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Topics - Orcade-Ian
31
« on: January 01, 2023, 10:04:52 AM »
Happy New Year to you all - hope it's a great riding and restoration season!
Anyhoo, I'm on with restoring the clocks on this 550 and the speedo has a problem - the cable attachment point thread look to have suffered some trauma and although the cable ferrule screws on OK, the mech is rather tight. I've removed the lower section which is attached to the miles/trip unit and cleaned it in the ultrasonic bath, then lightly lubed with clock oil and spun the squared hole in the lathe but it's still tighter than I would like.
It's nigh impossible to dismantle that piece further (unless I really have to!) so I'm looking for a damaged spare to cannibalise - if such a thing exists! It's originally a green faced ND clock, not Nippon Seiki but I have new faces anyway. I wouldn't imagine ND and NS unit parts are the same - the face mount screw holes are different centre distances to start with.
Ian
32
« on: December 14, 2022, 06:39:51 PM »
Hi folks,
Is anyone making a repro owners handbook for the F series 550? I have seen a few K series for sale secondhand in the US for silly prices and even higher shipping costs.
Ian
33
« on: December 10, 2022, 01:04:39 PM »
Now I've seen it all! Should I buy this tank? Would only need a bike to go with it!  [ Guests cannot view attachments ] Ian
34
« on: December 02, 2022, 06:17:51 PM »
Hi folks,
Does anyone have an original 550 F series silencer they could take a few measurements from please?
I'm not chasing millimetre perfect sizes here!
Diameter where the short cone joins the downpipes
Larger diameter of short cone
Length of short cone (slant measurement is ok)
Length of long cone ( ditto )
Smaller diameter of long cone where the end cap starts
I can fake the end cap details.
Thanks in anticipation,
Ian
35
« on: November 30, 2022, 03:51:42 PM »
Fitting some 500mm carpet tiles in our bathroom and thought it might be a good idea to buy a 2ft steel rule to make measuring awkward places a bit easier. A tape rule is awkward to use accurately. I already have a 300mm (1 ft) which is sometimes too short and a 1 metre one which is sometimes too long where pedestals and toilets are.
Saw this on ebay today, should I go for it?
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Ian
36
« on: November 27, 2022, 09:30:56 AM »
I recently purchased a Honda CB550 F1 which is only just over 47 years old and when I checked the oil, it needed a teaspoon full to bring it to the full mark - will it need new piston rings having burned so much oil in such a short space of time? Furthermore, the battery on this machine had deteriorated so much that it had disappeared completely with only the vent tube, strap and cables still present. Do I have a valid claim against Honda for supplying a machine unfit for purpose?
Ian
PS still enjoying this wonderful bike from James!
37
« on: November 23, 2022, 01:07:53 PM »
Bike arrived in Orkney at the weekend and I picked it up on Monday afternoon. Obviously very pleased to have one of James' 'cast offs' . First assessment exactly as was described by James - no surprises (except the toolkit under the seat!) and the initial list includes Carb overhaul kit (from Julie) lots of polishing of aluminium casings and forks. Master cylinder and caliper to refurb - James supplied an original to replace the after market one. Alternator cover badge from Phil. Nice clean oil and light went out very quickly when cranked. All lights working and turns over on the starter and with fresh fuel, chimed in on 2, 1, 3, 1, none as expected. Pattern silencer still has original mounting plate - good result! Straightened gear lever and re-positioned l/h footrest. 1st wash and wiped all over with ACF 50 for the time being. Letter sent to Honda for date of manufacture - even though the plate says 06/75. [ Guests cannot view attachments ] [ Guests cannot view attachments ] [ Guests cannot view attachments ] [ Guests cannot view attachments ] [ Guests cannot view attachments ] Ian
38
« on: November 21, 2022, 08:36:26 PM »
Well folks,
The Shiny Orange 550 F1 I bought from JamesH is now safely in my garage. I am absolutely delighted with it - better than expected and a great basis for a very useable and presentable classic. No doubt I will be asking for advice and help as the project hopefully progresses. Unbelievably, the original virtually untouched tool kit and bag are still in the seat compartment. A couple of things I am looking for, firstly an original or copy owners handbook that goes in the other seat compartment. Secondly, probably more difficult than trying to get an audience with the Pope - yes, an original (even one that's repairable) silencer!
