'83 CB 550

[injuredcyclist]

Hi All,

Thought I'd post a few pictures of my first bike.  I moved out to Oregon from Manhattan and decided I wanted more than a bicycle.  I passed my training course, got my endorsement, and bought some gear.

The bike has 31.6k miles on it.  The guy I bought it from said it was a project for him.  Missing a few things (rear turn signals - on order, fuse box panel under the headlight, right side cover) and the aluminum and chrome bits need a little love, but the engine purrs.  Taking it into a shop tomorrow to make sure everything is solid, since its going to be my daily driver.

I don't have much mechanical knowledge just yet.  My knowledge and riding skills, like the bike, are works in progress.  Looking forward to your help.

[bajakirch]

Greetings from a fellow 550 owner. Also my first bike, also had little mechanical knowledge at first. It looks like you have the important parts there; the rest is just window-dressing. You've found a great place here for advice and direction.

If you need a digital copy of the original Honda shop manual for the bike, just PM me.

 

[HandsomeSteve]

  have fun!

[B83550nighthawk]

Looks like it has the right side cover in the pic, or were you talking about a different cover than the battery one?

[Ol School]

looks like its missing the clutch slave cyc cover lower left side .

[JB1290]

That color looks familiar. 

[injuredcyclist]

Alright, since I said it was in the shop and I'm not sure I should start another thread, an update.

The previous tags that were on this bike expired back in 2007, and the guy I bought it from couldn't tell me anything about the previous owner or its history.  He also didn't have an owners manual to pass along (which I'd kill for).  This should have triggered warning bells, but I had, and am currently getting over, a bad case of new rider super-enthusiasm.

Turns out the bike needs a little more work than I thought it did.  Front tire is actually cracking out (back tire will need replacing within the next 6ish weeks - think it'll go fast once its ridden on a little), the fork seals were gone, fuel line was pinched, carbs need adjusted, she needs a new cylinder head gasket, and the clutch master cylinder needs a rebuild.  Hoses from the carbs to the air box are also starting to show their age.  All of this was obvious after a mechanic pointed it out.  Doh.

B83550nighthawk: The right cover is there in the pics because it was attached initially.  I took it out for a ride a couple days after I bought it.  Somewhere in the course of the ride the cover either fell off (can't believe I didn't feel it go if that happened) or was taken during one of my errand stops.  As Ol School pointed out, I'm also missing the clutch cover.

 

So.  The bike is currently being nursed back to health by a great mechanic that isn't screwing me with what he charges. 

New front tire:
http://www.cheapcycleparts.com/products/34932-dunlop-motorcycle-407573-tires-dunlop-491-elite-ii-front-tire-rwl-mm90-19

New front and rear turn signals:
http://www.cruisercustomizing.com/detail.cfm?manufacturer_ID=426&category_ID=48&product_ID=43751

I can apparently get a new right side cover without having to resort to ebay:
http://www.hondapartshouse.com/honda-parts.aspx?aribrand=HOM#/Honda/CB550SC_A_%2883%29_MOTORCYCLE%2c_JPN%2c_VIN%23_JH2PC090-DM000023/RIGHT_SIDE_COVER_%2b_BATTERY

The seat has been re-duct tapped.  I'll get a new cover from ebay, which is also where I'll likely pick up the clutch cover from.  Be nice to find a cover for fuse panel too.  I haven't checked out my local salvage yards.  Maybe I'll get lucky.

Lastly (sorry, long post), she needs a fair bit of chrome, aluminum, and frame touch up work done.  Everything is a little faded with some rust patches.  If anyone has any process tips or products they like for this, I'd appreciate the direction.

Anyway.  Quite the learning experience so far, and I've barely put any miles on her.  I'll update again (with pictures next time) as the work progresses.

[mattrowe19]

Sounds like things are starting to come along. I'm in Portland as well. Once you have things taken care of, let me know if you'd like to go riding. I'm always looking for new riding partners.

