Author Topic: 550 transmission differences  (Read 637 times)

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Offline KrautKoffin

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550 transmission differences
« on: December 27, 2013, 05:17:34 PM »
Were there any? I've got a 75k bottom end that I'm planning on using and a guy locally has a 77f bottom end for sale. My question is are there improvements from year to year?
74 cb550
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Offline dave500

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Re: 550 transmission differences
« Reply #1 on: December 27, 2013, 10:24:30 PM »
the clutch basket and last top friction disc changed along with a thicker two piece steel disc in the middle of the stack on the later models, i think youll find they are both the same?

Offline bwaller

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Re: 550 transmission differences
« Reply #2 on: December 28, 2013, 04:48:45 AM »
Yes apart from the clutch, the gearbox's should all be alike.

Offline calj737

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Re: 550 transmission differences
« Reply #3 on: December 28, 2013, 05:00:16 AM »
Jordan - one way to know for certain, look under the 550 section of this forum and review all the Maintenance and Service Bulletins between the years. Some times, you may see a reference to Dealer installed factory upgrades under warranty or service intervals.

It's usually a good indicator of a design or part change. Not foolproof, but for fools like us, should be good enough. The absence of these types of notices is also a high likelihood of cross year compatibility (where there is no known, specific difference).
'74 550 Build http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=126401.0
'73 500 Build http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132935.0

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Offline Deltarider

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Re: 550 transmission differences
« Reply #4 on: December 28, 2013, 11:55:33 PM »
According to p. 17 of my paper copy Parts List CB550F2 [1978-07-20] (BTW, am I the only one that has one?) clutch was modified between serial number 1139188 and 1139189. I just made a scan (1,3 Mb) but don't know how to put it here.
« Last Edit: December 29, 2013, 05:57:22 AM by Deltarider »
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Offline LesterPiglet

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Re: 550 transmission differences
« Reply #5 on: December 29, 2013, 05:52:19 AM »
According to p. 17 of my paper copy Parts List CB500F2 [1978-07-20] (BTW, am I the only one that has one?)
If that isn't a typo, yes.   ;)
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Offline Deltarider

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Re: 550 transmission differences
« Reply #6 on: December 29, 2013, 05:58:05 AM »
Thanks Lester, corrected previous post.
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Offline KrautKoffin

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Re: 550 transmission differences
« Reply #7 on: December 29, 2013, 08:55:26 AM »
Thank you guys for the response, I'll just keep my 75k trans for now!
74 cb550
I now have Beastie Boys "Sabotage" stuck in my head after seeing your avatar.