1978 Honda CB550K Breaks Down on First Ride in Months

1978 Honda CB550K Breaks Down on First Ride in Months #cb550 #vintagemotorcycles #motorcyclerewind
Welcome back to our channel! In today's episode, we experience the highs and lows of classic motorcycle ownership. 🏍️🔧
Riding our beloved 1978 Honda CB550K, we faced an unexpected hurdle - a sudden breakdown during our first ride in months! From excitement to disappointment, this adventure had it all. The suspect? Fuel-related issues!
And if you think breakdowns are a drag, remember, every cloud has a silver lining. Thankfully, this little hiccup occurred in our neighborhood, saving us from a long, grueling tow or a far-off roadside repair job.
Join us as we navigate the challenges of keeping a classic ride like the '78 Honda CB550K on the road. Remember, breakdowns are a part of the journey, not the end of it!
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[@mr1bienvenu1]

That's my favorite bike of all time ❤

[@motorcyclerewind]

To me. The CB550 is the perfect size motorcycle. Thanks for watching.

[@zoltansolymos706]

Me too!That's why I got one!

[@roostgarage]

Way cool! My dad had a cb550 in the mid 70’s. I remember sitting on it in the garage when I was a kid. I remember that gauge cluster!

[@motorcyclerewind]

Awesome. Thanks for sharing. I love stories like that.

[@Orbacron]

Exactly, my dad's was dark green, and I remember the gauge clusters lighting up like glowing beads, and that nostalgic rumble from the dial chrome exhaust tips when he would drive us down to the pier at the park

[@specialse]

Great looking bike , i think bike styles reached their zenith in the late 70.s . You need to strip , clean and put the standard carbs and air box back on , its not like Honda didnt know what they were doing ....there also seems and sounds like there is a few other issues to tend to as well coils ? ignition timing ? tank vacuum ? bad fuel filter ? .....gotta love the shake down runs....

[@motorcyclerewind]

That’s why you shake em down. Fix this thing so you can fix the next thing. Thanks for watching.

[@shaunhardie6077]

Part of the joy is being able to do some tinkering on these older bikes. I'm sure you'll get it sorted Eric, 😎.

[@motorcyclerewind]

They all need tinkering. I have a laundry list of things that need to be done to maintain the fleet. Thanks for watching.

[@iamthefatstig]

What a lovely bike. You just cant beat aircooled for the raw feel. The last time I suffered a problem similar to this, it turned out to be the vent in the fuel cap being partially blocked. A quick blow through with WD-40 and all's been good since.

[@motorcyclerewind]

I know it can’t be much. Something is clogged either the vent or the petcock. Thanks for watching.

[@averydavis4758]

My first thought was gas cap vent! Had similar happen to my 360, and it does seem to run again once it sits for a second. Petcock is also a good idea, probably what it is. Sounds just like a 71 350 i worked on for somebody

[@motorcyclerewind]

Avery, thanks for watching. Will be checking the petcock for flow.

[@marklapirow5473]

If not the vent, check coils and points.

[@krazyjojo1]

Sounds sick right from the beginning of the ride.

[@motorcyclerewind]

Yes it does. That’s one of the benefits of recording everything. You get to watch it back. Thanks for watching.

[@daveco1270]

So true...this is the reason why we vintage bike guys have more than one. The Honda CBs are pretty reliable vintage bikes. I'm sure it'll be something simple. Those dual carbs are cool but I don't like how far back they sit. . I wish the manifolds were shorter. It looks a little off the way it is now, but maybe it's because I'm not used to two carbs on a four cylinder.

[@motorcyclerewind]

I am sure it will be something simple. Thanks for watching.

[@davidhayter8516]

Had a CB 750 for ten years. Serviced it according to Honda. Put one new battery in it. Never let me down…ever. Used to love kickstarting it.

[@motorcyclerewind]

What’s crazy is they used to give you the tools and the instructions to do the work yourself. Thanks for watching.

[@blakeepperson3902]

I put the mikunis on a 75 cl360 and it’s been nothing but headache. Bike ran great for about a day. Back to factory carbs for me.

[@motorcyclerewind]

Understandable. I had them on a CB350 no problems. Thanks for watching

[@blakeepperson3902]

@@motorcyclerewind thanks for posting. I'll get it right eventually. ready to ride the dang thing.

[@hutch73]

As soon as you fired it up heard that cam chain rattling, then you identified it. I had one of those break on me once 🤣

[@motorcyclerewind]

Need to adjust the cam chain. Thanks for watching.

[@MotoMango]

Good ole shake down runs :)))

[@motorcyclerewind]

Yea sir. Sometimes they go good and sometimes they go great. 😂

[@Orbacron]

Either fuel pet, fuel filter, or float needle/jets.. Easy to check floatbowl drainscrew for proper flow or moisture

[@motorcyclerewind]

Yes sir. We will be giving it a thorough once over. Thanks for watching.

