Author Topic: 1977 cb550K3 drive chain  (Read 577 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

nairb

  • Guest
1977 cb550K3 drive chain
« on: January 14, 2020, 05:50:01 PM »
Its been a few years since my cb550 was last on the road.  Its had a top end rebuild.  At 42,000 miles it was burning too much oil. 
So its getting ready to go out on the road.  New tires(tyres), oil/filter, fork seals and air filter etc.
Also its time for a new set of chain/sprockets.  I have decided to go with the standard setup.  Jt sprockets front and rear,  Front being 17T the rear is 37T.
My question is which type of chain should I get.  Its been a while since I bought chain for this bike and the types and makers have changed.  I usually like DID but there are other good brands also.  Is  X-Ring good enough or do I need to go for something else like VX Heavy Duty X-Ring.  Is O-ring chain too thick?.

Thanks in advance
Nairb

Offline HondaMan

  • Someone took this pic of me before I became a
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 13,861
  • ...not my choice, I was nicknamed...
    • Getting 'em Back on the Road
Re: 1977 cb550K3 drive chain
« Reply #1 on: January 14, 2020, 05:58:43 PM »
IMHO, the very best chain for these bikes is the Diamond XD or XDL. If you can't obtain that (check eBay) the Diamond Powersport is my second choice. Many here already know I am not a fan of O-ring chains, as they are an oxymoron on a motorcycle. For conveyors, they are great. ;)

Also: when you get your new sprockets, run them for at least 100 miles with the old chain FIRST. All modern sprockets are cast, not machined, and they have a fine grit on their teeth that will enter your new chain and damage it, quickly. Watch the valleys between the teeth: when they look smooth and shiny again, THEN install the new chain. If you don't do this in this order, your new chain will last less than 1/2 as long as it would otherwise.

And: when you get the new sprockets: take the countersprocket and grind off about 1mm (up to 2mm, it is not critical) from the tip of each tooth. Honda's sprockets originally had shortened teeth (and a larger base circle, but we can't get those today... :(  ) to make the front sprocket settle more quietly and open the rollers as they entered the more oil-rich up-front area, to held them nab a few molecules of oil into their roller's insides. This was called "pumping" the lube. It happens at both sprockets, but up front it has a better chance of collecting a bit more oil (especially in the 750).
See SOHC4shop@gmail.com for info about the gadgets I make for these bikes.

The demons are repulsed when a man does good. Use that.
Blood is thicker than water, but motor oil is thicker yet...so, don't mess with my SOHC4, or I might have to hurt you.
Hondaman's creed: "Bikers are family. Treat them accordingly."

Link to Hondaman Ignition: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=67543.0

Link to My CB750 Book: https://www.lulu.com/search?adult_audience_rating=00&page=1&pageSize=10&q=my+cb750+book

Link to website: www.SOHC4shop.com

Offline dave500

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 17,019
  • WHAT?no gravy?
Re: 1977 cb550K3 drive chain
« Reply #2 on: January 14, 2020, 08:42:17 PM »
jt sprockets will last you almost forever.

Offline Bankerdanny

  • Eventually I will be old enough in reality to be
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 7,626
  • Endeavor to persevere
Re: 1977 cb550K3 drive chain
« Reply #3 on: January 16, 2020, 02:15:08 PM »
You don't want to use an x-ring/o-ring style chain on a 550, at least not in the standard 530 size. They will rub on the case. Just stick with a good quality conventional chain and keep it properly lubricated and adjusted.
"The problem with quotes on the Internet is that you never know if they're true" - Abraham Lincoln

Current: '76 CB750F. Previous:  '75 CB550F, 2007 Yamaha Vino 125 Scooter, '75 Harley FXE Superglide, '77 GL1000, '77 CB550k, '68 Suzuki K10 80, '68 Yamaha YR2, '69 BMW R69S, '71 Honda SL175, '02 Royal Enfield Bullet 500, '89 Yamaha FJ1200

Offline carnivorous chicken

  • Master
  • *****
  • Posts: 1,864
Re: 1977 cb550K3 drive chain
« Reply #4 on: January 16, 2020, 02:18:52 PM »
As BD said, O-ring chains will rub on the case, but also puncture a rubber seal that requires splitting the cases to replace.

Offline dave500

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 17,019
  • WHAT?no gravy?
Re: 1977 cb550K3 drive chain
« Reply #5 on: January 16, 2020, 08:53:42 PM »
I get good milage from ek heavy duty chains.

nairb

  • Guest
Re: 1977 cb550K3 drive chain
« Reply #6 on: January 22, 2020, 01:42:33 PM »
Thanks for the replies.  I did think all I needed was some simple, good quality, standard chain.  Not x-ring or O-ring or super strength gold chain.  But times have moved on.  Make you wonder how we managed all those years ago with "standard" chain.
In the uk there are no suppliers of Diamond XD so I will look out for some DID.  These cb550 k3's are not the power bike of today.  I still think you get what you pay for.....   standard chain it is then.

Many thanks
Nairb