Why do I let myself in for things

[chris]

My mate got the idea of getting his name future father in laws bike back on the road but muggins here gets the work of fixing it up

Its a mid 70s Honda cb550 has sat for at least 5 years

Brought it home in my work van last night (about the only perk of working for sos) hopefully be able to have a proper look at it over the next few days

[Kwacky]

It looks ok in the photos. I guess you'll get a better idea when you strip it but it looks like it's been kept in a warm and dry environment.

[DaytonAndy]

It certainly doesn't look neglected. In fact my bikes normally look worse.

[C00kiemonster]

Thats in good condition.

We've got a 400 Four in the garage in bits presently, which i'll eventually resurrect.

[rocket]

nice and owned by Chelsea's N01 fan how lucky

[chris]

It's been in his front garden under a cover for 5years

[Rossgo]

I'm surprised that it's been kept under a cover it looks pretty neat, least it's all there. Good luck with the restore

[chris]

Had a look over it today, front caliper is seized clutch is stuck engine turns over nicely all the electrics seem to be in good order

What do you recommend I flush the petrol tank with at the moment it's empty but smells really bad of old fuel

[kiwikrasher]

Had a look over it today, front caliper is seized clutch is stuck engine turns over nicely all the electrics seem to be in good order

What do you recommend I flush the petrol tank with at the moment it's empty but smells really bad of old fuel

If it just needs a flush I'd just use a couple of litres of fresh fuel and then dump it. Just make sure when you flush it you run some through the fuel tap on normal and reserve so all the paths get a clean.

[Deegee]

Have a look at the colour of the fuel, if it's really rust coloured you might want to drop the fuel tap out and clean the gauze filter, I ended up putting a small in-line filter into the lads CG125 as it kept having problems with rust particles in the carb.

[Deegee]

Chris - if you end up needing parts, try David Silver in Leiston, they specialise in parts for older Honda's.

[chris]

Started stripping it down, the clutch plates where stuck together after taking it all apart and cleaning it up that fixed that problem

Front calliper was a pain to work on the pads sit inside the housing the pad had seized inside the calliper I soaked the front in wd40 and clouted it with a hammer then I could use the brake to push the pad and piston out piston is nice and clean just needed the edge of the housing cleaning and new pads

Ordered all the gaskets seals and odd n sods from David silver spares tried Honda the other day and they couldn't even find it on there computer and there microfiche projector was long dead

Carbs are out and clean couple more days of mechanical work then a week of polishing chrome and it should be running and ready for an mot

[chris]

Fuel tap is blocked on full hopefully my mate has ordered a replacement and a filter the fuel is definatly rusty orange

[chris]

Does any one know how tight to tighten the clutch springs I've seen various answers some say just tight enough to hold them others say roughly 6ft pounds

[StMarks]

Does any one know how tight to tighten the clutch springs I've seen various answers some say just tight enough to hold them others say roughly 6ft pounds

Do you have a Haynes Manual for the bike Chris.? - Always an invaluable purchase IMHO.

,,,,, &, it just so happens I happen to have a copy.!
Honda CB400 & CB550 Fours
408cc-544cc , 1973 to 1977.

[chris]

Yeah got the Haynes manual but it didn't list the torque but I asked at a garage that work on a lot of classics while I was dropping a bike off with work they told me 6 to 8ftpounds but not to force it too much as the threads will strip out the spring towers

With it tightened and adjusted to the maximum On the cable it is just working going to try a new cable and see if it's better

[chris]

Was due to finish the bike off yesterday just got a only needs brakes fitting on the front the rear shoes adjusting and a slight weep from the fuel tap sorting and she's done

Unfortunately i ended up dislocating my knee and spent all day in a&e off work for a while no driving for at least 2 weeks why does it all ways happen where theres so much stuff that needs doing

[Kwacky]

Ouch.

Get well soon matey.

[Rossgo]

Get better soon mate that's nasty

[kiwikrasher]

Was due to finish the bike off yesterday just got a only needs brakes fitting on the front the rear shoes adjusting and a slight weep from the fuel tap sorting and she's done

Unfortunately i ended up dislocating my knee and spent all day in a&e off work for a while no driving for at least 2 weeks why does it always happen where there's so much stuff that needs doing

Ouch, I know how that feels, I did the same about 15 yr ago. Make sure you get a good knee brace with a ring that supports and holds your knee cap in place, like this



Getting in and out of the car was the worst I remember as you tend to twist more than you realise. I had on going problems for about 3 yrs but it's pretty good now.