Author Topic: 550 to 650 cam swap  (Read 5896 times)

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Offline Doggie

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550 to 650 cam swap
« on: February 11, 2014, 07:35:49 pm »
I have searched for the 550 to 650 cam change, but have not come up with anything helpful. I'm looking for the step by step change. I know this was written up but can't find it.

                                       Thanks, Doug

Offline goldarrow

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Re: 550 to 650 cam swap
« Reply #1 on: February 11, 2014, 07:46:54 pm »
Manual is your best friend.
Life Is Full Of Challenges - And My Backyard Is Full Of SOHC4's

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CB750 K0, K2, K23 JDM, K45, K5
And the little ones z50r, xr50r, st90


750k5 http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=114817.0

Offline LesterPiglet

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Re: 550 to 650 cam swap
« Reply #2 on: February 11, 2014, 07:53:45 pm »
Take one out and put the other in.  ;)
'Then' and 'than' are completely different words and have completely different meanings. Same with 'of' and 'have'. Set and sit. There, their and they're. Draw and drawer. Could care less/couldn't care less. Bought/brought FFS.


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Offline calj737

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'74 550 Build http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=126401.0
'73 500 Build http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132935.0

"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of it's victim may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated, but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." - C.S. Lewis

Offline Doggie

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Re: 550 to 650 cam swap
« Reply #4 on: February 11, 2014, 07:57:59 pm »
Thank you, that was what I was looking for...Doug

Offline calj737

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Re: 550 to 650 cam swap
« Reply #5 on: February 11, 2014, 08:00:20 pm »
If you use the "Search" menu under your Avatar, you'll have better success finding these topics. I've had mixed results using the Google bar or the search on upper right myself.
'74 550 Build http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=126401.0
'73 500 Build http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132935.0

"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of it's victim may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated, but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." - C.S. Lewis

Offline Doggie

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Re: 550 to 650 cam swap
« Reply #6 on: February 11, 2014, 08:08:03 pm »
yes, thats the trouble I was having too. Thanks Doug

Offline Gordon

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Re: 550 to 650 cam swap
« Reply #7 on: February 11, 2014, 08:22:34 pm »
Have a look at this before re-installing the camshaft and chain.

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=369.msg57914#msg57914

Offline Rgconner

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Re: 550 to 650 cam swap
« Reply #8 on: February 12, 2014, 07:30:39 am »
Make sure you get the tach too, the gearing is different ratios, so your RPMs will be off.

I have the 650 cam, the 550 now keeps pulling as hard as it does at 5K all the way to the redline.
1975 CB550K aka "Grease Monkey"

Offline Doggie

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Re: 550 to 650 cam swap
« Reply #9 on: February 12, 2014, 09:22:22 pm »
Great help Guys!!
                           Doug

Offline Scott S

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Re: 550 to 650 cam swap
« Reply #10 on: February 14, 2014, 02:39:42 am »
 They're over simplifying it a little bit.

 Some heads require a little bit of clearancing for the cam lobes. Not all do. Some just on one side, some on both. It's best to test fit the cam and spin it slowly. I clearanced my head with a Dremel tool.







 You also need to swap the 550 cam gear over to the 650 cam. After that, just align the timing mark on the end of the cam like you would a 550 cam.



 As noted, if you want to run a tach, you'll need the 650 tach drive gear and a CB650 or CB750 tach. I used a CB750 because I could match the gauge face on my speedometer.
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'81 Yamaha XS650

Offline dave500

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Re: 550 to 650 cam swap
« Reply #11 on: February 14, 2014, 03:53:33 am »
a great post by scott with good photos,we love photos,as scott s said,if you dont trial spin the camshaft in the head and cover you are a novice,with no natural mechanical appitude,destined for destruction.
« Last Edit: February 14, 2014, 03:59:15 am by dave500 »

Offline CBGhia

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Re: 550 to 650 cam swap
« Reply #12 on: February 14, 2014, 04:00:10 am »
as scott s said,if you dont trial spin the camshaft in the head and cover you are a novice,with no natural mechanical appitude,destined for destruction.

And thank you for the new sig line.   This is why Dave deserves a medal.
CB550 Cafe, GL1000, Buell Ulysses
if you dont trial spin the camshaft in the head and cover you are a novice,with no natural mechanical appitude,destined for destruction.
"The cleaner the dipstick, the closer to God." -Rev. Horton Heat
“Faster, Faster, until the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death.”  - Hunter S. Thompson

Offline LesterPiglet

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Re: 550 to 650 cam swap
« Reply #13 on: February 14, 2014, 05:01:25 am »
I hope you cleaned that #3 exhaust valve Scott.   ;)
'Then' and 'than' are completely different words and have completely different meanings. Same with 'of' and 'have'. Set and sit. There, their and they're. Draw and drawer. Could care less/couldn't care less. Bought/brought FFS.


Les Ross.            Certified by a Professional

Offline Scott S

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Re: 550 to 650 cam swap
« Reply #14 on: February 14, 2014, 05:45:12 am »
 That's grease. But thanks for looking out!
'71 CB500 K0
'17 Triumph Street Scrambler
'81 Yamaha XS650