Topic: 1975 CB 550 Cafe Project... Pics of my recent STEAL!!

[Spikeybike]

since the dyna is installed in a bike already the hardest stuff is done (mounting the advance mechanism)

remove it from one bike, (3 screws, 3 wires)  and you can't set the timing without the bike running

i would say give yourself a half hour

[A Grove]

UPDATE.  Got the turn signals mounted and wired, cleaned up the fork legs a bit (didn't get too crazy), then I put on the front wheel, got the headlight all peachy and got the shocks totally mounted up.  These shocks are very high performance carerra's.  My dad used to run them on his downhill chairs and mono-skis.  The plates were used to lengthen the eye-to-eye to my desired 13.75".  Because my current '75 tank is being stripped, etc getting ready for paint, I mounted up the '77 tank, and I've got to say, its quite a bit bigger.  The shape is fairly different too, but I really like it.  I think I am going to paint up both tanks, and then decide from there what I want to do with them.

Tomorrow I am going to get the bike a rolling, and fire her up.  I'll do what I can to get some video of her running before work tomorrow

















So after removing the tank, I found something in yellow that all the sparkplug wires are leading to, and it says accel.  Pic is below, I know this is apart of the coil/ignition, but I thought I had a dyna s?  Thats what it said under the points cover, anyhow...  Also, my dad doesn't want me to switch the ignition system over.  He thinks something will go wrong, etc and see's no positives of doing it.  Can anyone here persuade him otherwise?  Because I personally think it would be something cool to swap over, plus I'd get to learn some things and more understand what is going on with my bike...


-Aaron

[Spikeybike]

Can anyone here persuade him otherwise?  Because I personally think it would be something cool to swap over, plus I'd get to learn some things and more understand what is going on with my bike...


-Aaron

that sounds like a good argument right there,,  you could also say .  as i said before the set up is easier, points are a bit of a pain, that set up would also offer a more powerful spark, which would help out with that Mac system,   i don't see what the big deal is, its not that hard,         

you still gotta do the carbs ,  that my friend is big can-o-worms, dad should be worried about that 

BTW i really think that the stock blinkers have got to go 

aside from that it's lookin super

[Spikeybike]

the things that say accel are the coils , the Dyna s is the ignition.

[MCRider]

UPDATE.  Got the turn signals mounted and wired, cleaned up the fork legs a bit (didn't get too crazy), then I put on the front wheel, got the headlight all peachy and got the shocks totally mounted up.  These shocks are very high performance carerra's.  My dad used to run them on his downhill chairs and mono-skis.  The plates were used to lengthen the eye-to-eye to my desired 13.75".  Because my current '75 tank is being stripped, etc getting ready for paint, I mounted up the '77 tank, and I've got to say, its quite a bit bigger.  The shape is fairly different too, but I really like it.  I think I am going to paint up both tanks, and then decide from there what I want to do with them.

Tomorrow I am going to get the bike a rolling, and fire her up.  I'll do what I can to get some video of her running before work tomorrow
So after removing the tank, I found something in yellow that all the sparkplug wires are leading to, and it says accel.  Pic is below, I know this is apart of the coil/ignition, but I thought I had a dyna s?  Thats what it said under the points cover, anyhow...  Also, my dad doesn't want me to switch the ignition system over.  He thinks something will go wrong, etc and see's no positives of doing it.  Can anyone here persuade him otherwise?  Because I personally think it would be something cool to swap over, plus I'd get to learn some things and more understand what is going on with my bike...


-Aaron

Yes those are the "ignition coils". Accel is the major competitor to Dyna. I don't think they make ignitions, just coils. Pretty colors!

As far as the swap, it all depends on when you want to roll, does the stock system work (let a sleeping dog lie) etc. Apply the "3 laws of life" 1. Things always take longer than you expect. 2. Things always cost more than you expect. 3. Nothing is ever as good, or bad, as it seems at the time.

[TwoTired]

The accel coils are likely 3 ohm primaries instead of the stock 5 ohm.  They draw quite a bit more power than stock.  And, as the alternator can't keep up with the stock bike load at idle, those coils will deplete the battery faster, and delay recharging the depleted battery.  The Dyna S coil trigger will cause the coils to be ON for longer than points, making the total current draw so bad that the battery will run down unless you keep the engine above 3000 ALL the time.

I think it is a mistake to put 3 ohm coils on a 550.  But, you can add resistors in series to lower the power suck. Lowering the input voltage and lowering the spark voltage in the process.  Sell the coils to a 750 owner.

