« previous next »
Pages: [1]   Go Down

Author Topic: head leaks on a cb550 75  (Read 2806 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline dergs713

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 256
head leaks on a cb550 75
« on: October 15, 2012, 05:56:58 PM »
bike runs strong but a small pool of oil shows up on the top fin on both sides for the head.  The oil is coming out of what looks for be pressed in pieces on the side of the head. three per side.  its a slow leak, but wondering how to fix this. any ideas.? will post pics if it will help.
Matt
Logged

Offline mono

  • Definitely no
  • Expert
  • ****
  • Posts: 1,271
  • 1975 Honda CB550, 1978 CB750K (in progress)
Re: head leaks on a cb550 75
« Reply #1 on: October 15, 2012, 06:43:25 PM »
There are O-rings in there that you probably need to replace. 

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 2

Logged

Offline TwoTired

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 21,805
Re: head leaks on a cb550 75
« Reply #2 on: October 15, 2012, 07:01:36 PM »
Post a pic of where the oil is pooling.
Logged
Lloyd... (SOHC4 #11 Original Mail List)
72 500, 74 550, 75 550K, 75 550F, 76 550F, 77 550F X2, 78 550K, 77 750F X2, 78 750F, 79CX500, 85 700SC, GL1100

Those that learn from history are doomed to repeat it by those that don't learn from history.

Offline FunJimmy

  • Who you calling
  • Old Timer
  • ******
  • Posts: 3,802
  • Vancouver
Re: head leaks on a cb550 75
« Reply #3 on: October 15, 2012, 09:30:23 PM »
Welcome to my nightmare.
I and probably every other 550 owner is dealing with this.
There are oil return galleries on both ends of the head that have sealing issues.
I was told that new head gasket, o-rings and heavy duty studs are the answer, but I might go one further and install a little dowel as well.
Logged
You never see a motorcycle parked outside of a psychiatrist's office!

CB550 Cafe Interceptor a Gentlemans Roadster
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=27159.0

Offline PrsCustom22j

  • "they've done studies you know...60% of the time it works every time"
  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 67
Re: head leaks on a cb550 75
« Reply #4 on: October 15, 2012, 09:44:26 PM »
welcome to the club!   8)
Logged
1976 Honda CB550K

Offline bryanj

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 14,135
  • CB500 Number 1000036
Re: head leaks on a cb550 75
« Reply #5 on: October 15, 2012, 11:20:41 PM »
Fun Jimmy those ain't oil return they are oil feed to the cam and rockers,
The leak at the sides could be either the "O" rings on the ond caps (2 each side) or the sealing washers on the bolt either side of the bracket the end cap fastenes to--possibly both
Logged
Semi Geriatric ex-Honda mechanic and MOT tester (UK version of annual inspection). Garage full of "projects" mostly 500/4 from pre 73 (no road tax in UK).

Remember "Its always in the last place you look" COURSE IT IS YOU STOP LOOKIN THEN!

Offline dave500

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 17,054
  • WHAT?no gravy?
Re: head leaks on a cb550 75
« Reply #6 on: October 16, 2012, 12:21:19 AM »
you wont need heavy duty studs.
Logged

Offline dergs713

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 256
Re: head leaks on a cb550 75
« Reply #7 on: October 16, 2012, 10:10:11 AM »
its not coming from the oil covers. if that is what you are talking about this is a flush cover it looks to me on the side of the aluminum head itself.  it would have to be tapped or pressed out. will post pics of it later.
Matt
Logged

Offline dergs713

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 256
Re: head leaks on a cb550 75
« Reply #8 on: October 16, 2012, 02:50:07 PM »
here are two pics after a couple days of ridding. my finger point to two of the three spots. hope this helps.Matt
Logged

Offline LesterPiglet

  • Old Timer
  • ******
  • Posts: 4,046
  • 1977 CB550F2
Re: head leaks on a cb550 75
« Reply #9 on: October 16, 2012, 03:05:47 PM »
It can't be leaking from there. It's probably your alloy end caps, the oil is being blown around.
Logged
'Then' and 'than' are completely different words and have completely different meanings. Same with 'of' and 'have'. Set and sit. There, their and they're. Draw and drawer. Could care less/couldn't care less. Bought/brought FFS.


Les Ross.            Certified by a Professional

Offline dergs713

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 256
Re: head leaks on a cb550 75
« Reply #10 on: October 16, 2012, 03:40:09 PM »
i guess that is an option, it really looks like its coming from there tho..
Matt
Logged

Offline TwoTired

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 21,805
Re: head leaks on a cb550 75
« Reply #11 on: October 16, 2012, 03:43:26 PM »
When the oil is everywhere it is hard to note it's source.  Clean it all off, and spray a supected area with foot powder.  Run the engine, and the wetted foot powder will show the oil leak source point.

