Author Topic: 1978 CB550 K3 "running" restoration  (Read 11895 times)

Offline SPR

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Re: 1978 CB550 K3 "running" restoration
« Reply #120 on: May 02, 2020, 10:19:14 AM »
So a big thanks to Bryan for his detailed help and verdict :)

Caliper off and taken apart - problem diagnosed and new piston and seal ordered together with new pads !

Caliper repainted and in the oven to cure :)

Hopefully the new bits will be here soon

Thanks

Simon

Offline SPR

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Re: 1978 CB550 K3 "running" restoration
« Reply #121 on: May 06, 2020, 03:18:28 PM »
Postie has been !!

Brake bits arrived and seat / horn in 3 days from the USA !!

Seat is like new !!

Spanner’s at the ready :)






Offline mickwinf

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Re: 1978 CB550 K3 "running" restoration
« Reply #122 on: May 06, 2020, 03:42:48 PM »
thats a nice looking seat!
Love the 500 and 550 have a 500 called Lazarus under restoration

Offline SPR

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Re: 1978 CB550 K3 "running" restoration
« Reply #123 on: May 06, 2020, 04:22:29 PM »
thats a nice looking seat!
It is :)

All done and all thanks to Bryan for his great instructions !

Front brake works :)

Seat on and decent horn to get rid of the modern one

Cheers

Simon


Offline SPR

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Re: 1978 CB550 K3 "running" restoration
« Reply #124 on: May 18, 2020, 09:42:20 AM »
So big day :) UPS will be delivering the new exhaust at some point

Old ones off - collars in oven cooking :)

I’ve new genuine crush washers to fit - should I be using sealant as well like Honda Bond or should this not be required ?

Thanks

Simon


Offline Nurse Julie

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Re: 1978 CB550 K3 "running" restoration
« Reply #125 on: May 18, 2020, 10:05:57 AM »
Only the crush washers required.
LINK TO MY EBAY PAGE. As many of you know already, I give 10% discount and do post at cost to forum members if you PM me direct.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/julies9731/m.html?item=165142672569&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.m3561.l2562

LINK TO MY CB400/4 ENGINE STRIP / ASSESSMENT AND REBUILD...NOW COMPLETE
http://www.sohc.co.uk/index.php/topic,14049.msg112691/topicseen.html#new

Offline SPR

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Re: 1978 CB550 K3 "running" restoration
« Reply #126 on: May 18, 2020, 10:07:50 AM »
Only the crush washers required.

Excellent !

Just waiting now !!

Offline SPR

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Re: 1978 CB550 K3 "running" restoration
« Reply #127 on: May 18, 2020, 02:22:30 PM »
I'm worried that Simon is one of those dudes in a full white suit, that looks like a quarantine tent  ;D ;D ;D ;D

You think the next room is full of Covid patients ????
How did you know !!!

It’s a classic car tent from Hamilton’s - has fans and zips up to provide a rigid bubble so no condensation in winter

Offline SteveD CB500K0

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Re: 1978 CB550 K3 "running" restoration
« Reply #128 on: May 18, 2020, 02:44:59 PM »
Do you have a classic car to put in it?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Offline SPR

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Re: 1978 CB550 K3 "running" restoration
« Reply #129 on: May 18, 2020, 02:50:34 PM »
Do you have a classic car to put in it?


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No - I’ve just got rid of two Harley’s which filled it but it is great to be able to work on dry bikes during winter

The garage seems susceptible to condensation which kills Harley’s very quickly :) this has totally gone with this tent.

Offline SPR

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Re: 1978 CB550 K3 "running" restoration
« Reply #130 on: May 18, 2020, 05:35:37 PM »
Success !!

Exhausts all fitted and must say the quality is very good

Old exhausts are available if anyone wants a set - one has been repaired previously and I think two are minus baffles .. some other pin holes in the others - £75 collected









The old exhausts


Offline woody928

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Re: 1978 CB550 K3 "running" restoration
« Reply #131 on: May 19, 2020, 11:35:53 PM »
I've just read through this whole thread having just picked up my own 1978 550 last night.

Really good to see you getting stuck in with all of the repairs and restoration, it looks like you're doing an amazing job at bringing the bike back to its former glory. I look forward to seeing what you do next, a lot of these jobs are going to be providing me with headaches soon enough!

Offline SPR

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Re: 1978 CB550 K3 "running" restoration
« Reply #132 on: May 20, 2020, 12:17:05 AM »
I've just read through this whole thread having just picked up my own 1978 550 last night.

Really good to see you getting stuck in with all of the repairs and restoration, it looks like you're doing an amazing job at bringing the bike back to its former glory. I look forward to seeing what you do next, a lot of these jobs are going to be providing me with headaches soon enough!
Cheers

If I can do it anyone can - especially with the help available on here !!

It really needs the tank painting

Offline SPR

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Re: 1978 CB550 K3 "running" restoration
« Reply #133 on: May 30, 2020, 09:49:35 AM »
So .... another learning curve today ... carb balancing :)

Everything checked and double checked



I haven’t received the auxiliary tank so decided to have a go with what the floats hold - more to be a practice run

The carbs were all different - and quite up and down from #2

I was surprised how little you move the adjustment screw to make a big difference - explains I suppose why they can all look set ok but still be unbalanced.

The mercury gauge kindly donated by Ken worked great - it seemed most stable at around 2k revs.

So .... I learnt that I need the extra time as it is quite fiddly so will be having a second attempt when the tank arrives. I have got them better but not good enough.

It shows that a novice can do these and other jobs with help and guidance :)

The bike does seem to idle much smoother ... will take it for a blast to see if there is a noticeable difference

Cheers

Simon
« Last Edit: May 30, 2020, 09:53:20 AM by SPR »

Offline K2-K6

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Re: 1978 CB550 K3 "running" restoration
« Reply #134 on: May 30, 2020, 10:50:35 AM »
As you found,  it's not such a fearful task but more working through things logically.  Good feeling of achievement in getting something running well and then to go out and enjoy riding it too  :)

You picked up on the sensitivity of the balance adjustment too,  that's because (counter to most popular views) balancing the slide height is not for improving idle running smoothness, idle balance being a side effect. Ultimately Honda write in their manuals the fine tuning method of adjusting the idle screws AFTER slide synchronisation to bring low speed combustion parity on a cylinder by cylinder basis. It's this routine that is the "icing on the cake" of smooth tickover running.

 

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