[bajakirch]

Good luck. We've all suffered from over-enthusiasm at one point or another. Good learning experience. I'm glad you're still committed to getting it up and riding. There are a lot of people that would just park it in the back of the garage and throw a cover over it.

[floridahawk]

  From Florida

[Money]

Welcome to Oregon.  Hope rain gear was on your purchase list, Portland gets more than it's fair share as I'm sure you're aware of by now.  It is beautiful up there though!

[injuredcyclist]

See, I was planning this real update with new pictures.  I was all set to pick her up today, at last, from the shop.  Only as the final checks were being done cylinders three and four apparently decided not to fire.  I won't know anything until Tuesday, and even if its minor I won't be able to pick it up until next Saturday because of the shop's hours and my office's distance from the place.  More than a little frustrated.

Any ideas why cylinders would refuse to fire after a carb rebuild and adjustment, and new plugs and wires?  All four fired fine when it was taken in.

[mattrowe19]

That's a bummer! Just curious about the color on your bike. Is there some metallic sparkle to the color? It looks very similar to the color of my 450. What part of Portland do you live in?

[mattrowe19]

On another note, if you're looking for a replacement side cover, there's two of them on eBay right now. If the color of your bike is what I think it is, it would be easy to paint it to match.

[NightHawked]

See, I was planning this real update with new pictures.  I was all set to pick her up today, at last, from the shop.  Only as the final checks were being done cylinders three and four apparently decided not to fire.  I won't know anything until Tuesday, and even if its minor I won't be able to pick it up until next Saturday because of the shop's hours and my office's distance from the place.  More than a little frustrated.

Any ideas why cylinders would refuse to fire after a carb rebuild and adjustment, and new plugs and wires?  All four fired fine when it was taken in.

That is unfortunate. You know what they say about anything with tires. The fun will come and all will be worth it. Well a quick thought its not getting gas and or spark. Work has been done to both areas. Determine which it is and find the cause. It sounds like it is in the shop and is "on them".

[Soupskin]

Lastly (sorry, long post), she needs a fair bit of chrome, aluminum, and frame touch up work done.  Everything is a little faded with some rust patches.  If anyone has any process tips or products they like for this, I'd appreciate the direction.

Vinegar, aluminium foil and elbow grease work wonders.

For real nasty chrome, you can use oven cleaner but it will eat anything else you get it on.

 

[injuredcyclist]

Latest (sad) news can be found:

http://nighthawk-forums.com/index.php/topic,9850.0.html

Actually thinking about trying to get rid of her and starting over.  I almost bought a '93 750 instead, and I'm kinda kicking myself that I didn't now.  How much can actually go wrong with a bike?  Between new tires and replacement parts I've (stupidly) put as much into her as I originally paid for her.  Thoughts?

If anyone in the Portland area knows someone with another NH in good condition that might be willing to part with it let me know.

[NightHawked]

I hear ya. First I think you need a dose of patience. Next almost anything can be fixed. You are into this bike for X amount. How much do you think you can get out of it? Take some time and patience and proceed to find out what is wrong with the one you have. Then make a decision to fix or bailout.

[injuredcyclist]

Alright.  For the moment I'm sticking with it.  Listed it, but didn't get any serious responses.  At a certain point I have to just figure I'm in for the long haul and a full restore.  As much as part of me wants to get rid of it, another part equally wants to see it be what it should be.  With only 31.6k miles I know that there's potentially a lot of life left in it.

Should I start a thread in projects or is it ok to keep posting updates in this thread?  Not sure what forum etiquette demands.

[mattrowe19]

Glad to hear you're sticking with it. I'm in PDX too, so if you need help turning wrenches feel free to PM me. With the wealth of knowledge on this site, they'll have you up and running in no time.

[bajakirch]

I'd sure like to see you stick with it and bring it back from the dead, but it's your bike -- do what you think is best.

If you do start a restoration project, probably best to start a new project in the Project Logs section.