Topic: I think I'm ready to assemble the cases.

[Dimitri13]

Okay so after several setbacks and delays, I believe I'm ready to assemble the cases.

I have installed: Crankshaft with primary and cam chain and rods, primary shaft, shift fork shafts, both gearsets, and kickstart shaft. Only thing I don't have installed is the gearshift shaft, which IIRC goes in after the cases are assembled and all the shifter retainers and thingies go on. All bearings are installed, and all clearances have been checked.

Do I need to install any oil seals BEFORE I assemble the cases, particularly the crank seals?

What liquid gasket should I use? I've heard threebond, hondabond, and yamabond, but is there any that's preferred, or is it all the same?

Also, I have these oil jet looking things, I don't believe they go in the bottom end, maybe between the head and cylinders at both ends (in the oil passage)?

Thanks in advance. Pics will be provided if anything is needed.

Oh and everything is all powdercoated and pretty, if y'all would like to see. 

[Thousandson]

To assemble the case halves, I used Gasgacinch Gasket Sealer. Clean both sides, to the metal, break out the scotch bright pad, and razor blade. And beer, take your time, not a rush job. Paint both sides with Gasgacinch, in a well ventilated area, let dry and re assemble. Check and double check before you put it all back together. I completely forgot my primary chain tensioner. I had to take it back apart, and remove the new/old paint on gasket.

http://www.amazon.com/Gasgacinch-Gasket-Sealer-8oz-440B/dp/B0014NJWEW/ref=sr_1_sc_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1379201568&sr=8-2-spell&keywords=gasket+crinch

I know of one o ring just in front of the crank, that should be replaced. New seals.

[Dimitri13]

Thanks Thousand. Everything is all clean and ready for gasket sealer. Powdercoater and machine shop took care of that for me

I've checked the fiche and both manuals, I don't seem to be missing anything.

As for the o-ring in front of the crank, I don't believe there's anything like that on the 550?

[lucky]

Okay so after several setbacks and delays, I believe I'm ready to assemble the cases.

I have installed: Crankshaft with primary and cam chain and rods, primary shaft, shift fork shafts, both gearsets, and kickstart shaft. Only thing I don't have installed is the gearshift shaft, which IIRC goes in after the cases are assembled and all the shifter retainers and thingies go on. All bearings are installed, and all clearances have been checked.

Do I need to install any oil seals BEFORE I assemble the cases, particularly the crank seals?

What liquid gasket should I use? I've heard threebond, hondabond, and yamabond, but is there any that's preferred, or is it all the same?

Also, I have these oil jet looking things, I don't believe they go in the bottom end, maybe between the head and cylinders at both ends (in the oil passage)?

Thanks in advance. Pics will be provided if anything is needed.

Oh and everything is all powdercoated and pretty, if y'all would like to see. 

Why use copy cat sealers.
 Use the real deal-Gaskacinch. Standard of the industry.
Sold on the net and at most good motorcycle shops.

You put one light coat on each crankcase half CAREFULLY so you do not clog up any holes.
Then assemble the two halves.

[dave500]

the crank seals should be on the crank as you lower it in to the case,i knock the others in after its assembled,the cases closes easier that way.

[bryanj]

The primary shaft has to go in after the cases are together as you put the crank, selectors and gear shafts in the top case first with the primary cush drive hub in the chain resting on the gears. Also, unlike Dave, i prefer to fit all the seals so that you donr do ant damage to the edges knocking them in.

The oil jets should be inside the dowels that go at the base gasket level and need to be thoroughly cleaned, as to gasket cement whatever you use needs to be used VERY sparingly so you dont clog those tiny jets

[Dimitri13]

Bryan, you mean the primary shaft which the clutch assembly goes in after the cases are together? How does that work? I don't have the parts in front of me, but I'm looking at the fiche and can't figure it out.

[bryanj]

No the primary shaft, as named in the Honda manual, is the one that fits in the lower case only, has the primary drive gear(that meshes with the clutch basket gear) on the end and goes through the primary driven sprocket/cushdrive/starter clutch and has a small gear machined on the other end to drive the oil pump.

The shafts in the gear box are the mainshaft with the clutch on and the countershaft with the front sprocket on

[PeWe]

Don't forget new o-rings, Oil pump and all the other to ensure the oil pressure
This thread is a good one.
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=78643.0;nowap

[Dimitri13]

Yeah that's what I meant Bryan. I think I was typing that on my phone or something, so it came out incomprehensible. But why do I have to install the primary shaft after the cases are together? The manual says:

"C. Reassembly
1. Install the primary chain and cam chain on the crankshaft.
2. Install the crankshaft into the lower crankcase.
3. Position the starting clutch and starter gear as in Fig. 150, then drive the primary shaft in from the right to left. Exercise care in the needle bearing assembly sequence shown in Fig. 165.
4. Install the bearing set plate with two 6mm bolts.
5. Apply a thin coat of gasket paste on the mounting flange of the lower crankcase (heavy coat will cause the paste to fall inside the crankcase). Install two dowel pins, mount the upper crankcase to the lower crankcase. "

That seems like everything needs to be installed in the upper and lower cases before they go together?

Yep I have all the necessary seals and o-rings.

[Dimitri13]

Okay I picked up a can of gasgacinch. It's not what I thought it was. I thought it would be more solid and in a tube, like RTV or something. This stuff is light tan colored and very liquidy, and has a brush.

Is there any specific way I should use it? I was planning on squeezing a very fine bead out of a tube around the whole thing, but since this is "brushed" on, I have no idea.

[Dimitri13]

Okay so I figured out where this mystery spacer goes, and now I'm pretty sure I'm ready to assemble. Just waiting on clarification from Bryan and guidance on gasgacinch use.

[bryanj]

I found over the years that it was easier to build into the top cas as its easier to fit the rods through the holes and get the selectors into the gears.