Author Topic: Newb in need of help with 1974 Honda CB550  (Read 7884 times)

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Offline anuhn

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Re: Newb in need of help with 1974 Honda CB550
« Reply #25 on: August 21, 2014, 08:17:24 AM »
The compression tester of these bikes is different than a car unit. You need a smaller adapter often and the plug pocket is a challenge. Just be aware of that nuance.

Do you know where I can find a decent one at local stores? I was going to check harbor freight

Offline Stev-o

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Offline goldarrow

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Re: Newb in need of help with 1974 Honda CB550
« Reply #27 on: August 21, 2014, 08:23:11 PM »

Don't waste your money on a cheap, automotive type compression tester. Here...


+1 yeah you don't need one. I've never needed one
Life Is Full Of Challenges - And My Backyard Is Full Of SOHC4's

CB550 K0
CB750 K0, K2, K23 JDM, K45, K5
And the little ones z50r, xr50r, st90


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Offline anuhn

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Re: Newb in need of help with 1974 Honda CB550
« Reply #29 on: September 18, 2014, 08:06:59 AM »
It's been a while but I did go about getting two things done, I did remove almost all of the rust that was in the gas tank. I also did a compression test and they all landed at 145-150 so thats good.

Next step would be to clean the carbs and replace the valve/cam cover gasket since there is an oil leak coming out of it.

Is there any recommendations before I start going at it?

[Edit]

So far everything that the PO has said to be true, should I take his word that the carbs were rebuilt? I know I should just start everything fresh but I would like to just cut to the chase as to why the plugs are fouling out
« Last Edit: September 18, 2014, 08:12:00 AM by anuhn »

Offline anuhn

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Re: Newb in need of help with 1974 Honda CB550
« Reply #30 on: October 05, 2014, 04:50:46 PM »
I'd drop the bowls and check them for state of clean. If they look suspect at all, then a full clean would be my approach. You could drop the float valves etc to confirm proper operation.

They seem fine to me, the float bowl gaskets are a bit worn out though.

« Last Edit: October 05, 2014, 05:21:23 PM by anuhn »

Offline Sprocket75

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Re: Newb in need of help with 1974 Honda CB550
« Reply #31 on: October 07, 2014, 09:17:23 AM »
Be very careful when you have the carbs out. There are SEVERAL small parts that are absolutely crucial and have extremely tight tolerances. My advice to you is to have a VERY clean, well lit and organized workspace. I bought a few of the Plano 3700 series plastic storage boxes and labeled each one with the parts going into it. This makes it much easier to keep track of everything and you can simply close the lid and lock it if you need to walk away without the fear of losing anything. You can label each box 1, 2, 3 and 4 this way you know what parts went into what carb. (I am kind of obsessive compulsive about things like that)
Also, take your time on each part. Do replace the rubber components. I had planned to replace all of the internal components with new parts purchased online, but Two-Tired explained to me that there was nothing wrong with the factory parts...they just needed some attention...and right he was! Be meticulous about the details. Get the right tools to clean the carbs with. (solvents, brushes, picks, emory cloth etc.) TAKE YOUR TIME! I cannot stress this enough. The brass is soft and the tiny holes in the emulsion tubes need careful hands...but you CAN do it! I had ZERO experience with this, but still managed to do an entire rebuild in my garage on all four carbs. It was a great experience and highly rewarding when all was said and done. Trust me on this, cleaning and rebuilding the carbs was probable the single most productive thing mechanically that I did to my bike after I took it apart. Made a HUGE difference especially after I performed a proper sync.
You will find no shortage of great people here that are more than willing to help you and will go above and beyond (even out of their way) to help you.
..."Always two there are, no more, no less. A master and an apprentice"... YODA

1975 Honda CB550K

Offline anuhn

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Re: Newb in need of help with 1974 Honda CB550
« Reply #32 on: October 25, 2014, 04:07:21 PM »
So I did everything except change out the valve cover gasket due to the oil leak, but the bike was running fine up, slightly rich, but not fouling out.

