Topic: cb550 engine swap to cb650

[jacksonkthom]

Hey my name is Jackson, i’m new to this forum and app so i’m still trying to figure everything out. i recently picked up a 76 cb550 parts bike in hopes of turning it into a cafe racer for my first bike. i began to tear down the bike and discovered that the engine had some problems. i compression tested the bike and got super low numbers on cylinders 2 and 3. (about 20-25 for cylinder 2 and about 35-40 for cylinder 3) upon closer inspection i discovered some cracking in the cam cover, which looked like it went further down the head. (which was the case) since then i have been doing research on cb650 swaps. i’ve heard that they’re direct swaps and i wanted to know what all i would need for the swap to be complete or if i should resurrect the 550 motor. if anyone could help me figure out everything i need,how much it would cost, and which would be the better option i would really appreciate it. i’m only 19 and i want to do everything the right way but also don’t want to break the bank. my goal is to have the bike done before barber fest and i would love to ride it there so any help would be greatly appreciated.
-Jackson


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[jaytee-nz]

Welcome to the forum.
You will get more responses if you post your question in the SOHC/4 Bikes section.
This is a "Not for Questions" section.

[Stev-o]

You will get more responses if you post your question in the SOHC/4 Bikes section.

Scott has moved it, thx to Scott.

Jackson, yes, the 650 motor will swap into the 550 frame, a couple of our members have done it and have nice build threads.  Click here and read, should answer most of your questions...

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,140833.0.html

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,150220.0.html

I suggest starting a build thread in the Project Shop area so we can follow along and help.

Welcome to SOHC4 and good luck!

[DaveBarbier]

Hi Jackson, as Stevo has posted I did a 650 swap and it was fairly easy. I did make it a lot harder and more expensive by doing a mild performance upgrade on the motor and swapping out the front end, but for just an engine swap it could be done pretty easily. The motor drops right in but the wiring harness is slightly different. Not a big problem though. If you get a parts bike it would be nice if it had a usable wiring harness to take bits off of. Specifically the ignition system and charging system. All else can be from the 550.

If you make a build thread post a link to it here.

[jacksonkthom]

Hi Jackson, as Stevo has posted I did a 650 swap and it was fairly easy. I did make it a lot harder and more expensive by doing a mild performance upgrade on the motor and swapping out the front end, but for just an engine swap it could be done pretty easily. The motor drops right in but the wiring harness is slightly different. Not a big problem though. If you get a parts bike it would be nice if it had a usable wiring harness to take bits off of. Specifically the ignition system and charging system. All else can be from the 550.

If you make a build thread post a link to it here.

cb550 cafe racer build/ cb650 swap
 https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink/topic?share_fid=13548&share_tid=182666&url=http%3A%2F%2Fforums%2Esohc4%2Enet%2Findex%2Ephp%3Ftopic%3D182666&share_type=t&link_source=app


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