Honda-SOHC

SOHC.co.uk Forums => CB500/550 => Topic started by: Chris whit on March 31, 2020, 10:15:24 AM

Title: New CB550 owner
Post by: Chris whit on March 31, 2020, 10:15:24 AM: Hi Guys , just acquired a 79 CB550F to restore whilst in lockdown.I currently own. 78 400 four F and a couple of Z1s . Ive had the 550 running and the engine sounds great with good compression and no smoke considering that its not been run for 7 years . The bike seems to be all there minus a seat and fixings. I am planning on stripping and total restoration . Is there any parts which are hard to come by and any things to look out for which are different to a 400four and can course problems.
Noticed the left hand switch gear wiring has be hacked so ill require a new left hand switch does DS or CMS sell these also require seat brackets and Air filter cover thumb screws. Thoughts on paint finish for the engine , was thinking in total stripping of engine vapour blasting or ceramic cleaning then repaint in silver .
Thanks
Title: Re: New CB550 owner
Post by: Bryanj on March 31, 2020, 12:31:54 PM: Bits that are difficult
Seat
Exhaust
Some cosmetic parts
A few engine parts

Look in alladins cave for manual and parts book.

Cant be 79 built must be an old stock left over
Title: Re: New CB550 owner
Post by: Nurse Julie on March 31, 2020, 12:42:19 PM: Quote from: Bryanj on March 31, 2020, 12:31:54 PM
Bits that are difficult
Seat
Exhaust
Some cosmetic parts
A few engine parts

Look in alladins cave for manual and parts book.

Cant be 79 built must be an old stock left over
Yes, even if its a K3, which I'm assuming it is and as Bryan says, plenty of late registered one out there due to not being a good seller here in UK.
Title: Re: New CB550 owner
Post by: Chris whit on April 01, 2020, 11:35:27 AM: Thanks guys , must of been registered very late , its a F3 according to the frame number . Does anyone have a left handlebar switch unit that they are willing to sell as the horn button and wiring has been butchered .
Title: Re: New CB550 owner
Post by: Nurse Julie on April 01, 2020, 11:38:18 AM: Quote from: Chris whit on April 01, 2020, 11:35:27 AM
Thanks guys , must of been registered very late , its a F3 according to the frame number . Does anyone have a left handlebar switch unit that they are willing to sell as the horn button and wiring has been butchered .
So it's a USA import then 🤔.
Title: Re: New CB550 owner
Post by: Bryanj on April 01, 2020, 11:57:57 AM: No F3 on cmsnl
Title: Re: New CB550 owner
Post by: Chris whit on April 01, 2020, 12:16:23 PM: Thought it may be a us import as its just a plain blue tank without the gold flash and has yellow reflectors on the headlight brackets . Will the switch gear from a 400four fit ok and will the wiring be the same . It’s also missing a seat and brackets , any suggestions were i can pick these up from .
Title: Re: New CB550 owner
Post by: Nurse Julie on April 01, 2020, 12:22:28 PM: Quote from: Chris whit on April 01, 2020, 12:16:23 PM
Thought it may be a us import as its just a plain blue tank without the gold flash and has yellow reflectors on the headlight brackets . Will the switch gear from a 400four fit ok and will the wiring be the same . It’s also missing a seat and brackets , any suggestions were i can pick these up from .
No idea what switchgear / wiring will fit to be honest. But whatever you look for it will have to be from a USA spec bike I assume as the functions are different than UK bikes. The Log book will tell you if it's an import.
Title: Re: New CB550 owner
Post by: Nurse Julie on April 01, 2020, 12:25:02 PM: Quote from: Bryanj on April 01, 2020, 11:57:57 AM
No F3 on cmsnl
I looked there too Bryan. The only reference I found to it is on the usual USA model guide. [attachimg=1]
Title: Re: New CB550 owner
Post by: SteveD CB500K0 on April 01, 2020, 01:07:08 PM: You need to post a load of pictures Chris. Especially carb tops, seat, tank, instruments etc.

We will be able to tell you what it is from them (probably )

Steve

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Title: Re: New CB550 owner
Post by: Bryanj on April 01, 2020, 01:08:58 PM: As to the switch, i think the 400 has the same functions but you may have adapt the wiring ends
Title: Re: New CB550 owner
Post by: Chris whit on April 01, 2020, 03:28:19 PM: Cheers guys ill try to post some photos later , most of the photos taken are on my iPhone and when i try to attach its says the file size it to big , any ideas on how i shrink the file sizes.

Thanks
Title: Re: New CB550 owner
Post by: SteveD CB500K0 on April 01, 2020, 04:48:11 PM: You can use an app like Image Size if you want to do it on your phone.

