I've just acquired a 74' cb550. It runs but the carburator was off for cleaning. I need the cam shaft installed and the carbs synched. Anyone in the Charlotte area willing to work on this or know any good shops that can work on this? I have a bunch of extra parts to trade as well.
anyone in the Charlotte area know how to work on cb's?
- Thread starter cobra666
- Start date
jay_kent
1979 cb650
As for the cam a good manual will get you there. Probably it'll be like a cb650 since mine is based on yours.
What you'll want to do is put the pulse generator so the timing mark indicates 1.4t. Then put the cam in, it has to go in the right way. There will be a notch in one side. The side with the notch will go on the right hand side, level with the top of the head facing forwards. The tricky bit will be getting the sprocket back on/aligned.
Loosen the cam chain tensioner bolt. located on the back side of the cylinder and if the rocker arms are off and with a long screw driver or something similar push the tensioner to the back, hold it tight and tighten the bolt. this will help a lot by not pushing pressure on the chain and giving a little more clearance for the chain while you fiddle aligning the sprocket to the cam.
As for syncing the carbs I've seen a few different tricks to get you in the ball park. First off you can buy yourself a manometer or make yourself one.
If you make yourself one, use a thick oil as it won't bounce around as much. here's a link for a DIY unit. if you have 4 carbs, double it up. http://www.obairlann.net/reaper/motorcycle/manometer.html
But for "bench syncing," once again, use the manual to figure out how to adjust the slide in the carb, Some people, myself included, stripped the casing off a metal twist tie, the kind you find that comes in the package with garbage bags. Insert it into the barrel of the carb and lower the slide until the twist tie drags as you pull it out. At least you'll know that the carbs will be within range of each other.
It's scary and worrisome that you might screw the pooch and your bike, but the satisfaction you'll gain about knowing your bike inside and out is well worth the hassle. You WILL fuck up something. But you will never fuck it up again. If you do, you'll need a different hobby.
Jay
What you'll want to do is put the pulse generator so the timing mark indicates 1.4t. Then put the cam in, it has to go in the right way. There will be a notch in one side. The side with the notch will go on the right hand side, level with the top of the head facing forwards. The tricky bit will be getting the sprocket back on/aligned.
Loosen the cam chain tensioner bolt. located on the back side of the cylinder and if the rocker arms are off and with a long screw driver or something similar push the tensioner to the back, hold it tight and tighten the bolt. this will help a lot by not pushing pressure on the chain and giving a little more clearance for the chain while you fiddle aligning the sprocket to the cam.
As for syncing the carbs I've seen a few different tricks to get you in the ball park. First off you can buy yourself a manometer or make yourself one.
If you make yourself one, use a thick oil as it won't bounce around as much. here's a link for a DIY unit. if you have 4 carbs, double it up. http://www.obairlann.net/reaper/motorcycle/manometer.html
But for "bench syncing," once again, use the manual to figure out how to adjust the slide in the carb, Some people, myself included, stripped the casing off a metal twist tie, the kind you find that comes in the package with garbage bags. Insert it into the barrel of the carb and lower the slide until the twist tie drags as you pull it out. At least you'll know that the carbs will be within range of each other.
It's scary and worrisome that you might screw the pooch and your bike, but the satisfaction you'll gain about knowing your bike inside and out is well worth the hassle. You WILL fuck up something. But you will never fuck it up again. If you do, you'll need a different hobby.
Jay
