Topic: 1978 CB550K4 Project

[calj737]

As appetizing as a 650 power plant is, I'm think the 572 with CR-26 and Stage 3 might be the "sweet spot" for me. If I ever finish my R90, the 500/554 for my son, the 572 for my buddy, I may just rebuild the 550 motor in this way.

By then I should have the formula down pretty well for this package. Opposed to chasing the final 5-10 HP, I'll pursue shedding bike weight another 15-20#s. Cheaper I think.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I'm not sure how "pretty" this bike will be.  I have already adapted a 750 Super Sport tank to fit the 550, with knee recesses and added clearance dents for Woodcraft clip-ons.  I will make it as light as possible (but add some bracing for handling and the added grunt of the motor). This thing will be meant to GO, handle and stop quickly.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Unfortunately, this project is being re-thought.  It turns out that the spare frame I got from Justin has a minor twist in it.  It would likely go down the road straight but never be "right," and maybe unstable at higher speed.

For now, the 650 swap project will be on hold (more spare parts in my storage space).  The existing 1978 complete bike is still registered non-op so it's not out of the system yet.  I'll have to wait and see whether it will fall out of the system, so I can register it and get it roadworthy, or look for a titled donor frame to swap in the parts.  PITA!

[goldarrow]

The existing 1978 complete bike is still registered non-op so it's not out of the system yet.  I'll have to wait and see whether it will fall out of the system, so I can register it and get it roadworthy, or look for a titled donor frame to swap in the parts.  PITA!

Why can't you register it from non-op status?

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I bought the complete from someone who bought it from the registered owner and I only got a bill of sale from the secondary owner to me. I've never spoken with the titled owner. It's possible he might sign a bill of sale to me if I did contact him or claim ownership and either demand money or the bike. The seller told me the bike was due to fall out of the system but that doesn't happen if it's registered as non-op. If it falls out of the system, you can then obtain a clean new title. Of course, the seller is long gone.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Update:

The 1978 CB550K4 didn't fall out of the system, but I am working with a DMV expeditor to get me a title for the bike.

I also purchased Jordan aka KrautKoffin's entire project since he is preparing a move with his wife.  I got a virtual treasure trove of goodies: frame, engine parts including spare ported head by Bob Smalls (local engine machinist), APE knife-edge crankshaft, cruzinimage big bore kit, cylinders bored by APE, spare head, 650 cam, wheels, spare rims, gas tanks (550, 350, 750K7), GL forks and triples, 2 sets of carburetors (1 with rebuild kits), Progressive shocks, spare triple tree, sprockets, reg/rec, etc.  Jordan gave me an unbelievable deal, after I was unable to talk him into completing the build or to sell it to someone else.

My plan is to use as much of the go-fast parts (big bore kit, crank and head, etc.) to rebuild the leaky motor in this bike -- instead of doing the full Monty on a full 650 motor.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Still not exactly sure what will happen with this specific bike.  DMV has yet to say no or yes to a title.

In the interim, I stripped the '82 CB650 this weekend. 





Surprisingly, for a bike that had not run for at least 10 years (maybe double that), the oil was pretty clean.  The 650 has a "frame kit" built into the bottom right frame rail that unbolts dropping the engine.  In my opinion it would be more helpful to have the detachable rail on the side or top so that it can be removed with the motor being slided or lifted out.

[calj737]

When you tear the motor down, or at least remove the rocker cover, do me a favor and snap a clear picture of the cam chain and cam sprocket please? I have spare cam/sprocket that I think are from a 650 I bought from a member here (despite being assure it was good and usable, it's completely crap) and it seems to not use a roller chain like the 500/550.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Cal,

I'm not planning a tear down for a while, but I'll see if I can pull the valve cover off and take a picture.  I tucked the motor away in back of my storage space, so I'm not sure when I'll pull it out.  Even though it's much lighter than a 750 motor, it's still an awkward hunk of metal to pick up!

[calj737]

Don't bother, I'll post an thread and see if they're indeed different.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Cal,

I'm not sure if this will help in the interim, but check out the pictures in this ebay auction of a 1981 CB650 cam shaft for $176!!! (the seller is smoking CRACK).  http://www.ebay.com/itm/Honda-650-CB-CUSTOM-CB650-C-Used-Engine-Cam-Camshaft-1981-SM59-/151547011648?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2348e7e240&vxp=mtr

[calj737]

Pictures aren't clear enough. If the 650 cam chain is indeed a non-roller type, then the crank must also have a different sprocket type too from the 550/500.

