Honda-SOHC
SOHC.co.uk Forums => CB500/550 => Topic started by: TonUp on February 28, 2014, 01:53:00 PM
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In the '70s I used to pop into Bill Head's Preston Honda and admire the jaw dropping, something new every week, Honda's.
in particular, I admired the CB550, gold badges, in your face chrome cupped clocks, finely engineered. A moment in time of Honda's motorcycle evolution. Unobtainable on an apprentice wage, also too big a bike for a beginner.
A friend of mine dropped off some motorcycle news the other week that he was throwing out. I read an article about James May's classic Honda collection. Well that fired a memory of my lunchtime excursions to Bill Head's. Made the 'mistake' of looking on the net and found a good example, so what could I do? How could I not buy it?
It now sits in my garage and will need some work to get it on the road. I will be posting updates as I go along and will no doubt need some advice from you guys.
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Welcome!
How much work? Looking pretty good there 8)
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Wiring loom needs insulating in places, wires to indicators need routing correctly, pattern seat 'rocks' , centre stand and rear hub 'stay bar' needs painting. Drive chain is knackered. Ignition switch needs replacement. All simple stuff.
The biggest issue is the engine. The cam chain is thrashing about at anything less than 1,800 RPM. The tensioner is seized up. Number 4 cylinder is running cool. Carbs need balancing. Clutch is dragging (in fact pulling the lever has no discernible effect at all). :o
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Good luck with the 550, nice to see another on the road as there are not many left in the UK judging by how many others I have seen on the road in the last few months (0)!
I used to have a 400/4 back in the late 70's and always wanted a 550 but they seemed to be like rocking horse shit.
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Looks like a nice bike, good luck with it.
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Welcome. Looks nice. What colour has it been painted?
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Welcome, Bike looks OK but, looks are deceiving. Enjoy.
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Welcome. Looks nice. What colour has it been painted?
Candy Sword Blue :)
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It looks a bit dark, must be the photo. Great bikes.
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Yes it looks a bit dark in the pics. I am very happy with the colour, looks superb.
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Well, I'm smitten... beautiful.
Mrs Lobo never knew we needed another bike....
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Welcome, great looking 550, Candy Sword Blue is my preferred blue. My 76 550F should be Flake Sapphire Blue but PO painted her black!! hope to paint her next winter. it's a toss-up which way I go!!
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The Flake Sapphire Blue is a lovely colour. Honda must have hired some good people in the design department. The '73 to '75 CB500 Candy Green / Black is fantastic. Paint choice is important when it is on a motorcycle. ;)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAB2ituud1Y (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAB2ituud1Y)
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...too big a bike for a beginner
That's what I tried to tell myself a couple of years ago when I saw a 550F2 for sale, went to have a look at it and could only just get it on the centre stand after about 5 attempts...but fell completely in love with it.
Sometimes I'm glad I don't listen to my sensible side! ;) The 550F really is a lovely bike and there aren't enough of them around. Glad to see another one has found a good new home :) Good luck with it and there are lots of great people on here who will help you along the way.
Me and my F2:
(http://i1248.photobucket.com/albums/hh498/Steph550/Haynes550_zps2e8ab4db.jpg) (http://s1248.photobucket.com/user/Steph550/media/Haynes550_zps2e8ab4db.jpg.html)
Steph.
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My two favourite bikes in that picture Steph. :D
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Very nice bike Steph, where did you find such a fine example? Or have you restored it. Very nice set of down pipe's.
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Yea really nice pipes
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Thanks :)
I bought the bike from Charlie at Oxford Classic Honda, it was in tatty original condition at that point having been sat in someone's garage for a few years awaiting restoration, and I've just done bits and pieces to it over the last couple of years (lots of polishing, new rims and spokes, etc). The big issue was the exhaust, there was a big dent in one of the original downpipes and the silencer was starting to rust out inside. Luckily I managed to talk a friend (and owner of a classic motorcycle exhaust manufacturing company) into making a one-off exact replica of the original downpipes and silencers for me in stainless steel.... Not cheap (at all) but worth every penny in my opinion. I'm still trying to talk him into making and selling them...
Here she is showing off her 'good side':
(http://i1248.photobucket.com/albums/hh498/Steph550/550F2_zpscf63372c.jpg) (http://s1248.photobucket.com/user/Steph550/media/550F2_zpscf63372c.jpg.html)
Steph.
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If you can talk him round steph tell him il have two made.
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You should float this idea on the US site. I think you would find a lot of interest.
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I'll keep trying but he's not keen! I think for it to be worth it for him they would have to be too expensive to be that popular - mine were made "at cost" for the materials and time, and I don't think people would be willing to pay a lot more than I did. Also last time I spoke to him he said his company are flat out at the moment just with British bike exhausts, but if things get quieter maybe I'll be able to convince him to make a few sets as a trial.
Steph.
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I know a few people that have payed out £600 + shipping for stainless exhausts from the USA. I think it is mad that no one wants to do it here.
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Exhaust manufacturers don't seem to realise that there is the demand for parts for these classic Japanese bikes, I've just had to order a set of silencers for my CB77 from Australia! :o
Sorry for the slight thread hijack TonUp... ;)
Steph.
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Thanks Oddjob,
Indeed, I have adjusted the headlight since those photos! ;) All this talking about bikes is making me wish it was spring already so I could go and ride...
Steph.
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We had a great day for it today but all I could do was go to the garage and tinker with mine. :-[
Did you win anything at that show Steph? You should have.
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wow, nice bike Steph. I have got something to aim for now! :P
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Aww, thanks everyone, the bike will be blushing in the garage with all these nice comments! ;D
Didn't win a prize at that show Les, but there were some absolutely stunning bikes there so I wasn't surprised! My other half won best in show with his CB450 Black Bomber, well deserved but very annoying... ;)
TonUp, if I can be of any help with details/photos of any area of the bike let me know. Mine is by no means perfect but she is pretty original.
Steph.
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Thanks Steph,
Can you check the routing of the main headlamp wiring loom. Mine goes from under the left side of tank and then underneath the bottom yoke. The outer sheath has worn away but fortunately the wires are not damaged.
Just looks a bit tight and wondered if it was routed correctly.
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That doesn't look right from memory... I'm not home until Saturday but will check then and let you know :-)
Sent from my GT-I9195 using Tapatalk
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sweet ;)
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Hi, managed to have a look at the bike today and the wiring setup does look similar to yours, although mine doesn't seem as tightly stretched. As you say it routes under the left hand side of the tank. Here's a picture:
(http://i1248.photobucket.com/albums/hh498/Steph550/2014-03-15113632_zpsba8bb1c0.jpg) (http://s1248.photobucket.com/user/Steph550/media/2014-03-15113632_zpsba8bb1c0.jpg.html)
Hope that's helpful. If I can help any more let me know :)
Steph.
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Thanks for the picture. The routing is correct on mine, just too tight under the bottom yoke. I think I can gain some slack by adjusting the loom a bit. I have now got some 'amalgam tape' off ebay to repair the loom.
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I ordered some spares off David Silver and ebay to fix cam chain rattle. Bye the way - I got a refund off the dealer for the cost of the tensioner. ;)
Everybody knows a Peter (or two), and here is a picture of my mates Peter_H and Peter_Z fetterling my Honda.
Peter_Z offered to take my head away and decoke. Also reseated the valves. Peter_Z had a nasty surprise in the morning, thief's broke into his garage and nicked power tools. Fortunately, the head was left untouched.