Topic: new guy checking in (CB550F and first motorbike).. please see Novel below

[CylonMech]

 
Hello all,

New member checking in!  Been lurking on here for a while even before I picked up my 1976 CB550F.  Now that I’ve had the bike for a couple months (just about almost road worthy) and have used this forum as my main resource I figure I should register and give a good ole greeting!   I'll attach some pictures later on when my post count is up and I've organized them better.  Maybe a build thread to cover my restoration part, in case I can answer another noobs questions.

Little about myself before we dive into the machine.  My name is Yassel, 39 years old and degreed as a Mechanical Engineer for about 7 years now (late college student here, went back in my late 20s).  I reside in Miami, Florida and currently work as a product development engineer….. specifically robotic medical simulators and task trainers.  I originally studied to work in the automotive industry and somehow fell into FDA medical surgical instrumentation shortly after graduating.   Few years go by and now in a better (and unregulated) field that makes it much more fun.

I’ve always worked on cars (always been a gear head), mini bikes, go karts, and just all round tinkering.  This is my first motorbike and since I have an affection for the old vintage as I do for the modern, I fell in love with these older Hondas.   I being a tinkerer would prefer to restore/fix one than just buy a crotch rocket or new motorcycle off the dealer floor and ride.  I've already taken the Riders Safety Course for the endorsement.  This way I get a feel and understanding of the machine.  I got a great deal on an all original 13,000 mile 1976 CB550F Super Sport which unfortunately sat for over 2 decades.  The condition of it cosmetically and mechanically was too good to pass up and was worth working on (plus relaxing for the mind at most times).

[CylonMech]

So far I’ve rebuilt the carbs from a complete tear down with all new gaskets and orings (mechanical slide type 069A).  Albeit one stripped bowl screw (from PO I assume), everything cleaned up well and went back together perfectly.  I’ve adjusted the point gaps and timing and verified timing advance with an old school conductive timing light (penske gun). Also slapped in new plugs (matching OEM).  New factory style air filter and oil filter as well.

I'm about just done with the Master Cylinder and front caliper rebuild using OEM parts. This baby revs smoothly, doesn’t hunt idle and idles down to 800 rpms no problem.  Little sound coming from the clutch area when idling and sounds ok when revving but I have a feeling it has to do with the clutch adjustment. 
Taken the wheels apart and cleaned/treated/polished any surface rust and pitting on the hoops (rims).  Slapped in new sealed bearings and laced new spokes on the front wheel (Cross 3 Pattern).  Also purchased a spoke torque wrench to dial in after truing.  About to true it this weekend, to then move on to the rear wheel.  Have new rim strips, inner tubes, and tires (Avons) to mount later on.

All is left is to check/adjust the valve tappets, CAM tensioners, clutch adjust, and synchronize the carbs (even though I feel they are very close to synch judging by the sounds and feel of the bike while running).  I purchased a synchronizer to do the work myself.

[CylonMech]

I intend to keep this bike looking as factory as possible (you purists can exhale now).  Only thing would be to touch up the pitted chrome plating on fenders and later on after Ive put some fun miles on her is to tear it down and paint her back up factory.  Some cleaning and engine touch up and she is golden.

Truth be told I might want to change the handlebar set up a bit to give it a sportier look and maybe mess with the lights for a more retro modern look.  That however might not even happen because I truly love the factory look. But no one is taking a cutting disc to this frame.  NO ONE!! I love this vintage look and plan on keeping her that way. 


Thanks everyone for your time and I truly appreciate the effort you guys have made to keep this forum civil, pure, and pertinent to these beautiful Universal Japanese Machines.
I apologize on the novel but I’m excited to finally register on here and share my new experiences.

Have a great day gentlemen and ladies!

Yassel

[flatlander]

welcome from one '76 550 F-er to another!

looks like you found a nice bike in pretty good original shape. the good thing is that once you have the basics sorted (hint: 3k mile tune-up as described in the honda shop manual) you should be able to start riding it, while taking your time to sort out other things.

put up a thread in the projects section and add a few pictures, you'll get more responses there. oh and we do need to see pictures 

you have the original handlebars of the US model which were a bit on the tall side for proper riding. the european models had slightly lower ones which give you a better riding position especially at higher speeds. similar ones are available now in the US, called eurobars or superbike bars and many people prefer them. if you want to stay vintage you could also check out the 440F bars which are almost the same hight as the european OEM 550 bars, and a tad more narrow.
i should even have some bars for you kicking around the basement but shipping from the netherlands might kill the deal?

[CylonMech]

Thanks for the advice on the bars flatlander!  I will definitely look into those you mentioned, sounds exactly like the change I want without straying away too far from the original.
And yes I will start a build thread.  One thing I like to do is take lots of pictures most of the time to document the progress on what I've done.

Cheers!

you have the original handlebars of the US model which were a bit on the tall side for proper riding. the european models had slightly lower ones which give you a better riding position especially at higher speeds. similar ones are available now in the US, called eurobars or superbike bars and many people prefer them. if you want to stay vintage you could also check out the 440F bars which are almost the same hight as the european OEM 550 bars, and a tad more narrow.
i should even have some bars for you kicking around the basement but shipping from the netherlands might kill the deal?

[Stev-o]

welcome from one '76 550 F-er to another!

+1!    Welcome to the club.  I put M bars on my 550F, I like the look and are fairly comfortable too.

Edit, here is a pic of my 550F...