Show Posts

This section allows you to view all posts made by this member. Note that you can only see posts made in areas you currently have access to.

Topics - heliwilly

Pages: 1 2 [3]

CB500/550 / CB550 cylinder head

« on: October 12, 2018, 10:43:24 AM »

I have been keeping all the cylinder head nuts constantly wet with penetrating fluid, since I got the bike a couple of weeks ago, as they all looked dry and rusty.

There seems to be a problem with one of the nuts, as a normal 12mm socket didn't grip the nut and an 11mm is too small.

A closer inspection revealed that the nut is rounded off, as the 12mm socked just spins on the nut whether trying to tighten or loosen it.

Apart from carefully drilling off the nut, are there any other methods people have successfully tried to remove stuck nuts???

All the other nuts have loosened off OK. TIA Bill W

CB500/550 / !977 Honda CB550F Colours?

« on: October 06, 2018, 03:13:16 PM »

On the V5 of the cb550F I have just bought, the colour is stated as RED. Can anyone expand on the Red colours that Honda would have used when this bike was registered on 1/08/1977. The existing tank is just a single deep red colour, with no decals on.

What was the original seat like? The seat supplied is a dual height seat with just a plain black covering.

Are there any phto's anywhere I can access that might give me the correct seat and tank colour.

Thanks Bill W.

CB500/550 / Full engine/Gearbox Gasket set

« on: October 04, 2018, 11:41:17 AM »

I am embarking on a full engine/gearbox strip down and rebuild of a recently purchased 1977 Honda CB550F2

Is it possible to get all the gaskets in a complete set? or will I have to get various sets for the topend, bottom end, gearbox.

Trigger mentioned that apart from the clutch cover, the 500 set could be used. Can you get complete gasket sets for the 500?

What are the recommendations of this forum for the best suppliers of these gasket sets.

This is my first sohc Honda strip down/rebuild, so would like to get the correct gaskets.

Thanks, Bill W.

CB500/550 / Petrol Tank

« on: September 30, 2018, 09:00:43 AM »

I have just bought myself a Honda CB550 registered on 1/08/77. Eng No CB550E 1146469. The 9 looks like a modified 1? Frame Number CB 550F 2107548. Would this be a 550 F2 model?

Despite this being the first bike I have bought since 1964, I'm glad to see that old tech still reigns, points, coils etc. Only thing modern about it is the hydraulic front brake

It was advertised with a locked engine. When I went to view it, it appeared the gearbox had problems, as the rear wheel wouldn't turn with the box in neutral, or with the clutch operated, nor would it turn over on the kick start

At home the generator cover was removed and a socket was put on the crank nut. I found that the engine and gearbox, moved slowly at first and then seemed OK. Rotating it forward got the same result, engine and gearbox worked OK through all gears and the rear wheel turned OK.

Next job is engine out and find why it had locked. It will be pics all the way and well labled containers.

Problem 2 The petrol tank has, in the past, developed a few pinholes, that externally have been bodged with body filler. That can't have worked as they then proceeded to try and line the tank with the resin used in fibreglassing. Needless to say this didn't work.
Is there anywhere that does repairs on tanks, or is a new one the only option??

I am really looking forward to taking the engine/gearbox apart. Pity it wasn't on of the old pre unit construction bikes, as the Nortons, BSA's and Triumphs were in my formative motorcycling days, late '50's and '60's.

Misc / Open / V5

« on: September 02, 2018, 10:30:28 PM »

I have recently re-kindled my interest in bikes, In particular the Honda 400/4.
I want to know what the legalities are in regard to V5's.
If a V5 is not available for a frame, can it still be registered? I suspect no.
If a bike is imported and the frame is offered for sale, what are the legal requirements before you can get it on the road.
Does the seller have to disclose whether the frame is a UK one or if it is imported?
I ask this as I am going to build a Honda CB400/4 and would like to get things done legally.
Thanks Bill W

CB350/400 / 440/4 Frame and engine

« on: September 01, 2018, 07:23:16 AM »

I have seen for sale a frame and engine with matching numbers but no V5. How could I find out if this is an import or a UK bike?
Thanks Bill W.