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Author Topic: 1978 CB550K Engine top to bottom overhaul  (Read 3094 times)

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Offline eastyork1977

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1978 CB550K Engine top to bottom overhaul
« on: August 31, 2017, 06:58:15 AM »
Starting a long overdue build thread for a buddy's 550K(4) engine. He is currently in the process of building the bike frame up but we've been so busy with the machining and there has been little time to post.
A bit of a pre/post timeline is going to show here as we started the overhaul in the spring.

So to start out, I went and visited the machinist for the bottom end back from cleaning and inspection stage. Factory finish. Everything checks out. Crank wasn't perfect but we had to tap out at that point, budget wise it would be very costly to keep going on the bottom end and I trust my machinist. He's easily got 30 years experience on me.
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'73 CB350G
'75 CB400F
'77 CB550K3 "Swayze"
'78 CB550K Stock
'78 CB750F2 Stock-ish

"take a peak." - Don Cherry

"If I can bounce a wrench off a tyre and it hits you, you're standing too close."

Offline eastyork1977

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Re: 1978 CB550K Engine top to bottom overhaul
« Reply #1 on: August 31, 2017, 07:04:35 AM »
And presto! Transmission is back in the case and on the desktop.
All new case oil seals, one plug was re-used (unobtainium)
Logged
'73 CB350G
'75 CB400F
'77 CB550K3 "Swayze"
'78 CB550K Stock
'78 CB750F2 Stock-ish

"take a peak." - Don Cherry

"If I can bounce a wrench off a tyre and it hits you, you're standing too close."

Offline eastyork1977

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Re: 1978 CB550K Engine top to bottom overhaul
« Reply #2 on: August 31, 2017, 07:17:55 AM »
Valves back from machinist looking factory new.
We had to take down 4/1000 off the valve head lower mating surface to correct the warp in the head.
Two bent valves and some piston wear was found upon disassembly.
2 new valve guides were machined custom and pressed. These exhaust valve guides are unobtanium.
All new valves in the head. Aftermarket exhaust, OEM inlets as is available. Exhaust valves are unobtainium.

Cylinder will make an appearance next.
Logged
'73 CB350G
'75 CB400F
'77 CB550K3 "Swayze"
'78 CB550K Stock
'78 CB750F2 Stock-ish

"take a peak." - Don Cherry

"If I can bounce a wrench off a tyre and it hits you, you're standing too close."

Offline eastyork1977

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Re: 1978 CB550K Engine top to bottom overhaul
« Reply #3 on: August 31, 2017, 07:19:32 AM »
Cylinder: the before pic, ugh...
Logged
'73 CB350G
'75 CB400F
'77 CB550K3 "Swayze"
'78 CB550K Stock
'78 CB750F2 Stock-ish

"take a peak." - Don Cherry

"If I can bounce a wrench off a tyre and it hits you, you're standing too close."

Offline eastyork1977

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Re: 1978 CB550K Engine top to bottom overhaul
« Reply #4 on: August 31, 2017, 07:23:13 AM »
Cylinder back from machining. In the first picture, you can see the warping where they removed the gasket previously. Surfacing and some decking I believe was needed.
« Last Edit: August 31, 2017, 07:26:01 AM by eastyork1977 »
Logged
'73 CB350G
'75 CB400F
'77 CB550K3 "Swayze"
'78 CB550K Stock
'78 CB750F2 Stock-ish

"take a peak." - Don Cherry

"If I can bounce a wrench off a tyre and it hits you, you're standing too close."

Offline eastyork1977

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Re: 1978 CB550K Engine top to bottom overhaul
« Reply #5 on: August 31, 2017, 07:25:10 AM »
Some more close ups of the jugs.
Will be posting the remaining pics tonight and this week.
Logged
'73 CB350G
'75 CB400F
'77 CB550K3 "Swayze"
'78 CB550K Stock
'78 CB750F2 Stock-ish

"take a peak." - Don Cherry

"If I can bounce a wrench off a tyre and it hits you, you're standing too close."

Offline calj737

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Re: 1978 CB550K Engine top to bottom overhaul
« Reply #6 on: August 31, 2017, 09:03:04 AM »
Your guides are available from Kibblewhite, and are ready to go having been reamed. Valves, retainers and springs too.
http://dynoman.net/bikepages/cb550/index.html

Keep track of the total milling of the head/deck to trim the locating dowels  :)
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'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 SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: 1978 CB550K Engine top to bottom overhaul
« Reply #7 on: August 31, 2017, 09:58:09 AM »
Quote from: eastyork1977 on August 31, 2017, 07:17:55 AM
Valves back from machinist looking factory new.
We had to take down 4/1000 off the valve head lower mating surface to correct the warp in the head.
Two bent valves and some piston wear was found upon disassembly.
2 new valve guides were machined custom and pressed. These exhaust valve guides are unobtanium.
All new valves in the head. Aftermarket exhaust, OEM inlets as is available. Exhaust valves are unobtainium.

