Author Topic: CB550 Motor Build  (Read 17393 times)

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Offline sinister902

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Re: CB550 Motor Build
« Reply #50 on: February 04, 2016, 12:56:48 PM »
interested to see how this pans out. You must be the other local 550 guy that Gennaro told me about. if you get stuck I'm nearby and have done a whole bunch of 550/650 motors.

Offline Camrector

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Re: CB550 Motor Build
« Reply #51 on: February 04, 2016, 01:32:49 PM »
Wow sinister thank you so much. I'm sure I'll need the help. I own Vera so any help you give can be paid for in rare booze! Thanks

Offline flatlander

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Re: CB550 Motor Build
« Reply #52 on: February 04, 2016, 01:47:08 PM »
I own Vera

you own my former girlfriend? good luck to you  :o

Offline Camrector

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Re: CB550 Motor Build
« Reply #53 on: February 04, 2016, 02:08:12 PM »
Lol Flatlander name of my bar.

Offline Stev-o

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Re: CB550 Motor Build
« Reply #54 on: February 04, 2016, 06:20:05 PM »
Lol Flatlander name of my bar.

Vera Pizzeria?    I love that place!
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline Camrector

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Re: CB550 Motor Build
« Reply #55 on: February 04, 2016, 06:46:11 PM »
Yes sir thank you Stev o! Looks like we need to have a SOHC party night!

Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: CB550 Motor Build
« Reply #56 on: February 04, 2016, 08:03:09 PM »
http://www.verapizzeria.com/

Looks good.  When is the party?
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 Camrector

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Re: CB550 Motor Build
« Reply #57 on: February 04, 2016, 08:25:48 PM »
Guilty! Redoing that website as we speak lol. StevO when were you in? We can all build this motor at my house in the day and I'll get you guys all liquored up at night lol

Offline Camrector

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Re: CB550 Motor Build
« Reply #58 on: February 06, 2016, 11:50:42 AM »
A little progress made while we wait for the cases from Nils. Stator and field coil were sent to Ricks for rebuilding. They tested out fine, but hey why not right. A.P.E was also shipped the crank. Started ordering some fresh parts for the rebuild. Primary chain, cam chain, tensioner, guide, new oil pump etc etc. Will still need bearings as I can't remember the case numbers. And a bunch of other stuff too.
Top end recipe is still in the works.
Brent has a great set of 572 Pistons that will work great with any cam choice and over sized valves.
Also is still the 61rs from dynoman with a 126-00 or 126-20.
How Streetable do you guys think the 126-20 is? Cal please chime in here.

Offline Camrector

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Re: CB550 Motor Build
« Reply #59 on: February 13, 2016, 07:54:47 PM »
Cases arrived on Wednesday. All i can say is WOW! Nils your are a wizard.













in that last picture notice the two chips on the cylinder sleeves? will that be ok or is it new liner time?

All the other covers are still wrapped up and waiting.

Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: CB550 Motor Build
« Reply #60 on: February 13, 2016, 10:43:39 PM »
You should be ok with those small nicks.

Wow, Nils does awesome work.  That finish looks NEW.
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

Online calj737

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Re: CB550 Motor Build
« Reply #61 on: February 14, 2016, 05:36:44 AM »
While the chips in the sleeve are not in an area involved in the travel of the piston, you definitely want a machine shop to grind them back. The constant heat cycles and vibration can prey upon those areas and turn them into a crack. If you have decided to use the 59mm Wisecos, even better as you won't be thinning the wall so severely either.
« Last Edit: February 14, 2016, 05:56:35 AM by calj737 »
'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 MRieck

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Re: CB550 Motor Build
« Reply #62 on: February 14, 2016, 05:52:04 AM »
While the chip sin the sleeve are not in an area involved in the travel of the piston, you definitely want a machine shop to grind them back. The constant heat cycles and vibration can prey upon those areas and turn them into a crack. If you have decided to use the 59mm Wisecos, even better as you won't be thinning the wall so severely either.
That is correct.
Owner of the "Million Dollar CB"

Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: CB550 Motor Build
« Reply #63 on: February 14, 2016, 06:44:23 AM »
Yes, my comment was not so clear.  Grind back the chips and chamfer the edges.

