Motorcycle Repair: 1977 Honda CB550, check ebay, honda fours

Question
I got a 77 CB550 motorcycle and it needs work  but i know more about cars than i do bikes. one of the first questions i have is i think a valve is sticking on it, but can i free it up without having to rebuild  the head of the motor? also i need  some parts as the previous owner didnt take care of the bike properly and  do things right.  any ideas as to where i can find them for a reasonably price? also  the tank says super sport what letter designation is the CB550 on this one?

Answer
Craig, motorcycles are just little compact cars. All the same principle apply. There was a Honda bulletin about bikes that came out of the crate with sticking valves and the suggestion was that you remove the exhaust pipe (if it is an exhaust valve) and spray some penetrating oil on the valve stem. Lot more work to pull the carb rack to do the intakes, but it may still work. Next step would be to pull the engine top cover and valve cover assy off and try to tap on the valve assy with a mallet, while again using some penetrating oil on the valve stem. Fortunately with the 350-400-500-550s you can work on the top end w/o having to pull the motor.
Check Ebay auctions for parts, www.westernhillshonda.com and join the www.vjmc.org group. There is also a www.sohc4.net site for all early Honda fours, that may be a resource.
Sounds like your bike is a CB550F'77 Super Sport model with the factory 4:1 exhaust system. Product code is 390 for ordering model specific parts.

Bill Silver