Author Topic: A Noob's 75 CB550 Cafe Project Thread ------- Stick a fork in it... ;-)  (Read 209920 times)

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Offline bill440cars

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Re: A Noob's 75 CB550 Cafe Project Thread
« Reply #225 on: February 16, 2007, 07:39:14 PM »


                 Yeah that's the one I was talking about. I thought that was a pretty slick move myself. 8) ;)
         I knew I had seen it done. Thanks for responding so quickly.

                                                       Later on, Bill :) ;)
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Offline doug_id

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Re: A Noob's 75 CB550 Cafe Project Thread
« Reply #226 on: February 16, 2007, 07:48:40 PM »
Probably the least of your concerns right now, but I made some spacers to get a fork brace to clear the tire.  It worked out pretty good.

http://www.sohc4.us/forums/index.php?topic=11142.0

Wish I could help you on the electrical side.  Just be methodical with the volt meter and think like an electron.

Hey that is very nice!   8)  you should mass produce those and sell them....hint hint   ;D ;D

I am almost wishing I was staying home this weekend so I could get my electrical and carb problems solved.....although I am sure they will be here when I get back.  ;)
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06 Stella 150 2t Scooter

Offline doug_id

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Re: A Noob's 75 CB550 Cafe Project Thread
« Reply #227 on: February 16, 2007, 07:55:45 PM »
Hi Electrical Wizards
     " I took the tank off and dremeled more around the ground connection for the coils thinking maybe it wasn't grounded."
     What is connected here? I see no grounding of the coils in any Honda 4 wiring diagram. Nor is there any connection to the primary or secondary circuit of the coil that is in the house were it is warm.
          TomC

Hi Tom,

check out this picture of the coil area.....I assume the green wire going to the bolt is a ground wire??  So anway I dremeled some of the paint off the frame where the bolt and the metal pieces connect to the frame......although I may not be getting any power to the points so that may be where the actual problem is.    Is the only way to test the points and coils for power is with the starter motor running?   I try not to let the starter run to long so my testing is kind of rushed as a result.



Thx,
Doug
« Last Edit: February 16, 2007, 08:00:31 PM by doug_id »
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Offline Jugghead

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Re: A Noob's 75 CB550 Cafe Project Thread
« Reply #228 on: February 16, 2007, 08:51:05 PM »
Hey doug,
Check here for a color wiring diagram:
http://www.sohc4.us/forums/index.php?topic=18092.0
here is a direct link to the original, large size file.
http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/2443763/1/128160463#128160463-O-LB
9/72 CB350F...15k miles and rising

Offline doug_id

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Re: A Noob's 75 CB550 Cafe Project Thread
« Reply #229 on: February 16, 2007, 09:19:26 PM »
Hey doug,
Check here for a color wiring diagram:
http://www.sohc4.us/forums/index.php?topic=18092.0
here is a direct link to the original, large size file.
http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/2443763/1/128160463#128160463-O-LB

Hey those are nice diagrams  8).....thx!

I guess anothe posibility is that I wired the kill switch wrong and it is cutting off the spark.   Worth a look for sure.
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Offline bill440cars

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Re: A Noob's 75 CB550 Cafe Project Thread
« Reply #230 on: February 16, 2007, 09:39:15 PM »



             Doug,  LOL with your quest. Surely it'll be something simple. I know you're anxious to hear that bike fire up and so are we. All of us are eager for your first ride down the street. The ultimate reward, huh?

                                                         Later on, Bill :) ;)
Member # 1969
PRAYERS ALWAYS FOR: Bre, Jeff & Virginia, Bear, Trevor & Brianna ( Close Friend's Daughter)
"Because HE lives, I can Face Tomorrow"                  
 You CAN Teach An Old Dog New Tricks, Just Takes A Little Bit Longer & A Lot More Patience!! 
             
Main Rides: '02 Durango, '71 Swinger & Dad's '93
                  Dakota LE 4x4 '66 CB77 & '72 SL350K2
Watch What You Step Into, It Could  End Up A Mess!

Offline CrisPDuk

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Re: A Noob's 75 CB550 Cafe Project Thread
« Reply #231 on: February 16, 2007, 09:58:12 PM »
Doug, you can test for a spark turning it over with the kick start too, as this does it more slowly you can get a better idea of what's going on.

That's how I managed to diagnose my coils were shot anyway ::) ;)
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Offline TwoTired

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Re: A Noob's 75 CB550 Cafe Project Thread
« Reply #232 on: February 16, 2007, 11:36:51 PM »
The ground wire at the coil mount is for the entire bike negative return to frame, through engine, back to battery neg terminal.  Your charging system and all lighting needs this ground conection at the coils.

The ground for the coils is made through the points contact to the engine case.  The positive power leads are the black leads going to the coils.  These are normally fed from the kill switch, which is fed from the ign switch.