Cylinder will make an appearance next.

OEM stock valve guides and valves may be hard to find, but better Kibblewhite parts are readily available.
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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 eastyork1977

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Re: 1978 CB550K Engine top to bottom overhaul
« Reply #8 on: August 31, 2017, 07:09:52 PM »
Not in Canada they ain't but cheers guys. Can't beat hand made nickel!
Logged
'73 CB350G
'75 CB400F
'77 CB550K3 "Swayze"
'78 CB550K Stock
'78 CB750F2 Stock-ish

"take a peak." - Don Cherry

"If I can bounce a wrench off a tyre and it hits you, you're standing too close."

Offline eastyork1977

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Re: 1978 CB550K Engine top to bottom overhaul
« Reply #9 on: August 31, 2017, 07:13:22 PM »
Little bit of the valves in progress. Those keepers are always fun.
Logged
'73 CB350G
'75 CB400F
'77 CB550K3 "Swayze"
'78 CB550K Stock
'78 CB750F2 Stock-ish

"take a peak." - Don Cherry

"If I can bounce a wrench off a tyre and it hits you, you're standing too close."

Offline eastyork1977

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  • Posts: 128
  • Tuning and building in the Great White North
Re: 1978 CB550K Engine top to bottom overhaul
« Reply #10 on: August 31, 2017, 07:15:34 PM »
Piston check. Some 'light' damage on 1 and 2 lol
Something was definitely bouncing around inside the combustion chamber.
Logged
'73 CB350G
'75 CB400F
'77 CB550K3 "Swayze"
'78 CB550K Stock
'78 CB750F2 Stock-ish

"take a peak." - Don Cherry

"If I can bounce a wrench off a tyre and it hits you, you're standing too close."

Offline eastyork1977

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  • Posts: 128
  • Tuning and building in the Great White North
Re: 1978 CB550K Engine top to bottom overhaul
« Reply #11 on: August 31, 2017, 07:18:23 PM »
New OEM tensioner parts. A little re-threading was needed to fix up the tensioner adjuster bolt.
Logged
'73 CB350G
'75 CB400F
'77 CB550K3 "Swayze"
'78 CB550K Stock
'78 CB750F2 Stock-ish

"take a peak." - Don Cherry

"If I can bounce a wrench off a tyre and it hits you, you're standing too close."

Offline eastyork1977

  • Enthusiast
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  • Posts: 128
  • Tuning and building in the Great White North
Re: 1978 CB550K Engine top to bottom overhaul
« Reply #12 on: August 31, 2017, 07:20:24 PM »
The ol' wiggle and shove. Haven't used the piston ring compressors yet. Anyone else find the same?
Logged
'73 CB350G
'75 CB400F
'77 CB550K3 "Swayze"
'78 CB550K Stock
'78 CB750F2 Stock-ish

"take a peak." - Don Cherry

"If I can bounce a wrench off a tyre and it hits you, you're standing too close."

Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: 1978 CB550K Engine top to bottom overhaul
« Reply #13 on: August 31, 2017, 10:08:16 PM »
Quote from: eastyork1977 on August 31, 2017, 07:20:24 PM
The ol' wiggle and shove. Haven't used the piston ring compressors yet. Anyone else find the same?

They are available and they work.
Logged
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 calj737

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Re: 1978 CB550K Engine top to bottom overhaul
« Reply #14 on: September 01, 2017, 03:38:47 AM »
Quote from: SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan on August 31, 2017, 10:08:16 PM
Quote from: eastyork1977 on August 31, 2017, 07:20:24 PM
The ol' wiggle and shove. Haven't used the piston ring compressors yet. Anyone else find the same?

They are available and they work.
But maybe not in Canada  ???
Logged
'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: 1978 CB550K Engine top to bottom overhaul
« Reply #15 on: September 01, 2017, 05:39:23 AM »
Quote from: eastyork1977 on August 31, 2017, 07:23:13 AM
Cylinder back from machining. In the first picture, you can see the warping where they removed the gasket previously. Surfacing and some decking I believe was needed.
After a million heat cycles every thing needs decking and surfacing. ;D
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Owner of the "Million Dollar CB"

Offline eastyork1977

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Re: 1978 CB550K Engine top to bottom overhaul
« Reply #16 on: September 01, 2017, 08:19:04 AM »
I've never had to use the compressors, got these on in about 15 min. Shipping from the states is hit and miss and the head was already with the machinist in his skilled hands. He is an ex british salt flat racer. Guy does Nascar and quarter mile drag engines so I go with his word, plus he's a friend.
Not necessarily. After getting about 10 cylinders done in the last few years I've had to deck only 4.
Logged
'73 CB350G
'75 CB400F
'77 CB550K3 "Swayze"
'78 CB550K Stock
'78 CB750F2 Stock-ish

"take a peak." - Don Cherry

"If I can bounce a wrench off a tyre and it hits you, you're standing too close."

