Author Topic: Green Hornet CB 550/650 # Some pics of my trip to Scotland with SOHC4 Honda (Read 80460 times)

Oette · « **Reply #300 on:** November 02, 2013, 02:53:57 PM »

Just a bit ad for my new Cafe Racer Shortfilm, taking place in the Ruhr area in Germany.

Since it is winter now, I managed to produce a short trailer and will start filming for the short film in next spring.

Check out the trailer, comments welcome.

Ruhr Cafe Racer

lwahples · « **Reply #301 on:** November 02, 2013, 04:28:08 PM »

Wow,like the music and how you start the vid.Really cool for as short as it is.

750 Cafe Commuter · « **Reply #302 on:** November 02, 2013, 05:27:18 PM »

That's a lot of work for a 2 min video! jk, nice build. I really dig that speedo/tach--looks a lot better than 2 smaller gauges.

Syscrush · « **Reply #303 on:** November 08, 2013, 04:43:13 AM »

Very nice, looking forward to more!

Oette · « **Reply #304 on:** August 18, 2014, 08:09:30 AM »

After nearly a year of silence I can come along with some mods on the bike.

It now has a CB 550/650 Hybrid Engine with primary chain tensioner, CB 750 K Carbs and a (selfmade) ported head.

Let me show some photos of the build.

First I got a CB 650 engine and had it glassbeadblasted to get rid of all the old dirt and oil.

To have an overview of all the differences between the two engines, I compared the necessary parts. If someone is interested in modding his/her engine, these photos may help to get an idea of the changing dimensions (as also stated in paulages engine-mod report).

Bore-size is (nearly) the same

CB 650 Cylinder is slightly higher

Cooling fins of CB 650 are wider

CB 650 head has casted intake manifolds, which are also shorter

and not so angled as the CB 550 ones

Studs have the same position

All the parts blasted

Stock CB 650 intake ports, blasted

You can clearly see the "football", the not really smooth transition from the valve seat to the cylinders material and the thick material around the valve guides.

Exhaust side ports

After some minor unshrouding work and a little bit of material removed

After the final treatment with more material removed and smooth surface (I forgot to take pics, so here are only pics with the carbs installed, upside down, just checking the fit)

That's my first selfmade porting job, so please be merciful :-D

After reassembling the engine on a CB 550 bottom, I put it into my bike. More or less I did it like paulages did it before with the difference, that I did not make a bigger bore for the ignition's advancer but turned a pin myself from hardened material which fits into the CB 650 crank's bore of 3mm (CB 550 4mm).

The carbs were cleaned in my ultrasonic bath and provided with a new leverage for the choke, since the play in the leverage system was too bad.

I also ordered 4 carb repair kits from Japan for less than 40 dollars and had superior results.

The tank on the bike is one from my spare parts collection since the original one needs a little bit of welding because the carbs hit the petcock.

So here is the engine installed

and tuned, as you can hear and see in the following video /Thanks to crappy smartphone camera...(Thumbnail is grey but video is working!):

Cafe Racer Cb 550 650 Hybrid Engine

And the final result from last week:

It has much more power compared to the stock setup! There is no noise from the primary chain anymore. Still looking for a good, tuneable electronic ignition to swap it against the stock one and a customized camshaft for a reasonable price. After these swaps this chapter can be closed!

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #305 on:** August 18, 2014, 08:18:49 AM »

Great engine mod. I'm curious why you chose the 650 gas tank over the 550.

Oette · « **Reply #306 on:** August 18, 2014, 08:27:49 AM »

No, it's a CX 500 tank from the beginning of my build.

Why?

Because of those lines:

Tews19 · « **Reply #307 on:** August 18, 2014, 08:29:06 AM »

The hunt for a 650 engine continues here. Sigh. ..... Great write up and work OETTE.

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #308 on:** August 18, 2014, 09:06:53 AM »

Quote from: Oette on August 18, 2014, 08:27:49 AM

No, it's a CX 500 tank from the beginning of my build.

Why?

Because of those lines:

Brain lapse. Yes, that IS a CX500 tank. And, yes, those lines do work nicely.

calj737 · « **Reply #309 on:** August 18, 2014, 11:48:28 AM »

Some very nice work and a well executed build. I'm particularly taken with the green paint. It's a nice departure from the numerous blacks that are very popular now.

Tews19 · « **Reply #310 on:** August 20, 2014, 11:18:45 AM »

Hey OETTE you state the exhaust ports are the same.on the 550 and 650.. I read they are spaced farther apart on the 650. Would the 550 exhaust work with a 650?

