Topic: Anyone here every had to replace the 1st, 2nd shifting fork in the transmission?

[Ryan 550k]

So, my subject heading pretty much sums it up.  I'm rebuilding a 78 550 k.  Currently stuck in the transmission.  1st & 2nd shifting fork needs replaced (it's the big one on the shift drum out of the 3 forks) but sites that have old Honda stock don't have that part anymore, ie, bikebandit, mrcycles, etc.  I found what may be a good one on e-bay, I'll get that in the next few days and see if it works.  BUT, if it doesn't are there any suggestions........something maybe I haven't thought of?  Anyone here had that experience?

I look forward to all your smartass expertise!

[bryanj]

have you tried www.westernhillshonda.net?

[ekpent]

Is there a couple of parts here you can use. Think it shows two shift forks available. Have bought from them before-no problems. Eric  http://www.babbittsonline.com/pages/parts/viewbybrand/parts.aspx

[Ryan 550k]

Is there a couple of parts here you can use. Think it shows two shift forks available. Have bought from them before-no problems. Eric  http://www.babbittsonline.com/pages/parts/viewbybrand/parts.aspx

Thanks dude.  I checked all models of 550 they had parts available for and the particular fork I need is completely out of stock for them as well.

[mystic_1]

Twenty dollars:


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Honda-1976-cb550-K-transmission_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ66Q3a4Q7c65Q3a1Q7c39Q3a1Q7c240Q3a1318QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem260332962441QQitemZ260332962441QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories



Just a thought.

mystic_1

[Ryan 550k]

bryanj, you rule.  Thanks for the westernhills tip.  They have the fork in stock!

Mystic, as much as I appreciate the ebay find, I've been on ebay quite a bit looking to see if there's a reasonable fork out there.  In fact I'm the reason the seller you posted has pics of the fork in question, I asked him a week ago to post better pics.  That fork has a bit of wear on it and because I think a worn fork was part of my problem I don't want to risk it.  Unfortunately the fork I received in the mail today is also sh*#.  A new one is expensive but I'll have to bite the bullet on this one.

Thanks guys, you rule.

[bryanj]

I,ve bought quite a bit from western hills, until the £-$ went west and USPS stopped surface mail.

DO BE CAREFUL as the order is always accepted but stock may not exist, its worth a call for you as your at least on the same continent

[Ryan 550k]

DO BE CAREFUL as the order is always accepted but stock may not exist, its worth a call for you as your at least on the same continent

Ya, that's the same problem I've had with other sites.  I'm gonna call Westernhills today.  I sent them a part request the other day and someone wrote me personally telling me they have the part in stock, but I'd like to make sure we're on the same page.

[scondon]

 Your avatar is hilarious R550. I've often felt the same

[Ryan 550k]

Your avatar is hilarious R550. I've often felt the same

That's how I'm feelin these days man......(shrug)......it'll get better

[MJL]

If that doesn't pan out, try these guys. http://www.ehlerdingmotorsports.com/fiche_section_detail.asp

[paulages]

hey ryan, did the one in that bottom end i sold you not work out?

[Ryan 550k]

hey ryan, did the one in that bottom end i sold you not work out?

No Paul it didn't.  It was in the same sorta shape my original one was in.

[paulages]

hey ryan, did the one in that bottom end i sold you not work out?

No Paul it didn't.  It was in the same sorta shape my original one was in.

bummer, man. can you post some pictures? i've not seen any damaged as much as you seem to have encountered.

[Ryan 550k]

hey ryan, did the one in that bottom end i sold you not work out?

No Paul it didn't.  It was in the same sorta shape my original one was in.

bummer, man. can you post some pictures? i've not seen any damaged as much as you seem to have encountered.

Of course I can.  I'll gather some up Tue and post.  I'd love to hear......or read, what you think.

[Ryan 550k]

Here ya go Paul.
From top to bottom.
Pic 1. The fork from my 550 when I pulled it out.

Pic 2. The fork from the bottom end I got from you Paul.

Pic 3. The fork I recently received via ebay.

Paul, or anyone else for that matter, let me know what you think.  According to my buddy helping me these forks are no good to put into the trani.  Even to me, a novice, they seem to be in just as bad a shape as the original.
Funny thing, I might have found a place that sells new forks but I can't purchase it because of the money I spent on the used forks I can't use

[Sporkfly]

The third fork you snagged from ebay is definitely the best out of the three... If you can't get new, it's likely your best option.