Found out that the rectifier was also bad, changed that out.

I decided to change out the throttle cable and added the push cable and when I put everything back together, the bike wouldnt start, no clicks or anything. Couldn't kick start it either?
I'm assuming one of the wires got pinched or broken off, I didn't want to go through the process of searching through the mess of wires so I bought a new assembly, part is coming in sometime this week and hopefully it is the last piece I buy and finally get to go out riding.
« Last Edit: October 25, 2014, 04:09:18 PM by anuhn »

Offline anuhn

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Re: Newb in need of help with 1974 Honda CB550
« Reply #33 on: October 27, 2014, 06:50:50 AM »
Did you possibly blow the main fuse? Sounds like a complete electrical loss.

There is only one fuse in the whole system on this bike. Lights would of been off if the fuse blown

Offline anuhn

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Re: Newb in need of help with 1974 Honda CB550
« Reply #34 on: October 27, 2014, 09:03:16 AM »
That's true, but you never indicated what did or didn't work. So a better description will yield better and more relevant ideas.

Ahhh sorry! I'll try to be more descriptive when issues come around haha

Offline anuhn

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Re: Newb in need of help with 1974 Honda CB550
« Reply #35 on: October 29, 2014, 01:54:38 PM »
So it wasn't the assembly....can anyone guess what it is? There is no sound coming from the electric starter or solenoid or anything, doesn't turn on through kick either. Both of my batteries are in working order. Fuse is not blown, all the lights turn on.

Offline anuhn

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Re: Newb in need of help with 1974 Honda CB550
« Reply #36 on: October 30, 2014, 07:01:03 AM »
Kill switch would be my next guess...

Through the wires?

Offline rb550four

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Re: Newb in need of help with 1974 Honda CB550
« Reply #37 on: October 30, 2014, 06:19:54 PM »
Are we all able to make a guess? is there a prize for the winner? I'd like to play, better odds than lotto.
My guess is that the red and yellow wire  to the starter solenoid is disconnected and it happened when you removed the carbs or changed out the rectifier.
Oh oh oh, can we have two guesses?
 my second guess is the red and yellow wire in the bar controls disconnected when you put in the new throttle cable.
  But it's more likely that the wiring to the new rectifier was screwed up. What rectifier did you use? and how did you wire it?
« Last Edit: October 30, 2014, 06:28:22 PM by rb550four »
A few Honda 500's, a few Honda 550's, a few Honda 650's, '72 cb 450, a couple 500/550/650 hybrids, and 2001 750. 
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  http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,101678.0.html             
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,137317.msg1550907.html#msg1550907

Offline Stev-o

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Re: Newb in need of help with 1974 Honda CB550
« Reply #38 on: October 30, 2014, 08:41:35 PM »
Both of my batteries are in working order.

What is the voltage?
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline jamesbekman

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Re: Newb in need of help with 1974 Honda CB550
« Reply #39 on: October 31, 2014, 09:57:23 AM »
...and  make sure every washer, puck, o-ring and torque value are properly installed and set. This alone will make your new bike much happier and roadworthy for years to come.

I'm going to say this every time, nothing we are describing is extreme or difficult. You have most of the tools necessary, with the exception of a torque wrench, an impact driver (those screws on the motor aren't Phillips, they're JIS, and they can be a bother to remove), synch gauges, and a multi-meter. Equipped with that, you can build/rebuild about any metric machine.

Most members replace those JIS screws with Allen heads, stainless steel sets in fact. They resist corrosion much longer. And given your climate, SS will be worth the effort. DCC sells full sets, or here's another place with everything labeled for you: http://alloyboltz.com/catalog/shopping_cart.php?sort=3a&osCsid=gelcmhnk8krcivmiao4ga13os3

Pretty hard to beat the price, and every set comes fully bagged by cover, and labeled. Pretty convenient actually.

