the 550's got a new friend in the stable...

[Ludeykrus]

The issue wasn't with the pistons... The P/O had some how gotten the timing chain wedged to bind the crank. He most hove done this when he removed the carbs and the cam chain adjuster.
....
Glad i didn't go crazy trying to push start it.

I'm sure if you drug the bike behind the car far enough, that kink would have worked its way out on its own!
:razz:\\/

[byrdman76]

I'm sure if you drug the bike behind the car far enough, that kink would have worked its way out on its own!
:razz:\\/

I was really surprised the chain didn't have any damage on it. I wasn't quite sure how hard he tried to push start it :shock:. Evidently not that much.

I ordered up an engine gasket kit last night. Not too much out there for the carbs so I'll probably just Chem dip and go through them since i know the p/o was messing around with them with this all transpired.

[byrdman76]

She's alive! she's alive!! muwhaaahaaahhaaa!!!!!

Fired the old girl up for the first time last night and I must say it even surprised myself :-D.

It barley turned over tow or three times before it fired up like i had parked it there the day before. Turned the choke off and it purred like a kitten.

I was pretty cautious about the CV carbs when I went to tearing into them since I have only messed with VM carbs and other mechanical slide carbs in the past. I guess I was worried about the whole vacuum slide concept, but I have to admit I think they may be a little more forgiving than the VM's. That or I'm just getting better at carb tweaking :shock:.

I still need to clean up a few electrical problems and install a new rear tire, but there is only a few other feelings in the world that compare with bringing an old bike back to life...

[byrdman76]

Well its ready for its new home...

Well I finished all of the work on the 450 I picked up and cleaned it up a bit.

What do you guys think I can ask for it?

Its an 82 model in excellent mechanical condition. The chrome is in great shape and the paint on the tank is good from about 10 feet away. There are some scratches in the paint on the tank. The side covers look great. New rear tire, front has plenty of life left.

[Guest]

where are you?

hey byrdman, where are you located? nice looking bike..

greg

[byrdman76]

hey byrdman, where are you located? nice looking bike..

greg

Thanks for the compliments - Raleigh NC is home for me.

[Nessism]

Wow, that's a stunning looking 450! Great work.

For value, I'd start medium high and drop it accordingly based on interest - maybe $1500 for a start. You should be able to get $1300 I would think, at least. How many miles are on it?

Good luck.

[bgmart450]

Very nice 450. You won't be underwhelmed by its pep. Its no liter-bike, but its no slouch either.

[byrdman76]

Wow, that's a stunning looking 450! Great work.

For value, I'd start medium high and drop it accordingly based on interest - maybe $1500 for a start. You should be able to get $1300 I would think, at least. How many miles are on it?

Good luck.

Sounds good Nessism- thats exactly what I was thinking, list it for 1500 and see what happens.

I'm prepared to go down to 1200.00 if anyone on this forum is interested just to keep it in the family:-D.

14+ thousand miles.

Later,

Byrd

[byrdman76]

Very nice 450. You won't be underwhelmed by its pep. Its no liter-bike, but its no slouch either.

Actually I was very surprised... And I'm 6' 225lbs. If I hadn't done all of the work on my 550 I would be getting rid of it instead of this one. The 450 is easily just as quick and a whole lot lighter. That torquey (is that a word) little twin is a ball of fire and would make a great cafe racer - especially since its a twin. I just cant bring myself to hack it up:-D