Author Topic: CB550 revamp (Read 22200 times)

spdygnzlz · « **on:** October 23, 2012, 04:36:23 PM »

I bought my 1974 CB550 last fall off craigslist and I had no idea how quickly the bike would turn into an obsession...with the help of this forum. When I got it, the engine turned over but not much else so it went straight to my mechanic to look it over and get it running. I had originally planned on just getting it useable and riding it around the city for a while before slowly replacing parts etc. Instead, the bike now sits in my workshop, torn apart, engine completely disassembled, head getting ported, cylinders bored out, fresh dynoman pistons waiting. Yes it got expensive, but I'm not looking at the receipts...ever. The plan has become one inspired by paulages own 550/650 hybrid and funjimmies interceptor builds.

Here's the bike when I got it last fall:

spdygnzlz · « **Reply #1 on:** October 23, 2012, 04:42:04 PM »

And pics of parts as I had time to get them and mount them up.

spdygnzlz · « **Reply #2 on:** October 23, 2012, 04:47:56 PM »

I was actually happy to ride it around the city as it was but then I noticed oil leaking from just about everywhere...then I got ambitious after reading paulages engine build and found a 650 motor at a local yard started down the slippery slope. Pulled the head, cam, crank from the 650 engine. Ordered Dynoman pistons/rings/head gasket. Sent the 650 head off to Hondaman himself for some porting love. Amazing how much lighter my wallet is now!

FunJimmy · « **Reply #3 on:** October 23, 2012, 07:54:52 PM »

Always happy to help you spent heaps of cash on your bike.
Somehow it makes my pile seem a bit smaller.

Cheers
FJ

spdygnzlz · « **Reply #4 on:** October 23, 2012, 08:09:24 PM »

FJ, your bike is awesome. I wish Honda would just make something similar and sell it here so I could have just gone that route. Still, I love the fact that I'm learning the inner workings of my own machine. I was scared and excited at the same time when I opened the engines up. I'll be plastigaging the bearings next and then sending all the parts off for blasting before paint and reassembly. Planning on tackling this project one piece at a time so even though I'm eager to get onto glassing up the seatpan/cowl setup, the engine comes first.

On a side note, I had a hard time finding bronze valve guides and ended up getting Honda guides. I emailed the guys at Kibblewhite and they replied that they don't have the specs for the 650. Maybe, if there's enough interest, this could be something we can address here. They're not far from where I live and all they need is a guide to measure... Minimum job for them is $400 and would run maybe about $25/guide.

Oh, did I mention that apart from the copious amount of info available here, I have no idea what I'm doing.

spdygnzlz · « **Reply #5 on:** October 23, 2012, 08:42:55 PM »

Oh and one more thing, I'm selling off parts from the bike as the dust settles. That thread is already started in the classified section.

FunJimmy · « **Reply #6 on:** October 23, 2012, 09:08:15 PM »

Before you go too far down the 550/650 hybrid road, you may want to contact Paulages for a reliability follow up. I haven't been actively looking but i haven't seen much in regards to long term reliability either.

Be careful with media blasting your engine. That stuff is very abrasive and gets everywhere . I prefer paint stripper & wire wheels.

spdygnzlz · « **Reply #7 on:** October 24, 2012, 10:13:39 AM »

FJ, so I've read so I'm a bit hesitant now regarding blasting it. Looking at vapor blasting now and just keeping the engine silver instead of painting it black as I had originally planned. Found a place up in Oregon called Bikesalot or Vaporblasting.biz They can also clean and vapor blast my carbs. All looks reasonably priced.

Sclater78 · « **Reply #8 on:** October 24, 2012, 07:25:35 PM »

Can you fill me in on your front end? What did you do with your rotor/forks? Looks Great.

spdygnzlz · « **Reply #9 on:** October 24, 2012, 07:35:46 PM »

The front end is an R6 fork and caliper with a CBR rotor based on what Funjimmy did on his Interceptor project. Huge difference from the stock fork/brake setup. I even copied FJ's rotor placement and put it on the right side to show it off.

