Author Topic: Cb550 Oil Change (Read 1331 times)

Blakesblakey · « **on:** April 13, 2020, 02:59:22 AM »

Hello all,

About to change the oil on my '74 cb550 and was wondering what procedure to follow? I looked through the forum on priming the oil pump and got a few different things. I heard add 1qt of oil to top end through tappet plugs, which ones? Intake or exhaust? All of them? Or does it not matter? Just want to be sure I'm not about to mess something up,.

Thanks

bryanj · « **Reply #1 on:** April 13, 2020, 03:26:40 AM »

Run it till warm
Remove drain plug and let oil drain
Remove oil filter housing and filter, there is supposed to be a thin steel waser between the spring and filter rubber, frequently missing if so order one for next time(at same time order new sump plug washer which i bet you forgot).
Change O rings on filter bolt and casing.
Refit filter and housing being carefull not to cross thread it DO NOT do it up hercules tight, just nip it up.
Refit drain plug.

Fill engine with fresh oil

Start and check filter for leaks

After checking for leaks stop engine and top up if required.

No priming, no bleeding, no hassle(unless hexagon worn on filter bolt).

flatlander · « **Reply #2 on:** April 13, 2020, 03:31:25 AM »

i'd change the filter as well. at least on every 2nd oil change if you are stingey.

Scott S · « **Reply #3 on:** April 13, 2020, 03:54:08 AM »

Quote from: bryanj on April 13, 2020, 03:26:40 AM

Run it till warm
Remove drain plug and let oil drain
Remove oil filter housing and filter, there is supposed to be a thin steel waser between the spring and filter rubber, frequently missing if so order one for next time(at same time order new sump plug washer which i bet you forgot).
Change O rings on filter bolt and casing.
Refit filter and housing being carefull not to cross thread it DO NOT do it up hercules tight, just nip it up.
Refit drain plug.

Fill engine with fresh oil

Start and check filter for leaks

After checking for leaks stop engine and top up if required.

No priming, no bleeding, no hassle(unless hexagon worn on filter bolt).

What he said ^^

bryanj · « **Reply #4 on:** April 13, 2020, 04:02:35 AM »

Honda say oil every 1500, filter every 3000. Personaly i wont put clean oil through a dirty filter

DaveBarbier · « **Reply #5 on:** April 13, 2020, 04:17:48 AM »

Quote from: bryanj on April 13, 2020, 03:26:40 AM

Run it till warm
Remove drain plug and let oil drain
Remove oil filter housing and filter, there is supposed to be a thin steel waser between the spring and filter rubber, frequently missing if so order one for next time(at same time order new sump plug washer which i bet you forgot).
Change O rings on filter bolt and casing.
Refit filter and housing being carefull not to cross thread it DO NOT do it up hercules tight, just nip it up.
Refit drain plug.

Fill engine with fresh oil

Start and check filter for leaks

After checking for leaks stop engine and top up if required.

No priming, no bleeding, no hassle(unless hexagon worn on filter bolt).

+2

Blakesblakey · « **Reply #6 on:** April 13, 2020, 04:31:01 AM »

Quote from: bryanj on April 13, 2020, 03:26:40 AM

Run it till warm
Remove drain plug and let oil drain
Remove oil filter housing and filter, there is supposed to be a thin steel waser between the spring and filter rubber, frequently missing if so order one for next time(at same time order new sump plug washer which i bet you forgot).
Change O rings on filter bolt and casing.
Refit filter and housing being carefull not to cross thread it DO NOT do it up hercules tight, just nip it up.
Refit drain plug.

Fill engine with fresh oil

Start and check filter for leaks

After checking for leaks stop engine and top up if required.

No priming, no bleeding, no hassle(unless hexagon worn on filter bolt).

I'm not sure how much oil is currently in it (project bike I just got from a member here, update on that soon!) and am completely new to these bikes so pardon my stupidity. Is the process the same with low oil? Looking through the oil fill I can see some on the bottom but not much. Also, I see the spring you're talking about (part #14 correct?), what other parts should I order? I'm not sure what the sump washer is. This is the filter set I ordered.

Blakesblakey · « **Reply #7 on:** April 13, 2020, 04:38:29 AM »

Also how do I verify there is oil pressure /circulation? No idiot lights so I'm guessing the oil switch is a normally closed pressure switch, so I could do a frame to switch continuity test to see if it opens? What about circulation? Open tappet covers? Again sorry this is my first motorcyle.

Scott S · « **Reply #8 on:** April 13, 2020, 05:35:37 AM »

The spring should be in there. He's referring to #13, the washer that is often missing. It just keeps the spring from digging into the rubber on the oil filter. You definitely need the spring, though.

The sump washer is the crush washer for the drain plug, #27.

It doesn't matter if the oil is low because you're draining it anyway. Pick up 4qts. of good MOTORCYCLE oil. You will use just under 4 qts, probably. Put in the first three and most of the 4th, then check the level on the dipstick. Run the engine, let it sit for 20 minutes or so, and then check the dipstick again and top off if needed.

Blakesblakey · « **Reply #9 on:** April 13, 2020, 05:39:25 AM »

Quote from: Scott S on April 13, 2020, 05:35:37 AM

The spring should be in there. He's referring to #13, the washer that is often missing. It just keeps the spring from digging into the rubber on the oil filter. You definitely need the spring, though.

The sump washer is the crush washer for the drain plug, #27.

