1977 CB550

[Valentinik]

Thanks for the info guys, i'l get the parts ordered.

Mike

[Valentinik]

Tonight i got the rear seat frame mocked up in position. I just need to work out a way out finishing off the ends of the frame underneath the hoop.





The wheel is only there to check positioning.  Im having a set of new spoked wheels made with black powder coated rims and stainless spokes with the hubs i've got.

Mike

[Valentinik]

I spent a few hours on the frame this afternoon and got it finished.

Rear hoop and seat mounts welded in:





I also made a small battery box and welded a bracket underneath the swing arm to mount it. I just need to weld the aluminium box up




Mike

[Valentinik]

I made the aluminium panel for the seat tonight and mounted it to the brackets i welded on the frame. The bolts are only temporary.



Mike

[Valentinik]

The brake light switch attaches to a bracket, on the 500 and I'm fairly sure the 550F it's a bracket welded to the frame, on the 550K however it went into a bracket which was separate and attached to the upper rear engine bolt, probably why it's loose as on the 500 and 550F you wouldn't really need to remove it. It's missing a long thin spring which goes through the hole in the pin you can see protruding from the switch.

If the carbs are missing I'd fit the carbs off either the 500 or the 550F as the 550K carbs were much different and TBH are pretty pants in comparison. You'd also need the airbox to match but it's a worthwhile change as the 550K carbs really are that bad.

With reference to this post oddjob made about fitting some 500 carbs. Im looking at buying some but i wondered what year 500 bike would i need to be looking for and what  the model of the carb is?

Thanks
Mike

[Valentinik]

Great thank you.

[Valentinik]

I got my crankcases back from being soda blasted and finished cleaning them up. Tonight I put in the replacement primary shaft bearing. I just need to find a replacement oil guide as the one i've got isn't great.





Mike

[Rozabikes Tim]

Looking at various costs for rebuilding my 400/4 motor and soda blasting of interest. Who did you use and rough cost if you dont mind.

Thanks


Tim

[Valentinik]

I used a local company to me called Sutton soda blasting, in Sutton Coldfield. I had the top and bottom crankcases done and paid £40, but i blocked all the holes off. It would have been more if i had sent it bare.

http://www.suttonsodablasting.co.uk

Mike

[Rozabikes Tim]

That seems pretty good to me. I was in semi shock having got a quote at the weekend for £250-300 to vapour blast full motor. Thought it was extracting the michael at that!

[Valentinik]

That seems pretty good to me. I was in semi shock having got a quote at the weekend for £250-300 to vapour blast full motor. Thought it was extracting the michael at that!

That does seem a little excessive, i know his vapour blasting is more than just soda blasting but i think that only came out at around £120.

[Valentinik]

A question about the primary shaft installation if someone wouldn't mind answering. In the manual it states this:



I can't see any markings on the starting gear and clutch to indicate how to position it. Is the position of them important and if so, how do i go about aligning them?

Thanks
Mike

[Bryanj]

It isnt important, BUT ignore the boolk and build everything into the top half of the crankcase thaen after case assembly you can refit the primary shaft by holding the starter/primary gear through the sump hole. This way makes it a lot easier to get the selectors etc to line up

[Valentinik]

Thanks both, that's really useful. My next question was going to be about how to align the gear selectors.

I've left the selectors assembled on the drum but I can't see any mention in the manual about how to align the gear and selectors in the right place. Is there a picture of the gears in the correct position I may have missed somewhere?

[Valentinik]

Make sure you also renew the primary shaft dampers along with the primary chain, it will last a lot longer if you do and will also be far quieter as they tend to go hard and lose their damping ability as a result.

The primary chain was already on my list as it had started eating its way into the crankcase, but i'l add the dampers as well.