CB550 CLEANUP

kato · Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2010 8:44 am Post subject: CB550 CLEANUP

I just scored a 1976 CB550four in very good condition. (Hopefully some pics coming soon) Heading into last season, I spent a great deal of time and energy working on my '73 CB350, and I'm looking forward to just cleaning, polishing, tuning and having fun on the 550. One thing I'd like to clean up are the finned exhaust header mounts (the usual rust) while sticking to my budget (who isn't these days). On the 350, I blasted them and painted them silver, which held up pretty well, but I wasn't crazy about the look. With four of them to clean up now, I'd like them to look nice as I can get them. Finding new ones or getting them re-chromed could prove cost prohibitive, so any one have any tips? Thanks!

KirkN · Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2010 11:26 am Post subject:

I have been successful using a wire wheel in a bench grinder. It does a great job, unless the plating is pitted by the rust.

And even then, a cheapie technique is to use the silver high-heat paint, but only dab it onto the areas where the surface is damaged, using a brush. (spray the paint into a jar and use a brush from the jar). If you then wipe the excess with a rag, you'll be left with the pitted / rusted areas covered by a light silver look, but primarily the OEM finish remains.

Obviously, this is not perfect, and if you stare closely at it, you see what has been done. But, generally, you'll have made the rust "disappear" such that it doesn't catch your eye. Your eye will note the generally 'nice' appearance of the parts, and then it will move on to some other part. It sounds backyard-y, I know, but the end result is not too bad. And, better, IMHO, than total painting of the part, which then DOES catch your eye and stands out as NOT the OEM finish...

Otherwise, those collars are completely interchangeable, I think, so you can swap 'em around and spin 'em around so that you minimize the bad spots that show. Y'know, like put the worst of 'em on the inside two cylinders, facing down...

Have fun, and of course, post some pictures if you can!

Kirk

Steve Searles · Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2010 2:51 pm Post subject: CB550

Another CB550. All of a sudden these are coming out from the woodwork. Stu has one, I have one, vandyke has one and you have one. I think a couple other guys too. Weird about this forum, when one model gets going others with the same tag along. Like 8 months agao the CB360 was really hot and early it was the CB350. I do want to ride mine to see if it will be something I want to keep or not. I heard they are smooth but does it have enough grunt for me?? Only a day on the machine will tell.

KirkN · Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2010 3:04 pm Post subject:

I love the CB550's but.....

I've had two - a '76 K and a '76 F. Both were very nice machines. Plenty of power to haul my 225 lbs + passenger. And smooth? Wow, they're just great! No buzziness nor tingles.

The only thing I didn't like about either was that they seemed geared too short, I was forever looking for another gear... And they're thirsty. Neither of mine got over 40 ~ 41 mpg, which I thought was not particularly good for a 550. I've owned a few other 550's (although newer for sure - a Seca 550 and a GPz550) and both got consistently 55mpg.

Otherwise, they're great machines. I'm a big fan of middleweights like those. Not too small, not too big.

Kirk

05c50 · Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2010 5:21 pm Post subject:

Glad you found the 550, they are great bikes. I cleaned up my exhaust collars by soaking them in "The Works" bathroom cleaner for a couple hours, then touched them up with hi temp silver paint. There does seem to be a lot of them turning up recently.
The 550 isn't real big, but it has enough grunt to put a smile on my face when I ride it. As far as fuel economy, I can't get better then 35 mpg, but when my wife rides it, she gets close to 45 mpg. Must be different riding styles. Laughing

By the way, who was looking for the 550 air cleaner boots? I may be able to help you out.

.............Paul

kato · Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2010 7:29 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the replies- as I said, the plan now is to clean it and ride it. (hurry Spring!) It only has 7,000 on it, so it needs some workouts. I'll probably do the old dab-a-doo to those collars, despite it being backyard-y. (I love that) I've had the 350 twin for a few years, and I'm really looking forward to the added power and smooth operation of the 550. It really is a nice size. Honda must have realized it's lack of economy when they gave the 550's tank almost 2 more gallons of capacity over the 350. Oh well- still a lot better than my Cherokee!

jvandyke · Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2010 10:08 pm Post subject:

Well, mines a 500 but close enough. I too am cleaning it up, ironing out the "sitt'n round" issues. Having fun already and haven't ridden it an inch. Someone (here?) told me to use a wire gun barrel cleaner on those collars? I forget which caliber fit well. My 9 year old son, out of the blue asked if I would put quieter pipes on it. Ain't he cute?