Honda-SOHC
SOHC.co.uk Forums => Project Board => Topic started by: aled on July 22, 2017, 08:34:56 AM
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Thought i would share my build with you and seek some much needed help and advice as i progress with my build. first a little background on myself and the bike, by trade i am carpenter from south wales and have no prior mechanical knowledge besides maybe putting an air filter on my first car and changing the alloys when i was 17, as for the bike it is a 1977 cb550 which i purchased for a fairly reasonable price in December 2016. My main priority when looking for a honda was that it was running , which this one was, BUT barley, after bringing the bike home i think i was able to fire it up maybe twice after countless attempts.
After a closer inspection and giving the bike a well needed clean it was obvious that the engine and bike were not in the best condition, anywhere there was a gasket, there was a leak. Not sure what to do and after a few months on debating if i should find a mechanic to carry out the work or attempt it myself, i decided i would attempt to rebuild the top-end myself, i knocked up a quick bench for the bike so it could be easier to work on and to have as much space as possible when not working on the bike in my garage.
Before i begin any cosmetic work or touch the frame my goal is to make sure that the engine is running as good as possible (to my skill at least) seeing as this, in my opinion is the most important part of the bike.
below are a few pictures of the bike before and during the project.
(http://i1171.photobucket.com/albums/r559/aled_1/Snapchat-582952064.jpg) (http://s1171.photobucket.com/user/aled_1/media/Snapchat-582952064.jpg.html)
(http://i1171.photobucket.com/albums/r559/aled_1/20161207_190827_1.png) (http://s1171.photobucket.com/user/aled_1/media/20161207_190827_1.png.html)
(http://i1171.photobucket.com/albums/r559/aled_1/Snapchat-627943153.jpg) (http://s1171.photobucket.com/user/aled_1/media/Snapchat-627943153.jpg.html)
(http://i1171.photobucket.com/albums/r559/aled_1/1492668854588a028573696c0d553d3b687ba2872376f74545eb6723f938ffc76f3a9c63ecabee75ecc126cb07cfebfee10cbae2527e00c2ee703b2168b223589881b1ee0ae07.jpg) (http://s1171.photobucket.com/user/aled_1/media/1492668854588a028573696c0d553d3b687ba2872376f74545eb6723f938ffc76f3a9c63ecabee75ecc126cb07cfebfee10cbae2527e00c2ee703b2168b223589881b1ee0ae07.jpg.html)
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Hi Aled and welcome. The bike doesn't look too bad in the pictures but I do know from experience that pics can be misleading. I like the idea of your bench but how did you get the bike on it, unless you have a ramp not shown in the pic. You can't beat doing the work yourself, I personally wouldn't buy a bike that was in perfect running order as I like to fix them up......and they are generally a whole lot cheaper when not running. :D
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Welcome Aled. Good luck with your project. I love the bench, that's brilliant 😊😊
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Hi Aled and welcome. To be perfectly honest, looking at the state of the oil you've drained from it, and your description of a leak from every gasket, I'd suggest a complete strip down, including the bottom end. After all, will be very disappointing for you if you rebuild the top end, only to find the main bearings rumbling, the big ends knocking, or the primary chain lashing about, or worse cutting through the main oil gallery in the crankcases (500's and 550's primary chains can do that if run too slack, and that's replacement engine casings time! :o) The bottom end is not as scary or daunting as you might imagine, and there is plenty of advice and help on here. And NOTHING beats the feeling of your first full strip and rebuild coming back to life. Far easier to sort all the possible issues now than do the top end and find something in the bottom end failing.
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First a few coments on your carpentry (joinery), obviously butt jointed and would have benefited from a few mortice and Tennons 😄, only kidding, welcome to the forum, restoring a bike is almost as much fun as riding one so you'll have a good time with that, good choice of bike too, look fwd to seeing it progress 👍
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Welcome aled, I have one very much like yours in the garage. Mine was a US import, but I changed it only slightly to bring it in line with UK spec. but stripped it right down and rebuilt it. Fitted with a Motad exhaust at present, but have parts of the original pipes that are pretty much unobtainable to fit later.
If you want ideas for updating, take a look at member Niko. His started the same, but is now radically changed.
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Welcome Aled - the bike looks a good basis for a rebuild with most looking in good re-furnable nick. I agree with Hairy on the rebuild and with all the help on here won't be that scary - looking at your carpentry background, your practical skills will be transferable with guidance of the 500/550 experts on the forum. There's some Welsh members on here too who are probably not far from where you are.