Cheers,

[Spikeybike]

this is all true , i forgot your working with a deadline , get the dyna 5 ohm coils another time .

you guys forgot to mention that he can run the dyna s with the stock coils he's already got

[A Grove]

The stock signals are only temporary.. They'll get me thru inspection, same with the mac, after inspection, it is getting pulled and I'm going to run just the headers.  The carbs on my current bike are actually dialed in great.  I cleaned them up pretty good, but the tank itself is near spotless, plus there is a filter on the line, so I think most all the junk has stayed away.  I really want to switch to the pods, but I'm reading up and am finding out it is going to require a TON of carb work...  Has anyone out there been able to run pods with the stock mainjets?

For now, I am going to keep the stock points. AFTER I get it on the road quick, I think I may make the swap eventually. 


Still rather undecided what to do about the '77 550... We'll see where that ends up taking me.

[DarkRider]

Maybe a future Cafe project to go with this first one? Just a suggestion when it comes to the ignition why not look into the Hondaman ignition if you want to upgrade later? It has the ability to switch back to a standard points ignition if something happens on the road..something your dad would probably feel a lot better about.

[A Grove]

Well see the reason I would just swap over the current ignition is because I would rather be spending the extra money I have on the fork, etc. to get the rest of the bike up to par on performance, etc.  Seeing as I already have the dynas and accel coil, I mine-as-well swap them over later on. 

[A Grove]

A few sketchy updates.. cellphone pictures suck!

Got 'er inspected yesterday... Between tonight and tomorrow, I am hoping to the seat finished up for the most part.

[cleveland]

I don't know how I missed this thread, but I have to say that you have done a GREAT JOB!!!

[A Grove]

Thanks much.  Tomorrow I shall get the seat covered and hopefully get the peice of sheetmetal formed for the tail section.  Have to get it done for my ride come Monday (planned out a big ride with some buddies, it ought to be a good time).  There is definitally a lot of little things that need to be done yet, but its completely legal and I plan to ride it and work on it in the meantime.  She's WAY too fun.

[cleveland]

its completely legal

Even if she wasn't, we wouldn't tell on you.   

[dboblet]

love the clip-ons.  Can't wait to see what you do with the rest of the bike.

[A Grove]

Thanks guys.  It will be done tomorrow (only thing that I will have to do still is to paint the tail section, but it will be welded up and the foam will be covered.  Post pics when I'm done!

[A Grove]

How she sits now... Not completely finished, the tail section will be red come next weekend.

[dboblet]

I hate you.


that's a really sick ride you are putting together.  Luuuuukyyyyyy.

Keep up the posts, very inspirational.  I'm developing a long list for my winter conversion up here in the mountains.  No riding possible on the icy and snowy roads so time to convert starts sometime in ... um... November I think....


Question on the clip-ons though... Mounted above the triple clamp... doesn't that lower the frame about 2 inches in front.... and what effect might that have on handling???  I'm thinking of something similar for my 750.

[cleveland]

Looks good!  Lets get a right side profile pic.   

[Shenanigans]

I know it may be after the fact but even if you dont run points learn how to set them. As the electronic ignition will just fail (even if unlikey) and being able to set an extra points plate might just get you back home. Dont ask me how I know...

[A Grove]

#$%*ty side profile pic....




OK.  Just got back from the pump, I am getting a measely 35mpg... I have done nothing with the carbs or motor at that.  Will cleaning the carbs help my MPG out at all? 

I've also found a very strange ticking noise from around the #1 cylinder, it sounds as if it is getting worse as well.  My top speed is currently 73mph (says my digital guage...) Is the ticking I am hearing the infamous "f*cked up valve covers"??  Or could it be the timing chain hitting off the case bec. it is too loose? 

If I install my dynas ignition, accel coils, and clean the carbs, how much of an improvement do you think I will gain?

[cleveland]

MPG sound right on to me, mine gets 32-36 MPG.  Keep in mind this is not a new bike, you are working with technology that is over 30 years old.   

As for the sound, odds are it's the cam chain.  Post a sound bite if you can.

[A Grove]

I've heard of people getting into the 50's on 550's... I dont think that is un-reasonable at all, but 35 seems low...

[Spikeybike]

i get on average around 40-45 mpg   and mine is cammed, has pods, and is jetted , with a mac just like yours

i would be more concerned with the top speed being so low,  what rpm do you normally shift at , i ask because these SOHC4's rev petty high , mine will go 110-120 at about 8500rpm

if thats not the case then you need jets for sure,  or some engine work.  have you checked the compression ?

[TwoTired]

You can get 50 mpg with a stock 550 exhaust and air box.  But, 45 mpg is about right for mixed city and highway driving.

What tires and sprockets are you using?  Does your brake drag?  Tire pressure?  Is your chain well lubed?


If you can feel the ticking on the cam cover, then check this post.
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=20408.msg212239#msg212239

Cheers,