Topic: 1973 CB 500F top end rebuild

[Honda3]

Whats a fair price shop for a top end rebuild on a 24k miles 1973 CB500F?

Pucks/cylinder gasket is leaking - that the only problem with it, and a local shop (NY) said around $2,800 to rebuild the top end (may as well while the top end is off), which I think is completely ridiculous. Im trying to get a baseline on what something like this should cost. I only paid $2,200 for the bike in pristine condition.

Also, what are other direct fit engine options? CB550F? 

Thoughts are appreciated. Thanks!

Thanks!

[robvangulik]

Buy the necessary gaskets and pucks etc. and do it yourself. that will cost maybe a tenth of that price, and if you do it wrong doing it twice will still be cheap. And you'll learn a lot on the way!

[Honda3]

Buy the necessary gaskets and pucks etc. and do it yourself. that will cost maybe a tenth of that price, and if you do it wrong doing it twice will still be cheap. And you'll learn a lot on the way!

If only I had the time. 3 kids, 8, 6 and 4 and one more (the last) on the way, have my own business and have a lot of work related events. If I started this thing it would take forever to finish. Primarily what Im looking for is to find out what is a fair price for this work to be done.

[BRG-BIRD]

I had a shop quote ~$1,500 for new rings, cylinder hone, new cam chain tensioner, new base gasket and head gasket. I didn’t ask about any head work being done.

[turboguzzi]

Why a top end rebuild? if it's a simple oil leak around the doweled oil passages to the cam (left and right ends of the head, very common problem on 500/550/650s) no need to rebuild anything on a 24K miles bike's head, just a new head gasket and new o-rings around the dowels.

shouldnt be more than a day for a good mechanic.

[Scott S]

 And new pucks.

 But, yeah, I wouldn't rebuild the whole engine for an oil leak around the head.

[Honda3]

Why a top end rebuild? if it's a simple oil leak around the doweled oil passages to the cam (left and right ends of the head, very common problem on 500/550/650s) no need to rebuild anything on a 24K miles bike's head, just a new head gasket and new o-rings around the dowels.

shouldnt be more than a day for a good mechanic.

yep. I had a chat with someone else who can do the work and I was quoted $900 to change the head gasket. Im familiar with the problem these bikes have with "pucks," aka o rings. Take a look at this photo, they are in the set right? And I assume this is all I need?

Thanks.

[Honda3]

And new pucks.

 But, yeah, I wouldn't rebuild the whole engine for an oil leak around the head.

Scott, are the "pucks" in this?  See photo

[Scott S]

 The pucks are not the O rings and they are not included in that set.

 $900 is still crazy high.

 There is a school of thought that if you remove the head you stand a chance of disturbing the base gasket, at the bottom of the cylinders.  I've successfully changed just the head gasket, pucks and oil jet O rings before.

 Go to 4into1.com and buy a head gasket,  six pucks and the oil jet O rings. Pick up a tube of Hondabond while you're there.
 Since you have plenty of other bikes to ride, I'd do it at home, even if it takes several weekends (it can be done in half a day).

[bochnak]

Do it yourself with this video: