Honda-SOHC

Hi,

I'm working my way through what is more or less an extended service to get a 550 back on the road after 7 years of being stood in the back of someones garage, it's going fairly well but there's a couple of things I can't get my head around.

The bike now starts quite easily but takes a little coaxing to keep it running until it's warmed up. Once warmed up and ticking over at 1,000rpm if you blip the throttle it ticks over at 3,000. It you then put a bit of pressure on the grip a little in the closed direction there is no movement but it will drop back to 1,000rpm. Everything feels free, there resistance from the spring feels even throughout the range of the throttle.

There is a missing pipe from the airbox between the carbs and the airfilter housing and there is nothing below the airfilter in it's housing. I believe there should be a breather system and oil separator. As this is before the carbs I can't see how this could affect the idle but it's the only parts that stand out as missing.

The carbs have been blasted through with carb cleaner and don't appear to have any blockages. The rubber boots are hard but have no cracks, given the amount of force it took to push the carbs back into them I think/hope that they will be sealing. I don't think I'll be able to get good results from the usual spray something flammable in the area and listen for idle change vacuum leak test due to the nearby openings into the airbox from the missing breather system.

Any ideas?

Cheers

Allan

I've just gapped mine to the lower end of the book setting which from memory was 0.3mm, the gap was adequate but I only just got the second set timed as it was right on the limit of adjustment. I'm new to these bikes but I have seen a worn points cam on a Ford (cracked cap possibly allowed something abrasive in) so it's worth checking

Having done a few jobs it's a totally different animal, sounds much better and is keen to rev. I'm happy with that for a days work, although my back isn't 

Hi,

Can anyone tell me where I can find a spark plug socket that will fit the middle two plugs?

Cheers

Allan

I've just been reminded how much I hate messing about with points, the scimitar was bad enough till I went electronic but 2 little fiddly sets is even worse.

I've now got a pic online:


and also written a to do list to start on Sunday, although I may make an attempt to get it running before then as it's really bugging me.

adjust tappets - Done
strip and clean carbs - Done
static balance carbs - 1/8" drill bit - Done
check rubber inlets  - Done
refit carbs - Done
change plugs - Done
check coils/leads/caps - Done
drain fuel - Done
replace air filter - Done
check points condition and alignment - Done
gap points - Done
lube points cam - Done
static time points - Done
set dwell
dynamic time
check advance
change oil and filter - oil looks new.
change brake fluid - Done
replace or temp glue fork dust cap
clean and oil chain - Done
fit number plate - Done
Grease swing arm pivot- Done
repair seat tear - Done but not happy with it
replace seat lock
MOT - Booked for Sat
Tax

Cheers, I'll stick with DOT4.

I've hared of brakes sticking on with DOT5 on other forums, apparently your supposed to renew the seals when switching to silicone as it's absorbed into them faster than the mineral fluid is released causing them to swell.

Cheers

Allan

I can't find the fluid spec listed on the cap in the local motor factors, is DOT4 compatible? (1979 CB550K)

Cheers

Allan

I've just had my first daylight look at it and spent 3 hours polishing which is far from my favorite activity.
The tank has a small dent and the paint work isn't very good, the wheel rims are corroded worse than I'd realised and the front mud guard damage is also worse than I thought. A fork dust seal is also split (is this a MOT item), the air filter is manky and it wont start.
I'm not overly concerned about any of it though. It ran on Friday, I'll service it and try to get it running again next Sunday.