This thread is so long I forgot which year model bike you have or whether you have a stock wire harness. ???
And, I just don't feel like rereading the whole thing.

You do not need the electric starter to operate or route power to the bike, coils etc.  Unless maybe you wired the bike power distribution to the wrong side of the solenoid.  The ring lug terminal should be on the same side as the cable going straight to the battery pos + side.  The other side of the solenoid should have the starter motor as the only cable/wire connection.

Good luck!

Lloyd... (SOHC4 #11 Original Mail List)
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Those that learn from history are doomed to repeat it by those that don't learn from history.

Offline Jugghead

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Re: A Noob's 75 CB550 Cafe Project Thread
« Reply #233 on: February 17, 2007, 12:42:46 AM »

This thread is so long I forgot which year model bike you have or whether you have a stock wire harness. ???
And, I just don't feel like rereading the whole thing.


Hmmmm....You replied to a post called "Re: A Noob's 75 CB550 Cafe Project Thread"  Hint: It's in BOLD at the top of every post!
Maybe his bike is a 70 CB750? ::)
 :D :D ;D ;D ;D  ;)  I am just giving you a hard time.  judging by the time of your post, it is excusable.
By The Way (his bike is a 75 CB550) ;D
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Offline TwoTired

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Re: A Noob's 75 CB550 Cafe Project Thread
« Reply #234 on: February 17, 2007, 01:17:06 AM »
OK then, F or K?  They do have different harnesses and switches.  Is he using the stock harness?

But, I should have been in bed hours ago.  Perhaps sleeping IS better than posting. :-\ :'(
Lloyd... (SOHC4 #11 Original Mail List)
72 500, 74 550, 75 550K, 75 550F, 76 550F, 77 550F X2, 78 550K, 77 750F X2, 78 750F, 79CX500, 85 700SC, GL1100

Those that learn from history are doomed to repeat it by those that don't learn from history.

Offline doug_id

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Re: A Noob's 75 CB550 Cafe Project Thread
« Reply #235 on: February 17, 2007, 04:45:15 AM »
OK then, F or K?  They do have different harnesses and switches.  Is he using the stock harness?

But, I should have been in bed hours ago.  Perhaps sleeping IS better than posting. :-\ :'(

Hello night owls....morning person here  ;)

yes stock wiring harness with the exception of a universal all in one handle bar with kill switch.....of course the wiring on the kill switch was the only thing I wasn't able to test......I probably messed it up.   I will play with that when I get back to it monday night.

Have a great weekend everyone!
Doug
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06 Stella 150 2t Scooter

Offline TomC

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Re: A Noob's 75 CB550 Cafe Project Thread
« Reply #236 on: February 17, 2007, 07:27:05 AM »
Hi doug_id & TwoTired
     Thank you for your replies. Now when I read Coil Ground I will change it to Common Ground serving most circuits located at the coil mount.
          TomC
TomC in Ohio
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Offline doug_id

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Update
« Reply #237 on: February 20, 2007, 03:28:29 PM »
Good news and bad news....... :-\


- Speed bleeder valve arrived and made that chore sooooooo easy!   
http://www.speedbleeder.com/   I ordered the stainless steel one. Part # SB7100-SS Speed Bleeder.

- Bypassed kill switch and connected black ignition power wire directly to black/white coils power wire......I have spark now!   ;D   But when I turn my headlight on it burns up my 7amp fuse in just a few seconds.....not sure what is causing this yet.

- Removed float bowl from carb that was overflowing and adjusted float height.   Now gasket is to big to fit back on bowl......letting it sit out overnight and hopefully it will shrink back down.   :(

-  Removed fuel etcock and examined it to see why off setting is not working.   Are gaskets necessary for the two screws that hold petcock to the tank?   If so I don't have any.   could that be the reason off setting is not working?  Will rubber o-ring gaskets work?

Just hope I am taking more steps forward than I am back   ::)


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06 Stella 150 2t Scooter

Offline kine8282

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Re: A Noob's 75 CB550 Cafe Project Thread
« Reply #238 on: February 20, 2007, 05:14:05 PM »
Doug,

Regarding your blown fuse I would check your new front side turn signals for a bad ground. Happened to me not too long ago.

Wish I could help you on the other stuff
1975 CB550K aka "Nefertiti"
1978 CB750K aka "Kate"

Offline doug_id

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It's Alive!!
« Reply #239 on: February 20, 2007, 09:06:42 PM »
It's Alive!!
Put float bowl on and hooked up old gas tank and a battery charger.....put on the choke and tried several times to fire it up.   After several attempts I was about to give up when it gave a slight sign of starting.   I tried it a few more times and away she went!!  ;D ;D ;D ;D

I helped it along by giving it some throttle for a few mins as I scanned for gas leaks and or oil leaks or any other sign of problem....didn't see any  8)   Then I let go of the throttle and it dropped into a nice idle.   I then notice that only two of the header pipes are turning color (right side) the other two still chrome colored.....also the exhaust pressure coming out the back was stronger on the right side.   

