Topic: Has anyone installed a kickstart on a cb650? Is this pheasable?

[elcid]

I want to use cb650 engine for my "project" but the no kickstart is killing me. Can one be installed "easily"? Has anyone done this?

[elcid]

well I don't want to spend 1000 hours on this if it is too complicated. I am not trying to invent the wheel here. If it can be done easily, then we'll try it. If not, I won't bother. Can someone explain the mechanics of what goes into this?

[GroovieGhoulie]

Does the engine case have the hole filled with a blanking plate?  If so, it's simply a matter of removing the plate and getting a kickstarter dropped it.  If not, you may need to do some machine work.  $$$$

[elcid]

doesn't look like this would work:

http://bikepics.com/pictures/059599/

http://bikepics.com/pictures/305876/

[volz1fsu]

I think it should be determined if the side cover for the 550 would fit on the 650 engine, that would be better and cheaper than machining the original cover. The most important thing to do is find out if the 650 engine even has the provisions cast into the case to have a kickstarter, Honda may have left them in there and just decided not to use them if it shares the same design as the 550.  I am not sure of the similarities between the 650 and 550 internals but it would be a good thing to find out.  If the 650 doesn't have any place inside to link a kickstarter to, then it might be a lost cause trying to make one work.

[TwoTired]

As I recall from previous discussion you must use the CB550 clutch and clutch cover that incorporates the kicker.  What I am unclear about is if the 650 case has machined provisions to accept the Kicker bits.

I know people have done the reverse, put the 650 bits on the 550, when the installed rearsets prevented kicker function, anyway, and they removed it to further save weight on their cafe bikes.

[bill440cars]

           That's interesting to know about the 650 parts fitting on the 550. Seems like I've heard about       
       the 650 head fitting on the 550 and maybe the cylinder, although I'm not sure about the cylinder.
       It's enough to make me wonder just what all will interchange from one to the other. Anyone
       know? Later on, Bill

[dusterdude]

interesting concept,i would like to see if it will work too.

[Gordon]

I think this is the wrong group to ask as far as whether or not you should attempt to do this.  We just want to see the outcome of the attempt!

[cb650]

If I could get a doner 550 motor I would make a effort.  Would love to get rid of the starter on the race bike.



             Terry

[Zeke]

This may be bull#$%*, but I think I remember hearing that the reason there's no kickstart is the electronic ignition.

Hmmm......I do know that if the battery is low there's no hope in getting a 650 to fire, kickstart or not -- even if you were to pushstart I don't think the charging system has enough juice to do the trick.

I don't think the 650 has a magneto -- to the 550's have one?

Zeke

[TwoTired]

If I could get a doner 550 motor I would make a effort.  Would love to get rid of the starter on the race bike.

             Terry

Why don't you PM Paul , "78 k550" ?  He's got a 77 cb550F parting out in Littleton.  Probably donor parts there?

Cheers,

[TwoTired]

This may be bull#$%*, but I think I remember hearing that the reason there's no kickstart is the electronic ignition.

Hmmm......I do know that if the battery is low there's no hope in getting a 650 to fire, kickstart or not -- even if you were to pushstart I don't think the charging system has enough juice to do the trick.

None of the SOHC4 ignitions will fire the spark plugs without electrical power.  The battery dominates the voltage seen by the ignition system.  Don't forget all the lighting loads sucking juice from the system. The 650 has a permanent magnet alternator, I think.  If you remove all the lighting loads and push the bike far enough it should start.  Not a prayer for the 550, though.

I don't think the 650 has a magneto -- to the 550's have one?

No magneto on either. 

Cheers,

[cb650]

Why don't you PM Paul , "78 k550" ?  He's got a 77 cb550F parting out in Littleton.  Probably donor parts there?

Cheers,

I've talked to him and about getting the cam and sent him my phone #'s but havent recieved any call.  I'm so wonwy.



                Terry

[Fish]

Hello all,
Hava there been any developments on this or is it laid to rest?
I prefer the look of the cb550 to my cb650 and the kickstart is part of the reason.  I would be awesome if there was a way to make this work...

- Chad

[bill440cars]

If I could get a doner 550 motor I would make a effort.  Would love to get rid of the starter on the race bike.
             Terry

            Terry, Did you manage to get a 550 motor to experiment with on the Kick Starter issue?
       I was just wondering. Since another post was added to this, I reread the whole thing and came
       across your post about looking for a donor motor and wondered if twotired' lead paid off. Better
       catch you later, Bill

[crazypj]

Heres some pics of CB550 case with kickstarter. You need to pull clutch cover and check if case is machined.
BTW, TwoTired, CB650 has EMS charging, The 'bump' on alternator cover is for the brush holder, rotating coil with slip rings.
PJ

[cb650]

I didnt follow up on it.   If I get a 500/550 to study on and comepare the to I will but still think it would be to much trouble.   As much as I would like it to work.




                  Terry

[bill440cars]

I didnt follow up on it.   If I get a 500/550 to study on and comepare the to I will but still think it would be to much trouble.   As much as I would like it to work.

                  Terry

                    You're probably right, Some things are a possibility, while other are simply an "Oh Well" if you get what I mean. Makes me wonder that if it wasn't too much trouble, somebody would have already done it and been talking about it. Kinda like thing s in Life, "Some things we can change & some we can't. Realize what you can't change and move on." That's what I have a problem with sometimes, not realizing when I need to move on.    Catch you later,   Bill

[markymark]

Ok here is what I have learned.  The case for a 650 is the same size as the case for a 550.  You have to take the 550 case and gut it and swap in the 650 parts.  That way you can have the kick start.   I have not tried this but I have been told about this and i have read about it before.  good luck

[elcid]

what??? I want to see. How easy is this?

[paulages]

i've got both engines on my workbench right now for my own project. i'm using 550 cases with a 650 top end to achieve a 718cc overbore and keep the kickstart. the only way you could use the 650 trans with the 550 kickstart is to use the 550 1st gear. i've assembled it this way, when i was trying to figure out which gears to go with, but i decided just to keep the entire 550 gearing.

first of all, you either have to use 550 cases (which requires using the 550 charging system), or have the opening machined into the 650 cases and the support post welded in.

you have to remove the 650 gears from the mainshaft. 1st gear is integral with the shaft, requiring you to use a 550 mainshaft. reassemble the mainshaft gear assembly. then, disassemble the countershaft replacing 1st gear with the one from the 550. now you have a 650 transmission (sort of) that will align with the 550 kickstart. oh yeah, you will also have to use the 550 clutch press plate to allow the 550 clutch cover with the kickstart hole in it to fit.

piece of cake, right?