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topfin550

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Top end questions
« on: October 03, 2008, 05:22:25 am »
There is a gasket that seems to be leaking on my 76 CB550K. Is this a head gasket? Can I still ride the bike a bit before teardown? Do I have to take the motor out of the frame? Where might I get this gasket and how much should i expect to pay?
Thanks for any info.
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Offline mmtsquid

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Re: Top end questions
« Reply #1 on: October 03, 2008, 05:36:28 am »
My bike does the EXACT same thing!
I've been curoius myself.
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Offline MRieck

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Re: Top end questions
« Reply #2 on: October 03, 2008, 06:22:39 am »
 The oring that seals the cylinder/head oil feed galleyis shot. It pushes oil past the head gasket.
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Offline bwaller

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Re: Top end questions
« Reply #3 on: October 03, 2008, 06:26:27 am »
Pick up the gaskets from a Honda dealer, a little more money and a lot more quality. You'll need to change the base gasket and all o-rings too.

Go ahead and ride it till you have time to effect repairs.
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Offline mmtsquid

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Re: Top end questions
« Reply #4 on: October 03, 2008, 06:45:58 am »
Actually, this is great news!
It gives me an excuse to pull the head and send it to Mr. Reick for some of his tender loving care!
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Offline MRieck

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Re: Top end questions
« Reply #5 on: October 03, 2008, 06:59:20 am »
Quote from: bwaller on October 03, 2008, 06:26:27 am
Pick up the gaskets from a Honda dealer, a little more money and a lot more quality. You'll need to change the base gasket and all o-rings too.

Go ahead and ride it till you have time to effect repairs.
+1 on the OEM advice. The new OEM 550 head gaskets are graphite which seals better than the originals. The orings are also upadted. The base gaskets were backordered for months over the summer but plenty are available now.
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Offline MRieck

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Re: Top end questions
« Reply #6 on: October 03, 2008, 06:59:59 am »
Quote from: mmtsquid on October 03, 2008, 06:45:58 am
Actually, this is great news!
It gives me an excuse to pull the head and send it to Mr. Reick for some of his tender loving care!
That sounds like a good idea to me. ;)
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Offline GroovieGhoulie

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Re: Top end questions
« Reply #7 on: October 03, 2008, 07:06:49 am »
Mr. Rieck:

On a related note, I am going to be doing the top-end on my 400F when I return from my vacation and I was wondering, do you wave your magic wand over 400F heads, or just its bigger brothers?

Thanks!
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Offline mmtsquid

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Re: Top end questions
« Reply #8 on: October 03, 2008, 07:11:29 am »
Ok, so now I'm actually gonna rip things apart, I have Mr. reicks price list, and Gaskets and o-rings can't be that bad, I guess I need to find an appropriate cam.

I've tried the pod thing in the past, but never could get it to run correctly - are pods necessary to enjoy the fruits of Mike's labor?
Or will the stock airbox allow enough air?

I'm not looking for Stage 3 radical, but some more zip sure would be nice................
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Offline OldSchool_IsCool

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Re: Top end questions
« Reply #9 on: October 03, 2008, 08:07:30 am »
When did the graphite gaskets come out?  I bought an OEM top end set about 18 month ago.  Also, do the o-ring come in the OEM top end set?  I haven't cracked it open yet to see.
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Offline MRieck

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Re: Top end questions
« Reply #10 on: October 03, 2008, 08:29:49 am »
Quote from: OldSchool_IsCool on October 03, 2008, 08:07:30 am
When did the graphite gaskets come out?  I bought an OEM top end set about 18 month ago.  Also, do the o-ring come in the OEM top end set?  I haven't cracked it open yet to see.
I picked up a 550 head gasket several months ago. They still offer an OEM top end set?? The 750 bottom and top end kits are long gone.....just NOS on ebay etc.
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Offline OldSchool_IsCool

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Re: Top end questions
« Reply #11 on: October 04, 2008, 05:57:28 am »
www.WesternHillsHondaYamaha.com  in Cinci has/had some, probably NOS.   Give them a call and ask for "Vintage Parts".
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Can I have a motorcycle when I get old enough?
If you take care of it.
What do you have to do?
Lot’s of things. You’ve been watching me.
Will you show me all of them?
Sure.
Is it hard?
Not if you have the right attitudes. It’s having the right attitudes that’s hard.

Offline bryanj

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Re: Top end questions
« Reply #12 on: October 05, 2008, 05:26:45 am »
Mike the 750 top set ended up as 06110-393-S00 and cmsnl list it but not sure if its available in USA
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