!

[Tews19]

Trim the spark plug wires, clean the caps and rescrew on. See if that helps.

[Duanob]

To get you started:  cylinders #1 and #4 run off of one of the points and one of the coils.
Cylinders #2 and #3 run off of the other points and the other coil.
So if #1 and #4 are not running or if #2 and #3 aren't running look at the points and or coils.
If it is a different combination say #1 and #3 then look at the carbs, fuel, vacume leak, compression or something else!    Good luck on your search!

To add to that if 1&2 or 3&4 aren't firing then look at the petcock or fuel lines, the two banks are seperated there.