Author Topic: Meet my new 550f2  (Read 18724 times)

Offline mickwinf

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Re: Meet my new 550f2
« Reply #120 on: March 08, 2020, 09:01:13 AM »
had a couple of hours on the bike today, finally got the knack of fitting the circlips so fitted the pistons and lowered the barrels on. I am having a slight problem with locating the bottom of the camchain tensioner, i know it fits in a recess but mine does not want to go in properly, i have removed the sump and can see the bottom of the tensioner sticking out. when i try to put it in the correct place it seems to stick up too high to fit in the hole on the back of the barrels where the adjusting bolt goes through, any tips anyone?
Love the 500 and 550 have a 500 called Lazarus under restoration

Offline mickwinf

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Re: Meet my new 550f2
« Reply #121 on: March 08, 2020, 01:59:34 PM »
got that sorted, it was slightly bent at the bottom so all ok now. Next the cylinder head, a good clean up and valve grinding etc.
Love the 500 and 550 have a 500 called Lazarus under restoration

Offline simonc

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Re: Meet my new 550f2
« Reply #122 on: April 18, 2020, 05:00:59 PM »
correct silencer becoming rare item now[ rust out] good project
one job leads to another
cb72 1964
cb550f1 1976
cb550f1 1976
cb550 1977 with cb 500k engine

Offline mickwinf

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Re: Meet my new 550f2
« Reply #123 on: April 19, 2020, 02:08:46 PM »
i was lucky, the silencer came with the bike and cleaned up ok, the headers i took a risk and got them from america, they were reasonable price but postage and customs charges added a lot. thankfully was in good nick so worth it.
Love the 500 and 550 have a 500 called Lazarus under restoration

Offline mickwinf

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Re: Meet my new 550f2
« Reply #124 on: September 21, 2020, 05:12:47 PM »
well this project has been on hold mainly due to lockdown, as i am a self employed driving instructor had no income except the government handouts. Back at work now so returned to sorting the cylinder head. As a stopgap measure i had got another head but turned out not good so have taken my original head to Trigger to have the exhaust guides fitted and valve seats recut. Meanwhile i am looking at the seat which is solid with no big rips but looks a bit tatty on the lower edge due to the chrome trim being missing. It is not a U shaped rubber mounted item like the 500/ early 550 but is mounted onto the seat with little pins and clips. I can fabricate some mountings but the trims are missing and not available as separate items so a bit of lateral thinking was needed. I remembered that old 1960s Jags had a similar trim on their bodywork so got a piece off ebay, ( was actually off a daimler limo!) and will attempt to fit it. Main problem is i need to bend it slightly without kinking it so a bit more head scratching.
Love the 500 and 550 have a 500 called Lazarus under restoration

Offline mickwinf

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Re: Meet my new 550f2
« Reply #125 on: November 04, 2020, 03:01:52 PM »
So fetched the rebuilt head from Graham a few weeks ago, he was good enough to build it up ready to fit so went on easily. When i started it up after rebuild it did seem to smoke so today i took it out for a ride. It is running fine, pulls away with no flat spots and revs as it should although not going mad as running in after its rebore. Result is no smoke! I am back on lockdown for a few weeks so might have a sneaky ride or two although i am a fair weather rider only! today was ok but a bit cold so hope it stays fine.
Love the 500 and 550 have a 500 called Lazarus under restoration

Offline Trigger

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Re: Meet my new 550f2
« Reply #126 on: November 04, 2020, 06:37:36 PM »
Glad we have that sorted Mick. Now ride  ;D

Offline mickwinf

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Re: Meet my new 550f2
« Reply #127 on: November 14, 2020, 01:48:17 PM »
have been chasing an oil leak from the cam end bolt area which seems to be a common fault with the 500/550. I had replaced the sealing washers but still leaked so checked out the l shaped  bracket that hods the end cap on. This proved to be bent and misshapen so replaced it with a spare i had. not now leaking but for good measure i am doing a modification which Trigger uses to make sure it stays oil tight. Have been out a couple of times when it has been a bit milder and running well, handles great and sounds great.
Love the 500 and 550 have a 500 called Lazarus under restoration

Offline SteveW

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Re: Meet my new 550f2
« Reply #128 on: November 14, 2020, 02:21:46 PM »
have been chasing an oil leak from the cam end bolt area which seems to be a common fault with the 500/550. I had replaced the sealing washers but still leaked so checked out the l shaped  bracket that hods the end cap on. This proved to be bent and misshapen so replaced it with a spare i had. not now leaking but for good measure i am doing a modification which Trigger uses to make sure it stays oil tight. Have been out a couple of times when it has been a bit milder and running well, handles great and sounds great.
What’s the modification? I’m rebuilding my top end over the winter.

1974 CB550 K0
1980 CB650
2000 CBR929RR Fireblade
1966 Lambretta LI150 Series 3
1981 RD350LC
1972 Raleigh Chopper
1974 Raleigh Tomahawk
2011 Henry Hoover

Offline mickwinf

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Re: Meet my new 550f2
« Reply #129 on: November 14, 2020, 04:19:34 PM »
instead of using the lower washer use a o ring, a countersink is needed in the cam cover to receive it, Nurse Julie can supply the parts required and Trigger can give you the expert knowledge.
Love the 500 and 550 have a 500 called Lazarus under restoration

Offline mickwinf

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Re: Meet my new 550f2
« Reply #130 on: June 05, 2021, 01:24:47 PM »
Just an update on this, has been running well and been out on a couple of shortish rides about 20 - 30 miles each time. I am chasing a couple of oil leaks, one is the gearchange seal, and one is dripping from the alternator cover, which may be a crank seal? also have a leak from top end but not sure where from yet. Other things are being improved bit by bit, had some chroming done like the grab bar and indicator stems and have some more in progress. I bought another rear mudguard from USA which was in good condition already but have sent off to be re-chromed to make perfect.
The thing is, this was supposed to be a budget build, haha, no such thing but now i want to make it even better including a bottom end rebuild with new chains etc and powdercoating frame etc. So lots still to do but for now happy to ride it.
Love the 500 and 550 have a 500 called Lazarus under restoration

Offline mickwinf

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Re: Meet my new 550f2
« Reply #131 on: June 05, 2021, 04:09:40 PM »
Hi Ken, i had a few bits chromed at the same time, the grab rail, indicator mounting stems, rear axle and nut and chain adjusters and rear brake lever. I think it was about £160 inc postage. I used Agrigg in leeds and was very pleased with the result. Did you need the grab rail for a f2 or a 500?
Love the 500 and 550 have a 500 called Lazarus under restoration

Offline mickwinf

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Re: Meet my new 550f2
« Reply #132 on: June 05, 2021, 08:26:08 PM »
Ken will send you a pm
Love the 500 and 550 have a 500 called Lazarus under restoration

Offline mickwinf

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Re: Meet my new 550f2
« Reply #133 on: June 05, 2021, 08:37:44 PM »
tried to send message but said you have blocked it?
Love the 500 and 550 have a 500 called Lazarus under restoration

 

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