Enjoy!
Phil
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And welcome from me too. Excellent timber motorcycle stand!
Alan
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Welcome Aled, it looks a good basis for a refurb, i would completely strip the motor now you are that far and replace the primary and cam chains along with the tensioner, and the rest is up to you and how you want the finished bike to look, read everything several times as you go take pictures and write things down. i am sure it will turn out fine
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thank you guys! really appreciate the comments and feedback and will for sure consider maybe opening the bottom end, please do not judge my carpentry skills by the bike bench i have put together , it was a quick half hour build!! haha
as for a more modern look, my goal is to really keep the bike's classic authentic look but tidying the dash area up, maybe upgrading with a digital speedo and modern indicators etc. , lowering the suspension and a smaller seat as im not the tallest person.
after the engine is ticking over (hopefully) my next step is to strip down and powder-coat and paint all the needed parts. as for electrics and wiring, is an electric ignition a must upgrade as well as the motogadget unit and full re-wire? i must admit i haven't looked into these too much at the moment but i am gathering as much info as i can as i progress.
overall if i could get the bike looking anything similar to rawhide cycles 750 build (hopefully its okay to post other peoples bikes on here) then i would be very happy.
(http://i1171.photobucket.com/albums/r559/aled_1/CB750-Honda-1971-Golden-Goose-2_1024x1024_1.jpg) (http://s1171.photobucket.com/user/aled_1/media/CB750-Honda-1971-Golden-Goose-2_1024x1024_1.jpg.html)
i do not want to get ahead of myself just yet so back to the garage and time to remove some old gaskets it is!
thanks for the comments and appreciate all your help in advance! cheers guys.
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Looks like a great project youve got there and plenty of pictures to keep us interested and entertained.
I see you live round by me, where to. I don't mind calling in and giving you a hand if needed.
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An alternative thought on how far you go with the engine Alan, although other members suggest a complete strip and rebuild, (and that is a perfectly logical approach provided you don't mind the extra time and expense) it's worth bearing in mind that Mr Honda produced very reliable motorcycles!, there is probably nothing at all wrong with the bottom end of that bike, I'd go as far as saying it's a 90% probability that it's OK, so I'd go along the "if it ain't broke don't fix it" route if I were you, if once you have it running again you do find an issue then OK take the lump out and completely strip it, how many times do we hear people say that once stripped everything was within tolerance, and let's face it when we buy second hand cars we don't take the engines out and rebuild them do we! 😄, I'd give it a go as is, if I'm wrong then it will mean a few hours extra work and another top end gasket set, if I'm right you've saved a load of time and money, anyway that's my ten pence worth 👍
PS if you need to change the cam chain you can do it with a soft link which again will save you having to split the cases, I did that on a 400/4 30 years ago and it's still running (a mate of mine still has it).
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I tend towards the let it be route for engine bottom ends on old Hondas, the cb550 is a fairly tough cookie and its probably ok, most times I've seen one with issues its down to work done on it by well intentioned but mechanically perhaps not the best tinkerers. I always like to hear it run, and select the gears under load before pulling them appart, as often it proves they dont need my intervention. If you do open up the bottom end be sure to check the location peg on the cluch side bearing for the gearbox shaft when re assembling, very common for the holes to be miss alighned and the top of the casting to pop instead. Also the tensioner needs care to put back as it has a hard to spot location pockett in the bottom crank case. I always used to find a replacement engine was cheaper than fixing one with problems, though this might have shifted since I used mine as a daily commuter - though I doubt it as the parts have gone up as badly as the engines. I still have a pile of engines that either got retired as they had problems or that I bought as handy spares, rather than rush to buy new parts I prefer to look for the parts nice and cheap and use a spare engine so I'd not hold up progres too much if the engine is waiting on a part, just crack on with the rest of the build. Makes life less stressfull I reacon.
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I'm with MarkCR750 and matthewmosse, get em running first. By all means strip and clean the carbs, check valves, change oil and plugs, check brakes then ride em for a couple of weeks at least. Make sure it's a bike you are gonna be sure you want to keep before you go splashing out loads of money on it. Tidying up for an MOT is only elbow grease and a bit of time. Have some fun first, then sort out what you want to change / fix. :)
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Thanks for the comments and advice guys, very helpful, yeah i think im just going do the top end and fingers cross , all is good with the bottom.
I pretty much have all the parts ready to for the top end so its a case of me just getting on with it now!
