Partially Restored 74 CB550

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Reads as the bars are not correct, my replacements had the slot for the wires and the locating holes for the pegs
Even though they were aftermarket ones.

[davidcumbria]

Had another look and definitely no peg on switchgear or hole in the bars so they do match. If my new switches have a peg I can drill the bars. Be interested to hear what others have seen on similar bikes (74 550k1 import)

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Had another look and definitely no peg on switchgear or hole in the bars so they do match. If my new switches have a peg I can drill the bars. Be interested to hear what others have seen on similar bikes (74 550k1 import)

Could a PO have removed the pegs to make them fit the bars he had?

[Oddjob]

Yes Ted, the peg would need to be removed IF the bars don't have the hole for it to locate into, otherwise the switch won't shut with the screws. The pegs are splined into place but will pull out with a little persuasion. Not only are the pegs there to stop the switch rotating and possibly the wires being shorted against the holes in the bars (the edges of these holes can be quite sharp) but they also locate the switchgear in the correct location, like a goldilocks solution, not to far in, not to far out but just right.

I have some genuine bars off ATM Dave if you need measurements. As per the goldilocks idea, they must be drilled in the exact position needed for location of the switchgear.

[davidcumbria]

Heres the start up - got a bit excited and called it a 500 in the intro !

the revs were staedy at 1000 but then dropped to 500 when the clutch started to rattle.

at least it runs

https://youtu.be/d4FQ1nrdKNk?si=XJg-MaSwr9PXslKP

[Seabeowner]

Says it's a Private Video.

[davidcumbria]

Apologies it t was posted as public so I dunno. Anyhow link seems to be working now.

[Oddjob]

Sounds a little uneven to me, I would refrain from revving it too much as well until you've done the timing with a strobe and vacced the carbs.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

If that was my 500 on first start up I'd be well chuffed Dave.👍👍👍

[davidcumbria]

Sounds a little uneven to me, I would refrain from revving it too much as well until you've done the timing with a strobe and vacced the carbs.

Yes it doesn’t feel quite right and from the plugs is running rich on all 4. May have to adjust needle position but will start with air screws and will take it easy on the revving while I check the timing and sync. Can you explain more what you mean by uneven pls

[DomP]

That must feel nice to get it running again, I'm going to feel a bit nervous starting my 550 for the first time.  Are you going to be able to get out on it soon to run it in once you've sorted the timing etc?  That's my concern as I've still got quite a bit to do to get mine roadworthy....I see why Ken suggests doing the engine rebuild last

[Oddjob]

Uneven as in the engine isn’t quite running right, that could be just because it’s not setup properly, maybe timing slightly out but it’s more likely to be carbs, they need balancing and getting the mixture spot on. Sometimes that can take a while as everything starts to settle down.

If the engine will start from cold with no choke it’s clearly running too rich. Try another 1/4 turn out on the air screws, see if that makes a difference.

For a first start though Dave it’s pretty good.

[davidcumbria]

That must feel nice to get it running again, I'm going to feel a bit nervous starting my 550 for the first time.  Are you going to be able to get out on it soon to run it in once you've sorted the timing etc?  That's my concern as I've still got quite a bit to do to get mine roadworthy....I see why Ken suggests doing the engine rebuild last

Thanks Dom - yes it’s not too far off roadworthy. After so much time on the engine and carbs I got to the point where I was very keen to hear it run. Won’t be going out in the wet or while there’s any salt around mind you. Probably around March.

[deltarider]

Looks promising, David. I'm curious what ignition you run. Standard or EI?
Do you happen to know your carb settings, like: # slow jet, # main jet, needle position and position of the airscrews? I take it the carbs have the number 022A stamped in.

[davidcumbria]

Looks promising, David. I'm curious what ignition you run. Standard or EI?
Do you happen to know your carb settings, like: # slow jet, # main jet, needle position and position of the airscrews? I take it the carbs have the number 022A stamped in.

It’s standard points ignitionwith new Few brand ( Japanese)points. 22A carbs with standard jetting 100 main, needle in the middle , 38 pilot ( maybe standard is 40 ). I adjusted the screws fro 1.25 to 1.5 turns out today and the idle/ pick up seemed slightly better. Dynamic timing showed it to be about 2 degrees retarded ( 7? degrees) so I’ve slightly adjusted that. The dwells were close but not exactly the same so I can work on the points set up  a bit.