Topic: cb550 putting the pistons/cylinders back together

[Wtrdog]

ok so i got the bike apart (cb550) and I'm starting to put it back together.  any tips on getting the pistons back into the cylinders/jugs to make it easy?  this is the first time i'm doing this and I don't want to mess anything up. 

[sniper1]

wtrdog,

I just did this two weeks ago on my '77 cb550. Go get 4 hose clamps (1 for each Piston) that will be used to compress the rings. Start with the two center pistons (2,3) all the way up. Make sure the rings are offset like they call out for in the manuals. Cover the rings with the hose clamps and tighten down, tight but not too tight. Then place the head over the two middle pistons and start easing it down, You will probably have to tap with a rubber mallet or something around the head as it will be a little tough going. Once the rings are inside the head, simply remove the hose clamps from the two inner pistons. Continue tapping head down until you just make contact with the two outer pistons. Then crank the crankshaft to start the two outer pistons into the head. Start tapping down with rubber mallet. Crank the crankshaft more and keep tapping until the rings are inside the jugs. When far enough, unscrew hose clamps (these will be a little harder as there will not be much room to get them out, but it can be done), and tap jugs all the way down.

Once you start moving jugs down over pistons don't raise again. If you do you may have a ring pop free and will have to reset again, or run the risk of breaking a ring.

Have a buddy, wife, kid, dog or whoever you can to help out. Plus it helps to have someone there to cuss at and blame besides yourself.

Let me know if I can help with anything else, this is all still pretty fresh in my mind.

[Wtrdog]

thanks that makes sense.  i'll get some clamps today and have a go at it. thanks again

[patricke9]

Good tip, hopefully I too will be putting my '77 Cb550 back together next week after I get my parts back from the machine shop.

[Duanob]

Patrick: Curious as to what shop you used and how much they charged you. Did you do a complete rebuild, rings, bearings, everything? Thanks.

[flybox1]

really only 2 shops in the area that actually know wtf to do with these old bikes.

twinline & northcityvintagehonda

http://www.northcityvintagehonda.com/servlet/Page?template=about

[Wtrdog]

so that tipped worked, when I do it again this week I won't forget the gasket...

[Duanob]

really only 2 shops in the area that actually know wtf to do with these old bikes.

twinline & northcityvintagehonda

http://www.northcityvintagehonda.com/servlet/Page?template=about

I hear as much good as I do bad about Twinline. Thanks.

[patricke9]

Patrick: Curious as to what shop you used and how much they charged you. Did you do a complete rebuild, rings, bearings, everything? Thanks.

I am having John @ Autosport Seattle do a valve job, bead blast the cylinders & remove all the old gasket material.

http://www.autosportseattle.com

He quoted me $125 to cut new seats for the valves & bead blast the head.  They do machine work for most of the shops here in Seattle & I figured if they work on Ferraris & Jags etc they should do a good job on my stuff.  You can give him a call, they do work on bikes as well, there are usually a couple old BMW's, BSA's & a cool old Honda in the shop.  I stopped by on my way home today & he told me it would be done tomorrow.  Not doing a complete rebuild to mine, the bike only has 14,000 miles, only reason I took it apart was to change out the cam chain tensioner the previous owner screwed up.  After pulling the head found out the pistons & rings are fine, just 2 leaking valves.

[patricke9]

really only 2 shops in the area that actually know wtf to do with these old bikes.

twinline & northcityvintagehonda

http://www.northcityvintagehonda.com/servlet/Page?template=about

Never had any dealings with North City, but have only heard good things from others about them.  Twinline on the other hand, not so good.  Ian is a nice enough guy & I have had a good time at the Dyno parties he puts on but would not let them anywhere near my bike.  Long wait, shoddy work etc.  Not to mention some bad blood between a couple friends of mine that helped him get the shop up & running & were very good mechanic's that got the boot to make room for much cheaper or non payed "interns".

[OldSchool_IsCool]

so that tipped worked, when I do it again this week I won't forget the gasket...

and the 4 O-rings around the bores 

Another tip.  use wood blocks to steady your pistons as you slide the jugs down.  If you tried it without the blocks, you prolly had to say a few extra golf words to get 'em on straight.