Read the build thread:
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=27159.0

Sclater78 · « **Reply #10 on:** October 25, 2012, 12:18:52 AM »

That's what I thought, but wasn't sure. The rotor threw me off. Thanks for the thread link and good luck with your build.

spdygnzlz · « **Reply #11 on:** November 29, 2012, 07:17:18 PM »

No updates on this project for a while as work and holidays are eating up all my time. I'm still in the process of getting parts etc. but am thinking about vapor blasting the cases/cylinders etc. Does anyone have experience with having this done? Curious what your impressions are of the finish and how much attention it needs to maintain.

geminimotors · « **Reply #12 on:** November 29, 2012, 09:49:17 PM »

There was some talk on the Bay Area Vintage Riders forum about vapor blasting recommendations. Try doing a search there.

spdygnzlz · « **Reply #13 on:** December 05, 2012, 12:13:33 AM »

I talked a bit with Bikesalot regarding vaporblasting my stuff, it sounds really good but I'm concerned about salt corrosion since I'm so close to the ocean. And the finish he leaves on the aluminum is too nice to paint! I decided to glass bead blast my cases instead (got lazy) and am saving some money by painting it myself, hopefully it turns out the way I want.

Another question I have is regarding the various screws and fasteners for the engine/frame. What do you guys do? I'm planning on having the bolts and screws replated in nickel-zinc if it's not too expensive. I realize cad plating is a good option too but it's hard to find anyone around here who does it due to toxicity. Stainless bolts would also work but I'm concerned with how brittle stainless is and also it's tendency for galvanic corrosion with the aluminum cases.

spdygnzlz · « **Reply #14 on:** December 11, 2012, 11:22:55 AM »

Had the cases, cylinders, rocker cover, oil pan & filter housing glass bead blasted and painted the cases. All the seals/o-rings/primary chain are finally on order from both service honda and DSS. Mark over at Hondaman is tending to the bike's head and hopefully I'll see it soon. Can't wait to get this engine back together so I can change gears and get to the frame!

spdygnzlz · « **Reply #15 on:** December 11, 2012, 11:26:58 AM »

Pay no mind to the hokey "oven" in the background. Low heat and it got plenty hot in there without setting anything on fire. High heat...well, I learned to keep it at low. Cooked the parts in there for 30 min once it was dry to the touch.

spdygnzlz · « **Reply #16 on:** December 12, 2012, 09:34:40 AM »

Just noticed a potential bump in the rode. The sleeves are not all flush with the top of the deck. I measured and got 0.05mm and 0.20mm on cylinder 1 and 4. Do you guys know if this is typical or am I going to need to have it decked?

SF · « **Reply #17 on:** December 12, 2012, 09:35:44 AM »

what pipes are those?

spdygnzlz · « **Reply #18 on:** December 12, 2012, 09:41:16 AM »

The exhaust is by motogpwerks. They are not subtle.

SF · « **Reply #19 on:** December 12, 2012, 11:00:01 AM »

sorry what do you meen? they dont fit?

spdygnzlz · « **Reply #20 on:** December 12, 2012, 11:04:39 AM »

The tops of the sleeves are just a hair high on both 1 and 4 cylinders. I was asking if this is a problem as I imagine, the headgasket will take up the difference...or am I wrong? Is 0.20mm beyond acceptable tolerance as far as sleeves go above the top of the cylinder block?

I'm a rookie so I appreciate any input those with experience can offer...

SF · « **Reply #21 on:** December 12, 2012, 11:12:27 AM »

i believe funjimmy has had am issue with them as well. when were they made or when did you get them?

spdygnzlz · « **Reply #22 on:** December 12, 2012, 11:20:37 AM »

The exhaust actually fit perfectly and it looks like Chris at Motogpwerks evolved them a bit to make mounting them up easier. So far no problems with them.

My main issue right now is with the cylinder block, and the cylinder sleeves not being flush...

SF · « **Reply #23 on:** December 12, 2012, 11:39:43 AM »

my bad i see what you meen now

iron_worker · « **Reply #24 on:** December 12, 2012, 11:58:06 AM »

Do you mean not flush on the cylinder/head mating surface? If so, I believe is a big problem. Would be very tough to get any type of seal for your oil lines that way.

IW

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Author Topic: CB550 revamp (Read 22200 times)