Author Topic: 1978 CB550 K3 "running" restoration  (Read 11893 times)

Offline SPR

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Re: 1978 CB550 K3 "running" restoration
« Reply #15 on: April 02, 2020, 08:28:09 PM »
Decal off E-Bay?

If so can you let me know how it fits and looks.

Will do - pics tomorrow

Offline SPR

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Re: 1978 CB550 K3 "running" restoration
« Reply #16 on: April 03, 2020, 12:47:35 PM »
Decal off E-Bay?

If so can you let me know how it fits and looks.
TBH it’s ok but too thin ... it’s foil type thickness which I realised too late and I would really have needed to sand the cover down smooth




Some progress on the forks - 5 hours later and I’m happy as I didn’t want a mirror finish rather clean

Before





After








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Offline Bradders

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Re: 1978 CB550 K3 "running" restoration
« Reply #17 on: April 03, 2020, 01:07:09 PM »
Your forks look good SPR. What did you use to clean them up. Mine look like the before pictures.

Offline SPR

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Re: 1978 CB550 K3 "running" restoration
« Reply #18 on: April 03, 2020, 01:12:02 PM »
Your forks look good SPR. What did you use to clean them up. Mine look like the before pictures.

Tried various approaches but the best was long strips of wet and dry 240 grit and then 400 / 600

Used a dremel with small hard polishing cone to start getting a finish then when I'd destroyed my supply went to autosol and fine grade wire wool

They aren't bad and will fit in with the rest of the bike when done as a "survivor" rather than a restoration as I intend to use it without worrying too much :)

Thanks

Simon

Offline Nurse Julie

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Re: 1978 CB550 K3 "running" restoration
« Reply #19 on: April 03, 2020, 01:48:31 PM »
Those forks have come up well Simon. That's about as far as I go with mine on all my bikes as far as cleaning is concerned. I really don't like the over blingy look and as all my bikes are regular riders that get a wash once a year if they are lucky, the under stated bling level fits in well with the rest of the dirt 😊😊😊😊
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

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Offline Bradders

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Re: 1978 CB550 K3 "running" restoration
« Reply #20 on: April 03, 2020, 03:22:44 PM »
Your forks look good SPR. What did you use to clean them up. Mine look like the before pictures.

Tried various approaches but the best was long strips of wet and dry 240 grit and then 400 / 600

Used a dremel with small hard polishing cone to start getting a finish then when I'd destroyed my supply went to autosol and fine grade wire wool

They aren't bad and will fit in with the rest of the bike when done as a "survivor" rather than a restoration as I intend to use it without worrying too much :)

Thanks

Simon

Thanks Simon will give it a try.

Offline SPR

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Re: 1978 CB550 K3 "running" restoration
« Reply #21 on: April 06, 2020, 12:50:39 PM »
Some more progress

Tanks off and indeed as mentioned both throttle and choke were routed incorrectly.

Bars off and new choke cable fitted with the new bars - managed to reroute the throttle cables and it now snaps back as it should.

Mirrors fitted and everything back together.

David Silvers managed to not send instrument gasket so still waiting on those.

Do have one problem - got new spark plugs - DE7A - and plug spanner .... gapped new ones but am unable to remove old - they are a smaller size ?? I’m guessing 16mm.

Has anyone come across this before ? I think they are old Champion plugs.





Thanks

Simon


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Offline Bryanj

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Re: 1978 CB550 K3 "running" restoration
« Reply #22 on: April 06, 2020, 01:58:10 PM »
Champion plugs had the same size hex if i remember right

Offline SPR

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Re: 1978 CB550 K3 "running" restoration
« Reply #23 on: April 06, 2020, 02:11:25 PM »
If they are old Champion plugs they'll most likely be imperial size, so not metric. Try and find a suitable long reach socket to get them out. Be careful as they may have been in there a long time, be especially careful with cylinder 3 as it has the tacho drive right above it and breaking that will be a major problem as they are very hard to find these days.

Couple of more things to think about.

If you intend to keep the bike think about these.

At some point changing the carbs to the CB500/550F type. Much more reliable and a LOT less problematic than the PD carbs currently fitted.
Consider fitting a second disc to the front, looks more balanced and gives better braking. It would also mean replacing the tired looking master cylinder which TBH kinda spoils the look of the bike ATM.
As you can see areas like the inner cups of the tacho/speedo rust and you can't see it happening. Especially true of the inner parts of the fork ears and underneath the rear mudguard to name just a few, protect these areas with some sort of rust proofing. I use Zinc paint and it works just great, other solutions are available like underseal for instance. The price of replacement parts is going higher and higher each year and some are very hard to source now so try and protect what you've got is a good idea.
The colour of the header pipes indicate a ignition problem at some point, could be mixture is too weak or timing is wrong. Check timing etc. Don't assume because the dealer said it had been done that they actually knew what they were doing, won't cost anything and will give you some idea of working on the bike for the future.

All good points ... I'm using ACF50 and Gibbs at the moment for the suspect areas

Good point about the carbs and if I can't get it running well may have to look at swopping but TBH money is an issue at the moment - will look at checking the timing to see if its withing my skillset :)


Offline SPR

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Re: 1978 CB550 K3 "running" restoration
« Reply #24 on: April 06, 2020, 02:12:41 PM »
Champion plugs had the same size hex if i remember right

Just double checked and it seems to def look like champion printed but they are much smaller hex size ... will source some long thin wall sockets

Offline SPR

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Re: 1978 CB550 K3 "running" restoration
« Reply #25 on: April 10, 2020, 08:48:07 AM »
Bit more progress ....

Plugs changed - the ones that came out were 16mm

Clocks back in with new gaskets / front top brake pipe replaced.

40 years of crud removed from front casing and sides polished.

Centre stand powder coated / side stand should be done today

Quick question - can the float bowls be removed and cleaned whilst the carbs are in place ? My expertise doesn’t cover removing the bank tbh

Thanks Simon










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Offline Bryanj

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Re: 1978 CB550 K3 "running" restoration
« Reply #26 on: April 10, 2020, 08:59:14 AM »
As to carb bowls the answer is sometimes but only if you have small hands and the screws are not tight. I used a small seperat bit and spanner but it took a looooong time

Offline SPR

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Re: 1978 CB550 K3 "running" restoration
« Reply #27 on: April 10, 2020, 09:00:32 AM »
As to carb bowls the answer is sometimes but only if you have small hands and the screws are not tight. I used a small seperat bit and spanner but it took a looooong time

Thanks - might give that a miss then :) will concentrate on the frame touch ups

Offline Nurse Julie

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Re: 1978 CB550 K3 "running" restoration
« Reply #28 on: April 10, 2020, 10:08:38 AM »
She's looking good Simon. As to the carbs, I have very, very small hands and I still find it almost impossible to take the float bowls off and get them back on with the carbs in situ. I can  get the 2 outside float bowls off. The two middle bowls are just bloody awkward. Even if you do manage to get the bowls off, removing and replacing the jets is very time consuming and in the long run, it's easier to remove the carbs entirely to work on them.
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 #29 on: April 10, 2020, 10:13:39 AM »
She's looking good Simon. As to the carbs, I have very, very small hands and I still find it almost impossible to take the float bowls off and get them back on with the carbs in situ. I can  get the 2 outside float bowls off. The two middle bowls are just bloody awkward. Even if you do manage to get the bowls off, removing and replacing the jets is very time consuming and in the long run, it's easier to remove the carbs entirely to work on them.

Thanks Julie

I think its a back burner job if the running doesn't improve - plenty more to be doing ....... looks wise its a 6 footer but will be nice to use hopefully

Thanks

Simon

 

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