Honda-SOHC
SOHC.co.uk Forums => CB500/550 => Topic started by: peteuk on September 14, 2016, 08:05:54 PM
-
Hi, I own a CB550f 1977 and it has developed a ticking noise that increases with rpm. It sounds like it's coming from number 1 exhaust tappet. The strange thing is if I disconnect number 1 spark plug cap the ticking stops. Soon as I reconnect again it starts. I have installed new plugs and set gap correctly as well as the valves gap.
I have attached a link to a video so you can see/hear the problem. Any ideas or advice would be greatly appreciated.
https://youtu.be/HEqH2pH-4qU
-
Nice 550, it sounds like the exhaust blowing at the cylinder. Welcome to the mad world of the SOHC.
-
Nice 550, it sounds like the exhaust blowing at the cylinder. Welcome to the mad world of the SOHC.
[/quote
agrees with Trigger,it does sound like a blowing sealing ring,
and also welcome to the sohc fun palace
-
it sounds like the exhaust blowing at the cylinder.
Could well be. Are you sure exhaust gasket is there? You could tighten the two 10mm nuts some more to compress the gasket more. Make sure to untighten the other fastening point(s) of the exhaust first, so the exhaust can move a little. If not you'll ruin the 8mm studs or their thread in the head.
-
Wow thanks for the quick replies. I must admit I never gave the exhaust a thought. But, would it make a ticking noise and would it disappear when the cap was removed on plug 1 if it was the exhaust gasket. I was going down the lines of electrical arcing from a dodgy lead.
Great site by the way
-
It would stop once you remove the cap as that cylinder is not firing. I am 99% sure, as the video explained more of a clear problem than in writing .
-
Almost certain this is the exhaust. Suspect the copper crush gasket may have got twisted / deformed on install? Did you fit the exhaust?
-
Thanks again for the replies.
No I didn't fit the exhaust but I shall be checking tomorrow based on what your saying.
I'll let you know how I get on
Thanks again
-
Definitely exhaust, i spent hours chasing a loose tappet till i tightened the exhaust flanges
-
I've found that some of the aftermarket copper crush gaskets 'supposedly' for the 500/550 have the wrong OD (slightly too big). They snag / twist on installation and sometimes don't seal properly.
-
A massive thanks to all those who suggested the exhaust. I was totally going down the wrong lines. I reseated the gasket, tightened everything up and problem solved.
Your knowledge and experience saved me hours of unnecessary work and head scratching
Thanks again
Here's a link to the result. https://youtu.be/qaol2xsJAtg
-
A massive thanks to all those who suggested the exhaust. I was totally going down the wrong lines. I reseated the gasket, tightened everything up and problem solved.
Your knowledge and experience saved me hours of unnecessary work and head scratching
Thanks again
Here's a link to the result. https://youtu.be/qaol2xsJAtg
Sorted ;) Saved stripping the top end down, Donations are always appreciated on this forum :)
-
Great result. Sounds like it should now. Enjoy!
-
sounds sweet, have you had it long?
-
Hi, no I bought it about 3 months ago running on 3 cylinders. Sounded shocking, like the primary chain was loose but a carb sync sorted that out. it had a new exhaust with it, new wheels and spokes, new indicators and stems, new tachometer clock. I've also replaced rear shocks, new clutch and cable, new seat cover, carbs off and cleaned up (what a job that is getting them buggers off), new air box filter, new air box to carb rubbers and a new paint job (decals cost 60 quid and apparently that's cheap......really???) The list goes on and on. They're a bit of a money pit these old bikes and everything seems so dear. I bought an an old rusty neutral switch cos the one on the bike was missing, cost 36 quid. Problem is it's so enjoyable spending money on it and seeing a good result.
-
Hi Pete. Just out of interest, how have you mounted the front indicators?. I can see the hole where they are meant to fit but can't quite see well enough on your video how you have them attached.
-
£36 !!!!! I could have sold you a NOS one (both parts) for less if you'd posted here
-
and I could have sold you a new air box as well.......
-
Just my luck. Anyway I seem to be buying one part or another pretty regular so i'll remember to try here first. As for for the indicaters Julie i've attached a pic that maybe you can see where thry are mounted better.
-
Thanks for the pic Pete but still can't quite see where they are attached. Any chance of a close up pic when you have time?
-
Hi Julie. Got some close up pics. As you hopefully can see, they are mounted from a bracket.
-
Thanks very much Pete, a perfect picky and I can now see how it was done. Thanks again
-
Just my luck. Anyway I seem to be buying one part or another pretty regular so i'll remember to try here first.
Maybe someone on here has the correct mounts - you could try asking!
Someone may also have the reflectors for the sides of the headlamp - it looks as if you already have the mounts.
-
Chris. Do the indicators not usually fit in the holes at the bottom of those ears with the reflectors on the headlamp fixings like on our 400/4's?
-
Julie, As far as I know they do, but I don't know if the stalks (which is the word I should really have used but couldn't think of at the time!) are specific to the model, or at least to bikes with indicators mounted in this way. The threads on those in Pete's pic look way too long.
-
I get totally confused with which model has what indicator stems fitted Chris. In my mind it would have been a lot simpler if they were all the same type on every model but, I suppose that evolution and progression for you ;D ;D ;D
-
Very true Julie, but why make things simple when they can be complicated?!
Of course with the 400 there are no separate stalks at all as they are integral with the headlamp bracket.
Oh, and the ones Pete has fitted reminded me of the ones that were on my SS50 all those years ago, but maybe that's just how my brain works.
