Author Topic: About to do the 650 into a 550 swap. 650 teardown  (Read 3686 times)

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Offline CBGhia

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Re: About to do the 650 into a 550 swap. 650 teardown
« Reply #25 on: October 16, 2015, 03:32:32 PM »
Some of you may have seen my track day thread.  I locked up my 550 engine.   :-[

Well, that moves up the timetable for this swap.  I pulled the head apart and have it soaking in some simple green pro.  Here are some more shots.  What do you think of the wear on these bearing surfaces?  Can I lightly sand these to fix them or is this head trash?

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 seanbarney41

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Re: About to do the 650 into a 550 swap. 650 teardown
« Reply #26 on: October 16, 2015, 06:21:49 PM »
I don't know if you want to do that...but I would go ahead and run those cam bearings...fixing 'em means a new head or expensive bushings and line boring.  They will probably live long enough for a fresher head to be found.  Why not ride in the meantime?  Might even last longer than your interest in the bike.
If it works good, it looks good...

Offline Stev-o

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Re: About to do the 650 into a 550 swap. 650 teardown
« Reply #27 on: October 16, 2015, 07:02:00 PM »
Personally, I wouldn't run it and would find a replacement head.

But it could be run...
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: About to do the 650 into a 550 swap. 650 teardown
« Reply #28 on: October 17, 2015, 01:18:47 AM »
I agree with Stev-o.  Those bearings look worn.  You can find a better replacement head.
1975 CB550K1 "Blue" Stockish Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=135005.0)
1975 CB550F1 frame/CB650 engine hybrid "The Hot Mess" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,150220.0.html)
2008 Triumph Thruxton (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,190956.0.html)
2014 MV Agusta Brutale Dragster 800
2015 Yamaha FZ-09 (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,186861.0.html)

"There are some things nobody needs in this world, and a bright-red, hunch-back, warp-speed 900cc cafe racer is one of them — but I want one anyway, and on some days I actually believe I need one.... Being shot out of a cannon will always be better than being squeezed out of a tube. That is why God made fast motorcycles, Bubba." Hunter S. Thompson, Song of the Sausage Creature, Cycle World, March 1995.  (http://www.latexnet.org/~csmith/sausage.html and https://magazine.cycleworld.com/article/1995/3/1/song-of-the-sausage-creature)

Sold/Emeritus
1973 CB750K2 "Bionic Mongrel" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132734.0) - Sold
1977 CB750K7 "Nine Lives" Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=50490.0) - Sold
2005 RVT1000RR RC51-SP2 "El Diablo" - Sold
2016+ Triumph Thruxton 1200 R (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,170198.0.html) - Sold

Offline CBGhia

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Re: About to do the 650 into a 550 swap. 650 teardown
« Reply #29 on: October 17, 2015, 04:17:25 AM »
Thanks guys.  Stevo, keep your eyes open for a 79-80 650 head.
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 bwaller

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Re: About to do the 650 into a 550 swap. 650 teardown
« Reply #30 on: October 17, 2015, 04:33:06 AM »
A camera always makes these surfaces look damaged. There is only a polished contact area & no scoring?

I think it's fine.

Offline MRieck

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Re: About to do the 650 into a 550 swap. 650 teardown
« Reply #31 on: October 17, 2015, 07:12:10 AM »
A camera always makes these surfaces look damaged. There is only a polished contact area & no scoring?

I think it's fine.
I agree
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Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: About to do the 650 into a 550 swap. 650 teardown
« Reply #32 on: October 17, 2015, 09:23:33 AM »
I would trust Brent and Mike's opinions over mine any day of the week. It looks like your head is okay.
1975 CB550K1 "Blue" Stockish Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=135005.0)
1975 CB550F1 frame/CB650 engine hybrid "The Hot Mess" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,150220.0.html)
2008 Triumph Thruxton (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,190956.0.html)
2014 MV Agusta Brutale Dragster 800
2015 Yamaha FZ-09 (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,186861.0.html)

"There are some things nobody needs in this world, and a bright-red, hunch-back, warp-speed 900cc cafe racer is one of them — but I want one anyway, and on some days I actually believe I need one.... Being shot out of a cannon will always be better than being squeezed out of a tube. That is why God made fast motorcycles, Bubba." Hunter S. Thompson, Song of the Sausage Creature, Cycle World, March 1995.  (http://www.latexnet.org/~csmith/sausage.html and https://magazine.cycleworld.com/article/1995/3/1/song-of-the-sausage-creature)

Sold/Emeritus
1973 CB750K2 "Bionic Mongrel" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132734.0) - Sold
1977 CB750K7 "Nine Lives" Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=50490.0) - Sold
2005 RVT1000RR RC51-SP2 "El Diablo" - Sold
2016+ Triumph Thruxton 1200 R (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,170198.0.html) - Sold

Offline CBGhia

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Re: About to do the 650 into a 550 swap. 650 teardown
« Reply #33 on: October 17, 2015, 10:27:18 AM »
Ran my fingers over the surface and they are all very smooth.   Thanks MRieck and bwaller!  You guys rock! 
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