Topic: 1976 CB 550 UPGRADE MOTOR ????

[cardrell]

HAVE A 1976 CB550 SS JUST RODE TO LAKE HAVASU CA.AND MY MOTOR IS TICKING LIKE CRAZY.SOUNDS LIKE VALVE TRAIN AND CAM CHAIN.MY QUESTION IS HAS ANY ONE UP GRADED MOTORS TO A NEWER STYLE LIKE CBR 600.FRAME MODS WOULD BE NO PROBLEM.OR CAN THIS MOTOR BE BORED OUT WITH BIGGER PISTONS.HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO
FIND MANY PERFORMACE PARTS ON THIS MOTOR.

[333]

Wiseco used to have piston sets, and Megacycle Cams( website still up, but newest catalog is '04)also used to have stuff for the old ones.

[Gordon]

There are usually several larger-bore kits available on ebay for the 550.  Haven't had any experience with any of them, so I can't vouch for them, but they are out there. 

Putting a modern 600cc motor in a mid-70's 550cc bike frame is just asking for serious problems down the road. 

[physician]

you can also swap a 650 engine with 64hp ( if i'm right) or you can buid a 650/550 hybrid to keep kickstart. i think you can have up to 75-8 hp easily with this engine. if you need more, the common buy a 750 instead or a newer bike usually apply

[paulages]

JUST CURIOUS: WHY ARE YOU WRITING IN ALL CAPS? 

porting and any overboring should increase the HP considerably. these were reputed to breath quite poorly. also, check the FAQ's under the thoughts of hondaman. he outlines several ways to gain a few more HP out of these.