Topic: M & Em's '76 CB550 Super Sport Project - It ain't candy

[MandEms]

My daughter wanted to learn to ride a motorcycle this summer and I needed a project.  Enter the '76 CB550 Super Sport below.

I will add more details after I figure out how to make a new topic stick to the forum website.

[MandEms]

Ok, it seems that I successfully started the topic, so here are some details.

This is my first motorcycle and it has been great for its intended purposes to date.  My daughter learned to ride on it this summer and now that she is back at school I have been enjoying the project portion of the purchase.

My only intent with the bike is to get it in good, reliable running condition so I can tool around the neighborhood in the evenings and then to tinker with it in perpetuity.   But after reading some of the other 550 projects here in the forum, I am glad to see that my urge to tear it apart and put it back together better, stronger, faster, and prettier over night isn't unusual.

Here is the project schedule that I have come up with for the fall 2013 - spring 2014 time period.  You will see the word 'acquire' used a lot here.

Sept. 2013:  Acquire original rims for the bike.  The bike currently has Kawasaki KZ550 circa 1980 rims.  I actually like the look of the rims, but the PO didn't do any machining or detailed spacing to make the wheels fit properly and all the special adaptions is more than  I want from the project.  Plus, I want one stop shopping for parts.  I am currently bidding on rims on ebay.

Oct. 2013:  Acquire new tires for the rims.

Nov. 2013:  Acquire new rear brake shoes and a new front axle.

Dec. 2013:  Acquire proper spark plugs.  Acquire carb rebuild kits.

Jan. 2014:  Rebuild carbs.

Feb. 2014:  Figure out why the bike won't run anymore.

March 2014:  General tuning.

April 2014:  Riding and tinkering.  Consider cosmetic changes.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I think you should re-shuffle the order of your "to do" list.  I would suggest prioritizing getting the motor/carbs tuned before purchasing new wheels and tires.  If it is not running right now, you won't need new wheels and tires until it can run, and those can be changed out relatively easily.  Tuning will exhaust more brain damage. 

why do you need a new axle? Is it a product of the improperly-rigged spacers for the Kawi wheels? 

[MandEms]

Hi CB750 Fan,

The bike is running now.  The rear tire was very nearly worn out when I bought the bike and it got us through the summer lessons with my daughter, but it is showing cord now.  I took the rear wheel off and discovered that the axle and spacers where just "clamped up" to the swing arm so I debated on what to do since, like I said, I actually like the look the Kawasaki wheels gave.  But more important to me was having all Honda parts both for ease of replacement and also so that I could see what the original feel of the bike was.

Yes, the front axle is on the list because the front wheel I am bidding on doesn't have an axle with it and the current axle is a Kawasaki axle with the same 'clamped up' configuration.

Also, there was an O-ring chain installed when I purchased the bike.  (Not that I knew any better at the time.)  The chain is too fat and I discovered it has gouged the case near the front sprocket, but not to the point of leaking.  (thanks SOHC4 forums!)

So in summary, since the bike does run, I want to get this drive train issue out of my hair first.

Thanks again for the interest.  I appreciate it!

mark

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Thanks for the clarification.  Makes sense.

[nvr2old]

I have the same year and model 550F.  Cool bikes.  What size is the rear wheel?  It almost looks like a 17" but I'm thinking the Kawi came with an 18" rear..?  I really like that style wheel.  I was wondering also what changed the rake of the rear end.  The stock seat on mine sat flat, even with the plane of the tank.  Even the rear fender seems to bit a bit higher.  Just curious.  You'll have many good times with that bike.

[LesterPiglet]

Front looks like an 18 too.

[MandEms]

CB750 Fan:  The reason I had February as "Figure out why the bike won't run anymore" was a way to say that after I get done with the carbs in January, the bike just might not run anymore!

LesterPiglet and NVR2Old:  Just went out and looked at the wheels. Rear = 130 90-16 Tire (J16XMT30 Wheel)  Front = 100 90-19 Tire (J19XMT1.85 Wheel)

NVR2Old:  Just looked at the seat more closely.  The frame doesn't seem modified in any way.  The seat has more padding from the strap on back than the front does.  Not sure about the rake other than that.

We, my daughter and I, have already enjoyed the bike a lot!  It's been great for both of our goals. 

Maybe you guys can help me out:  Do you typically put the tires on yourself?  Like a bicycle tire?  Will the tires require an inner tube on the original rims?

Also, I am rebuilding the carbs because #3 carb leaks out the overflow tube and the revs occasionally stick at 3K.

Thanks guys.

Mark

[Stev-o]

Yes, the stock spoke wheels will require tubes and rim strips. 
No, I don't mount tires, but a lot of the guys here do, you'll need tire irons.
My buddy has tire mounting equip in his garage and does it for beer money while I watch.

[MandEms]

Thanks Stev-O.  Loved your movies with Johnny Knoxville by the way.  So, are the tires/tubes/and strips readily available?

Mark

[Stev-o]

 So, are the tires/tubes/and strips readily available?