-
There's nothing wrong with the way your brain works Chris, the things you remember are quite amazing at times ;D ;D ;D ;D
-
I'm not sure if I like the indicators where they are or where they should really be. The thing is they work and I don't want to arse things up by moving em. As for the reflectors, they are now fitted. You can just see it on the close up pic.
Got round to fitting the new seat cover today, I was dreading it but it weren't too difficult and looks great.
-
There are mounts that screw into the holes on the headlamp brackets and not sure that it shouldnt have the big indicators
-
No big indicators on the UK F1 or F2. The stem is like a little traffic cone shape, not easy to get hold of.
-
The mount, or stem, or stalk, whatever you want to call it, is P/N 33441-390-610 according to the CMSNL parts list pages.
They seem to be available in mainland Europe - this place says it has them in stock but at 48 Euros apiece they are not cheap!
http://www.cb-four.de/cgi-bin/shop/
Think yours should look like this:
[attachimg=1]
-
Part number is 90120-375-000 for a UK unit ;) Not cheap at about £45 each from CMSNL
-
P/N I gave is for UK F1, Trigger's no. is for UK F2. Didn't realise they were different.
-
Chris the ears on the F1 and F2 are also different. The F1 has gaiters fitting on the ears, were as the F2 never had them. Always a thing when looking for used parts.
-
Good point Trig. I don't know why Honda had to change so many details between models, it probably gave them something to do.
But although Pete's bike has an F2 paint job it also has the gaiters, and I came across an old eBay listing earlier for what looks like the same bike when it had plain paint.
So I'm not actually sure what model it is and hence which parts Pete would need.
Although at around £100 for a pair of stems I suspect he will be keeping the brackets he has!
-
Chris I suspect the eBay listing you saw was the bike I actually bought. I changed the paint job straight away cos it was really bad and looked like it had been applied with a brush. The bikes a weird one to define cos the serial number starts 21.... Which I believe denotes 1977. It was registered in 1977 but I believe manufactured in 1976, hence the fork gators. I have given it a 1977 colour, candy sword blue, and the tank decals which I believe we're missing from a 1976 bike. To be honest it's turning into a bit of a mongrel cos I'm adding bits from all years which I like the best. I'm not looking for it to be a concourse bike or true to the original, just a nice looking, well running bike.
Plus at 100 quid for the stems, I'll keep the winkers where they are.
-
If your vin number starts with CB550F-2####, it is a F2. F1 starts with F1####. Looks to be a UK bike as the vin plate is located on the rear frame.
-
Hi Trigger, according to the sohc4.net site, there is a section identifying models and it states bike with serial number F21 are 1977 cb550F3
CB550F SERIAL NUMBERS
Starting frame #. Engine #
CB550 F1 1975 CB550F-1000002- CB550E-110004-
CB550 F2 1976 CB550F-2000003- CB550E-1109887-
CB550 F3 1977 CB550F-210001- CB550E-1135380-
However F2 or F3, still doesn't explain the front fork gators. Maybe the forks have been changed at some point.
-
Those are for the USA, yours is a UK unit. Many be the ears are F2 and the bike just has gaiters fitted. Can't get a close look at the bottom of the ears to see if there is a lip.
-
Not sure were they get F3 from, has anyone ever seen one ?
-
According to the Honda ID book i have:-
CB550F SUPER SPORT 1975 CLOCKS DARK GREEN, GAITERS NO TANK DECALS
FRAME CB550F-100002~
ENG CB550E 1100004~
CB550F '76 SUPER SPORT CLOCKS LIGHT GREEN, GAITERS, NO TANK DECALS, BROWN SEAT
FRAME CB550F 2000003~
ENG CB550E 1109887~
CB550F'77 SUPER SPORT CLOCKS DARK BLUE, NO GAITERS,TANK DECALS
FRAME CB550F 2100001~
ENG CB550E 1135380~
-
There never was a CB550F3. The 'F' models were: CB550F, CB550F1 and CB550F2. Americans just can't grasp the idea an existing model is continued into the next year. There are area codes to observe however and there were in between modifications like the clutch plates. You'll find it all listed here: http://www.honda4fun.com/materiale-documentazione-tecnica/parts-list/parts-list-cb550
-
According to the Honda ID book i have:-
CB550F SUPER SPORT 1975 CLOCKS DARK GREEN, GAITERS NO TANK DECALS
FRAME CB550F-100002~
ENG CB550E 1100004~
CB550F '76 SUPER SPORT CLOCKS LIGHT GREEN, GAITERS, NO TANK DECALS, BROWN SEAT
FRAME CB550F 2000003~
ENG CB550E 1109887~
CB550F'77 SUPER SPORT CLOCKS DARK BLUE, NO GAITERS,TANK DECALS
FRAME CB550F 2100001~
ENG CB550E 1135380~
I can ID the first and last on the list, but a brown seat ? Seen them on the 500T ;D
-
Don't think that one came to UK mate, the ID book is a US one but can be bought via a Honda dealer 2GMAS00-AH
-
Hi Pete,
Nice to see another 550F being brought back to life! I have a 1977 F2 in candy sword blue, definitely the best colour ;D
I have a few bits and bobs lying around in the garage so if you need any parts give me a shout. I don't have any indicator stems though I'm afraid!
Glad you got the ticking problem sorted and I hope you're enjoying the bike :)
Cheers,
Steph.
-
Ah thanks Trigger. I forget that the American models are slightly different to UK.
So I think I'm right in assuming it's a 1977 F2 but at some point in time the front forks have been changed for the ones with the gaiters..... Sorted, I think
-
The forks may be F2, the gaiters fit into the groove that the standard dust cover locates in. Possibly the headlight brackets have been changed for F1 items to allow the gaiters to locate at the top.