74' CB550 Cafe (Version 2.0)
- Thread starter mothgils
- Start date
mothgils
Coast to Coast
Re: 74' CB550 Build (It's ALIVE!!!! muwahahaha!)
Some major updates/progress this weekend! I will post pics and a full update when I get home from work today
Cliff note version: I got her to fire up. Felt good to hear the bike run!!! The timing is off so that is the next plan of attack. I was so excited that I got her to fire up that I was calling buddies and making them listen!! I'm so lame, haha!
Some major updates/progress this weekend! I will post pics and a full update when I get home from work today
Cliff note version: I got her to fire up. Felt good to hear the bike run!!! The timing is off so that is the next plan of attack. I was so excited that I got her to fire up that I was calling buddies and making them listen!! I'm so lame, haha!
mothgils
Coast to Coast
Re: 74' CB550 Build (IT"S ALIVE...MUWAHAHAHA!!!)
Well here are some pics to go along with the update.
I finished laying out all of the electrical bits in the box/tray that I made. I looks like a rat next in the pic but it isn't that bad. In the second pic the red wire is one that I used to jump from the starter solenoid to ground in order to bypass the starter button. It doesn't work. I think that it has come un-soldered in the control and isn't making a connection. I am either going to source a new one or temporarily wire up a new starter button (hidden of course) and use that for a while in order to get the bike on the road.
I also fab'd a bracket to mount the exhaust and support the megaphone. It attaches behind the right side passenger foot peg. The last pic is just a shot of the bike in it's current stage (timing/tuning).
I hope to get the timing issues worked out this week. I also got my new (to me) front brake caliper with bleeder valve intact! It only took me 3 sets to get a good one. Anyway, that's all for now. Not too exciting to look at, so hopefully I can put a video up by the weekend!!
Well here are some pics to go along with the update.
I finished laying out all of the electrical bits in the box/tray that I made. I looks like a rat next in the pic but it isn't that bad. In the second pic the red wire is one that I used to jump from the starter solenoid to ground in order to bypass the starter button. It doesn't work. I think that it has come un-soldered in the control and isn't making a connection. I am either going to source a new one or temporarily wire up a new starter button (hidden of course) and use that for a while in order to get the bike on the road.
I also fab'd a bracket to mount the exhaust and support the megaphone. It attaches behind the right side passenger foot peg. The last pic is just a shot of the bike in it's current stage (timing/tuning).
I hope to get the timing issues worked out this week. I also got my new (to me) front brake caliper with bleeder valve intact! It only took me 3 sets to get a good one. Anyway, that's all for now. Not too exciting to look at, so hopefully I can put a video up by the weekend!!
mothgils
Coast to Coast
Re: 74' CB550 Build (IT"S ALIVE...MUWAHAHAHA!!!)
Was working on the bike last night and still couldn't get it to fire up and hold idle. I verified/adjusted the point gaps and did the same with the spark plugs. I also checked to make sure I was getting spark and I was. I had air and spark so I figured I would check gas. I didn't have alot in the tank so I added more. I then found out the floats in the carbs must not be at the right level because gas came out of the carbs. Right out of the vent tube that is used to take in air when the choke is closed.
So I ripped the carbs apart last night and put the floats in a bowl of gas to make sure all are floating. I left them in over night and this morning they were all still afloat. I guess I just screwed up in setting the float height. Gonna put them back together tonight and try again!
Was working on the bike last night and still couldn't get it to fire up and hold idle. I verified/adjusted the point gaps and did the same with the spark plugs. I also checked to make sure I was getting spark and I was. I had air and spark so I figured I would check gas. I didn't have alot in the tank so I added more. I then found out the floats in the carbs must not be at the right level because gas came out of the carbs. Right out of the vent tube that is used to take in air when the choke is closed.
So I ripped the carbs apart last night and put the floats in a bowl of gas to make sure all are floating. I left them in over night and this morning they were all still afloat. I guess I just screwed up in setting the float height. Gonna put them back together tonight and try again!
Re: 74' CB550 Build (It was alive!)
New float bowl gaskets as well? Sometimes the floats can get caught up (or down) in the gaskets. The gaskets need to be trimmed if this is the case.
It's a good idea to check for carb leaks on the bench (ie BEFORE you put the carbs back on the bike). You'll need a remote fuel tank of some kind and you'll need to have the carbs held level, but it's a lot easier to check them when they're out of the bike than to discover they are pissing out fuel into the engine and you have to pull them off the bike again
New float bowl gaskets as well? Sometimes the floats can get caught up (or down) in the gaskets. The gaskets need to be trimmed if this is the case.
It's a good idea to check for carb leaks on the bench (ie BEFORE you put the carbs back on the bike). You'll need a remote fuel tank of some kind and you'll need to have the carbs held level, but it's a lot easier to check them when they're out of the bike than to discover they are pissing out fuel into the engine and you have to pull them off the bike again
mothgils
Coast to Coast
Re: 74' CB550 Build (It was alive!)
Yeah, gaskets were fit and replaced. I did some more work last night, ie adjusted the float level. I found that one of my float bowls has a crack in the brass drain tube so even with the float levels fixed, it leaks. Once I replace that, it should be solid.
I don't have a remote fuel tank but I can get the tank off, carbs off, and float bowls off with carbs drained in a matter of 10 minutes now. It is not fun but it has to be done.
hillsy said:New float bowl gaskets as well? Sometimes the floats can get caught up (or down) in the gaskets. The gaskets need to be trimmed if this is the case.