Ian
39
« on: November 04, 2022, 06:44:44 PM »
Forgive me if this has been done to death before but does anyone know the original list price of a '77 550 F2? (UK)
It's only a bit of fun but I was talking to my mate from Hull last night, telling him of my recent excursion into 550 land. He bought a brand new F2 in maroon from Stuart Myers at the Hull Motorcycle centre in June '77 and we both think he paid for it with the stash of coins he had in a 1 gallon Bells Whisky bottle. I ground two grooves in the neck for him so it would accept 50pence pieces too. We both seem to think there was about £880 in there when he broke it open (he did exchange it for notes before buying the bike!). I know I paid £875 to Stuart for my new CB250N SuperDream in September 1980 which probably makes the 550 about right, accounting for inflation back then.
Ian
40
« on: October 30, 2022, 06:07:26 PM »
Been thinking of buying a 550 for a while - seen all sorts of stuff advertised but would rather have a 'rolling restoration' this time. Cosmetics in the better months in stages and engine out in the Winter. Not looking for concours any more!
This is on fleabay at the moment and I hate some of his spiel - factory fresh paint (what about that side panel then? And a credit to its former owner of 24 years (who must have never heard of ACF 50)
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To me it looks like the vendor paid little for it and whacked £2k on to it for a quick profit. It says K3 and I know nothing yet of 550s but it's April 79 - my mate bought a new F2 in 77 so did they run side by side?
Ian
41
« on: April 23, 2022, 07:50:12 PM »
My friend bought a red 400/4 (new) back in 1975 - registration LUG 14P from JAX in York, although it was supplied by Allan Jefferies in Shipley. He only kept it about a year before an overseas contract came up. For some unknown reason, he still has the original service booklet, which he would gladly pass on if it's still needed. The bike comes up on DVLA system but not taxed since 1979, so it may have gone the way of countless others but we live in hope!
Regards,
Ian
42
« on: April 23, 2022, 05:23:33 PM »
A mate down in (near) Hull rang me yesterday after tidying his shed and found his Honda Shop manual. Any use to a member here? The outer cover is faded but the innards are good. £10 plus post or collect if you are nearby. He bought a new 400/4 in '75 from JAX in York but was supplied by Allan Jefferies in Shipley and he has the service booklet for that bike - registered LUG 14P - still on DVLA system but not taxed since 79 so probably well gone by now but stranger things happen. [ Guests cannot view attachments ]
Ian
Sold now, missed your chance!
43
« on: May 20, 2021, 11:02:05 AM »
A few of us have been getting letters from DVLA asking 'Is your vehicle still off the road?' I declared SORN over a year ago on my C50 LAC (almost bugger all VED) which, according to their own information lasts indefinitely or until I either tax or sell it - so why are they wasting our money asking again? Anyone know what they are up to? No wonder it's taking longer for them to carry out important tasks.
Ian
44
« on: May 16, 2021, 05:31:35 PM »
I know this topic has appeared many times but I can’t remember if i’ve posted this before.
Having just completed a couple of banks of carbs - one set 350/4 and the other from my red 400/4 it was now time to set floats. Anyway, many folk complain that it is difficult to set the the float heights while the tang is JUST touching the spring pin. This is the rig I’ve been using for a good while, only made from scraps of wood and a couple of old inlet rubbers - you could use two off the bike if you don’t have spares.
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The board is used to do all the top end stuff and then the ‘inclined plane’ is used to allow the floats to just touch the pins but no more. I experimented with the angle and it came out at 103 degrees which means the bowl flanges are at 13 degrees from vertical.
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Might make it easier for some,
Ian
45
« on: May 11, 2021, 12:55:53 PM »
Been doing a few sets of 350/400 carbs, basically the same but jetted differently of course. One observation of no real consequence is that some choke levers say 'Choke' and others say 'Open' with the arrow pointing the opposite way. It's not that 350s are one way and 400s the other - I have two 400 sets with the arrows in opposite directions - I suppose they could have been swapped in 40 years and many rebuilds.
Does anyone know if there was a change point, perhaps F1 to F2 for instance?
Ian
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