Topic: gasket and allen bolt set for 76 550-4

[CapeCafe]

Can anyone recommend the best place to order a gasket set for my 1976 Cb550-4 K3, as well as a replacement allen head bolt kit for all the alloy engine covers?  I've listened all the learned advice from the forum members here and decided to not fix what probably isn't broke, and decided to not pull the head and cylinders.  I'm just going to pull all the covers then sand and polish the years of crud off them.  I know the screw head bolts are period correct, but I prefer the convenience of allen head.  As always, all advice is appreciated. Thanks

[Gman]

CC,
   If you go to the FAQ section of the forum and look in the 'Where to Buy Parts' post, you'll find the website of a member who puts together the bolt kits.  Not sure about the gasket, but you could peruse the same post and it will likely have something related.  Good luck!

Cheers,
G

[CapeCafe]

Thanks Gman

[Mcwilliams570]

Got mine from alloyboltz.com..

[PurduePete]

I just bought mine from fastenal. Got them zinc plated so they look a bit more shinny than black oxide. Got them last night so can't comment on quality or anything.


PurduePete

Sent from my iPhone

[cabrala]

Scott,

I bought my Vesrah complete gasket kit from TAS for $74. While the product is good, I wouldn't recommend the vendor based on a variety of customer service quirks.

For the bolts, I have see the AlloyBoltz which look nice. I have also been in contact with Jim (FAQ as referenced above) and he has offered to put together whatever bolts I may need. PM me if you need any more specific information.

http://www.screwsforcycles.wordpress.com/

-Alex

[CapeCafe]

Thanks for the information

[luap]

stainlesscycle.com 20.00 If I remember an labled very well
sirius con inc for a complete vesrah kit, an I would pay the 25 bucks more from them over TAS

[PurduePete]

Don't use stainless steel bolts. They have a chemical reaction with aluminum. It's called galvanic corrosion. It's the reason that I went with zinc coated. On an electro negativity chart they are very close to aluminum so should rust together. The machinist at the lab I work at on campus told me about it when I was talking about my bike. Did a quick search on wiki and found a decent article. Bi of a reader in that response. It saw that a website was called stainlesscycles.


PurduePete

Sent from my iPhone

[Deltarider]

Since 1979 I've changed only these crossheads for allen:
all 16 small floatbowl bolts
all 4 bolts of the left clutch cover. I never needed to change any other bolts.
Mine is a 500 and I use an impactdriver

[PurduePete]

Cabrala,

I replied to your message but it was never able to send because it couldn't find you for some reason.

No fastenal doesn't have a kit. I just bought them in the size I wanted and needed. Got most installed and they look great, better than stock. Won't galvanize in the aluminum like stainless steel. I did have to shorten some though. Fastenal doesn't make a 32mm bolt so I got 35s and made them shorter. Worked well. Not sure about rust but plan to pull every month for a while to check.


PurduePete

Sent from my iPhone

[CycleRanger]

Don't use stainless steel bolts. They have a chemical reaction with aluminum. It's called galvanic corrosion. It's the reason that I went with zinc coated. On an electro negativity chart they are very close to aluminum so should rust together. The machinist at the lab I work at on campus told me about it when I was talking about my bike. Did a quick search on wiki and found a decent article. Bi of a reader in that response. It saw that a website was called stainlesscycles.


PurduePete

Use anti-seize when installing stainless screws with aluminum.

[CapeCafe]

Thanks for all the advice everyone.  I ended up ordering the Alloyz 500/550 kit and it arrived promptly 4 days later.  Alloyz takes the time to bundle and package the bolts/washers for each cover in separate wrap and had very specific instructions to use ant-sieze on all the blts and blue loc-tite on the header, oil pan and any other bolts that may be prone to backing out due to vibration.

I am still waiting for the arrival of the gasket set I odered.  Since I'm not taking the top end apart, I won't be installing the head, base and valve/cam cover gasket.  With all the others (clutch, oil, etc), should I use any type of sealant when I install them?  Lastly, how important is torque when installing the cam chain cover, valve tappet covers, clutch, etc...?  I believe I have the torque specifications in the CB 500/550 shop manual that a member has made available.  The Alloyz kit come with torque specs but they seem to be focused on the bolt size not location.  As always, your advice is appreciated.

[akabek]

Not to highjack this thread but...

I recently purchased and installed stainless allen bolts on my CB550 from Alloy Boltz.  In order to get the tappet caps back on at the front of the engine I have to remove the bolt beside each tappet whole.  Do all stainless allen bolt kits interfere with the front tappet caps? 

[CapeCafe]

I didn't have that problem, but the head is very close to the tappet cover.  I used the Alloz set on my 1976 CB550 K.  Not sure if that year/engine differs from yours

[akabek]

I didn't have that problem, but the head is very close to the tappet cover.  I used the Alloz set on my 1976 CB550 K.  Not sure if that year/engine differs from yours

I have a 1975 CB550F.  I will take another look and see how the bolt aligns against the tappet cover when both are installed. 

[Duanob]

Do all stainless allen bolt kits interfere with the front tappet caps?

Mine do to, prolly depends on who manufactures them.

my 1976 Cb550-4 K3

FYI A 1976 CB550 is a K2, model K3 was the next generation CB550s.

As far as gaskets you can get aftermarket top end kits which is the way to go except when it comes to the head gasket I will always use OEM honda from now on, lesson learned.