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #311 on:** August 20, 2014, 06:55:55 PM »

Quote from: Tews19 on August 20, 2014, 11:18:45 AM

Hey OETTE you state the exhaust ports are the same.on the 550 and 650.. I read they are spaced farther apart on the 650. Would the 550 exhaust work with a 650?

Not only is the spacing different, the diameter of the ports is different, too -- at least from what I read on the hybrid thread.

I'm saving my 650 headers just in case I need to incorporate them into a new pipe or to create a whole new pipe.

Oette · « **Reply #312 on:** August 21, 2014, 09:23:41 AM »

Hey guys.

I am sorry for the misunderstanding, it's my fault. By "the same position" I meant, that the studs have the same angle.

The CB 650's studs are a little more wider indeed and my CB 550 exhaust wasn't a direct fit. I had to turn a spacer to fit the pipes.
Don't think, the CB 550's inner exhaust diameter is too small for the CB 650. It's just a single walled pipe and inner diameter is absolutely the same size as the one of a stock CB 650.

I attached some pics to underline the differences...

The measuring unit is millimeters.

Stock CB 550 exhaust collars, about 44mm wide at flange edge. Stud spacing is about 53,5 mm.

Stock CB 650 exhaust collars. About 47 mm wide at flange edge. Stud spacing is near 56mm.

CB 550's exhaust flange on collar, nicely fitting.

And on CB 650's collar. With force it will go right through the collar...

My pipe's inner diameter, about 31,5 mm, the same as CB 650 stock diameter.

My pipe's outer diameter at flange, 39 mm.

This will meet with the CB 650's exhaust ports nicely, but the problem is, that the mounting flange will drop through the CB 650's collars and the pipe won't be centered because it's outer diameter is a little smaller than the CB 650's (only about 34 mm).

My solution was to turn 4 centering rings out of stainless steel to meet the flange and center the exhaust. Furthermore I turned the collars' edge a little more deeper to provide enough space to mount my nuts on the studs. Once a wide exhaust gasket is in place, I bolted it right on with a good transition from exhaust port into the pipe.
Here's a pic of the ring, but the collars are not yet machined on the pic.

Hope that this mod can help someone to fit his pipe on the engine mod!

Setup is now road tested, and it rocks. Here are two pics of the ride. Greetings from green and sunny Germany.

Drive safe,

Oette

Tews19 · « **Reply #313 on:** August 21, 2014, 09:44:21 AM »

So it is feasible. Wow. Now I'm really curious how a motogp would sound on a 650 stock or bored!

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #314 on:** August 21, 2014, 10:45:16 AM »

Quote from: Oette on August 21, 2014, 09:23:41 AM

Hey guys.

I am sorry for the misunderstanding, it's my fault. By "the same position" I meant, that the studs have the same angle.

The CB 650's studs are a little more wider indeed and my CB 550 exhaust wasn't a direct fit. I had to turn a spacer to fit the pipes.
Don't think, the CB 550's inner exhaust diameter is too small for the CB 650. It's just a single walled pipe and inner diameter is absolutely the same size as the one of a stock CB 650.

I attached some pics to underline the differences...

The measuring unit is millimeters.

Stock CB 550 exhaust collars, about 44mm wide at flange edge. Stud spacing is about 53,5 mm.

Stock CB 650 exhaust collars. About 47 mm wide at flange edge. Stud spacing is near 56mm.

CB 550's exhaust flange on collar, nicely fitting.

And on CB 650's collar. With force it will go right through the collar...

My pipe's inner diameter, about 31,5 mm, the same as CB 650 stock diameter.

My pipe's outer diameter at flange, 39 mm.

This will meet with the CB 650's exhaust ports nicely, but the problem is, that the mounting flange will drop through the CB 650's collars and the pipe won't be centered because it's outer diameter is a little smaller than the CB 650's (only about 34 mm).

My solution was to turn 4 centering rings out of stainless steel to meet the flange and center the exhaust. Furthermore I turned the collars' edge a little more deeper to provide enough space to mount my nuts on the studs. Once a wide exhaust gasket is in place, I bolted it right on with a good transition from exhaust port into the pipe.
Here's a pic of the ring, but the collars are not yet machined on the pic.

Hope that this mod can help someone to fit his pipe on the engine mod!

Setup is now road tested, and it rocks. Here are two pics of the ride. Greetings from green and sunny Germany.

Drive safe,

Oette

Oette,

Das ist gut! Is there any chance you can turn a set of centering rings for me? I'll gladly pay you for them!