One of my sleeves was really chomped.  I ended up using a spare cylinder.

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 Camrector

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Re: CB550 Motor Build
« Reply #64 on: February 14, 2016, 07:21:31 AM »
Excellent info. Still undecided on the piston size, and from the looks of that last picture I rather be safe that sorry!
Some parts are arriving and waiting to hear back from MRieck about the top end. I'll likely send the cylinders to him as well, so he can see what needs to be done.

Offline Trad

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Re: CB550 Motor Build
« Reply #65 on: February 14, 2016, 11:18:00 PM »
Those cases look so good! Wow is right!

I went with 60mm (JE forged pistons). Many do 61mm but that would be the thinnest you can really leave the factory CB550 bores.
74 CB550 Build: NOS-GUTTED-OEMplus-HOLDTRUE
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,130575.0.html

Offline Camrector

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Re: CB550 Motor Build
« Reply #66 on: February 14, 2016, 11:37:54 PM »
Exactly Trad. Hondaman is putting 61s in my Gentlemens Express motor, this one might get something a little "different".

Offline Camrector

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Re: CB550 Motor Build
« Reply #67 on: March 01, 2016, 09:10:01 PM »
Not much to report. Parts are starting to come in, so i figured i could add some more porn here.


New oil pump


Stator and field coil rebuilt by Ricks




And Race cut gears by Fast by Gast. These are beautiful and Paul is a great dude!

Mr.Rieck is still swamped so it'll be about a month until i can send him the top end. So that gives me plenty of time to source a few more internal parts and start building the bottom end.

Offline Camrector

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Re: CB550 Motor Build
« Reply #68 on: March 10, 2016, 04:21:51 PM »
Following your advice here guys, the dynoman 61r  wiseco pistons arrived today. They are quite nice except for a few burrs along the valve reliefs. I would have expected these to be cleaned up a little better for being "high quality", and at $600 a set.

otherwise Im happy though.





Offline Stev-o

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Re: CB550 Motor Build
« Reply #69 on: March 10, 2016, 06:51:33 PM »
Those are pretty but for $600, I'd expect a coating on the skirt. These are the Wisecos I put in my H1...



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

Offline Camrector

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Re: CB550 Motor Build
« Reply #70 on: March 10, 2016, 11:02:26 PM »
Yeah I didn't even get those cute little wiseco "socks". Heartbroken.....
[sarcastic tone]

Offline Camrector

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Re: CB550 Motor Build
« Reply #71 on: May 02, 2016, 01:37:40 PM »
Crank arrived last week from APE. They shaved 2.4lbs off the stock weight. So now just waiting on rods from Mike Reick( polished and shot peened) and we can build this bottom end.



14k!!! I wish  ;D


And a teaser pic from Mike of the oversize intake valve bore

Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: CB550 Motor Build
« Reply #72 on: May 02, 2016, 01:43:30 PM »
Crank arrived last week from APE. They shaved 2.4lbs off the stock weight. So now just waiting on rods from Mike Reick( polished and shot peened) and we can build this bottom end.



14k!!! I wish  ;D


And a teaser pic from Mike of the oversize intake valve bore


Nice APE crank work.  It looks like you went with a Mike Rieck Stage 4 (Stage III with oversize valves) job.  What kind of cam are you going to use?
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 Camrector

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Re: CB550 Motor Build
« Reply #73 on: May 02, 2016, 02:45:17 PM »
Went with the Megacycle 126-20 CB fan. You guys bullyed me into it. ;D
And yes stage 4 from Mike.

Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: CB550 Motor Build
« Reply #74 on: May 02, 2016, 02:49:57 PM »
Went with the Megacycle 126-20 CB fan. You guys bullyed me into it. ;D
And yes stage 4 from Mike.

Haha!  I like what Mike says about the Stage 3 job: "This head kicks ass…..no disappointments no matter the displacement (400cc, 500/550cc, 750 etc.)."  Think of your Stage 4 as that ON STEROIDS!!
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