Replacing the gaskets is more about technique than torque. They're oddly shaped, and not symmetrical. Lots of folks get it wrong. And there's several small oil "pucks" and o-rings that go on, in odd places. Always important to look at a parts fiche diagram for your engine to insure you have all the pieces in the proper location. Your PO may have not done so, and he wouldn't be the first to overlook some things. Book mark this page too: http://www.cmsnl.com/honda-cb550k1-four-1975-usa_model466/partslist/

And none of what's being written about you or he, should be construed as disparaging. Nothing wrong at all with flipping bikes. And nothin unusual at all about buying a bike that needs some TLC. We all do it, thus the existence of this forum.

My latest $200 purchase, in fact:

See, you're much farther along and better off than I. But with a bit of wrenching, lots of WD-40 and some time, it'll look like this:

Dude where is the back half of your frame in your finished bike picture in the parking lot !

Offline jamesbekman

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Re: Newb in need of help with 1974 Honda CB550
« Reply #40 on: October 31, 2014, 10:43:47 AM »
Dont mean to hijack the thread but anywayI can see some more pics?

Offline anuhn

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Re: Newb in need of help with 1974 Honda CB550
« Reply #41 on: November 06, 2014, 07:08:33 AM »
Are we all able to make a guess? is there a prize for the winner? I'd like to play, better odds than lotto.
My guess is that the red and yellow wire  to the starter solenoid is disconnected and it happened when you removed the carbs or changed out the rectifier.
Oh oh oh, can we have two guesses?
 my second guess is the red and yellow wire in the bar controls disconnected when you put in the new throttle cable.
  But it's more likely that the wiring to the new rectifier was screwed up. What rectifier did you use? and how did you wire it?

havent had time to actually go about checking the wires, who know, you might be the winner haha.

I have a bunch of stock rectifiers laying around, so they are just basically plug in play situations.

What is the voltage?

one is 12.6 other is 12.8

I mean that the KILL switch is not allowing power to reach the coils. You're not providing great details when you say, "Won't kick, No sound.."  Do you have a meter and have you verified where you do and don't have 12v of power through the ignition circuits?

Yes, I have a meter, will check sometime soon when life isnt getting in the way haha

Offline anuhn

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Re: Newb in need of help with 1974 Honda CB550
« Reply #42 on: November 06, 2014, 07:54:21 AM »
I was told the control assembly has a pin that grounds to the handle bars?? Which pin would I be looking at, does anyone have a picture?

edit with image:



Is that the pin that grounds to handlebars??
« Last Edit: November 06, 2014, 08:32:28 AM by anuhn »

Offline anuhn

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Re: Newb in need of help with 1974 Honda CB550
« Reply #43 on: November 11, 2014, 05:38:17 PM »
Nothing was wrong with any of the wiring, the control assembly needed to be grounded. i wasted 100$ on a new harness that i didnt need haha

Offline goldarrow

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Re: Newb in need of help with 1974 Honda CB550
« Reply #44 on: November 11, 2014, 05:39:43 PM »

Nothing was wrong with any of the wiring, the control assembly needed to be grounded. i wasted 100$ on a new harness that i didnt need haha

Save the harness for the next bike
Life Is Full Of Challenges - And My Backyard Is Full Of SOHC4's

CB550 K0
CB750 K0, K2, K23 JDM, K45, K5
And the little ones z50r, xr50r, st90


750k5 http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=114817.0

Offline anuhn

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Re: Newb in need of help with 1974 Honda CB550
« Reply #45 on: July 16, 2015, 05:52:57 PM »
So it's been the longest update in forever, but here is how the bike is sitting now. I just don't know what to paint it or what else to do with it. Could use some input.


Offline Stev-o

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Re: Newb in need of help with 1974 Honda CB550
« Reply #46 on: July 16, 2015, 08:27:27 PM »
Looks like you've already painted everything.
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline anuhn

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Re: Newb in need of help with 1974 Honda CB550
« Reply #47 on: July 17, 2015, 04:57:05 AM »
Looks like you've already painted everything.

The seat is still in primer and the gas tank actually got gas on the tank, paint is lifted/peeling and ruined on the other side. it's still in the previous owners paint job