It's a good idea to check for carb leaks on the bench (ie BEFORE you put the carbs back on the bike). You'll need a remote fuel tank of some kind and you'll need to have the carbs held level, but it's a lot easier to check them when they're out of the bike than to discover they are pissing out fuel into the engine and you have to pull them off the bike again
Yeah, gaskets were fit and replaced. I did some more work last night, ie adjusted the float level. I found that one of my float bowls has a crack in the brass drain tube so even with the float levels fixed, it leaks. Once I replace that, it should be solid.
I don't have a remote fuel tank but I can get the tank off, carbs off, and float bowls off with carbs drained in a matter of 10 minutes now. It is not fun but it has to be done.
mothgils
Coast to Coast
Re: 74' CB550 Build (It was alive!)
Getting very frustrated with the bike/carbs.
I can't seem to get them from leaking at the drain tube in the bowl. I keep thinking I am raising the float level but am above the recommended 21mm. I also think that one or two of my float bowls have cracks in the brass drain tubes. I even found a used bowl and I think it is cracked too. I just can't seem to win with this bike. It is so close but I can't get past the carbs.
Getting very frustrated with the bike/carbs.
I can't seem to get them from leaking at the drain tube in the bowl. I keep thinking I am raising the float level but am above the recommended 21mm. I also think that one or two of my float bowls have cracks in the brass drain tubes. I even found a used bowl and I think it is cracked too. I just can't seem to win with this bike. It is so close but I can't get past the carbs.
mothgils
Coast to Coast
Re: 74' CB550 Build (It was alive!)
Well, alot has happened over the past 2 months but not with the motorcycle.
On June 17th, at 3:06pm my wife gave birth to our first child, Aiden Forrest Slightom. He weighed in at 8lbs 2oz and 21" long. Here is a pic from Tuesday at almost 6 weeks old. I can't wait til he can help me in the garage!
Last night, I finally got some work done on the bike. I replaced the points plate with a new one and the timing is within 2 degrees. I actually got the bike to warm up and idle with the choke opened but when I give it gas, it stutters and dies. I am assuming it is carb related now. Any ideas? I need to find what my jet sizes are because they aren't stock.
Well, alot has happened over the past 2 months but not with the motorcycle.
On June 17th, at 3:06pm my wife gave birth to our first child, Aiden Forrest Slightom. He weighed in at 8lbs 2oz and 21" long. Here is a pic from Tuesday at almost 6 weeks old. I can't wait til he can help me in the garage!
Last night, I finally got some work done on the bike. I replaced the points plate with a new one and the timing is within 2 degrees. I actually got the bike to warm up and idle with the choke opened but when I give it gas, it stutters and dies. I am assuming it is carb related now. Any ideas? I need to find what my jet sizes are because they aren't stock.
mothgils
Coast to Coast
Re: 74' CB550 Build (It runs!)
I don't know if it was a fluke the other night or not but it doesn't seem to want to hold much of an idle and seems to die if I open the choke all the way. I am getting so frustrated with this thing. I just want to freaking ride it!!!!!!!!!! I am so tempted to take it someone who knows what they are doing and get it running.
I don't know if it was a fluke the other night or not but it doesn't seem to want to hold much of an idle and seems to die if I open the choke all the way. I am getting so frustrated with this thing. I just want to freaking ride it!!!!!!!!!! I am so tempted to take it someone who knows what they are doing and get it running.
mothgils
Coast to Coast
Re: 74' CB550 Build (It runs!)
Once I have the timing dialed and it idling at 1k with the choke fully open, should my next step be to sync the carbs using a manometer? Then test ride?
I messed with it more today and adjusted the idle mixture screws and can get it to idle at 1k with the choke fully open but still seems like it misses a little. I can rev it without it dying.
I also found that my exhaust tube from cylinder 4 is cooler than the other 3. Sounds like I might need to adjust the idle mixture screw a little more on that one?
Should I adjust the cam tensioner and valves as well?
I am running short of patience and out of ideas. Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated.
thanks
Once I have the timing dialed and it idling at 1k with the choke fully open, should my next step be to sync the carbs using a manometer? Then test ride?
I messed with it more today and adjusted the idle mixture screws and can get it to idle at 1k with the choke fully open but still seems like it misses a little. I can rev it without it dying.
I also found that my exhaust tube from cylinder 4 is cooler than the other 3. Sounds like I might need to adjust the idle mixture screw a little more on that one?
Should I adjust the cam tensioner and valves as well?
I am running short of patience and out of ideas. Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated.
thanks
JustinLonghorn
No Purple Hearts, No Blue Ribbons
Re: 74' CB550 Build (It runs!)
I have no motorcycle advice, but I did want to say Congrats on the wee one. He is awesome.
I have no motorcycle advice, but I did want to say Congrats on the wee one. He is awesome.
mothgils
Coast to Coast
Re: 74' CB550 Build (It runs!)
Here is a pic of her after the maiden voyage last night. Last week, I got the front brake hooked up and pads replaced. I need to by a rebuild kit for the MC as it leaks a little near the lever.
I also adjusted/checked valve clearances and tensioned the cam chain. She still seems to idle a little rough but I found that once I get on the throttle around 1/4-1/2 or so she comes alive.
I found a few other adjustments that I need to make as well but it felt so good to ride it down the the street!
I will post a vid in the next couple days and maybe someone would have some ideas! Gotta get her somewhat reliable to ride to MotoGP next weekend!!
Here is a pic of her after the maiden voyage last night. Last week, I got the front brake hooked up and pads replaced. I need to by a rebuild kit for the MC as it leaks a little near the lever.
I also adjusted/checked valve clearances and tensioned the cam chain. She still seems to idle a little rough but I found that once I get on the throttle around 1/4-1/2 or so she comes alive.
I found a few other adjustments that I need to make as well but it felt so good to ride it down the the street!
I will post a vid in the next couple days and maybe someone would have some ideas! Gotta get her somewhat reliable to ride to MotoGP next weekend!!