I upload all my pictures to OneDrive and resize them on my PC

Steve
Title: Re: New CB550 owner
Post by: Nurse Julie on April 01, 2020, 04:56:07 PM: I email them to myself which reduces the size or use Tapatalk to post pics which has no size limits.
Title: Re: New CB550 owner
Post by: SteveD CB500K0 on April 01, 2020, 05:41:09 PM: Interesting question.

If you delete your Tapatalk account do all the pictures on the forum disappear?

That wouldn’t be good.

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Title: Re: New CB550 owner
Post by: Nurse Julie on April 01, 2020, 06:06:52 PM: Quote from: SteveD CB500K0 on April 01, 2020, 05:41:09 PM
Interesting question.

If you delete your Tapatalk account do all the pictures on the forum disappear?

That wouldn’t be good.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
No idea Steve and I'm not going to be the Guinea pig that tries it either 🤣🤣🤣
Title: Re: New CB550 owner
Post by: Oggie400F on April 01, 2020, 08:15:06 PM: Re attaching pictures from an iPhone.
On my old iPhone 7 it asks whether you want to upload original, small, medium or large.
Usually the medium or large options reduce the file size enough to allow it to be posted.
Title: Re: New CB550 owner
Post by: Chris whit on April 04, 2020, 11:26:48 AM: Hi guys , thanks for your help please see pics
Title: Re: New CB550 owner
Post by: Nurse Julie on April 04, 2020, 11:29:15 AM: Mainly UK CB550/4 F2 by the looks of it Chris.
Title: Re: New CB550 owner
Post by: Chris whit on April 04, 2020, 11:34:50 AM: Would anyone have a left switch assembly for sale
Title: Re: New CB550 owner
Post by: Nurse Julie on April 04, 2020, 11:37:37 AM: Quote from: Chris whit on April 04, 2020, 11:34:50 AM
Would anyone have a left switch assembly for sale
I will have a look in a while Chris.... We have a big box of assorted switch gear for SOHC/4's, there may be something in there.
Sorry Chris, our F2 switch gear has bits missing 🙄
Title: Re: New CB550 owner
Post by: Chris whit on April 04, 2020, 11:57:50 AM: Thanks Julie , parts for these 550s seem hard to come by , I’ve been spoilt on the great availability of Z1 spares , just finished my 74 Z1B
Title: Re: New CB550 owner
Post by: Nurse Julie on April 04, 2020, 11:59:52 AM: Looks great Chris. Yes, finding some parts is like finding hens teeth in a pile of rocking horse poo, it's challenging to say the least.
Title: Re: New CB550 owner
Post by: Nurse Julie on April 04, 2020, 01:22:26 PM: Should be fitted like so
Just so happens our UK F2 is parked in the office (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200404/8be8bd98086cfe6dde0d6c9a3ac9fd98.jpg)

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Title: Re: New CB550 owner
Post by: Nurse Julie on April 04, 2020, 01:30:10 PM: Quote from: Chris whit on April 04, 2020, 11:57:50 AM
Thanks Julie , parts for these 550s seem hard to come by , I’ve been spoilt on the great availability of Z1 spares , just finished my 74 Z1B
Sorry Chris, the F2 switch gear we have as got bits missing 🙄🙄🙄
Title: Re: New CB550 owner
Post by: Nurse Julie on April 04, 2020, 02:20:47 PM: Loads of bits missing on that one Ken. I have just found this one though. This has HM 14QB-T. This is the same as fitted to our UK F2 but it could also fit other models as well. This one the wiring is just under 1m long so the wires are long enough to go all the way back to the electrical box under the tank. I have no idea if it works, I can check continuity and thats about all and I don't know if the wire colours are correct either. Chris, if you're interested send me a PM (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200404/549fa0871dd842eddc68268ef0e08a00.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200404/c04557ba0e255d94455b64f9785794e9.jpg)

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Title: Re: New CB550 owner
Post by: Nurse Julie on April 04, 2020, 02:21:49 PM: Another pic(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200404/faee443f0574e1ba89670ecf39925b3b.jpg)

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Title: Re: New CB550 owner
Post by: Chris whit on April 06, 2020, 12:38:34 PM: Thanks Julie i will PM you , appreciate your help as always .
Odd job don’t think this CB had been on the road in this condition, it was last taxed 7 years ago . It’s been in my friends garage for many a year.
Do guys know if the rear indicator rubbers and earthing washers are still available.
Title: Re: New CB550 owner
Post by: Bryanj on April 06, 2020, 01:52:20 PM: Try looking on cmsnl they will give you part number and tell you if its available new
Title: Re: New CB550 owner
Post by: Chris whit on April 06, 2020, 02:17:56 PM: Thanks guys i will have a look on cmsnl , at least we’ve all got plenty of time on our hands . Stay safe .