[@GunnyZneedsbeer]

I like clear plastic fuel filters. Another added sightglass

[@motorcyclerewind]

Good idea. Thanks for watching.

[@jimmarshall807]

Let us know what the issue is, having similar issues with a recently-acquired Laverda 500. Had on great (80 mile) ride on it, but it won't run since. I think it's rusty silt from the tank (it's done less than 1000 miles in the last 20 years and my rides stirred up some crud) so some cleaning of carbs (again, the filth that came out in the U/S cleaner first time wasn't good) / de-rusting of tank / installation of in-line fuel filters to come. And then some sweet Italian mo'cyling...hopefully

[@motorcyclerewind]

Will do. Sounds like you have a solid plan. I put some work in today on my Italian Stallion - 1975 Moto Guzzi 850T video coming next week. Thanks for watching.

[@shawnmahmoudi8705]

So I ran into this a while back and I narrowed it down to a dirty fuel delivery system. When it would sit for a while 1 - 2 mins it would run fine for a while then after hard acceleration (higher fuel consumption) it would not be happy. I had to clean the fuel cockpit and that was it.

[@motorcyclerewind]

Shawn, that’s what I am thinking is the problem. Especially since I had ran it out of gas in the shop. Will let you guys know what it was. Thanks for watching.

[@nathanlovern5283]

The air vent in the gas cap could be stopped up

[@motorcyclerewind]

Good call I will check it out. Thanks for watching

[@drbjs302001]

@@motorcyclerewind The vent is the easiest thing to check. It happens on old Hondas all the time. It seems to happen when I replace the old cracked gas cap rubber seal which will then force the vent to work, but if the vent is clogged which many of the old bikes are it will then cause fuel flow issues. The best way to check it is ride it until it starts to cut out and then immediately pop the gas cap while you are still rolling. If it runs better right away that is the issue.

[@goirish560]

Could it be vapor lock? I know you get very hot and humid days there and if it’s spring time gas. What was the temperature and humidity at the time of the ride? Hope it is the petcock. Both are easy fixes. .

[@motorcyclerewind]

I am almost certain it is between the fuel cap and the intake boot. 😂 At least we have it narrowed down. Thanks for watching

[@flir67man84]

Is that a bent rim? Also sounds like bad gas..or dirt in gas.. reverse blow air into petcock going back into tank..

[@motorcyclerewind]

Don’t believe it’s bent. Definitely sounds like something is restricting fuel flow. Thanks for watching

[@peterjohn3123]

Vacum leak, or the vent is plugged in the gas cap?

[@motorcyclerewind]

Checked the vent(blew through it) it was clear. I will be checking for vacuum leaks. Thanks for watching

[@Gruxxan]

2 carb float bowls dont have enough capacity to run 4 cylinders

[@motorcyclerewind]

I rode a bunch after the swap. Neve an issue before. I think my problem may be in the petcock. Thanks for watching.

[@gurbirsidhu7864]

You need to drill a bigger hole in petcock..so more fuel flow rate will be there.

[@marklapirow5473]

Fuel flow is continuous. Fuel draw is pulsed. One carb will cope wit 2 cylinders if they are 360 ° apart.

[@Gruxxan]

@@marklapirow5473 honda spent millions on R and D and decided it needed 4 carbs

[@marklapirow5473]

Do you think it was an engineering issue or a sales issue? The biggest contribution to horsepower in using the 4 carburetors is a much straighter inlet path which, I assume, would flow more air at its maximum. A paired carburetor would introduce either unequal length ports, or shapes that would limit ultimate horsepower. However, these are old bikes. Ultimate horsepower is not to the point and the fact that the carburetor services 2 cylinders would not make a substantial difference all other things being equal.@@Gruxxan

[@Villepillle]

The symptoms of either crap in the tank, petcock or clogged fuel filter 👉

[@motorcyclerewind]

Agreed!!!! Hopefully that’s what it is. Thanks for watching.

[@simonmanners4108]

Oh oh, breaking down in front of neighbours, that’s gonna cost you some cake.

[@motorcyclerewind]

Some of them may have been cheering. My wife and I may have been riding/racing a couple of two strokes last week. Thanks for watching.

[@Gruxxan]

running rough from the get go. i dont think the twin carb modification is a good idea. if it was good idea honda would have done it

[@motorcyclerewind]

Definitely needs some love. Thanks for watching.

[@Kwakcrazy]

Italian tune up 😂

[@motorcyclerewind]

Is there any other kind🇮🇹😂. Thanks for watching.

[@brandontooker6909]

Your 4 cylinder sounds like a 2 cylinder. Even from the beginning of the video it seems to be fuel-starved and only running on 2.

[@motorcyclerewind]

I agree. I noticed that watching it. We will get it sorted. Thanks for watching.

[@brentbauer8258]

Your not a real motorcyclist if you have not pushed your bike once or twice…😅

[@motorcyclerewind]

LOL!!! My old friend used to say, "never ride em, further than you want to push em"