I can't believe how nice it sounded and how smooth it idled firing on only two cylinders..........how is that possible?

Anybody have any suggestions on what to check first on what might be issue with left cylinders?   I will do a search as well.

Anyway I probably won't be able to sleep worth a dang tonight..... ;)

few pics.....


see header pipe color.....
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Offline GoatBaSS

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Re: A Noob's 75 CB550 Cafe Project Thread
« Reply #240 on: February 20, 2007, 10:17:17 PM »
Check spark for all plugs. Are they 1/4 and 2/3 from the coils?  Rule that out. Fuel delivery. Carbs are finicky. Just minor stickies at this point!  ;D
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Offline DammitDan

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Re: A Noob's 75 CB550 Cafe Project Thread
« Reply #241 on: February 20, 2007, 11:13:39 PM »
Does your tank have one petcock or 2?
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Offline CrisPDuk

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Re: It's Alive!!
« Reply #242 on: February 21, 2007, 04:08:09 AM »
It's Alive!!





 8) 8)

Love the FIM standard refueling rig ;D
Education: Elitist activity. Cost ineffective. Unpopular with Grey Suits. Now largely replaced by Training."


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Offline doug_id

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Re: A Noob's 75 CB550 Cafe Project Thread
« Reply #243 on: February 21, 2007, 05:54:32 AM »
Yea .....it is high tech for sure... ;D...I see the bucket is about to collapse so I better fix that quick  :o
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Offline doug_id

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Re: A Noob's 75 CB550 Cafe Project Thread
« Reply #244 on: February 21, 2007, 05:57:35 AM »
Check spark for all plugs. Are they 1/4 and 2/3 from the coils?  Rule that out. Fuel delivery. Carbs are finicky. Just minor stickies at this point!  ;D

I think I am good with the 1/4 2/3 but will double check.   It is most likely the carbs......I am betting I have the floats set low and not enough fuel making it into the carbs.

Thx!
Doug
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Offline doug_id

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Re: A Noob's 75 CB550 Cafe Project Thread
« Reply #245 on: February 21, 2007, 06:00:51 AM »
Does your tank have one petcock or 2?

1 or 2 petcocks?  Do you mean 1 or 2 outlets for the fuel?   If so then it has 2.   I opened the petcock with the tank over a bucket just to make sure fuel flowed evenly from both outlets and it did.   I am guessing the floats for those two cylinders are set incorrectly.

Doug
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06 Stella 150 2t Scooter

Offline Tvag

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Re: A Noob's 75 CB550 Cafe Project Thread
« Reply #246 on: February 21, 2007, 06:20:06 AM »
Congrats, on getting her started!! I know how pumped you must be that you know it will run once the bugs are worked out.
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1979 Kaw Z400B2 (someone's future parts bike)

Offline bill440cars

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Re: A Noob's 75 CB550 Cafe Project Thread
« Reply #247 on: February 21, 2007, 07:59:12 AM »


          All Right DOUG! 8) I know that you are chomping at the bit to get that sucker squared away so that you can go for that long awaited test ride, I know I would be. You take care and be sure to let us know the results of that ride. ;) LOL with that electrical problem with the fuse.

                                                Later on, Bill :) ;)
Member # 1969
PRAYERS ALWAYS FOR: Bre, Jeff & Virginia, Bear, Trevor & Brianna ( Close Friend's Daughter)
"Because HE lives, I can Face Tomorrow"                  
 You CAN Teach An Old Dog New Tricks, Just Takes A Little Bit Longer & A Lot More Patience!! 
             
Main Rides: '02 Durango, '71 Swinger & Dad's '93
                  Dakota LE 4x4 '66 CB77 & '72 SL350K2
Watch What You Step Into, It Could  End Up A Mess!

Offline DME

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Re: A Noob's 75 CB550 Cafe Project Thread
« Reply #248 on: February 21, 2007, 02:09:42 PM »
Good on ya!
Now get all cylinders firing and take her out for a spin  8)
And snap some pics when you´re outside so we can get a better view of the bike in all its glory.
That nomination we talked about is waiting in the wings.....
Glad the longer shocks worked out for ya  :)

Cheers
Dan

Offline kine8282

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Re: A Noob's 75 CB550 Cafe Project Thread
« Reply #249 on: February 21, 2007, 05:10:48 PM »
Speaking of shocks, just got your old ones in the mail...cant wait to install them.

BTW great to hear that you've got your scoot going
1975 CB550K aka "Nefertiti"
1978 CB750K aka "Kate"