Honda-SOHC

It's a 550/4 F2 or was before this was done to it. He is struggling to comprehend why it can't be fixed and I keep trying to explain that basic maintenance hasn't been done and because of that, it ALL has to be done at the same time. Even then, it won't guarantee it will be roadworthy, everything needs overhauling, top to bottom and that takes months. The mug that I am, only charged £10 an hour and as you know, that's generous. Nostalgia is all very nice but as I keep saying, the condition of the bike isn't MY responsibility. It's worth more being sold as parts but that depends if there's a demand and there's no guarantee how long that will take. I certainly don't have the money to buy it to break. All the brackets for the sissy bar are bodged, rat bikes get a lot of grief but this is worse than any ratter I've seen. Rats are designed to look crap, they are mostly mechanically sound. As this bike was taken apart and inspected, it became increasingly evident that it was going to need more than a tidy up and service  Frame and exhaust are solid and inspite of the carbs being full of treacle, they look good. NOT my fault it was left on the sidestand for 23 years with fuel in *bangs head* I'm done with it. Cheers for all your help though, I appreciate it. 

Quote from: Noz on May 22, 2021, 12:08:48 PM

How's £500 sound? It's going on ebay this week. I've pulled it apart, there's a big list compiled. It's now back together and good to go to a new home. It's a complete overhaul project, initially it was a 'get on the road' one.

Get an MOT on it and it will be worth another £20.

  if that

Cheers y'all    I suspect this project will be up for sale soon, hopefully.. what a headache!

Quote from: Noz on May 19, 2021, 09:12:34 PM

I found a cast marking - 341, on the bottom leg which according to a google search is from the 750 k2. I need to get new piston seals on them too. Oh the joys of old bikes 

Google is wrong. 341 relates to CB750 K3 to K6. You have a custom set of forks that was made up for a chopper style.

Stanchions on 550's are different lengths, depends if they are 550 K0, K1, K2 or F1 or F2 K3 

one letter out and it came from the sohc owners club forum post 

Looks to be off a 550 not a 500.

If your reusing the fork stanchions then get them hard chromed by either Philpotts or Dynasurf. Both companies are very good, Philpotts get more business as they are better known, they do a postal service.

They are off a 550/4 f2 chop. I'll check those out, thanks for the recommendation 

Pics... top cap, spring cap, spring, spacer tube, progressive spring with thin wedge at bottom of leg.

Helloooo
I've started to pull apart this 550/4 chop and have come to the forks, which are longer than standard. They could be off the 750 but not sure. I've been thwarted by an aftermarket headlight rubber tube that's stuck to the stanchion and which I think will have to be cut off. I've undone the bottom of the fork leg and there's no bushes evident on the stanchion and the seal is proper wedged into the leg. I've undone the top and extracted the spring, which was upside down and appears covered in old crust. The stanchion is 35mm Diameter, the old seal is 8.5mm deep. There's a little bit of wear on the chrome in the travel and the other leg has bit of surface rust.  How do I I.d these forks please? Do you need a pic, measurements... your help would be greatly appreciated.

Another consideration would be to change them for another set of forks, what others are similar/will fit please? Cheers 

Hola!
The last 3 digits of the engine number are 666, which figures because this bike's wiring is a monstrous mess. The customer was given a list of possible jobs that needed doing, so he's prepared for the parts bill. Now I've had a closer look at the chassis and electrics, I've decided to put a new loom in with reg/rec etc. The bike has stood in a garage for 23 years, he said the head gasket had blown and he'd not ridden it since. Frame looks good, no rust blow outs. Under the oxide, was polished rims and they've cleaned up with min effort, although the spokes need some elbow grease.
I've no doubt I will need your help with this. Pictures galore! (Do I need to host them elsewhere or can they be loaded here?)