Offline MRieck

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Re: 1978 CB550K Engine top to bottom overhaul
« Reply #17 on: September 01, 2017, 11:27:54 AM »
Quote from: eastyork1977 on September 01, 2017, 08:19:04 AM
I've never had to use the compressors, got these on in about 15 min. Shipping from the states is hit and miss and the head was already with the machinist in his skilled hands. He is an ex british salt flat racer. Guy does Nascar and quarter mile drag engines so I go with his word, plus he's a friend.
Not necessarily. After getting about 10 cylinders done in the last few years I've had to deck only 4.
What I find interesting is a head or deck will look OK wih a straight edge but once you take the first pass on the mill you will have high and low spots. The mill is the final word.
 Also...you can use the OEM intake guide on the exhaust side....it's just a little shorter. You can use the 550 guide on CB400F's too but you need to cut them down.
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Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: 1978 CB550K Engine top to bottom overhaul
« Reply #18 on: September 01, 2017, 11:44:34 AM »
Quote from: MRieck on September 01, 2017, 11:27:54 AM
The mill is the final word.

That sounds like a would be movie line.  I bet you could put a used head on glass and it would look straight as an arrow an still be off.
Logged
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 calj737

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Re: 1978 CB550K Engine top to bottom overhaul
« Reply #19 on: September 01, 2017, 03:56:21 PM »
Quote from: SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan on September 01, 2017, 11:44:34 AM
Quote from: MRieck on September 01, 2017, 11:27:54 AM
The mill is the final word.

That sounds like a would be movie line.  I bet you could put a used head on glass and it would look straight as an arrow an still be off.
Glass ain't 0.0000 accurate! A DRO is.
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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 eastyork1977

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Re: 1978 CB550K Engine top to bottom overhaul
« Reply #20 on: September 03, 2017, 06:29:57 AM »
MRieck That is a good tip, i knew they were slightly different. I leave it to the pros when it comes to pressing and decking. Not my area of expertise.
I heard that marble is best as opposed to glass for surfacing. I've used marble once or twice for surfacing, level laps and quarter rotations of the block.
« Last Edit: September 03, 2017, 06:39:46 AM by eastyork1977 »
Logged
'73 CB350G
'75 CB400F
'77 CB550K3 "Swayze"
'78 CB550K Stock
'78 CB750F2 Stock-ish

"take a peak." - Don Cherry

"If I can bounce a wrench off a tyre and it hits you, you're standing too close."

Offline eastyork1977

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  • Posts: 128
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Re: 1978 CB550K Engine top to bottom overhaul
« Reply #21 on: September 03, 2017, 06:35:10 AM »
A peak at the valve guides that were pulled. I knew they were oval but, gah!

All back together. Gotta dust off the top rocker cover and we're gonna drop 'er in this week I believe.
I will have to check on the rolling chassis and how that is coming along... Will post again when we can!

I think most got what I meant by un-obtainium. To me un-obtainium would be discontinued OEM. Aftermarket, NOS and rare good used parts are always kicking around and some of us do have time machines for parts. ;D
Cheers everyone and thanks for the feedback.
« Last Edit: September 03, 2017, 06:39:21 AM by eastyork1977 »
Logged
'73 CB350G
'75 CB400F
'77 CB550K3 "Swayze"
'78 CB550K Stock
'78 CB750F2 Stock-ish

"take a peak." - Don Cherry

"If I can bounce a wrench off a tyre and it hits you, you're standing too close."

Offline eastyork1977

  • Enthusiast
  • **
  • Posts: 128
  • Tuning and building in the Great White North
Re: 1978 CB550K Engine top to bottom overhaul
« Reply #22 on: September 03, 2017, 06:42:47 AM »
Quote from: calj737 on September 01, 2017, 03:38:47 AM
Quote from: SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan on August 31, 2017, 10:08:16 PM
Quote from: eastyork1977 on August 31, 2017, 07:20:24 PM
The ol' wiggle and shove. Haven't used the piston ring compressors yet. Anyone else find the same?

They are available and they work.
But maybe not in Canada  ???

calj737 LOL just saw this now  ;D
Logged
'73 CB350G
'75 CB400F
'77 CB550K3 "Swayze"
'78 CB550K Stock
'78 CB750F2 Stock-ish

"take a peak." - Don Cherry

"If I can bounce a wrench off a tyre and it hits you, you're standing too close."

Offline eastyork1977

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  • Posts: 128
  • Tuning and building in the Great White North
Re: 1978 CB550K Engine top to bottom overhaul
« Reply #23 on: September 03, 2017, 06:49:18 AM »
Shot of the TDC check.
Back with more once we get the roller
« Last Edit: September 03, 2017, 06:55:14 AM by eastyork1977 »
Logged
'73 CB350G
'75 CB400F
'77 CB550K3 "Swayze"
'78 CB550K Stock
'78 CB750F2 Stock-ish

"take a peak." - Don Cherry

"If I can bounce a wrench off a tyre and it hits you, you're standing too close."
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