Topic: First Bike: '75 Honda CB550

[Kalashnikov]

Hi,
 Just registered for the forums as I just bought a 1975 Honda CB 550 and need some help with it. The guy I bought it from said that the lights didn't work, at least they didn't work right. I new to most of this so I might need quite a bit of help, mainly with the wiring. The battery that came with the bike was dead so I couldn't check it out. I tried hooking up my riding lawnmower batter, but nothing happened when I turned the key. So I wasn't sure what was up. This battery should work, right? I paln to only use it to test the bike. DO I just need to turn the key to the left and lights should come on? There were a couple pulgs that were disconnected and I didn't see anything that they'd plug into. I'll have to take pictures later though. There is also some back plastic switch right by the throttle, what is this? Are there any things that I should know about this bike (already read about some bad electrical parts)?

Thanks

[csendker]

Switch:
all the way down (counterclockwise) is 'Off' - bike dead, key comes out.
middle position is 'Run' - bike can run, key stuck in.
all the way up is 'Park' - taillight on, bike dead, key comes out.

Battery:
you need a 12V battery.  A weak one may dimly work the lights, but you need some good juice to run the bike.  Lots if you use the starter, less if you kick-start it.  All because the alternator doesn't start putting out serious power until it's spinning 1,500~2,000 RPM.

Among a million other possibilities, check your fuses.  They're behind the left side cover (careful pulling the cover off, they're fragile - pull at the posts - 3 of them, 2 top corners and one on the bottom).  Check them with a meter and clean up the fuse block so you have a good contact.  Also make sure your main ground is good - pull, clean, vasoline and reinstall.

[ElCheapo]

I will assume with your mention of direction (right Left) your switch is not in the stock location, instead is up at the handle bars. The ignition switch must be in the middle position to be in run as well as the kill switch on the right side control on the bars. Go about checking the fuses, like mentioned above. If all fuses are good then you will need a test light atleast and a wiring diagram. These are not as hard as you think to fix.

[csendker]

Hmmm, regardless of where the key is located, let me clarify:

KeyOff = 'Off'

KeyRun = 'Run'

KeyPark = 'Park'

[Dusthawk]

Hmmm, regardless of where the key is located, let me clarify:

KeyOff = 'Off'

KeyRun = 'Run'

KeyPark = 'Park'

Just like you to get all technical and stuff to cornfuse us rednecks out here Csendker

[csendker]

Hey, I was going to cross reference to the little dots on the ignition, but I was to durn tired to go out and look. 

[ElCheapo]

Hmmm, regardless of where the key is located, let me clarify:

KeyOff = 'Off'

KeyRun = 'Run'

KeyPark = 'Park'

Just like you to get all technical and stuff to cornfuse us rednecks out here Csendker

HuuH?  dat dum gun ding dare is comfunding 

[Kalashnikov]

I will assume with your mention of direction (right Left) your switch is not in the stock location, instead is up at the handle bars. The ignition switch must be in the middle position to be in run as well as the kill switch on the right side control on the bars. Go about checking the fuses, like mentioned above. If all fuses are good then you will need a test light atleast and a wiring diagram. These are not as hard as you think to fix.

Three fuese, correct? They look like they have been replaced recently. Found a couple wiring diagrams. I don't have anoither bike light around, what else would I be able to use? Do I just plug the light into the connectors and see if it lights up?

Thanks