Those end covers with the single cross head screw have o ring'd plugs for the rocker shafts.  Oil can leak there.
The cylinder cover has a seal around the perimeter that can leak oil.
The cylinder cover also has 6 oring "pucks" that can leak when they get hard.
The tappet adjuster caps have an oring that can leak.

The tach drive seal can leak, however it's at the other end of the cylinder cover.

If all the seals are as old as the bike's sell date, the rubber is likely pretty hard and reluctant to seal.

Logged
Lloyd... (SOHC4 #11 Original Mail List)
72 500, 74 550, 75 550K, 75 550F, 76 550F, 77 550F X2, 78 550K, 77 750F X2, 78 750F, 79CX500, 85 700SC, GL1100

Those that learn from history are doomed to repeat it by those that don't learn from history.

Offline FunJimmy

  • Who you calling
  • Old Timer
  • ******
  • Posts: 3,802
  • Vancouver
Re: head leaks on a cb550 75
« Reply #12 on: October 16, 2012, 03:55:35 PM »
Quote from: TwoTired on October 16, 2012, 03:43:26 PM
When the oil is everywhere it is hard to note it's source.  Clean it all off, and spray a supected area with foot powder.  Run the engine, and the wetted foot powder will show the oil leak source point.

Good tip.
Logged
You never see a motorcycle parked outside of a psychiatrist's office!

CB550 Cafe Interceptor a Gentlemans Roadster
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=27159.0

Offline dave500

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 17,054
  • WHAT?no gravy?
Re: head leaks on a cb550 75
« Reply #13 on: October 16, 2012, 04:16:45 PM »
replace the alumium washers under the end cap bracket with new copper ones.

Logged

Offline dergs713

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 256
Re: head leaks on a cb550 75
« Reply #14 on: October 16, 2012, 06:59:40 PM »
ok will give it a go on the next ride . thanks to all.Matt
Logged

Offline Duanob

  • Bold Timer
  • Old Timer
  • ******
  • Posts: 4,013
  • Gotcha!
Re: head leaks on a cb550 75
« Reply #15 on: October 16, 2012, 08:10:53 PM »
The good news is it doesn't look like your head gasket is leaking.Looks like you might have several leaks?  Buy a good quality top end gasket kit and take the breather cover and cam cover off and replace all the o-rings, pucks,  and gaskets. Don't forget the rubber band trick when installing the cam cover.
Logged
"Just because you flush a boatload of money down the toilet, doesn't make the toilet worth more",  My Stepfather the Unknown Poet

1974 CB360T
1976 CB550K2 Resurrected
1976 CB550F2 Barn Find
1979 CX500 VG "HONDA-GUZZI"
2007 Moto Guzzi Breva 750ie
2015 BMW F700GS
Another 1976 CB550K Cafe?

  __o
_- \_<,
(*) /' (*)

Offline FunJimmy

  • Who you calling
  • Old Timer
  • ******
  • Posts: 3,802
  • Vancouver
Re: head leaks on a cb550 75
« Reply #16 on: October 16, 2012, 08:19:43 PM »
Quote from: Duanob on October 16, 2012, 08:10:53 PM
Don't forget the rubber band trick when installing the cam cover.

That or remove ALL the tappet adjusters until the cover is installed.
Logged
You never see a motorcycle parked outside of a psychiatrist's office!

CB550 Cafe Interceptor a Gentlemans Roadster
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=27159.0

Offline dergs713

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 256
Re: head leaks on a cb550 75
« Reply #17 on: October 17, 2012, 10:14:06 AM »
the prob is is that i just put this all together with the new kit...
this isnt my first rodeo, so thats why im confused. been working on motors for a while now. MAtt
Logged

Offline Duanob

  • Bold Timer
  • Old Timer
  • ******
  • Posts: 4,013
  • Gotcha!
Re: head leaks on a cb550 75
« Reply #18 on: October 17, 2012, 11:25:03 AM »
Quote from: dergs713 on October 17, 2012, 10:14:06 AM
the prob is is that i just put this all together with the new kit...
this isnt my first rodeo, so thats why im confused. been working on motors for a while now. MAtt

Then you must have missed something. A washer or o-ring or something didn't seat right.


Quote from: FunJimmy on October 16, 2012, 08:19:43 PM
Quote from: Duanob on October 16, 2012, 08:10:53 PM
Don't forget the rubber band trick when installing the cam cover.

That or remove ALL the tappet adjusters until the cover is installed.

Not necessary but backing them off is a good idea.
Logged
"Just because you flush a boatload of money down the toilet, doesn't make the toilet worth more",  My Stepfather the Unknown Poet

1974 CB360T
1976 CB550K2 Resurrected
1976 CB550F2 Barn Find
1979 CX500 VG "HONDA-GUZZI"
2007 Moto Guzzi Breva 750ie
2015 BMW F700GS
Another 1976 CB550K Cafe?

  __o
_- \_<,
(*) /' (*)
Pages: [1]   Go Up
« previous next »