Author Topic: Dad's 1978 Honda CB550k  (Read 15508 times)

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Offline joegeis

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Re: Dad's 1978 Honda CB550k
« Reply #375 on: April 14, 2024, 12:51:57 PM »
hey all, wanted to give a quick update. Weather has been nice and the bike has been running pretty well. Needs a little ether to start when its chilly, but otherwise runs and rides. I've been enjoying just putting some miles on it so far this spring, but the bike is definitely not yet "finished" (if these bikes ever are). I'm still trying to procure an air cleaner cover / tool tray, the idle still walks a bit, and I've really noticed that the thing is leaking oil. After my 70 mile ride today, the oil pan, kickstand and portions of the bottom of the pipes were slick with oil. It isn't leaking while parked (in fact no drops under the bike all winter), but when running I can definitely see oil seeping from a few places. I think for now, I'll just keep riding it, and maybe towards the end of the season I'll start planning a tear down and rebuild (which I'm definitely anxious about doing!).

Hope everyone is enjoying spring and getting miles on their bikes!

Offline newday777

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Re: Dad's 1978 Honda CB550k
« Reply #376 on: April 14, 2024, 02:00:44 PM »
Check between the fins behind the the exhaust header and downward. Might be the rubber pucks in the head covering cyl head bolts leaking.
Stu
Honda Parts manager in the mid 1970s Nashua Honda
My current rides
1975 K5 Planet Blue my summer ride, it was a friend's bike I worked with at the Honda shop in 76, lots of fun to be on it again
1976 K6 Anteres Red rebuilding project, was originally my brother's that I set up from the crate, it'll breath again soon!
Project 750s, 2 K4, 2 K6, 1 K8
2008 GL1800 my daily ride and cross country runner

Prior bikes....
1972 Suzuki GT380 I had charge of it for a year in 1973 while my friend was deployed and learned to love street riding....
New CB450 K7 after my friend returned...
New CB750 K5 Planet Blue, demise by ex cousin in law at 9,000 miles...
New CB750 K6 Anteres Red, to replace the totaled K5, I sold this K6 at 45k in 1983, I had heavily modified it, many great memories on it and have missed it greatly.....
1983 GL1100A, 1999 GL1500 SE, 1999 GL1500A

Offline joegeis

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Re: Dad's 1978 Honda CB550k
« Reply #377 on: April 14, 2024, 04:40:36 PM »
Check between the fins behind the the exhaust header and downward. Might be the rubber pucks in the head covering cyl head bolts leaking.

The fins on the front of the head, under the exhaust manifold were definitely covered in oil. I'm not sure what you mean by rubber pucks though.

Offline newday777

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Re: Dad's 1978 Honda CB550k
« Reply #378 on: April 14, 2024, 04:56:04 PM »
Check between the fins behind the the exhaust header and downward. Might be the rubber pucks in the head covering cyl head bolts leaking.

The fins on the front of the head, under the exhaust manifold were definitely covered in oil. I'm not sure what you mean by rubber pucks though.

#14

https://www.southsoundhonda.com/--xpartsstream#/Honda_Powersports/CB550KA_(78)_550_FOUR_K%2c_JPN%2c_VIN%23_CB550K-2100001_TO_CB550K-2122082/CYLINDER_HEAD/0f12de96-474a-4fbe-a2ee-8ba2cda5f653/332fe051-e75f-419c-8695-482efb8d6689/y
Stu
Honda Parts manager in the mid 1970s Nashua Honda
My current rides
1975 K5 Planet Blue my summer ride, it was a friend's bike I worked with at the Honda shop in 76, lots of fun to be on it again
1976 K6 Anteres Red rebuilding project, was originally my brother's that I set up from the crate, it'll breath again soon!
Project 750s, 2 K4, 2 K6, 1 K8
2008 GL1800 my daily ride and cross country runner

Prior bikes....
1972 Suzuki GT380 I had charge of it for a year in 1973 while my friend was deployed and learned to love street riding....
New CB450 K7 after my friend returned...
New CB750 K5 Planet Blue, demise by ex cousin in law at 9,000 miles...
New CB750 K6 Anteres Red, to replace the totaled K5, I sold this K6 at 45k in 1983, I had heavily modified it, many great memories on it and have missed it greatly.....
1983 GL1100A, 1999 GL1500 SE, 1999 GL1500A

Offline denward17

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Re: Dad's 1978 Honda CB550k
« Reply #379 on: April 14, 2024, 06:47:34 PM »
Here is a picture of my '76 CB550 head, see the 6 holes, flat rubber seals should go there after head is torqued down.

Offline RAFster122s

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Re: Dad's 1978 Honda CB550k
« Reply #380 on: April 15, 2024, 01:59:28 AM »
Also note, the ones from the dealer and similar sources have been too thin causing leaks...  Parts n more varies ones which are the correct thickness.
David- back in the desert SW!

Offline joegeis

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Re: Dad's 1978 Honda CB550k
« Reply #381 on: April 15, 2024, 08:04:40 PM »
great, thanks. I'll keep you guys posted.