It doesn't matter if the oil is low because you're draining it anyway. Pick up 4qts. of good MOTORCYCLE oil. You will use just under 4 qts, probably. Put in the first three and most of the 4th, then check the level on the dipstick. Run the engine, let it sit for 20 minutes or so, and then check the dipstick again and top off if needed.

I'll give that a shot thank you!

DaveBarbier · « **Reply #10 on:** April 13, 2020, 06:20:44 AM »

And just to make sure, the dip stick should not be screwed in to check the oil level. Bike on center stand also.

bryanj · « **Reply #11 on:** April 13, 2020, 06:29:26 AM »

Not 4 quarts in a 500/550, it tells you on the clutch cover

Blakesblakey · « **Reply #12 on:** April 13, 2020, 06:30:27 AM »

Quote from: DaveBarbier on April 13, 2020, 06:20:44 AM

And just to make sure, the dip stick should not be screwed in to check the oil level. Bike on center stand also.

Didn't know that thank you!

Stev-o · « **Reply #13 on:** April 13, 2020, 07:47:45 AM »

Quote from: Scott S on April 13, 2020, 05:35:37 AM

Pick up 4qts. of good MOTORCYCLE oil.

Want to stress this. Do not use typical automotive oil, can cause issues with your clutch.

That said, what is the best oil?!

Blakesblakey · « **Reply #14 on:** April 13, 2020, 07:57:17 AM »

Quote from: Stev-o on April 13, 2020, 07:47:45 AM

Quote from: Scott S on April 13, 2020, 05:35:37 AM
Pick up 4qts. of good MOTORCYCLE oil.

Want to stress this. Do not use typical automotive oil, can cause issues with your clutch.

That said, what is the best oil?!

I did do a lot of searching here for "the best" and rotella t4 15w40 got a lot of votes so I grabbed a gallon of that!

Bankerdanny · « **Reply #15 on:** April 13, 2020, 08:09:59 AM »

Quote from: Stev-o on April 13, 2020, 07:47:45 AM

Quote from: Scott S on April 13, 2020, 05:35:37 AM
Pick up 4qts. of good MOTORCYCLE oil.

Want to stress this. Do not use typical automotive oil, can cause issues with your clutch.

That said, what is the best oil?!

Stop being a troublemaker Stev-o. LOL

Stev-o · « **Reply #16 on:** April 13, 2020, 08:11:31 AM »

Quote from: Bankerdanny on April 13, 2020, 08:09:59 AM

Quote from: Stev-o on April 13, 2020, 07:47:45 AM
Quote from: Scott S on April 13, 2020, 05:35:37 AM
Pick up 4qts. of good MOTORCYCLE oil.

Want to stress this. Do not use typical automotive oil, can cause issues with your clutch.

That said, what is the best oil?!

Stop being a troublemaker Stev-o. LOL

C'mon Danny, a little bored here and just trying to have a little fun with the new guy!

Bodi · « **Reply #17 on:** April 13, 2020, 08:29:18 AM »

You don't need to prime the oil pump unless you've disassembled it and put it back in dry. Which is a bad idea anyway: soak and spin a pump in oil before reinstalling it as it's lubricated with the engine oil and has tight tolerances between moving metal parts, plus lip seals that need to be wet with oil. Oil pressure comes up within a few seconds of starting, it just has to fill the filter - there is no way to prefill the filter enough to make a real difference in pressure delay.
Current automotive oils have very little ZDDP (zinc dialkyldithiophosphate) since modern engines don't need it. Older engines with rocker tappets (ie ours) need the ZDDP as lubricant for the valvegear. Diesel engines need it too, so diesel oil is pretty good for our engines. You can also buy ZDDP additive. Plus: auto oil has "friction modifiers" that do not do our clutches any favours: no car engine has a wet clutch in engine oil (as far as I know). Reducing friction is great for fuel efficiency but not desirable in a clutch pack.
So avoid modern automotive oil for both the lack of zinc and the friction modifiers added.
The oil change process described is excellent. I sometimes drain the engine cold but I let it sit draining overnight, yes some sludge that's settled out will remain as it hasn't been mixed in the oil during the warm-up running but I don't go a lot of miles between changes and always change filter as well - there shouldn't be much sludge in there, when I've opened the cases they have been very clean inside.

flatlander · « **Reply #18 on:** April 13, 2020, 08:30:24 AM »

Quote from: Stev-o on April 13, 2020, 07:47:45 AM

Quote from: Scott S on April 13, 2020, 05:35:37 AM
Pick up 4qts. of good MOTORCYCLE oil.

Want to stress this. Do not use typical automotive oil, can cause issues with your clutch.

That said, what is the best oil?!

vintage 1976 domaine de castrol.

Scott S · « **Reply #19 on:** April 13, 2020, 09:05:13 AM »

Quote from: bryanj on April 13, 2020, 06:29:26 AM

Not 4 quarts in a 500/550, it tells you on the clutch cover

3.4 quarts, so you need to buy 4.

C2YT · « **Reply #20 on:** April 13, 2020, 12:14:23 PM »

I might be overkill, but for the $3 it costs to get a filter I change mine out every time.

Blakesblakey · « **Reply #21 on:** April 13, 2020, 06:00:42 PM »

Quote from: Scott S on April 13, 2020, 09:05:13 AM

Quote from: bryanj on April 13, 2020, 06:29:26 AM
Not 4 quarts in a 500/550, it tells you on the clutch cover

3.4 quarts, so you need to buy 4.

Thank you!

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Author Topic: Cb550 Oil Change (Read 1331 times)