Topic: How do I remove the heads? (76 CB550)

[scartail]

I've removed 12 nuts, and two bolts. The head won't budge. I looked for a pry spot, but didn't find one. So, I better ask first.

Any advice?

PS: the engine is still mounted in the frame, if that's relevent.

[scartail]

Anyone?

The manual simply says to lift up. There's got to be a trick.

[chopstar500]

Did you verify that you've got all the bolts/fasteners per the parts/diagram. I can't say for ceratin without looking at the fiche to tell you exactly how many bolts there is. Mine was a bit of a pisser - be careful not to bust any fins.

[fastbroshi]

+1, double check your fasteners.  Those breather covers on the ends hold two bolts going vertically, as well as the ones under the breather cover.  There are two pry points on the ends, not quite on the corners if I remember right.  Is your motor very dirty?  The muck may be hiding them.
  If you're sure you've got them all give it couple of good wacks straight on the sides, carefully with not too much force, and then try to pry. 
  And the head/barrels will come out w/o taking the motor out of the frame.

[bryanj]

12 nuts and washers
2 10mm headed bolts

CAM CHAIN TENSIONER LOCATING BOLT

[scartail]

12 nuts and washers
2 10mm headed bolts

CAM CHAIN TENSIONER LOCATING BOLT

That's my count.

+1, double check your fasteners.  Those breather covers on the ends hold two bolts going vertically, as well as the ones under the breather cover.  There are two pry points on the ends, not quite on the corners if I remember right.  Is your motor very dirty?  The muck may be hiding them.
  If you're sure you've got them all give it couple of good wacks straight on the sides, carefully with not too much force, and then try to pry. 
  And the head/barrels will come out w/o taking the motor out of the frame.

The heads are very clean. When taking off the valve cover, I notice there was a lot of rust on the alignment pins.

I don't see any pry spots though. In the manual, it mentions pry spots to remove the cylinders.

Did you verify that you've got all the bolts/fasteners per the parts/diagram. I can't say for ceratin without looking at the fiche to tell you exactly how many bolts there is. Mine was a bit of a pisser - be careful not to bust any fins.

Doesn't hurt to study it again.

Thanks everyone, I'll keep looking.

[Porscheguy912]

May i Propose a silly idea?

did you remove the cam chain?

I dont mean to say that you wouldnt know to remove it, just making sure!

I had a 550 but i never took the head off.

[scartail]

I found a tab/pry spot, that fastbroshi spoke up. I was timid about prying on it, b/c I didn't to damage anything. Then I broke out a crowbar, and went to town. I use some 2X4 to support. I had bent one of the fins slightly, earlier, and didn't want to do that again. So, they're off.

Thanks everyone.

In summary (just so this thread could benefit others),

-12 nuts and washer + 2 bolts need to be removed.
-Pry pads are on the backside of head, sort of under the No 1 and 4 intake runners. Runners were removed for convenience.
-Since the Pry pads are the head only, use something to support the prybar. Don't pry against the fins. I used a piece of 2X4, longside up.
-Lastly, don't be timid about it. Put your weight behind. But dont' hurt yourself neither.