Topic: 77 550K Questions

[huey]

Hi guys, I am a newbe to this site and an newbe to this bike. I have a couple of questions, 1st. what are the diff bet a K and an F model. I was able to get this bike running but the #2 exhaust was cold even though I know thw plug was firing. There is a collection of oil around the cylinder below the head and someone told me these engines were noted for bad head gaskets. Is this true? Lastly, how are the carbs to bebuild? I have had a ton of 2 cyl Hondas but this is my 1st 4 and I would like to be prepared for known trouble areas. Thanks much.

[Lumbee]

what are the diff bet a K and an F model.

Exhaust...and some minor engine mods???  Where is twotired???

someone told me these engines were noted for bad head gaskets

...I wouldn't say they are know for bad head gaskets, as much as I would say the bike are rock solid, and thats why there are still so many of them around 30 years later....thus the bad head gaskets.  But yes, its common for the bikes to have leaky head gaskets.

Lastly, how are the carbs to bebuild?

...a carb is a carb...if you'v done the 2 bangers the 4 bangers will be no problem...

[cmorgan47]

carbs are no harder...except the parts are smaller and there's more of them.
more aggrivating to balance though.

[DrMark]

Its not always the head gasket, but the o-rings for the oil passages. Either way it needs to have the heads pulled to fix either problem. I remember reading this in the "buyer beware" article in the SOHC4 library on this site. Look under the CB550 section. Hope this helps, DrMark

[hondachopproject]

but the #2 exhaust was cold even though I know thw plug was firing.

Welcome to the club.
I just had this problem on my 76 550, slow jets were clogged..very easy to get at and clean.
Also on my petcock one of the gas tubes was completely clogged.
Hope this Helps,
Lee