Topic: Swap cb550 cylinders and pistons into cb500

[neudl]

Does anybody know if the cb500 head will fit on cb550 cylinders?  In other words, can I just swap out the pistons and cylinders in my cb500 and effectively make it into a 550cc bike?

[TwoTired]

From what I understand, the 500 head will fit on the 550 cylinders.  However, the the 550 cylinders won't fit directly on the 500 case.  There needs to be some machining to accept the barrels.

Cheers,

[neudl]

Thanks - that's good to know.  I had heard to the contrary.

[bryanj]

When i tried it the liners were just to big to fit in the crankcase holes but then other people say it works--perhaps Honda bored the later crankcases slightly bigger, who knows,

if you already have the parts try it by fitting just cylinders without pistons as a trial fit and let us know---if you have to buy the cylinders, personaly i dont think i would possibly waste the cash

[kayaker43]

Hmmm,. I would have said definitely yes, but maybe I never actually tried it? I swapped so many parts but maybe not that exact combination. I assumed they would swap but maybe it depends on your castings??

The heads are positively interchangable though

[neudl]

I think it would be tight.  My understanding is that the outside diameter of the cylinder sleeves on the 550 is 65mm.  I measured the holes in the crankcase, and they look to be exactly 65mm.