Topic: CB500 vs CB550 Cam

[motogotro]

I have a 73 cb500 with a badly pitted cam lobe.  Will the cam out of a cb550 work in the CB500?  Any issues with that?

[bryanj]

Same part number same cam

[cb650]

or do the 650 cam swap

[motogotro]

Is there a benefit to the 650 cam swap?

[Gordon]

or do the 650 cam swap

That reminds me.  I still owe you some PBR. 

[calj737]

Is there a benefit to the 650 cam swap?

Its a bit healthier. But, you need the tach drive gear for the 650 cam, AND your tach gauge will need to be swapped as they have different ratios than the 550/500. A 750 gauge is compatible with a 650, but not the cams.

[dave500]

be sure the lobes don't foul the cover or head aswell as the underside of the rockers,some clear,some may need clearancing.

[RAFster122s]

By healthier...that being it will have more lower and mid-range torque and power with some more power at top end. The duration being mildly longer than the stock cb500/550. Electronic tach would be your other option over a mechanical cable tach.

[CarbonK]

If you do go the 650 cam route, I got a camshaft and drive gear for sale. 

[Gordon]

Is there a benefit to the 650 cam swap?

I can only speak to my personal experience and "seat of the pants" dyno, so take this with a grain of salt.  I did the 650 cam swap in my 550K2 about ten years ago.  It made no noticeable difference in town, but on the open highway above 6K rpm, when the stock engine would begin to plateau, it just kept wanting to go.  It felt a lot more like my former 400F that always just wanted to go faster.  A while later I switched to a 1-tooth smaller drive sprocket, and that really brought it to life.  It's not a long-range, long-ride bike, but that's what I have the 750 for. 

[dave500]

Ha,if the 650 cam in your 550 reminded you of your 400 id skip it.