Don

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #315 on:** August 21, 2014, 10:45:44 AM »

Quote from: Tews19 on August 21, 2014, 09:44:21 AM

So it is feasible. Wow. Now I'm really curious how a motogp would sound on a 650 stock or bored!

Me, too.

Tews19 · « **Reply #316 on:** August 21, 2014, 11:22:29 AM »

Count me in too for the rings if you are willing to do a few.

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #317 on:** August 21, 2014, 02:16:54 PM »

Does anyone know if you can mount a 550 oil filter housing on a 650 crankcase? I'm trying to figure out if my Cycle X spinoff oil filter housing for a 550 will fit on my 650 motor.

Oette · « **Reply #318 on:** August 21, 2014, 02:29:56 PM »

Yep, its the same mounting. You just need the CB 650's extended bolt and spacer. It uses the same filter as the CB 550 though. Without the spacer you might be able to mount a longer filter also.

I wasnt able to use mine because I needed the shorter Cb 550 one to clear the headers.

Oil pans are interchangeable, too.

Oette · « **Reply #319 on:** August 25, 2014, 03:48:52 AM »

Quote from: CB750 Cafe Racer Fan on August 21, 2014, 10:45:16 AM

Quote from: Oette on August 21, 2014, 09:23:41 AM
Hey guys.

I am sorry for the misunderstanding, it's my fault. By "the same position" I meant, that the studs have the same angle.

The CB 650's studs are a little more wider indeed and my CB 550 exhaust wasn't a direct fit. I had to turn a spacer to fit the pipes.
Don't think, the CB 550's inner exhaust diameter is too small for the CB 650. It's just a single walled pipe and inner diameter is absolutely the same size as the one of a stock CB 650.

I attached some pics to underline the differences...

The measuring unit is millimeters.

Stock CB 550 exhaust collars, about 44mm wide at flange edge. Stud spacing is about 53,5 mm.

Stock CB 650 exhaust collars. About 47 mm wide at flange edge. Stud spacing is near 56mm.

CB 550's exhaust flange on collar, nicely fitting.

And on CB 650's collar. With force it will go right through the collar...

My pipe's inner diameter, about 31,5 mm, the same as CB 650 stock diameter.

My pipe's outer diameter at flange, 39 mm.

This will meet with the CB 650's exhaust ports nicely, but the problem is, that the mounting flange will drop through the CB 650's collars and the pipe won't be centered because it's outer diameter is a little smaller than the CB 650's (only about 34 mm).

My solution was to turn 4 centering rings out of stainless steel to meet the flange and center the exhaust. Furthermore I turned the collars' edge a little more deeper to provide enough space to mount my nuts on the studs. Once a wide exhaust gasket is in place, I bolted it right on with a good transition from exhaust port into the pipe.
Here's a pic of the ring, but the collars are not yet machined on the pic.

Hope that this mod can help someone to fit his pipe on the engine mod!

Setup is now road tested, and it rocks. Here are two pics of the ride. Greetings from green and sunny Germany.

Drive safe,

Oette

Oette,

Das ist gut! Is there any chance you can turn a set of centering rings for me? I'll gladly pay you for them!

Don

Hey Don,

It would not be a problem to do some of these rings, but I'd rather suggest that you turn or have them turned yourself. It's not much work but I am located in Germany and shipping to the US is at least 20 $, probably some more.

I turned those rings out of metric stainless washers of M16 or M20 bolts. Any machine shop or friend with a lathe should be capable of doing this within some minutes.
That's probably the cheaper and faster solution for you. In addition, the collars may need some treatment, too. But that's something you have to measure with your exhaust and collar combination.

Regards,

Oette

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #320 on:** August 25, 2014, 11:20:04 AM »

Vielen dank.

Nicolai · « **Reply #321 on:** August 25, 2014, 11:17:18 PM »

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Oette · « **Reply #322 on:** August 27, 2014, 10:34:54 AM »

And that's how it sounds and runs. And that's nothing compared what she still has in stock

CB 550 Cafe Racer Test Ride

Tews19 · « **Reply #323 on:** August 27, 2014, 10:37:12 AM »

Oette, does she have that much more power when riding? I have looked up a few videos on YouTube and the 650 engine seems rougher sounding. Not as smooth as the 550. Also does it shift as smooth as a 550?

Oette · « **Reply #324 on:** August 27, 2014, 10:44:34 AM »

It's definetely more power. And there's also a noticeable torque increase. I didn'T have the time to check all the output on a dyno though.
Smoothness is about the same.

News:

Author Topic: Green Hornet CB 550/650 # Some pics of my trip to Scotland with SOHC4 Honda (Read 80460 times)