Author Topic: CB550 exhaust note question/ troubleshooting  (Read 854 times)

Offline TG15

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CB550 exhaust note question/ troubleshooting
« on: April 05, 2022, 10:46:39 PM »
Hi All,
I'm new to this forum, and have recently finished a complete rebuild on a 1976 Honda CB550.
My question is related to an exhaust note I am hearing and I'm not quite sure if there is an issue or everything is totally fine and have nothing to worry about!
I don't honestly have a huge amount of knowledge in the 'mental bank' of how the 550's sound. Ive tried to do as much research as I can to hear this sound in other bikes online and without hearing a similar bike in person, can’t really know for sure.
Maybe its inherent in the exhaust design I have, or a deeper issue inside the engine.
Any help would be greatly appreciated! Please see full details and a video below, Thanks!!

The Engine has been completely and thoroughly rebuilt, all parts replaced etc.
I have run the engine up, been on several test runs, drained the oil and replaced again, all seems great. However I am hearing a faint metallic-ish ‘Bark’ right at the end of throttle blip. And I'm not entirely sure if this is just the inherent exhaust note for these bikes, or its coming from the Engine. I thought It could potentially be Cam chain related (such as a little bit of slop or rattle). But I have adjusted the cam chain so Im not sure if that’s actually it. Valves are correct to spec and have also been checked.

Could it also be a cold engine characteristic? Maybe the particular exhaust I have?
Throttle response is also fine and the bike is not blowing any smoke.

I have included a short video of the bike with the sound present which can be viewed below: 

Any help or identification of the sound would be hugely appreciated!
Melbourne Australia // Detroit USA
1976 Honda CB550 K2
2021 Ducati Monster 937+

Offline Johnwebley

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Re: CB550 exhaust note question/ troubleshooting
« Reply #1 on: April 05, 2022, 10:53:41 PM »
It sounds really sweet,

Crisp and raspy

Can't hear any issues from the engine.

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lifelong motorcycle rider,and fan

Online K2-K6

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Re: CB550 exhaust note question/ troubleshooting
« Reply #2 on: April 05, 2022, 11:01:08 PM »
To me it sounds good too, seems like resonance in the exhaust silencer as you close the throttle.

Memory, it's a while ago now, is that even with original silencer on 550 F2 it had that characteristic crispy return but at lower volume.

I've listened to it loud on decent headphones and the engine sounds really good.

Welcome to the forum too  :)

Offline TG15

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Re: CB550 exhaust note question/ troubleshooting
« Reply #3 on: April 06, 2022, 01:55:15 AM »
Thankyou both K2-K6 and Johnwebley for the feedback. Exhaust resonance is an interesting identification which I had not thought of. I might investigate the baffle insert and see if it might be loose. And try it both inserted and removed to see if it makes a difference.

Thanks also for the positive comments on the engine too! :)
cheers.
Melbourne Australia // Detroit USA
1976 Honda CB550 K2
2021 Ducati Monster 937+

Offline Laverdaroo

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Re: CB550 exhaust note question/ troubleshooting
« Reply #4 on: April 06, 2022, 10:45:10 AM »
Nothing wrong with that, it sounds fantastic! Well dine that man and welcome, have fun on here, we're a good bunch!
Mornings are the invention of the devil!

1977 CB550F (current money pit!!)
2002 VFR800 VTEC (The Beloved)
1977 CB400F (the last money pit!)
1998 Ducati 748\853 conversion(sold :()
1980 ish CB750KZ in a billion bits (need to get rid, anybody want one?))

Offline TG15

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Re: CB550 exhaust note question/ troubleshooting
« Reply #5 on: April 06, 2022, 06:34:45 PM »
Thankyou Laverdaroo that's certainly encouraging!
appreciate your response and warm welcome.
Melbourne Australia // Detroit USA
1976 Honda CB550 K2
2021 Ducati Monster 937+

Offline Nurse Julie

  • 1977 CB550/4 Mongrel Brat. 1974 UK 500/4 K1. Honda CD250u.
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Re: CB550 exhaust note question/ troubleshooting
« Reply #6 on: April 06, 2022, 06:42:50 PM »
Sounds good to me. I love a raspy exhaust note.
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http://www.sohc.co.uk/index.php/topic,14049.msg112691/topicseen.html#new

Offline Sesman

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Re: CB550 exhaust note question/ troubleshooting
« Reply #7 on: April 09, 2022, 08:19:09 AM »
Sounds good to me. Mine had a slight exhaust noise not too dissimilar to that. On investigation I found the removable baffle screw was loose allowing the baffle to move.

Offline Laverda Dave

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Re: CB550 exhaust note question/ troubleshooting
« Reply #8 on: April 09, 2022, 10:00:19 AM »
Sounds great, keep it as is. Loud pipes save lives as they say!
1976 Honda 400/4
1977 Rickman Honda CR750
1999 Honda VFR 800FX
1955 750 Dresda Triton
1978 Moto Morini 350 Sport
1978 Honda CB400/4 'Rat' bike
1982 Laverda 120 Jota

 

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