Bit more of an update today, engine is out and began cleaning up and removing valves and pistons. Alot of elbow grease and hours have been put into just removing old gaskets and i think im finally there! thank god!
some pictures ..
(http://i1171.photobucket.com/albums/r559/aled_1/68df0e00-1f48-4225-a35e-3e4270c573e0.jpg) (http://s1171.photobucket.com/user/aled_1/media/68df0e00-1f48-4225-a35e-3e4270c573e0.jpg.html)
(http://i1171.photobucket.com/albums/r559/aled_1/cfe07eb8-b693-49c4-a8c8-afd3a0878eff.jpg) (http://s1171.photobucket.com/user/aled_1/media/cfe07eb8-b693-49c4-a8c8-afd3a0878eff.jpg.html)
where there paint has flaked there seems to be a purple layer of paint .. surely it wasn't sprayed purple? is this a rust protection or something?
(http://i1171.photobucket.com/albums/r559/aled_1/20170418_110812.jpg) (http://s1171.photobucket.com/user/aled_1/media/20170418_110812.jpg.html)
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Thanks for the comments and advice guys, very helpful, yeah i think im just going do the top end and fingers cross , all is good with the bottom.
I pretty much have all the parts ready to for the top end so its a case of me just getting on with it now!
Bit more of an update today, engine is out and began cleaning up and removing valves and pistons. Alot of elbow grease and hours have been put into just removing old gaskets and i think im finally there! thank god!
some pictures ..
(http://i1171.photobucket.com/albums/r559/aled_1/68df0e00-1f48-4225-a35e-3e4270c573e0.jpg) (http://s1171.photobucket.com/user/aled_1/media/68df0e00-1f48-4225-a35e-3e4270c573e0.jpg.html)
(http://i1171.photobucket.com/albums/r559/aled_1/cfe07eb8-b693-49c4-a8c8-afd3a0878eff.jpg) (http://s1171.photobucket.com/user/aled_1/media/cfe07eb8-b693-49c4-a8c8-afd3a0878eff.jpg.html)
where there paint has flaked there seems to be a purple layer of paint .. surely it wasn't sprayed purple? is this a rust protection or something?
(http://i1171.photobucket.com/albums/r559/aled_1/20170418_110812.jpg) (http://s1171.photobucket.com/user/aled_1/media/20170418_110812.jpg.html)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170723/47ca4ae5fa6cbc8ccaecbdc4d0a83cc3.png)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170723/703263625d76c9ffd5ec8b34c6577e4a.jpg)
I'm a novice too....this is my first stab at a project of this scale.
Strip, powder, rewire with m unit, new rims spokes and tyres, mot and registration.
Incidentally I had my most successful ride out yesterday.....no breakdowns and only 1 thing fell off ( which was a pod airfilter)
Great fun....enjoy
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
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I'm having a go at a CB550 as well. Started off as a wreck of a K3 with lots of wrong bits on it. Have now got a 'F' swing arm fitted, tail cut off and hoop in place, everything powdercoated, complete engine overhaul, new rims, spokes, tyres, rechromed forks. Just starting to assemble it and see what will fit where......which is a nightmare. I take no credit for the work done so far as I just tell him indoors what I fancy and he does it all but, I do help where I can. A long way to go yet but getting there.
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I'm having a go at a CB550 as well. Started off as a wreck of a K3 with lots of wrong bits on it. Have now got a 'F' swing arm fitted, tail cut off and hoop in place, everything powdercoated, complete engine overhaul, new rims, spokes, tyres, rechromed forks. Just starting to assemble it and see what will fit where......which is a nightmare. I take no credit for the work done so far as I just tell him indoors what I fancy and he does it all but, I do help where I can. A long way to go yet but getting there.
Looking great
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
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both examples look great guys! and congratulations on the successful ride, i cant wait for my day to come haha
do you recommend the motogadget unit as a big upgrade to the original wiring or is it more for tidying up the triangle? i do plan on changing the clocks and handlebar switches etc..
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I will be keeping basically standard wiring on mine as I'm going to keep the side panels to hide everything behind.
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I will be keeping basically standard wiring on mine as I'm going to keep the side panels to hide everything behind.
yup i plan on keeping the side panels but unsure if the m unit will make things a lot neater , more reliable and user friendly to different controls etc ?
