Okay, so I’ve been messing around with this old Honda motorcycle, a 550. It’s been sitting in my buddy’s garage for, like, forever, and he finally said I could have it if I could get it running. Sweet deal, right? Except, it was rough.
First Look & Getting Started
First thing I did was just look it over. I mean, really look. Checked the tires – flat, of course. The chain was rusty, the seat was ripped, and there was dust thick enough to write my name in. I grabbed a wrench and started taking off the easy stuff – the seat, the tank, the side panels. Just to get a better look at what I was dealing with.
Carb Cleaning Chaos
Next up was the carburetors. Oh man, those things were gunked up. I mean, seriously nasty. I pulled them off the bike, disassembled them completely, and soaked all the little bits in carb cleaner. I used, like, a whole can. Then I scrubbed everything with a toothbrush (don’t tell my wife) and blew out all the passages with compressed air. It took forever, but they looked way better when I was done.
Tank Troubles & Fuel System Fun
The gas tank was another story. It had some rust inside, so I filled it with vinegar and let it sit for a couple of days. Then I shook it like crazy with some nuts and bolts inside to knock the loose stuff off. After that, I rinsed it out really well and dried it with a heat gun (carefully!). I also replaced the fuel lines and filter – they were brittle and cracked.
Sparking It Up (Electrical Stuff)
I checked the spark plugs, and they were pretty fouled. So, I cleaned them up and gapped them correctly. I also tested the battery, and it was totally dead. No surprise there. I hooked it up to a charger, hoping it would take a charge, but no luck. So, a new battery was in order.
Engine Time
Drained the old oil, it’s black and thick. Then Put new oil and filter.
Fingers Crossed…
After putting everything back together, it was time for the moment of truth. I turned the key, hit the starter button, and… nothing. Just a click. Bummer. I checked the connections, and sure enough, I had forgotten to connect the ground wire. Rookie mistake! I connected it, hit the button again, and she coughed a couple of times, then roared to life! It was rough, but it was running!
Still Some Work To Do
It’s still not perfect. The idle is a little high, and it needs some tuning, but it’s a huge improvement. I’ve still got to bleed the brakes, replace the tires, and do some cosmetic stuff, but at least it’s running. It’s been a fun project so far, and I’m looking forward to getting it on the road.
