SOHC.co.uk Forums > Project Board
1978 Honda CB550 Supersport - My first retro bike rolling restoration!
woody928:
--- Quote from: Oddjob on May 21, 2020, 10:34:53 PM ---I have a 500 which has been converted to all the electrics off a CB550F2. The F1 and F2 are virtually identical on electrics. I've just bought a brand new L/H switchgear with passing switch so I'll post a pic of it for you when I can find it again. It may be for sale as I've completely restored my old one and I'm happy to use that for now. Be aware that some parts are cheap and others seem to be vastly inflated, it depends on how many are still sat on shelves I think. If it's very rare be prepared to pay over the odds for the part, petrol tanks NOS are very expensive and a genuine new 550 silencer will set you back and arm and a leg IF you can find one.
The black headlight bowl is readily available but be sure it's off a 550 as the 500 is deeper and won't fit due to the handlebar mounted ignition switch on the 550. The 550 is shallower as the handlebar switch wires go down under the tank and not into the headlight like on the 500. Headlights are easy to find as a rule, try and find a good 7" Cibie if you can as they are really good. I had one around a while ago brand new but no idea where it is now. If I find it I'll let you know.
Tacho cable is easy to find and replace.
Some bad and good reports on the David Silver coil replacements, I prefer to stay standard and it's cheaper to fix the old ones than buy new. The coils are usually fine, it's the leads that fail.
Some controversy now, everyone says DON'T fit an O ring chain on the 500/550 but I ran one for years and it was fine. The problem is that the O ring chain is wider than the standard chain and the link pins gouge into the crankcase where the front sprocket fits. This is true, however it's really only true IMO if you use a 530 O ring chain, the pins are longer. The standard chain supplied from new was a DID 50 chain with split link, this had a pin length of 21.9 according to the DID website, this is 0.8622 inches, (for some reason DID list the existing chain dimensions in inches and the old style chain in MM), a 530 chain has a pin length of 0.963 for an O ring and 0.931 for an X ring chain (O ring and X ring chains are the same except for how the rivet is riveted) so you can see it's much wider, however the 525 O ring chain has a pin length of 0.886 for O ring and 0.866 for X ring, so almost identical to the standard 50 chain. The O ring chain I ran was off a CBX550 which is the same chain as the CB650, the odd thing is if you try and buy an original chain off CMS you can only buy an O ring chain now, funnily enough the same as the CBX550/CB650. Take for that whatever you want, I'll be running an X ring on mine when it's finally restored. Odd but DID list a vintage bike chain in O ring and it's the 525
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That would be really helpful, if you do find it and are happy to sell it then please do let me know, however a picture either way would be very helpful! That makes a lot of sense, fortunately for me items like those two items referenced are less of a concern given my disposition to resto modding older vehicles, I'm doing my best to navigate the minefield of options.
Thanks again, that makes a lot more sense now. I'll be keeping my eye out while I work out what to do, my main goal is to spend funds on going it up and running reliably first before moving onto other items, however a decent headlight will be high up the list! Do these headlights use H4 bulbs or can they be modified to use them?
Found and ordered one now thanks. I've looked at the lead replacement guide and really don't fancy cutting the originals to pieces right now, its a job I'll contemplate later so have just gone for replacement items.
Wow, another learning curve there. Duly noted, I'm going to leave the chain for now while everything else is sorted however I would imagine I'll be going down the X ring route as and when I get there. Amazing that such small variations can cause damage to the crank case.
--- Quote from: Trigger on May 22, 2020, 06:01:01 AM ---Not all headlight bowls for the 550 are the same. The early 550 K0,K1,K2 are the same as the 500/750.
There is a 500F1/F2 headlight bowl >>> https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Honda-CB550-F1-F2-SOHC-Headlight-bowl-61301-375-003B/164134785053?epid=675479719&hash=item263732101d:g:tn0AAOSwOM5edy6A
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Thanks, good to know what I'm looking for. It's now in my watch list.
Well its been a busy and expensive day ordering lots of service items and replacement parts. I've also bitten the bullet and finally ordered an Ultrasonic cleaner to assist with my carb rebuild. Fingers crossed I'll be starting to pull things apart and replace from next week.
On the subject of carb rebuilding, is anyone able to provide an insight on the rebuild kits available? I've seen the following two:
https://www.davidsilverspares.co.uk/CB550F1-SUPER-SPORT-1976/part_28930/
https://www.wemoto.com/bikes/honda/cb_550_f_f1_f2/75-80/picture/carburettor_complete_repair_kit
Alternatively and noting the advice to maintain the original brass components would I be better off with one of these complete gasket kits? Looking at the above two options there would appear to be lots of O-rings missing compared to the OEM option listed below?
https://www.davidsilverspares.co.uk/CB550F1-SUPER-SPORT-1976/part_4946/
Finally did anyone have any thoughts on the sound of the bike per the video below? (Certainly concerned that its noisy)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYzUYmTbiPk
Nurse Julie:
It's really difficult to hear engine noises properly on a mobile phone video but it doesn't sound like it's firing on all 4 cylinders and it sound like either the cam chain is rattling, or the primary chain or both. But like I say, videos can be really deceiving.
Bryanj:
You can get all the O rings for the carbs in a kit from Julie on here, the paper gasket is usually OK
woody928:
--- Quote from: Nurse Julie on May 23, 2020, 04:41:24 PM ---It's really difficult to hear engine noises properly on a mobile phone video but it doesn't sound like it's firing on all 4 cylinders and it sound like either the cam chain is rattling, or the primary chain or both. But like I say, videos can be really deceiving.
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Very true, it was more the rattle is what had me worried. Perhaps I should start with the cam chain adjustor as I imagine I'd have to open things up otherwise. Not firing properly would be explained by the melted plug lead and also what I discovered this evening. I could also use some new screws looking at the ham fisted efforts of a previous owner...
My points look pretty knackered and one has quite a large gap, I definitely need to get on with servicing and making factory adjustments before guessing where I really stand.
IMG_7707 by Mark Woodrow, on Flickr
IMG_7708 by Mark Woodrow, on Flickr
IMG_7710 by Mark Woodrow, on Flickr
Whats the recommendation with replacement points? Are aftermarket options ok or do I need to stick with the more expensive OEM option?
--- Quote from: Bryanj on May 23, 2020, 04:42:19 PM ---You can get all the O rings for the carbs in a kit from Julie on here, the paper gasket is usually OK
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Thanks, presume you're referring to the same helpful Julie above? Any other advice on the rebuild kits?
K2-K6:
If no headlight available from the forum, these are good alternative https://www.autoelectricsupplies.co.uk/mobile/product/986
Take H4 bulb of your choice, I use phillips white vision in them.
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