Sticking caliper and headlamp.

[wolfheze]

Haven't been on here for a while as its all been a bit quiet on the 550 front for quite a long time. Today I decided to take the bike out of hibernation and get it fired up ready for sale if its possible in the current situation we are in. Anyway it started and ran fine but the front caliper is sticking and the headlamp doesn't work. Is there a relatively pain free method to unstick the caliper and sort out the headlamp which is a sealed beam unit? Checked the fuses and they are ok.
Cheers.

[Bryanj]

If you are selling it you really need to do the caliper properly as to headlamp does neither filament work?

[wolfheze]

Neither filament is working. I've got plenty of time to sort the things out but I could do with some guidance.

[Bryanj]

If neither filament works sounds like the connection between on/off switch and dip switch isnt there.

As to caliper first loosen the 2 caliper bolts holding the halves together and see if the swinging bracket moves freely, if it does put the caliper with pipe in a bucket and use the master cylinder to pump the piston out DO NOT disconnect the pipework before doing this.
If you have to go this far post pics of the piston and await further comment.

[K2-K6]

You can test the headlight independently by connecting the tabs direct to a 12v battery to see if it's the light or something on supply side of bike.

Usually three tabs,  one earth,  the other two for dip/main filament.  As long as connect just two at a time you'll be able to see it works.

Don't accidentally touch the two wires together though

Brake caliper. Undo the two bolts that hold the caliper halves together,  undo also the fine adjustment screw,  then you should be able to assess if the arm is stuck,  ie not swinging.  If that bit is ok,  then it will usually be the piston/pad/seal corroded or stuck.  It's not that complicated but would involve a strip and clean followed by a bleed through to bring it back into use. No real shortcuts there for this.

Have a look and post what you've got for further advice.

[wolfheze]

Cheers I'll have a look Friday. The bike is a Canadian import so dosent have a on/off switch for the lights.

[K2-K6]

Apologies, crossed over with Bryan there while I was typing.

[Bryanj]

If there is no on off switch chances are the starter switch innards have fallen to bits and that bit cant be got on its own so fit a UK switch then you will have an on off

[wolfheze]

Front brake sorted. Turned out to be a combination of crud around the pad and piston and a badly set up adjuster. Piston had no corrosion just a layer of dried up muck around it. Had a look inside the headlamp bowl. There seems to be a black and white wire that dosent go anywhere?

[Bryanj]

Black and white should go to coils

[wolfheze]

Wire in question

[Bryanj]

That wiring does not look "Honda" to me

[wolfheze]

Well it definitely is a Honda! I think that wire may be something to do with the new indicator stalks I fitted a few years ago. Shame I had to reduce the size of the photo to allow it to load. I'll try and get another one up

[wolfheze]

Wiring

[wolfheze]

Tried the headlamp connected to a Ctek with crocodile clips. Nothing. Does it need to be connected to a battery or should a charger do the same job?