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Only weakness in the bottom end is the primary chain. You may want to turn the engine upside down and assess that. The 550 was better than the 500 i'm told, but they both use the same chain, with no tensioner. On my 500 the chain was rubbing on the aforementioned metal that forms part the pocket where the cam tensioner fits and my 550F was rubbing on the metal above the oil channel between pump and filter. Also adds to noise and erratic tickover if carbs not perfectly balanced. Assessing wear is difficult, but use a torch and feel around inside.
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%00 also wears into the main oil gallery ain the lower half but I think the 550 was cast slightly different so the chain don't hit (as much). you can feel the groove with the sump off if its been rubbing
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I'm having a go at a CB550 as well. Started off as a wreck of a K3 with lots of wrong bits on it. Have now got a 'F' swing arm fitted, tail cut off and hoop in place, everything powdercoated, complete engine overhaul, new rims, spokes, tyres, rechromed forks. Just starting to assemble it and see what will fit where......which is a nightmare. I take no credit for the work done so far as I just tell him indoors what I fancy and he does it all but, I do help where I can. A long way to go yet but getting there.
Not enough hammers in those pictures ;)
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I'm having a go at a CB550 as well. Started off as a wreck of a K3 with lots of wrong bits on it. Have now got a 'F' swing arm fitted, tail cut off and hoop in place, everything powdercoated, complete engine overhaul, new rims, spokes, tyres, rechromed forks. Just starting to assemble it and see what will fit where......which is a nightmare. I take no credit for the work done so far as I just tell him indoors what I fancy and he does it all but, I do help where I can. A long way to go yet but getting there.
Not enough hammers in those pictures ;)
That's very true Paul. I must have put them back in the tool box after hitting Trig with them the last time he did something wrong !! ;D ;D
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both examples look great guys! and congratulations on the successful ride, i cant wait for my day to come haha
do you recommend the motogadget unit as a big upgrade to the original wiring or is it more for tidying up the triangle? i do plan on changing the clocks and handlebar switches etc..
I binned my entire loom and used the m unit.....best device ever.
There is a new Bluetooth one available now that looks even better
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
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I binned my entire loom and used the m unit.....best device ever.
There is a new Bluetooth one available now that looks even better
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
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yeah i think im going to down this route, seems like a good upgrade and although i didn't plan on doing it , after reading and seeing videos, i dont think i can not go for it, i may need some advice and instruction when its comes to installing!
as for the engine, i did the checks you guys advised and did not find any evidence of wear etc on the bottom end, fingers crossed im okay!
had some progress over the weekend and evenings, soda blaster the pistons and rebuild kit, honed the cylinder barrels and checked the bores and sprayed the barrels using POR15 heat resistant paint, not sure how good it is but looks a lot better than i did! i took loads of pictures during each stage but dont want to bore you all so heres a few
(http://i1171.photobucket.com/albums/r559/aled_1/IMG_8853.jpg) (http://s1171.photobucket.com/user/aled_1/media/IMG_8853.jpg.html)
(http://i1171.photobucket.com/albums/r559/aled_1/IMG_8861.jpg) (http://s1171.photobucket.com/user/aled_1/media/IMG_8861.jpg.html)
(http://i1171.photobucket.com/albums/r559/aled_1/IMG_8862.jpg) (http://s1171.photobucket.com/user/aled_1/media/IMG_8862.jpg.html)
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Looking good Aled. I hope you mean you painted the barrels with POR15 and not the bores!!! :o :o
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Looking good Aled. I hope you mean you painted the barrels with POR15 and not the bores!!! :o :o
thank you! yes! barrels not bores! hah :o
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Its looking good Aled. Rapid progress is being made, you'll have it on the road next weekend at the rate you are going :o
I like the idea of having the bike bench on castors, simple and effective in a small garage.
Keep the photos coming.
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For a guy with “no mechanical skills” you look to be doing fantastically well! Not too many people would be prepared to dig that deep into a motor without any prior knowledge... I would also expect the bottom end to be ok but as you can get your fingers on the con-rods you should be able to get a good feel for how worn or not it is before you compkete the rebuild, unless you already have done.... good luck anyway. Looks like a nice project!
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Its looking good Aled. Rapid progress is being made, you'll have it on the road next weekend at the rate you are going :o
I like the idea of having the bike bench on castors, simple and effective in a small garage.
Keep the photos coming.
Re engine stand, got me thinking too. Is this what you have?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Heavy-Duty-Swivel-Transmission-Gearbox-Engine-Mount-Support-Stand-1000-lbs-450kg-/282582463347?epid=1039473391&hash=item41cb3a3373:g:eHIAAOSw-QZZzMbf
Was it easy to adapt to bike engine etc....?