My first motorcycle: 1976 Honda CB550

mwierm · 2007-05-21

Hello all. I just purchased my first motorcycle thtis past Saturday and although the bike has seen better days, I feel confident that I'll be able to restore it to it's origional glory. The motorcycle is a 1976 CB550. It will take a lot of time to fix since I don't know much about motorcycles but I think it will be worth the challenge. Anyway, I got the motorcycle from a neighbor who has had it for a few years. He rode it last fall but let it sit outside all winter and now it won't start. (We live in Atlanta, so the winters aren't that cold) It gets power from the battery and acts like it wants to start but it just won't get there. I added fuel additive and some fresh gas, so I hope that will help. I checked the plugs and they look pretty good. Also, I'm getting a new battery today. If anyone has experience with a CB550 and you wish to share any tips for getting this bad-boy into shape, please feel free. Thanks! http://home.comcast.net/~mwierm1/index.html There is one thing I found odd about this bike. The engine ID is CB550E. I haven't been able to find any information on this model number. Is this the same as a CB550F or CB550K? If anyone can help with this, it would be greatly appreciated. Edited by - mwierm on May 21 2007 12:27:05 PM Edited by - mwierm on May 21 2007 1:04:14 PM

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Geeto67

· #14 · May 24, 2007

before you screw up any screw heads, go buy five things:

1) an impact driver
2) a full bike kit of stainless allen head screws
3) can of anti seize
4) a fuckin manual
5) A can of liquid wrench

That way as you work on stuff you can relace the dodgy, old, unreliable philips heads with allens, and coat everything with anitseize.

depending on your speedo drive you should be able to remove the scre and the cable should just slide out, or it might be one of the ones with a cap that unscrews also.

***Photo Please***Sounds like your bike has an aftermarket master cylinder or one from another bike, since 550s should have a barrel style resivoir with a cap that just unscrews. Unless your brakes are sticking I wouldn't be too concerned with the fluid right now. Rather chek your rubber lines and make sure they are not cracked or checking. Also look for leaks. If it all checks out why not just replace the master with a cbr600 master. Banjo bolt should be the same.

I am going to be a nice, here is where you can download the shop manual. READ IT before you pick up another wrench:

http://www.sohc4.us/forums/index.php?topic=17788.0

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Geeto67

· #15 · May 24, 2007

before you screw up any screw heads, go buy five things:

1) an impact driver
2) a full bike kit of stainless allen head screws
3) can of anti seize
4) a fuckin manual
5) A can of liquid wrench

That way as you work on stuff you can relace the dodgy, old, unreliable philips heads with allens, and coat everything with anitseize.

depending on your speedo drive you should be able to remove the scre and the cable should just slide out, or it might be one of the ones with a cap that unscrews also.

***Photo Please***Sounds like your bike has an aftermarket master cylinder or one from another bike, since 550s should have a barrel style resivoir with a cap that just unscrews. Unless your brakes are sticking I wouldn't be too concerned with the fluid right now. Rather chek your rubber lines and make sure they are not cracked or checking. Also look for leaks. If it all checks out why not just replace the master with a cbr600 master. Banjo bolt should be the same.

I am going to be a nice, here is where you can download the shop manual. READ IT before you pick up another wrench:

http://www.sohc4.us/forums/index.php?topic=17788.0

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Geeto67

· #18 · May 24, 2007

I was hoping for an upclose pic so we could get a real good look at condition but from what you are showing me junk it. The M/C is one of those early 80's types with a plastic resivoir that if you get brake fluid on it and leave it in the sun it cracks and begins to weep - which from your pics looks like it is doing. If you have the dosh junk it and go find a cbr600 f3 or cbr929 m/c as it should have a metal resivoir and the correct banjo bolt. you could also get a stock M/c as they are aluminum but the cbr is really an upgrade, espically if you want to go dual disc later on and if you can find with with a stock roll a click lever. I think some FZR 600s also have the correct banjo bolt. Take it to your local shp and see if you can match up the bolt.

the m/c unit is basically the metal lever, the housing, and the resivior. the throttle is seperate and you should be able to remove the M/C as a whole unit.

Edited by - geeto67 on May 24 2007 12:00:06 PM

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Geeto67

· #19 · May 24, 2007

I was hoping for an upclose pic so we could get a real good look at condition but from what you are showing me junk it. The M/C is one of those early 80's types with a plastic resivoir that if you get brake fluid on it and leave it in the sun it cracks and begins to weep - which from your pics looks like it is doing. If you have the dosh junk it and go find a cbr600 f3 or cbr929 m/c as it should have a metal resivoir and the correct banjo bolt. you could also get a stock M/c as they are aluminum but the cbr is really an upgrade, espically if you want to go dual disc later on and if you can find with with a stock roll a click lever. I think some FZR 600s also have the correct banjo bolt. Take it to your local shp and see if you can match up the bolt.

the m/c unit is basically the metal lever, the housing, and the resivior. the throttle is seperate and you should be able to remove the M/C as a whole unit.

Edited by - geeto67 on May 24 2007 12:00:06 PM

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Geeto67

· #24 · May 24, 2007

Most street bikes won't get torn down more than a couple times in their life. I can see how damage can occur when you have a race bike and are stripping the bike down every year, but for a street bike that may have the covers off once or twice in its life, I don't think is it an issue.

You make an extremely vaild point about overtightening but that really goes toward anything. If you miss use your fastners or tools you end up with crap.

I am not agains clubmans because they are not period, I am against them because too many newbies screw up their bikes installing them (clubman rash).

I have too bikes in my garage right now, cb750s of about the same year that have both been in the same shed since 1989. One was a cafe bike built back in 1976 with stainless fasteners all over the engine, the other a stocker. Both have about the same amount of corrosion, Guess which one comes apart easier.

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Geeto67

· #25 · May 24, 2007

Most street bikes won't get torn down more than a couple times in their life. I can see how damage can occur when you have a race bike and are stripping the bike down every year, but for a street bike that may have the covers off once or twice in its life, I don't think is it an issue.

You make an extremely vaild point about overtightening but that really goes toward anything. If you miss use your fastners or tools you end up with crap.

I am not agains clubmans because they are not period, I am against them because too many newbies screw up their bikes installing them (clubman rash).

I have too bikes in my garage right now, cb750s of about the same year that have both been in the same shed since 1989. One was a cafe bike built back in 1976 with stainless fasteners all over the engine, the other a stocker. Both have about the same amount of corrosion, Guess which one comes apart easier.

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