Topic: O ring chain on a cb550?

[Adam_F]

Anybody know if an o ring drive chain will fit on a '77cb550?  I read somewhere that I may have to stick with a standard chain...  On a major budget right now, so I'm also wondering if anyone has suggestions for chains/brands under $70?

Thanks!
A

[bjbuchanan]

Countless threads about it not fitting the smaller bikes. Top left google search. Just get higher tensile strength chain. The good name brands are just higher tensile strength generally, like RK

[TwoTired]

Without mods, a 530 oring chain will gouge the engine cases.

[Johnie]

Yah, don't take a chance on it Adam. What you will find out is the chain is to large and will wear a hole in the engine case in the area of the front sprocket...then you are really up a creek.

[Adam_F]

Thanks y'all.  I'll definitely stick with the standard 

[Airbusboy]

Guys I'm trying to read/learn about this '74 CB550 I'm restoring. This thread on the correct chain for a 550 is interesting to me due to that.  My bike was a 'hangar' find where it sat for 38 years. Only 4500 miles on the clock so nothing is worn out. I cleaned and lubed the chain and it seems fine but what size should I look for when replacing it? And what is an 'O' ring chain vs. a 'X' chain? Thanks for the lessons and sorry for tagging on to Adams questions.....

[70CB750]

O ring chain and X ring chain is similar animal, see picture, worth thousand words:)  X ring chain loses less energy in the movement than O ring.

What chain is on your bike - your best bet is to measure the pitch.  The pitch is the distance between two adjacent pin centers.

Here is more on chain sizes:

http://www.sprocketsunlimited.com/Chainspecifications.html

[strynboen]

i have a o ring chain on my 1978 cb 550 k3.
.it rubbs a littel in engine housing...i thek it often..but hope to vear the set up before it make problems..
evt i turn a littel of the autside of the front hveel..to mowe it longer aut..to free the engine blok

sorry cant fint the right english vords

[RustyOlive]

Previous owner of my 78 CB550K put a o-ring 530 on it.. crewed the sh*t out that side of the engine case near the front sprocket. they caught it before it punctured a hole and went back to the standard 530.

if I saw this thread a week ago, I would have taken a photo to show you. But the engine is now back in the bike. LOL

[crazypj]

A 520 conversion would work but it would really need spacer behind front and rear sprockets to get clearance and chain line correct (no point fitting a chain that's going to wear out because sprockets are out of line)

[Airbusboy]

So you're saying that an 'X' or 'O' ring chain may be too wide to clear the engine case and could do damage? So a chain labeled as 'STANDARD' would mean there is no spacer between the plates?  FYI...with only 4500 miles on it and no wear showing on the rear sprocket, I have to assume the chain/sprockets on this bike are original....which would mean they are most likely 'standard'?

[Adam_F]

So you're saying that an 'X' or 'O' ring chain may be too wide to clear the engine case and could do damage? So a chain labeled as 'STANDARD' would mean there is no spacer between the plates?  FYI...with only 4500 miles on it and no wear showing on the rear sprocket, I have to assume the chain/sprockets on this bike are original....which would mean they are most likely 'standard'?

Should be stock 530, but your sprocket might have the number stamped on it.  You can also measure... I think someone above posted a link about measuring...

[Bankerdanny]

I kept the chain on my 7,000 mile 550 I bought in 2011. It had been well stored and there was no rust. I put 4,000 miles on the bike in 3 months and had zero chain issues.

Lube and adjust it regularly and the chain you have should be fine.

[Airbusboy]

Thanks for the info!

[bjbuchanan]

You can usually tell a standard chain because it is a bit cheaper too. Clean it up good, I used some bad gas I had and that cleaned the bastard right up. Cleaned it off and then soaked it in oil while I was screwing with other stuff on the bike.