[Stev-o]

Update:

The 1978 CB550K4 didn't fall out of the system, but I am working with a DMV expeditor to get me a title for the bike.

I also purchased Jordan aka KrautKoffin's entire project since he is preparing a move with his wife.  I got a virtual treasure trove of goodies: frame, engine parts including spare ported head by Bob Smalls (local engine machinist), APE knife-edge crankshaft, cruzinimage big bore kit, cylinders bored by APE, spare head, 650 cam, wheels, spare rims, gas tanks (550, 350, 750K7), GL forks and triples, 2 sets of carburetors (1 with rebuild kits), Progressive shocks, spare triple tree, sprockets, reg/rec, etc.  Jordan gave me an unbelievable deal...

Sounds like you got lucky!

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Update:

The 1978 CB550K4 didn't fall out of the system, but I am working with a DMV expeditor to get me a title for the bike.

I also purchased Jordan aka KrautKoffin's entire project since he is preparing a move with his wife.  I got a virtual treasure trove of goodies: frame, engine parts including spare ported head by Bob Smalls (local engine machinist), APE knife-edge crankshaft, cruzinimage big bore kit, cylinders bored by APE, spare head, 650 cam, wheels, spare rims, gas tanks (550, 350, 750K7), GL forks and triples, 2 sets of carburetors (1 with rebuild kits), Progressive shocks, spare triple tree, sprockets, reg/rec, etc.  Jordan gave me an unbelievable deal...

Sounds like you got lucky!

It was almost criminal. I like the deal I got but souls have preferred that Jordan had finished his build. He bought a lot of good parts/work and got help from forum members. I get that he got screwed by his builder, and that he's on a student budget, but wish he had finished it.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Wax on, wax off; engine in, engine out.

[Stev-o]

Do you always wax your bikes before you pull the motor?
Does that ease the task??
HA!

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Do you always wax your bikes before you pull the motor?
Does that ease the task??
HA!

Yes, and I put the motor in and pull it out repetitively just for giggles, too.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Getting sick of waiting for the DMV to tell me whether I can title the 550K4!  If no, then all these go fast parts will find a home on my 550K1. 

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Well, the title journey has finally ended.  It turns out that the registered owner reported it stolen six months after I purchased the bike.  The owner's story was fishy, since he reported it last seen six months after I bought it and it had been out of his hands for years before then.  I gave the police all of my information (bill of sale, seller's info, vehicle registration report) and they really helped me.  When the police asked the registered owner if he wanted to pay impound and recovery fees to have his bike returned two counties away ($500-$600), he declined and released his interest in the bike to me.

So, now I have a clean title to the bike and have to decide what to do with it.

My nephew never took the MSF Course, so he gets passed over, unless he shows some interest right quick.

My tentative plan is to use the adapted 750F tank, GSXR front with Cognitomoto trees (custom 45mm offset), TTR400 swingarm, and the engine will either be the 550 with my parts from Jordan (550 ported head, cruzinimage 600 kit) or my 650 motor with a 674 kit.  My main focus is on my drastic 750 restomod (Bionic Mongrel) bike so this one can marinate more while I decide and source parts.

[Tews19]

Good for you! Sounds like maybe a coo was planned to get the bike back once all the work was completed?  Some crazy #$%* happens I tell ya when you buy stuff from people and not a dealer.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Good for you! Sounds like maybe a coo was planned to get the bike back once all the work was completed?  Some crazy #$%* happens I tell ya when you buy stuff from people and not a dealer.

It took 5 months from the time I applied for a new title to resolve this.  The police were extremely helpful.  I think it helped that I fully cooperated in providing them every bit of information, documents and investigation results I had.  They took the laboring oar in sorting it out in my favor and getting the release. 

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I'm going to be following DaveBarbier's new round of engine improvements (650 with 674 big bore) with interest.  If it goes smoothly, I will likely follow.

[Restoration Fan]

Whew!   I came home to a titled 550K4 Frame on my doorstep, carefully packaged up by Justin aka justfours.   

Cool.  Don't know how I missed this post but Justin is the guy I bought the 500 and 550 engine plus parts from.  Drove down to Florida to get them.  He's a cool guy.

I would bet that the 550 engine I purchased was once in that frame, Don. 

Also, for the record...I make one hell of a nephew if you still wanna give that bike to your nephew! 

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Hahaha.  . Unfortunately that twist was pretty significant. What a pity - I could have built another one!

[riverfever]

I don't know how I missed this either. On the edge of my beanbag.