How many miles are on the tranny? A total overhaul might be the way to go looking at that fork... Putting new parts with old parts will cause accelerated wear.

[paulages]

wow, you've had some bad luck there. bear in mind, the shift forks run against spinning gears, so some wear is normal... but i believe the wear should be limited to the bearing surfaces on the ends. the fact that there is wear in the middle on all three makes me believe those engines were run with low or bad oil for significant times. like sporkfly said, i'd suspect all the bearings as well.

[mystic_1]

I wouldn't use those shift forks.  Even the best of the three has the contact pads completely worn away.  I also agree that you should replace your transmission bearings, all that metal went somewhere.  You've come this far and bearings are relatively cheap.

Where did you find new shift forks?

mystic_1

[Ryan 550k]

I wouldn't use those shift forks.  Even the best of the three has the contact pads completely worn away.  I also agree that you should replace your transmission bearings, all that metal went somewhere.  You've come this far and bearings are relatively cheap.

Where did you find new shift forks?

mystic_1

www.westernhillshonda.net.  I emailed to see if they had that part in stock and received a confirmation that they did.  I won't believe it till I talk to someone on the phone though.

Bike has 26 or 28,000 miles.  It's in a buddies garaged right now so I can't check.
So a used fork would be best?  Is a new fork really that bad of an idea? 
I've been looking for a used one that has the contact pads in tact, hard to find.

[mystic_1]

No, new would be just fine, in fact preferable.

Check the gears that the forks run against, tho, and make sure that the shift fork grooves are not trashed on the inside, otherwise that'll muck up your nice new shift forks.  It's a vicious cycle.  As long as the grooves are smooth you're good to go.

mystic_1

[Ryan 550k]

No, new would be just fine, in fact preferable.

Check the gears that the forks run against, tho, and make sure that the shift fork grooves are not trashed on the inside, otherwise that'll muck up your nice new shift forks.  It's a vicious cycle.  As long as the grooves are smooth you're good to go.

mystic_1

Thanks Mystic.  I confirmed this morning that Western Hills Honda has a new fork, I may order it this week.  I already switched out the gear it runs up against.  Ya, the old one was pretty torn up.  No wonder I was having a hard time shifting gears.  I'll check barrings as well.  Thanks allot guys, I'll keep you posted......you F*$#in rule.

[mystic_1]

I went through the same process with my 750 years ago.  Afterwords the difference was like night and day.

mystic_1

[Ryan 550k]

I went through the same process with my 750 years ago.  Afterwords the difference was like night and day.

mystic_1

Your kidding me?  I'm glad to have found someone who's gone through this! 
For f*%ck sakes, it's completely put the breaks on my project.  I've decided to order a new one, gonna make the call Mon.

[mystic_1]

I eventually lucked out and scored a complete shifter assembly from a motor that had been rebuilt but never picked up.  They were like new.  Looking back on it, I should have just bought the entire motor off the guy. 

mystic_1

[paulages]

You've come this far and bearings are relatively cheap.

Where did you find new shift forks?

mystic_1

i beg to differ there... finding all of the trans bearings for a 550 is hard enough.. and they are far from cheap.

[Ryan 550k]

So, the guy that sold me the bunk fork on ebay wants to make good after I emailed him with my dissatisfaction.  Here's a pic of a fork he wants to send me.  Looks damn good in comparison the others that I've had.
Let me know what you think.

[mystic_1]

That's the ticket.  You can still see the original tool marks in the machined surfaces.

Did you get pics where it rides on the drum, too?

Which 550 transmission bearings are hard to find?  Anyone know the numbers?

mystic_1

[Ryan 550k]

Here's a view of the fork where you can see the inside where it slides on drum.  Looks alright to me.

I'm so happy

[paulages]

That's the ticket.  You can still see the original tool marks in the machined surfaces.

Did you get pics where it rides on the drum, too?

Which 550 transmission bearings are hard to find?  Anyone know the numbers?

mystic_1

i have them somewhere, but after all the trouble i spent finding out what was discontinued and then sourcing them, you'll have to excuse my lack of enthusiasm for digging that up... i think i posted a bit about it in my 718 build thread. if i remember right, one of the needle bearings and one of the roller bearings were hard to find.