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Author Topic: 1978 CB550 Cracked Oil Line  (Read 1512 times)

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Offline VigCS

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1978 CB550 Cracked Oil Line
« on: July 09, 2013, 12:23:07 PM »
Hi All -

I'm restoring/rebuilding my '78 CB550.  The engine is kind of dirty, especially the bottom.  Caked in grease.  I've started cleaning it with simple green and wire brushes, and uncovered a significant crack in the oil line.



Is this a return line or a feed line?  Could I use JB weld to seal it back up?  Maybe aluminum welding rods?

Thanks!
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Offline LesterPiglet

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Re: 1978 CB550 Cracked Oil Line
« Reply #1 on: July 09, 2013, 04:09:05 PM »
I'm not sure which way it goes but it looks like an easy fix. I think mine is going that way too. I'll be using some sort of epoxy until I could be bothered getting it welded.
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Offline Bankerdanny

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Re: 1978 CB550 Cracked Oil Line
« Reply #2 on: July 09, 2013, 06:43:08 PM »
I need a wider shot to understand where on the outside of the engine that is.
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Current: '76 CB750F. Previous:  '75 CB550F, 2007 Yamaha Vino 125 Scooter, '75 Harley FXE Superglide, '77 GL1000, '77 CB550k, '68 Suzuki K10 80, '68 Yamaha YR2, '69 BMW R69S, '71 Honda SL175, '02 Royal Enfield Bullet 500, '89 Yamaha FJ1200

Offline lone*X

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Re: 1978 CB550 Cracked Oil Line
« Reply #3 on: July 09, 2013, 08:54:39 PM »
BD,  Bottom of the engine, between the sump to the oil filter flange.  Surely you have scrubbed a couple of these clean by now.  Getting a bit forgetful now are we? ;)
« Last Edit: July 09, 2013, 08:56:51 PM by lone*X »
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Lone*X  ( Don )

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Offline scottly

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Re: 1978 CB550 Cracked Oil Line
« Reply #4 on: July 09, 2013, 09:12:35 PM »
That doesn't look like a crack to me; just a typical casting flaw. ;)
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Offline reddyvv

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Re: 1978 CB550 Cracked Oil Line
« Reply #5 on: July 09, 2013, 09:27:34 PM »
Quote from: scottly on July 09, 2013, 09:12:35 PM
That doesn't look like a crack to me; just a typical casting flaw. ;)

That is exactly what I was thinking. The engine that I am restoring has similar looking flaws. I was actually surprised how many casting flaws there are in the lower case compared to the upper which is as clean as a whistle.
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Offline dave500

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Re: 1978 CB550 Cracked Oil Line
« Reply #6 on: July 10, 2013, 12:42:35 AM »
these engines are covered in rough dasting flaws,a few have posted exactly like you thinking its a crack developing but its not,dont worry,have a beer.
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Offline VigCS

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Re: 1978 CB550 Cracked Oil Line
« Reply #7 on: July 10, 2013, 04:45:16 AM »
Thanks for the replies, all.  I'll check it out further; I want to make good and sure that it's just a casting defect.  Will report back with results.
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Offline Bankerdanny

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Re: 1978 CB550 Cracked Oil Line
« Reply #8 on: July 10, 2013, 07:18:03 AM »
Quote from: lone*X on July 09, 2013, 08:54:39 PM
BD,  Bottom of the engine, between the sump to the oil filter flange.  Surely you have scrubbed a couple of these clean by now.  Getting a bit forgetful now are we? ;)

That's what I thought, but I don't have any good pictures of the bottom of my engines and when I cleaned and painted the latest one the filter cover was in place.

That has to be a return line (passage really since it's cast in place). The oil pump sucks oil from the pan and it circulates through the engine then the filter and back to the pan via that passage. The oil would be under pressure there. If it was actually cracked you wouldn't have any oil in your bike.
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Current: '76 CB750F. Previous:  '75 CB550F, 2007 Yamaha Vino 125 Scooter, '75 Harley FXE Superglide, '77 GL1000, '77 CB550k, '68 Suzuki K10 80, '68 Yamaha YR2, '69 BMW R69S, '71 Honda SL175, '02 Royal Enfield Bullet 500, '89 Yamaha FJ1200

Offline dave500

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Re: 1978 CB550 Cracked Oil Line
« Reply #9 on: July 10, 2013, 12:54:17 PM »
its pumped through that passage into the filter,then through the filter into the middle hole and up top into the rocker area and it drips back down into the pan.
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