So, how "should" a 550 sound, and where is it rough at?

Just wondering, stuck about 25 miles on the bike today, I love how responsive it is, I hate how you have to rev it to the moon all the time. Anyway, just wondering where this thing has it's vibrations at, and how "noisy" it should be. Seems like there's quite a bit of noise coming from the front sprocket area, not excessive like something's broken or rubbing, just, audible.

And as far as RPM goes, it seems like it's natural resonance is somewhere around 4k, and that's where it's at in town a lot. Odd question I know, but this is the place to ask! Thanks, Justin

 

well the normal rpms for a 440 is somewere around1000 to 1500 but i also seem like im in high rpms in the city anyways but if it is like a russtling chain noise and a bit of vibration at idle it could be your cam chain needs an adjustment.

 

As for noise, they seem to be noisyish to an extent. My gearbox has got a few whines, mostly notice them at lower revs. As for revs, I find I can easily keep up with traffic without having to go over 4kRPM, a few (feel them with my thighs on the tank) slight secondary vibes at 5k or so which soon disappear at 6.5k or thereabouts. Nothing that I've not felt many times before with other smallish inline 4s.


As for the cam chain rustling. Well, with 4-strokes I'm far more familiar with old Hondas, in particular the SOHC-4s, and with one of those if the camchain aint making at least some kind of noise it's probably just snapped on you...


Mine has got a slight rustle to it I suppose, but no clicks or taps, no change whilst on or off power, and bear in mind I'm missing a few of those rubber blocks in the cooling fins of my motor, nothing I would worry about. I've not tried readjusting the camchain yet, still waiting on a torque wrench that'll go low enough for safety. I could probably get it right by hand, but I'm fairly well acquainted with how fragile 26+ year old Jap Alloy (huzzah for Timesert, and that's from the #1 plughole of my 550/Four) can be, so I'd rather play it safe.

Bear in mind it's an aircooled motor with nowt but a yard or so of fresh air between it and your ears. Hell of a difference from your water-jacketed car motor, with all the various insulating materials 'twixt it and your lugholes...

 

Here is a short video of my 550.

 

Cool! Thanks guys, I just haven't run into anyone, or ridden, a Maxim before, mostly been V-Twin stuff, and a few Honda's I've had...but I really really like this bike! The gearing is ultra close compared to anything else I've ridden, and I don't think I've ever ridden a more "fun" bike in town! And, I love how it feels fast, without actually having to GO fast!

As far as noises, I think everythings normal, I'm getting used to riding out of it's "noisy" spots, I just go up or down a gear in town to keep the vibes down, but they're not horrible. And yes, you're right, if a Honda SOHC is quiet, it's broke! haha Thanks a lot guys!

OH yeah, one more thing. I LOVE the exhaust note of this thing! It seems loud, but it's stock, and it's got a hint of rumble at idle, but sounds like a rocket when you get after it! everyone that's heard it really likes it! Later, Justin

 

Yes, I've grown accustomed to the cam chain sound, and whistle, and different ticks and such on a 650. The sound is incredibly different between the 650 with 4 into 2 exhaust and my 550 with the stock exhaust on it.

Can't wait to ride the 550 this summer!

 

Any tips on getting my 82 550 to idle without dying? My husband and I are trying to get it running. It is hard to start, and when we do get started, it will run for a bit, as long as we continually rev it, but then it dies.

 

Well, it could be a number of things.

First of all, the idle spec on the 550 is 1200RPM. If you can run it at 1200 RPM with the throttle then you need to adjust the idle stop screw between the bowls of carburetors 2 and 3. You should be able to reach in from the left and get to it with your fingers, it has a knob on it.

If it won't run at 1200 then you need to clean and adjust the carburetors.