Try our new info resource - "Aladdin's Cave" (Main menu)Just added a separate link to Ash's Dropbox thread (shortcut)
Welcome to the forum. At times try to remember it is supposed to be fun.
Get it to at least fire and try to run BEFORE stripdown, at least you have the easy carbs!!
The 550 is a very reliable old bike if serviced as it should be, unfortuanatly major parts like the crank and conrods are NOT reaurable and cheapest fix is usualy another engine so if you can get it to run with no big clanging/banging noises at least you know it is a mostly useable unit. Plus its more fun and gives you confidence!
Welcome to the forum eight0.I agree with starting the engine first and especially considering it's all there. I would replace the oil first though as you don't know how long it's been standing and what nasties are in the old oil. I would just by a cheap 10/40 or 15/40 as you are only starting it to check it runs. It might be worth taking the sump pan off first as well for piece of mind and prior to start up.Good luck.