While this is 3rd-hand info, I believe the specific issue was that it was low compression in 2 of the 4 cylinders, in his words "almost none".
Sean On Mon, Jun 11, 2012 at 2:49 PM, Javier Garcia <[email protected]> wrote: > I would try to do the compression test myself since it seems to be the mayor > point between trying to fix and just give up to that engine. It is also > important to be specific... what does he means with compression issues? > > Javier. > > On Mon, Jun 11, 2012 at 2:30 PM, Sean Snell <[email protected]> wrote: >> >> Hi guys, >> This is kind of a long story, spanning roughly a year now. >> >> First, I once owned a 1983 CB550SC that I sold to a family friend, who >> for purposes of the story we'll call "Bob", for $300 since he was >> retired and wanted a bike to "putt around town on". As I told Bob up >> front, the bike had (what I thought) were a few issues to be dealt >> with in order for it to be rideable again: Carbs were gunked up and >> needed resynced, gas tank was due for a thorough inside cleaning, new >> motor oil and drive shaft lube, and a new rear tire. I actually >> screwed up the sync myself when I first got the bike; even though it >> wouldn't run when I first bought it, I was able to toy around with the >> adjusters and was finally able to get it to idle, however poor the >> idle was. I rode it like that for a season, knowing that once the bike >> warmed up enough, it would stay running, even if it was a bit shaky >> (and it would idle high). >> >> When I sold Bob the bike, I told him specifically that I didn't want >> him to just go scrap it if it was beyond his finances and to come back >> and talk to me about it as I'd rather get the rare bike back than have >> one less CB550SC on the road. Well, Bob just showed up today and told >> me that the mechanic he had check it out said there were compression >> issues in 2 of the 4 cylinders. He also said the carbs were completely >> shot and needed replaced (Why? I think because the tinkerer friend of >> Bob's, who recommended this mechanic, took them apart and didn't know >> what he was doing....), even though I could get the bike to run when I >> had it, however poor the running was. >> >> The thing that gets me, is once that thing warmed up, it'd tear up the >> pavement and go 90+MPH in 3 of it's 6 gears. Does that sound like a >> bike that had a compression issue before I sold it to him? Personally, >> I don't think so, but I'll defer to your judgement on that matter. >> >> What I'm really asking you guys is this: With the idea that I love >> this bike in mind but I'm not exactly rich (And thus why I finally >> sold the bike), should I A) Replace the motor B) Try and fix the >> issues on my own without the motor swap or C) Part the bike out? I'm >> mechanically inclined, have the Clymer and Haynes manuals for it, and >> I'll take the time to get it done. >> >> If I replace the motor, what are my source options? (Maybe one of you >> guys have a spare you'd like to sell?) What are you're thoughts on >> what I think is a case of the mechanic trying to milk more money out >> of the project (The compression)? Is there a way I can verify his >> claims without paying someone with the tools to do it? >> >> Sorry if I'm sounding cheap, but I already have 2 other running bikes >> that have their own mechanical/financial needs but if I could get the >> 550 running again, I'd ride it and sell one of the others. >> >> Thanks for any advice! >> >> Peace >> Sean >> >> -- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "Nighthawk Motorcycle Lovers!" group. >> To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. >> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >> [email protected]. >> For more options, visit this group at >> http://groups.google.com/group/nighthawk_lovers?hl=en. >> > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "Nighthawk Motorcycle Lovers!" group. > To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > [email protected]. > For more options, visit this group at > http://groups.google.com/group/nighthawk_lovers?hl=en. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Nighthawk Motorcycle Lovers!" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/nighthawk_lovers?hl=en.
