Planning a trip on my CB550

[Mike]

I'm planning to take a solo road trip on my 74 CB550 soon and I was wondering if you guys could give me some pointers. I'm hoping to ride to Norfolk Virginia and back. I plan on staying off the interstate. This is my first long ride so I have no idea how long I will be able to ride in one day.

What are some things I should check for on my bike?
What are some must haves?

[indyfour]

Sounds like a fun trip!

I have the same bike (yr and model)....show us a pic!

If I were leaving on a trip like that, I would do the routine tuneup (timing, valve clearance, cam chain adjust, new plugs, oil/filter change, etc.).

Also, what kind of shape is your chain in? Has it been maintained? If not, you might start fresh with a new chain and sprockets just to put your mind at ease. If it's a newer chain in good shape, then clean/lube/adjust.

What is the age/condition of your tires/tubes?

Besides having my bike tool kit (always on the bike under the seat), I carry a few fuses and a couple extra cotter pins in case I have to ever take off the rear wheel on the road. I also always have my AMA card....because membership comes with "free" roadside......so if I would ever happen to run out of gas or get a flat, I can get a splash of gas or a flatbed to somewhere where I can get repaired.

As far as how long you can ride in a day....you are limited to your comfort level and energy. I'm pretty tall but have managed to get fairly comfy on my 550 with rearsets and low bars. I have done up to 7 hrs on the bike with regular stops to rest....but I was pretty sore at the end of the day. Going off the interstate like you said will be much more enjoyable, but you'll also cover much less distance in the same amount of time. For me, going to VA would definitely not be a one day trip. If you have the time to spare, take your time and do it over 2 or 3 days and enjoy the ride. You'll have more fun if you don't have to hurry.

Good luck and ride safe! I'm hoping to do something similar next summer when the bike and I turn 40 together.

BTW, if you need it, I have a pdf of the 550 Honda service manual I can send you. Just let me know.

[Mike]

I'm planning on getting new tires in the next week or so. As far as the chain goes I'm not sure how to tell if its in great shape or not. I've looked it over and adjusted it once and it seemed fine to me. I don't know how to tell when a sprcket is getting worn out. I will be performing the tune up as well. I just put new plugs in it yesterday.

I was thinking about having my front forks rebuilt. The gaiters are torn and its pretty easy topush them in.

I was planning on stopping in lLouisville and staying with friends the first night then ride to west Virginia and stay the night then to Norfolk. On the way back I was going to try and make it in two days.

Ill post some pics tonight

[tango911]

mike, why not register and join the forum for good

welcome and have a great safe trip!!

steve

[indyfour]

With the chain properly adjusted, pull it from the back of the rear sprocket. If it pulls away much of anything at all, the chain is stretched. Like this....


Worn sprockets will look "hooked", indicating that one side of the tooth is unevenly worn.

If you do get a new chain, you cannot put an o-ring chain on the 500/550 as it is too wide and may eat into your engine case. That would be bad.

On the forks, it may just be that the fluid in there is very old (or the wrong stuff) or there's none in there at all. I'd just replace the fork fluid first to see what happens before you go tearing them apart.

Look forward to your pics.

[zilch56]

Sounds like a fun trip. I use to carry a tube repair kit, small bicycle hand pump, chain lube with a rag along with the tool kit on long rides. The manual on my shadow spirit I use to have called for the chain to be lubed every 500 miles. On long weekends I ride from Indy to Savannah GA around 750 miles in one day, then return two days later. I would hit the chain with the lube before I left and then again half way through each leg.

Good Luck and welcome

[hogsausage]

I think I have figured my folly in reading all your suggestions. I usually just pack my crucifix and an extra pack of smokes. Wonder why I end up in the most unlikely of places.

[550fi]

Id definitely take rain gear too,on a trip like that I would take my camping gear and camp along the way.

[novafrk]

Apr 8, 2013 9:49:45 GMT -4 hogsausage said:

I think I have figured my folly in reading all your suggestions. I usually just pack my crucifix and an extra pack of smokes. Wonder why I end up in the most unlikely of places.

Extra pack nothing! You just pack the crucifix. You're always bumming smokes! LOL.