Yes, of course.  I like Bridgestone, Avon and Dunlop, Motorcycle Superstore is a great online vendor....


http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/14/72/DV/Street-Motorcycle-Tires.aspx

[MandEms]

Thanks for the links, Stev-O.

[goldarrow]

So are you keeping the Kawi wheels? It change back to stock spokes?

put new tire on is always easy, remove old tire can be a good exercise.   I lose plenty of sweats when I do it, but have yet to lose any blood.

[RAFster122s]

Some handles from milk jugs split on inside and slipped over the rim can help minimize the scratches on rims from tire irons. Don't use soap on the rims, it is too alkaline. Use ArmorAll or STP SonOfAGun.
A c clamp can help break the bead from rim if it is stuck on old tire.
Lube the tire bead area and tire irons with armorall...
Scrub tires with a scrotchbrite pad and if white-ish mold release if it is noticeable then I wipe them off with an acetone dampened rag. Take it easy the first 50-80 miles until tires are broken in

[LesterPiglet]

I thought the front looked like an 18 because there seems to be a large gap between the tyre and fender.
Oh, it looks like you have a K sidepanel on an F. 

[MandEms]

Goldarrow:  I plan on keeping the Kawasaki wheels so that once I see what the original bike was like I can venture out into the Kawasaki wheel mod in the proper manner if I want.  Like I said, I do like the look of the wheels on the bike.  and thanks for the tire changing tips.

Rafster:  Thanks for the heads up on new tires.  I have read elsewhere on the site that new tires can be a traction problem.  good to know!

Lester:  Interesting that you bring up the side panels.  Can you post a pic of what the F side panels should look like?  I have seen various versions out there and I'm really not sure what the originals looked like.  Thanks in advance!

Another question for you guys:  The PO had an o-ring chain installed.  I would like to go with the more conventional model chain, again, so I can see what the bike was intended to be.  Does the new chain come with the required number of links, or would I have to add and remove links for the fit?

Also, the o-ring chain rubbed the case forward of the front sprocket.  The rub spot looks like it is on a round plug of some type.  Does anyone know what that plug is?  It appears to have a rubber outer coating.

mark

[MandEms]

One more thing:  As a minor tinkering project on the bike, I would like to repaint the HONDA emblem on the tank.  Can someone tell me how to remove these emblems without damaging them?  They seem kind of delicate.  Thanks.

Mark

[LesterPiglet]

On second looks it may well be an F panel, not a geat picture. F panel in my avatar.
I got my chain from Silvers, it was the correct length out of the box.
This link should be a great help  http://www.cmsnl.com/honda-cb550f-super-sport-550-four-1976-usa_model467/partslist/

[MandEms]

Lester:  Thanks for the link.

Here are a few up to date pics of the bike with a few questions attached

[LesterPiglet]

Tappet inspection covers are prone to leak with 30+ year old orings.
The gouged part is an oil seal, don't worry if it isn't leaking, just don't use an oring chain again.
part #39 http://www.cmsnl.com/honda-cb550f-super-sport-550-four-1976-usa_model467/partslist/E++14.html#results
I only deal in real nipples I'm afraid so no idea.

[MandEms]

I've been working on the bike over the winter.  Here is what I have accomplished so far:

1.  Ordered and received original spoke wheel set from ebay
2.  The wife bought me new tires and a wheel balancing stand for Christmas.
3.  New tires are mounted on the new (proper) wheels, trued and balanced.
4.  The rear wheel is mounted along with a new chain, wheel bearings, brake pads, polish, and paint.
5.  The front wheel is ready to be installed now that I have the proper speedo gearbox.  The gearbox that was on the original front wheel set-up did not match up to the original Honda wheels I purchased.
6.  The carbs are out to the bike, cleaned and ready for new O-rings to correct fuel leakage problems.  The carbs will go back in this week.
7.  The front brake caliper was corroded and the piston was frozen so rather than try to get that set in workable condition I purchased a refurbished set on line.  They will go back on tomorrow with the front wheel install.

I should be riding next weekend.

I'm in the process, as I type this, of uploading a state-of-the-project video to you tube that I will post hopefully tomorrow along with some stills with specific questions.

Thanks for all the great info on this site it has helped me greatly and I hope my project helps others.

Mark

[Tews19]

Glad to see you come back. Keep the updates coming.

[MandEms]

Finally got a couple of update videos loaded.

The bike is back together now, but here are a couple of update videos of what I have done the last few months.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwaHzVI8h-Y

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-C0OCq94JFk

I put myself to sleep watching them.  I need more caffeine in my life.

[Oddjob]

The nipple as you call it is the remainder of the petrol overflow pipe. When the 550 went to the flap type petrol cap instead of the 500s catch type (which sat above the tank) the recess where the petrol cap fits needed a drainage solution for when you overfilled or split petrol (or gas as you yanks call it) there should be a similar pipe coming off the underside of the tank which joins with that other pipe meaning that any spillage is drained to below the bike.