Poll

Smart or dumb? 10w30 or 10w40?

what is option 1?
2 (25%)
choice for what?
6 (75%)

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Author Topic: Girl. CB550. oil change. over tightened drain bolt. cracked oil pan. the fix.  (Read 5416 times)

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550 girl

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"Mechanic's touch" is the term I regretfully learned only after realizing it was what I did not have. After two days of watching my neighbor rebuild his moto from the best of two and rebuild an engine, I decided I would give my first oil change a go.
A quarter turn too far cracked the cast aluminum oil pan of my 77' CB550'd engine.
The drain bolt thread had two mega fractures running through it the length of the bolt.
A quick fix was in order.
I removed the oil pan (caked with inches of petrified oil and dirt) and spent the next half hour getting it oil and dirt free to prepare it for the fix; steel reinforced epoxy putty. I just plugged up the the drain bolt thread and the cracks, let it cure 30 minutes and finished my oil change.
So far so good, this should last until I can find a replacement oil pan.



Offline mystic_1

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Was this the type of epoxy that comes in a stick, that you cut off what you need and then knead to activate?  One brand name is "Fasweld".  I like that stuff, works well.  Did you scuff the surface before putting it on?

As long as adhesion is good that stuff should last years.

Oh, and welcome to the forum :)  Got pics of your ride?

mystic_1
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Offline HondaMan

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Welcome!
We can help you find a new pan, someone here will have one. You've come to the ultimate online parts source for SOHC4 Hondas!  :D

Don't use 10w30 oil at all in this bike. I would recommend 20w50 in the 550, for a pile of reasons, including smoother shifting: be sure to get the type called "Motorcycle Oil" (for convetntional oils) or "Diesel rated" oil (for synthetic oils). These have less detergent, which reduces foaming action in these hi-RPM engines (foam is bad for the crankshaft bearings).
See SOHC4shop@gmail.com for info about the gadgets I make for these bikes.

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Blood is thicker than water, but motor oil is thicker yet...so, don't mess with my SOHC4, or I might have to hurt you.
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Offline Industrial Rat400f Killer

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Don't feel bad I've done the same thing before. I figure mine was ready to go because I barely turned it a 1/4 turn after it was finger tight and I herd a snap.

Just scour the internets until you find a replacement. You've already had the oil pan off once so putting on a new will be be a cinch. I'd find a replacement but not put it on until the patched one gave out.

Offline Johnie

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I agree...get a new pan.  Very cheap on eBay and even cheaper from guys on the board that may have an extra laying around.  I would not wait around until the patch gave out though.  That is just me...I would not want that patch to give out when I am tooling down the highway.
1970 CB750K0 - Candy Ruby Red
1973 CB750K3 - Candy Bacchus Olive or Sunflake Orange
1970 Chevy Chevelle SS396 - Cortez Silver
1976 GL1000 Sulphur Yellow

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Offline Hush

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Oh yeah and maybe use a smaller bar on your socket next time, less leverage equals less chance of overtightening. ;)
Welcome to the forum............Hush.
I think the thing I most like about motorcycling is the speed at which my brain must process information at to avoid the numb skulls who are eating pies, playing the ukulele, applying make-up etc in the comfort of their airconditioned armchairs as they make random attempts to kill me!!!!!!!

Offline manjisann

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Welcome to the forum, everyone here is great for helping!

I have an oil pan from a CB500, does anyone know if it would fit this bike? I know some of the parts are interchangeable. If it does, I'd send it to ya for postage plus like $5 donated to the forum.

I finally bought a torque wrench because I'm always overtightening stuff. Busted an exhaust stud of my CB500 doing that.

Brandon
Sure it's for sale! How much you ask?? Well, how much are you willing to pay??? Now triple it, that's the price!

1973 CB500 K2 - Sold the bike and bought a Mig, Miss the bike, Love the Mig :D
1980 CB650 Custom
1971 CB500 Frame 650 engine: Project

Trip and General Ramblings blog: manjisann.blogspot.com

Offline Johnie

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Motorgrrl...be sure there is a crush washer on that drain bolt.  Correct me if I am wrong guys as I am talking from the CB750 prospective.
1970 CB750K0 - Candy Ruby Red
1973 CB750K3 - Candy Bacchus Olive or Sunflake Orange
1970 Chevy Chevelle SS396 - Cortez Silver
1976 GL1000 Sulphur Yellow

Oshkosh, WI  USA

Offline Frankencake

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I might have an oil pan here.  Welcome to the forum.  Usually, we like to have an arm wrestling challenge for newbies but it seem that you have already passed the torque test. 
"Sure, if you don't want that bike in your backyard, I guess I'll take it."  "I'll probably just scrap it......"

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Offline rchrdms

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I think you could try a welding shop too. I have used Don's Welding where I live in WNY many times. You just have to look around for the right shop, one that won't charge too much for a small job.

Offline Spikeybike

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i have an oil pan ----   i'd trade it in a heartbeat for a side cover  ;D

Offline MickeyX

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Welcome to the forum!! Kit and I have had to deal with the PO stripping stuff out and cracking parts. It's no easy task tracking these old parts down sometimes. If it was me, I'd take one of these guys up on their offer. They've helped us out more times than I can count with parts and good advice. (2 chicks successfully rebuilding a CB650 could be considered a circus act in some states)

If it was me, I'd replace the pan and do the gasket while you are there. One less thing to have in the back of your mind when you're screaming down the highway at 95. (you know you will  :D). Blowing oil out the bottom and all over your back tire can't be a good thing.

Good luck. Pics please.  ;D
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Offline Spikeybike

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i have a new gasket as well  ;D

lemme know if ya want um

Offline Flying J

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oil pan for a`side cover? ive got a front axle ill trade you for a stock seat. Sound fair? ::)

Offline Spikeybike

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Na.. i'd do a square deal ... i just really need a side cover  ;D...   

uuuuh say  $20 for the pan and gasket?