Topic: will this tool be suffiecient to split the cases on a cb 550

[elquenada]

is this a good buy or is their a better/easier option?

http://www.sportingforless.com/servlet/the-522/Motorcycle-Crankcase-Separator-Spliter/Detail

[NickC]

Unbolt everything and give it a few encouraging whacks with a rubber mallet..

[bistromath]

Yeah you shouldn't need any special tools. Just make sure you get ALL the bolts out, including the sneaky one inside under the oil pan. Then like Nick said you should be able to whack it around the edges with a rubber mallet to loosen things up, and then separate the cases. I did take a dowel and place it under the points housing and whack upward a bit to convince things to move.

[elquenada]

thanks for the info. glad to hear that I wont need to dump even more money into this project

[bryanj]

That tool is for splitting the vertically split crankcases, usually single cylinders

[754]

I think you should start reading a manual..
 The one that looks like a book, not a pdf file..


 Read it, re read, it, then look at it some more..

and pretty soon you will know what you need..

[elquenada]

thanks for the tip but I dont think thats my problem.  1 practically sleep with my clymer manual in hand but I find it to be quite vague.  The pdf file I have of the original Honda Manual is not that explicit either and the pictures aren't very clear.  I cant seem to find and original print of the manual.  do you know someone who sells one?

[lordmoonpie]

Get yourself a Haynes manual off ebay - miles better than the Clymers which I agree are super vague, usually in the places you need them not to be!

[The_Crippler]

Get yourself a Haynes manual off ebay - miles better than the Clymers which I agree are super vague, usually in the places you need them not to be!

Never tried the other brand...but I totally agree on Clymer.  They are often like:

1.) Remove screw (fig 1.a screw)
2.) Lift seat off (fig 1.b the seat)
3.) Remove battery, drain oil, remove engine housing, rewire oil sender unit and neutral control while removing chain and rear tire. (fig 1.c the bike.)

[camelman]

Awesome!  don't forget:

4) reinstall in reverse order of removal while following appropriate torque specs (without torque specs being given anywhere in the book).

Those cases come apart pretty easily.  If they are not budging, then you likely have not removed all of the bolts. 

Camelman

[Fritz]

The shop manual says that a special tool (slide hammer) is to be used to pull out the primary shaft.
I'm planning to change the primary chain on my 550. Is this tool really required or can it be done without, keeping the bearing intact?

[NickC]

You can easily tap it out from the opposite side....

[Fritz]

Ah thanks!
Should have used "search" before asking. I've just learned that the lower rear engine bolt can be used to pull the shaft out
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=42910.0

[bistromath]

I just used a wooden dowel and tapped it out from the opposite side, on the oil pump gear. Use a thin (1/4") wooden dowel. Easy as pie.

[754]

There is far gentler things to use than a chisel.

 put a bolt or stud in the motor mounts top & bottom and pry  or wedge them apart.. dont use the motor mount above the sprocket side, to do this..