racer/brat 550

[TonUpTracker]

A few weeks back I finally found a Honda CB550 K1, and I just joined this forum by posting in the introduction section.

Here it was when I first got it.

And a week a week later

 

[biker for life]

good lookin bike. What will you do with it?

 

[Tifun]

Subscribed

 

[TonUpTracker]

When I bought the bike, here's the condition it was in
Rough idle on startup and engine rattle.
acceleration was poor with lots of hesitatation. I still haven't looked at the carbs I think they may have something ton do with that.
Oil was also dripping out from the valve cover. I suspect previous owner opened it up without putting it back together the right way.
Tires were shot, the paint on the wheels stripping off
tank, forks ,shocks ,frame and swingarm all rusty,
And I can not stand looking at the brush paint job on the head and wheel hubs
Air box all hacked up

I've always wanted to build a cafe racer, and some of my inspiration may have come from your builds. I want the outcome to be a cafe/brat style bike. Agressive stance, fresh but also have that vintage vibe. I also want to restore the engine obviously and have it run properly.

So I relieved I won't be hacking a mint CB. But at the same time I dont like the condition the bike was kept in.

 

[Tifun]

The carbs are very forgiving on the 550's, as long as the are 22's or 96's, I imagine the jets are around 100-110's for the mains, hopefully with stock needles. If the pipe is straight no baffle you will run into back pressure issues, same goes with a poorly packed baffle. The rattling could be the chain tensioner which is really easy to adjust... however the engine needs to be running to do it. Mine rattled a ton until I adjusted it. Huge difference in noise, you just loosen the tensioner nut while running and it basically self adjusts, the tighten the set nut and your'e done.

I also see that your headers are gold which indicates that bike is or was running rich, make sure your carb boots are in good shape and seal good. Outside of jetting it will cause a few issues. One quick way to check it(again the engine needs to be running) is that if you hit the throttle and it hangs up high or doesn't come all the way down. Pretty common for the old boots.

Also I see you have a bike lift so you may not need any of this advice

-Keith

 

[TonUpTracker]

Can't thank you enough for that constructive input Keith.
Just cause I got a lift doesn't mean I can't take good advise wen its due.

Planning on rebuilding the carbs anyway, and getting different jets to play with.
The rattle may be tappet and camshaft, but will have to open it up to find out.

Heres a few more pictures
Sorry for the bad quality phone pics

 

[caferay]

there's a special level in Hell for those cheap black Emgo fairings.

 

[D4N63R]

there's a special level in Hell for those cheap black Emgo fairings.

Are they a knock off of the viper? Or are they the viper? Been thinking of one of those for the ride to Seattle.

 

[TonUpTracker]

Opened the engine head up. Signs of wear on the camshaft and tappets :-\
Need a new oil filter bolt, it was stripped when I removed it.
Spark plugs looks like its been running rich

 

[TonUpTracker]

Spent some time cleaning the valve cover.
But it was previously painted, so now I'm thinking of taking the cover and head for hot tank cleaning.

 

[canyoncarver]

Onboard.

 

[Bru-tom]

great stuff so far man!

the old head gasket is a biyacth to get off, good luck with that one hahahaha. Just be careful to not scratch the mating surface when scraping. Try to soak the old gasket with oil or something to soften it up a bit.

Post some pics of the rockers and cam, it might not be as bad as you think

 

[whynot]

Scribed.....like these kinds of builds.

Looks good so far......keep it up. One of these days I'll get a 550.

Still looking...........

 

[Bru-tom]

There is another way to tension the chain is when the motor is not running. Turn the crank past TDC until the pin post that the spring for the advancer behind the points plate lines up with the case mark. then loosen the locknut on the tensioner and it will self adjust, you can test this by turning the tensioner screw either way and see it move back to the same place. The position of the spring post is about 15' after TDC (the "T" mark at 1/4)

you can see the spring pin post to the left of the "T" mark, turn the crank clockwise until the post lines up with the mark in the case. then loosen the locknut and let it self adjust. be sure to keep the screw from moving when you tighten the locknut.

good luck, hope that helps, its the way i do mine and its the way the manual describes.

PS, manuals can be downloaded here:

http://www.sohc4.net/cb550books/

 

[Tifun]

Good to know bru. I added a new wrinkle to my brain haha.

 

[TonUpTracker]

Thanks for the praise.....

Bru-tom that is a great post. Thank you.

Here are some pics of the cam, hope their clear.
Both surfaces are not smooth to touch.

 

[Bru-tom]

no probs mate.

Its a little difficult to see the wear on the cam lobes, is that oil giving it that brown tinge? the rocker arm contact point does look a little rough on the left outer edge in the pic, is that correct?

do you know what i am going to recommend, if youre not already a member, please register with sohc forum and post in the tech section here: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?board=2.0

these guys are fabulous and a very good source of knowledge! they know these bikes like there is no tomorrow. I wish i could give you an exact answer, but id rather the pro's have a look at it for ya. Look forwards to seeing you there

good luck mr.

 

[TonUpTracker]

Yes and yes.
I'll join and do a search on sohc4
There ought to be someone else that had the same issue.

 

[Tifun]

Sohc is great for tech. A member there purchased my 550. I'm now in the market to find and build another one.

 

[TonUpTracker]

Some parts arrived

Here's the full list
Complete engine gasket kit
Carburetor Gasket and O-Ring Kit
Spark plugs
Clutch Kit
Clutch Spring Kit
K&N Shorty Air Filter Pods
Chain 530 link
Billet Aluminum Racing Clip-Ons
Retro Black Grips
Mirrors
Billet Aluminum Top Triple Tree
Gloss Black "Dimpled" Headlight Brackets
Round Taillight
Mini Speedometer
Mini Tachometer
Front Wheel Bearing & Seal Kit
Rear Wheel Bearing & Seal Kit