Topic: Greetings from the Oregon Coast!

[oregonjake]

Hello all! My name is Barry and I just got, after a few years of looking a 1974 CB550K from the original owner. 13K miles with original pipes in great shape but repainted dark blue. I have had many SOHC Hondas in the last 45 years and with age comes a need to ride a bit smaller and lighter Honda. I am glad to be back in the old inline 4 family. The motor is frozen as it has been sitting since 1993 and am wondering the best place to find a good used motor. Any help is appreciated. Thanks for letting me be part of what I hope is a motley crew.

[MD]

Welcome from Lake Superior,

There are methods for unfreezing motors while they are still in the bike.  Pull the plugs and squirt in oil or mystery oil to lube the rings.  Let stand for several days.  With the plugs out try turning the motor a little bit in both directions.  Hopefully you will have movement, so just keep working it in the correct direction until you get a full revolution.

My 550 sat under a tarp outdoors for twenty years.  I brought it back to life without having to pull the head. 

-MD

[oregonjake]

I have filled the cylinders with my standby, WD40. Has worked well in the past but now after filling said cylinders a month ago she is still stuck tight. I have not removed alternator cover to try and turn the crank by hand, only trying to move the rear wheel while in gear or stand on the kick start lever. This is why I was asking about a replacement engine. I have broken loose many SOHC 4 motors over the years but this one seems particularly recalcitrant. I'll post in the appropriate forum as I progress through the resurrection. Thanks for the input.

[MD]

I have filled the cylinders with my standby, WD40. Has worked well in the past but now after filling said cylinders a month ago she is still stuck tight. I have not removed alternator cover to try and turn the crank by hand, only trying to move the rear wheel while in gear or stand on the kick start lever. This is why I was asking about a replacement engine. I have broken loose many SOHC 4 motors over the years but this one seems particularly recalcitrant. I'll post in the appropriate forum as I progress through the resurrection. Thanks for the input.

Sorry if I stepped on your toes.

Good luck. 

-MD

[punkstarkitch]

Hi Barry,
You're not too far away from me in Vancouver WA.
I'm building a non-running 1973 CB500 Four.
Mike