Topic: High mileage CB550's

[buffalogt750]

    Would like to hear about some high mileage 550's out there. I bought my '76 550K with 7000 miles on it. Put pods and rejetted the carbs when I got it. I installed a 650 cam and viton valve stem seals at 12,000 miles. No other engine work has been done other than routine maintenance and bike now has 22,000 miles on it. I use it for commuting when the weather is good and put between 3 and 4000 thousand miles a year on it. Just wondering how many miles some other 550's have covered without major engine work. Don't really need to hear how far it could or should go or that I should trash the pods. I'd like to hear from owners who have actually logged a lot of miles on their 550's.

[TwoTired]

In stock form and routine maintenance performed at proper intervals, I have one with about 50,000 miles on it.  Another with 40,000 and other with 30,000.
A couple needed the cylinder cover replaced due to the rocker shaft wear that some 550's encounter.  Other than that, the engines are still as Honda made them.

But, I think it's apples and oranges compared to the mods you've made to your bike.
Question:  How do you know the jetting for the carbs is correct?

[buffalogt750]

In stock form and routine maintenance performed at proper intervals, I have one with about 50,000 miles on it.  Another with 40,000 and other with 30,000.
A couple needed the cylinder cover replaced due to the rocker shaft wear that some 550's encounter.  Other than that, the engines are still as Honda made them.

But, I think it's apples and oranges compared to the mods you've made to your bike.
Question:  How do you know the jetting for the carbs is correct?

Carbs have 115 mains and all other settings stock. I'm sure that some will say that 115 is too big for a 550 but full throttle plug chops look good and plug checks after normal riding in my daily commutes look good too. Bike also averages 41 to 42 mpg on my commute which is a 32 mile round trip with about half 55mph highway and half stop and go city miles.

[Bailgang]

Mine had a very abusive 20k+ from previous owners and then sat for 25 years, some of that time outside before I got it. After I nursed it back to rideable condition 2 years ago I've put about 3k on it. This winter though I re-ringed it, 650 cam and a new primary chain and once I get the carbs sorted out I'll be riding it plenty this summer. Not only because it's a blast to ride but it also gets much better MPG than my car. Best of all my wife loves it. She was going through "empty nest" syndrome when our boys moved out for school and I got tired of coming home from work seeing my wife sad. By that time I got my bike license which allowed me to have a passenger so I got her a crash helmet and off we went.

[TwoTired]

As I understand it. One risk area on the CB550 engine is with the primary chain, which has no tensioner.  It tends to fly outward at RPM and with wear and "stretch", it gets into contact with the engine case.  Keeping the carbs well balanced with help with the primary chain wear.  But, before I put my 50K miler back into regular service, I'll be checking the primary chain.

I've no experience with the 650 cam, or jetting for it.  But, I assert you are just guessing with the jetting.  One possibility is, of course, that you are correct.  Another is that the WOT range is now too rich and the plugs clean up with a lean mid range throttle position, making the "average" plug read look reasonable.
Probably the only way to know for certain is to have it dyno-ed and a fuel map/chart printed for it. $$$
Of course, you can just run it till it drops and spend that money on parts.  Or, if you frequently roll "7s", hit the jackpot! 
The old saying goes:  "You can tell the pioneers, by the arrows in their backs."

Cheers,

[buffalogt750]

As I understand it. One risk area on the CB550 engine is with the primary chain, which has no tensioner.  It tends to fly outward at RPM and with wear and "stretch", it gets into contact with the engine case.  Keeping the carbs well balanced with help with the primary chain wear.  But, before I put my 50K miler back into regular service, I'll be checking the primary chain.

I've no experience with the 650 cam, or jetting for it.  But, I assert you are just guessing with the jetting.  One possibility is, of course, that you are correct.  Another is that the WOT range is now too rich and the plugs clean up with a lean mid range throttle position, making the "average" plug read look reasonable.
Probably the only way to know for certain is to have it dyno-ed and a fuel map/chart printed for it. $$$
Of course, you can just run it till it drops and spend that money on parts.  Or, if you frequently roll "7s", hit the jackpot! 
The old saying goes:  "You can tell the pioneers, by the arrows in their backs."

Cheers,

Carbs were jetted for the pods. No changes in jetting were needed for the 650 cam. 115 mains were certainly not a guess. I have an assortment of mains. Tried 110's, 115's and 120's. Decided on the 115's.

[754]

 I think them 550's with the NITROUS and no motor mods  have a fairly short lifespan... but otherwise are long lived..