Topic: How to spend $2,000 fixing up a CB550F

[Tim.]

This might be a handy reference for anyone interested in rebuilding a CB550F.  I've included Honda part numbers where applicable.  Kind of dangerous thing to keep around - makes you question your sanity, but, still, $2,500 total cost for a rebuilt, wonderful classic bike isn't too bad 

Item	Quantity	Unit Price	Total	Part Number
Spark Plugs (two sets so far)	8	$4.50	$36.00	98069-57711
Air filter replacement	1	$38.04	$38.04	17210-390-003
Breather filter gasket	1	$5.24	$5.24	17351-374-003
Breather filter	1	$3.78	$3.78	17352-374-003
Left Sidecover Sunrise Orange with decal	1	$32.00	$32.00	Honda
Left Sidecover Bright Orange sanded	1	$35.00	$35.00	Honda
Left Sidecover Black	1	$30.00	$30.00	Honda
Right Sidecover Blue with decal	1	$64.51	$64.51	Honda
Right Sidecover Sunrise Orange with decal	1	$130.00	$130.00	Honda
Right Sidecover Blue sanded	1	$35.00	$35.00	Honda
Sidecover grommets top (4)	1	$22.44	$22.44	17247-303-000
Sidecover grommets bottom (2)	1	$3.72	$3.72	83551-300-000
Throttle Cable A	1	$32.45	$32.45	17910-300-040
Throttle Cable B	1	$26.12	$26.12	17920-323-000
Clutch Cable	1	$13.99	$13.99	22870-374-000
Left control switch (headlight) repair / replace	1	$67.00	$67.00	35200-390-671
Right control switch (start button) repair / replace	1	$97.00	$97.00	35130-377-670
Speedo Cable	1	$11.00	$11.00	44830-390-000
F-3 #14 Tachometer Cable	1	$13.94	$13.94	37260-390-000
Keyster Carb Kits	4	$25.00	$100.00	Keyster
E-2 #7 Carb Insulator	4	$9.36	$37.44	16211-323-000
F-15 #12 Band A Connecting Band	2	$4.22	$8.44	17255-323-000
F-1 Right Grip	1	$11.20	$11.20	53165-342-670
F-1 Left Grip	1	$9.41	$9.41	53166-342-670
F-12 #7 Tank cushion front	2	$5.90	$11.80	17611-283-010
F-3 #29 Guage hex nut-caps	4	$0.90	$3.60	94021-06020
F-4 #23 Handlebar clamp	2	$7.88	$15.76	95014-22200
F-20 #12 Rear Shock Hex Nut	2	$2.96	$5.92	90309-315-000
E-2 #21 Pin dowel 10x16 for valve cover	2	$1.36	$2.72	94302-10160
F-16 #6 Exhaust Protector Band A	1	$5.24	$5.24	18326-390-000
F-16 #7 Exhaust Protector Band B	1	$5.24	$5.24	18327-390-000
F-16 #10 Bolt Hex 6x25	1	$1.02	$1.02	92025-06025
Muffler gasket	1	$20.00	$20.00	Honda
Starter Solenoid Replacement	1	$28.75	$28.75	TO Cycle
Airbox Breather Tube	1	$9.36	$9.36	17335-323-000
NOS Brown Vinyl Seat (minus $50 sale of old seat)	1	$32.50	$32.50	Honda
Gasket replacement Top and Bottom	1	$45.00	$45.00	Aftermarket
Cosmetic Exhaust joint cover	1	$18.35	$18.35	18325-390-000
Kickstart Rubber	1	$2.71	$2.71	28311-329-000
Shifter Rubber	1	$0.97	$0.97	95011-40000
Kickstand Rubber	1	$5.24	$5.24	50548-356-700
Cam chain slipper	1	$40.18	$40.18	14520-323-000
Cam chain guide	1	$18.52	$18.52	14611-323-000
Piston Rings	4	$-	$-	ART 555cc
Piston	4	$30.00	$120.00	ART 555cc
Wrist Pin	4	$-	$-	ART 555cc
Clip	8	$-	$-	ART 555cc
Cam chain	1	$35.50	$35.50	14401-323-003
Tach drive oil seal	1	$3.87	$3.87	91211-286-003
Tach drive washer	1	$0.77	$0.77	91309-035-000
points	2	$30.00	$60.00	109 Cycle
condensors	2	$20.00	$40.00	109 Cycle
oil bolt	1	$15.00	$15.00	Emgo
Labour	5	$70.00	$350.00	109 Cycle
Labour	3	$70.00	$210.00	109 Cycle

[jtb]

Yeah, but don't it feel great!

It looks great. 

jtb

[kghost]

Lucky.

Thats all you spent? 

good job.

[SteveD CB500F]

This is C$ Tim?

Can I put this in the FAQs?  "How much will it cost me to get this CB*** on the road?"

[Gordon]

Can I put this in the FAQs?  "How much will it cost me to get this CB*** on the road?"

Ha!  That should scare off the more timid ones! 

[Tim.]

Yep - all CAD$.

The labour at the bottom (8 hours) was for a carb rebuild/points/condensors/tappets/timing etc. tune up + a top end rebuild.  I paid extra to have the cylinders bored ($200) and to have the valves reconditioned ($150).

Feel free to put it up in the FAQ.  Many of the items were of course optional, such as the rubber bits, and there's 3 complete sets of sidecovers represented (keeping the Sunrise Orange), so please feel free to edit out some of the extraneous costs.

[Harry]

Thanks Tintin - your post is copied to General FAQ (sorry Steve, didnt see your post!)

[Killer Canary]

Tim, where did you find thirty dollar pistons?

[DammitDan]

You can get 4 used pistons off of ebay for a hell of a lot cheaper than $120


Course, you could be buying crap...

[Tim.]

Tim, where did you find thirty dollar pistons?

These were brand new, made by ART 59mm pistons with rings, clips, pins and a really nice new head gasket.

This is the kit - still available on eBay for a little more than I paid.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Honda-CB500-Four-BIG-BORE-555cc-Performance-Rebuild-Kit_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ35595QQitemZ4576103816QQtcZphoto

I paid US$100 shipped to Canada = CAD$130 for the kit, including the head gasket!  59mm = 0.5mm overbore on a 550.

They have a bigger kit with sleeves too - 605cc

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Honda-CB500-Four-BIG-BORE-605cc-Performance-Rebuild-Kit_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ35595QQitemZ4576103827