Topic: Engine bearings alternatives?

[tacc13]

I've managed to get my CB550 engine into it's separate parts and am in the process of cleaning everything before sending the cases off to get coated. I've also priced up every bearing, shim, circlip, o-ring and gasket from cmsnl.com and it comes to around AUS$700, plus postage. The main expense is some of the bearings. From what I can find on the forums, some are Honda specific, so I just need to suck up the cost for them. Am I able to use SKF, Timken etc options for the others? If so, does anyone have specs?

Thanks

[jaytee-nz]

I don't have the bearing specs but all bearings have markings on them to show what they are. As long as you stick to quality bearings like SKF etc you will be fine and save a lot of money. Honda did not make their own bearings in the first place - they used other bearing manufacturers.
The only bearing you will find very difficult to replace is the large, wide gearbox bearing with the groove in it. I eventually found a similar one here and had a machinist cut the retainer groove in it. Having said that, unless your bike has done big miles or been run low on oil, the gearbox bearings are probably fine to use again.
By the way, I have found that CMSL are generally very expensive (with the odd rare exception). Their freight costs are very steep as well (I'm in NZ so your costs will be similar). I normally use either David Silver in the UK or 4 into 1 in the States for genuine parts. 4 into 1 freight is generally very reasonable and the service is quick.
Hope that helps - JT.

[tacc13]

Thanks JT

Spent my lunch break today comparing DSS and CMSL prices and there is a decent saving. The DSS postage is a lot better as well. Just looked at one of the bearings and it is a NTN 6205 with ID 25mm and OD 52mm, which seems pretty common across the major brands. Also had CX engraved on it. Will take them all to the local bearing supplier to see what they can come up with.

Spent three years living and working in Windy Wellington a few years ago and loved it.

[jaytee-nz]

Sounds like you're on to it.
I'm in New Plymouth (about 400km north of Wellington on the west coast in case you never got up here).
If your large gearbox bearing is buggered let me know as I think I have a reasonable used one which you can have for postage costs.

[tacc13]

Thanks very much. I will work my way thru them over the next few days. The bike had been sitting in a shed for most of its life and had low mileage. The first two bearings look and feel fine but I will replace whatever I can with new given the local prices are pretty good.

[Bodi]

The bearing number on the single row ball bearings is all you need to order or buy them. Ones with a groove in the outer race, get OEM if available: having that groove ground into a plain bearing is possible but expensive.Rollers will be hard to source other than OEM. The usual fit spec stocked (C3?) at bearing shops is OK for us. A good brand is advised like SKF, FAG, NTN rather than the budget "white box" or unknown brands. Chinese bearings are usually excellent but  I still don't trust them when failure means a lot of work - skate wheels sure but inside a motor... no.