Just purely sitting shouldn't matter as long as it isn't worn or has tight spots

[DaveBarbier]

Hey guys, just want opinions on this. I'm replacing my chain and sprockets on my 550. JT sprockets and a standard heavy duty 530 chain (Volar chain, by the way...two sprockets and chain off eBay for $80. I just took off the chain and saw that there was already some wear around the case. Is this something to worry about? The chain I just took off doesn't look like an oring chain. It has the same rivets as the new one I got.

I'm not sure if this is the stock chain or if the PO replaced it. It doesn't have a clip master link...I spun it on the tire like 6 times looking for the link but nothing. Did the '78 550 have a clip master link?




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1978 Honda CB550K

[DaveBarbier]

Oh, and obviously this is super cruddy. Can I spray some kind of cleaner all up in this mother? Brake cleaner or something? I don't want to ruin anything.

Thanks


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1978 Honda CB550K

[Black 750K8]

@DaveBarbier
 I think the chain would have had a clip type master link oem. Good you caught  the bad spot but if it is not leaking you are OK. DO NOT USE BRAKE CLEAN on it. Just get some spray engine cleaner and a stiff brush and hose it off. You can get a clip type master link at any bike shop.

[DaveBarbier]

@DaveBarbier
 I think the chain would have had a clip type master link oem. Good you caught  the bad spot but if it is not leaking you are OK. DO NOT USE BRAKE CLEAN on it. Just get some spray engine cleaner and a stiff brush and hose it off. You can get a clip type master link at any bike shop.

Haha, I love when all caps is used in it's proper place. Understood, zero brake clean. Probably not good on the rubber, I take it.

I have a new non-oring chain that comes with a clip type master link. I'll have to see if it's thinner than the existing one. If it's the factory chain I'm curious why it would be rubbing or if this is normal wear on a 35 year old bike. Oh well, thanks Black 750K8!


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1978 Honda CB550K

[Black 750K8]

Paint mostly No it is not normal. That damage might have been done years ago by a oring chain then removed. I could be wrong but I don't think a no clip master ever came with it TT will know.

[TwoTired]

The very first chain on my 74 Cb550 purchased with 1500 miles on it from the original owner in 1975 was a non-oring and indeed was endless with no master link.

I didn't want to buy a chain breaker/pin setter tool.
So, all the replacement chains on all my CB550s have been standard type with a master link/clip, except one attempt to use a dealer recommended oring chain, which gouged the engine case exactly as in your posted pictures.

[RustyOlive]

Kinda off topic .... Lol
Chatted with an ol'school bike mechanic about $$ chain cleaners.. Showed me the ingredients on all the cleaners he had in stock... All had one key ingredient, kerosene. Good old camping fuel..

Old guy laughs..... "Before all these fansy cleaners came on the market, we just used Kerosene". ..  "Save your $. 4$ jug will last you years... And  when you need to burn some leaves...you have fuel" hahahaha.

Food for thought... Or should i say.. Fuel for thought? Lol

[Black 750K8]

No laughs here I have 30 gallons in my parts washer all I ever use for getting the crude off stuff not bad on paint too. Left a oring chain to soak over night and saw no issue or signs of deformation.

[lucky]

Anybody know if an o ring drive chain will fit on a '77cb550?  I read somewhere that I may have to stick with a standard chain...  On a major budget right now, so I'm also wondering if anyone has suggestions for chains/brands under $70?

Thanks!
A

Just a standard or high tensile chain is all you need. No problems ,no special tools required.

 Just chain lube. Put the chain lube on in the evening and ride it the next day.

You do not NEED an "O" ring chain.

[Lostboy Steve]

Anybody know if an o ring drive chain will fit on a '77cb550?  I read somewhere that I may have to stick with a standard chain...  On a major budget right now, so I'm also wondering if anyone has suggestions for chains/brands under $70?

Thanks!
A

Just a standard or high tensile chain is all you need. No problems ,no special tools required.

 Just chain lube. Put the chain lube on in the evening and ride it the next day.

You do not NEED an "O" ring chain.

I agree. Never used one on anything until recently because i liked the bulky look of it on my 550.