Author Topic: Got rid of my 550K... and replaced it with a 550F and a 350F  (Read 9237 times)

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Offline Oddjob

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Re: Got rid of my 550K... and replaced it with a 550F and a 350F
« Reply #100 on: December 11, 2024, 04:44:39 AM »
The polishing and chrome plating wasn't that great to begin with on the 400 header, especially on the back side. ;) Hey Chris, want a 400 project? ;D

Honda seemed to love saving money on chrome plating, top of the Cb500 fork tubes, not chromed? back of the Cb550F chainguard, really dull chrome, same for the back of the CB500 exhausts, dull chrome. They did this on numerous things, brake levers, gear levers, fork ears. It's a wonder they lasted as long as they did.

Offline carnivorous chicken

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Re: Got rid of my 550K... and replaced it with a 550F and a 350F
« Reply #101 on: December 11, 2024, 07:09:18 AM »
It's a total basket case with no title. ;D

You make it sound so tempting but... maybe not!

Offline Stev-o

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Re: Got rid of my 550K... and replaced it with a 550F and a 350F
« Reply #102 on: December 11, 2024, 07:21:07 AM »
Finally got the header back and... it's about a C- on the chrome job.

Cleaned up the flanges.



Hey Chris...I may have some spare flanges in better condition, I'll search today.

Sorry to hear of the C- chrome job. 
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline carnivorous chicken

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Re: Got rid of my 550K... and replaced it with a 550F and a 350F
« Reply #103 on: December 18, 2024, 08:25:50 AM »
Gave it a wash, here's how it sits now:



Just realized it looks like it has a ton of drips under it, but it's not from the bike (except maybe one or two drips of water, just washed it. I reused the crush washers for the exhaust and they seem to seal, but I have new ones on the way so I'm gonna take of the exhaust again, which will give me a chance to try to polish up the duller places on the header. When I get back from Seattle I should have enough components to fit the airbox, and I'll have a few more stock bolts to replace the allen ones that are left. Got a repop seat cover that looks stock as well.

Offline denward17

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Re: Got rid of my 550K... and replaced it with a 550F and a 350F
« Reply #104 on: December 18, 2024, 08:52:48 AM »
Nice looking bike CC....Is that the stock header and muffler?

Offline carnivorous chicken

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Re: Got rid of my 550K... and replaced it with a 550F and a 350F
« Reply #105 on: December 18, 2024, 08:58:41 AM »
Nice looking bike CC....Is that the stock header and muffler?

Yep. The bike came with them, but there are a few other bits and pieces that weren't stock. I'm trying to get it back to as stock as I can.

Offline Oddjob

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Re: Got rid of my 550K... and replaced it with a 550F and a 350F
« Reply #106 on: December 18, 2024, 09:37:07 AM »
Just for info but the 2 throttle cables go through the hole in the speedo bracket and then round the other side of the headstock and then through the hole where the coils sit. I've found any other routing can either make the throttle stiff or cause it to rev when the bars are turned.

Offline carnivorous chicken

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Re: Got rid of my 550K... and replaced it with a 550F and a 350F
« Reply #107 on: December 18, 2024, 09:40:22 AM »
Just for info but the 2 throttle cables go through the hole in the speedo bracket and then round the other side of the headstock and then through the hole where the coils sit. I've found any other routing can either make the throttle stiff or cause it to rev when the bars are turned.

Gotcha, thanks. Haven't had any issue with high revs or sticking but maybe I'll reroute them next time I've got stuff apart...

Offline Oddjob

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Re: Got rid of my 550K... and replaced it with a 550F and a 350F
« Reply #108 on: December 18, 2024, 09:43:02 AM »
Have a look at the CB550F appendum and you can see all the cable and wiring harness routing on there. It makes a BIG difference when everything is routed correctly.

I'm always hesitant about saying stuff like this as some people seem to think I just sit at my PC and pick holes in their builds and nothing is farther from the truth.