I read several threads regarding how to's for removing the bearing retainers on 550's and other SOHC bikes. All of them include some sort of home made tool to use in place of the discontinued Honda tool. I like quick and easy, so this is what I came up with, and it worked great. I got a 3" U-bolt at the hardware store and bent it in slightly to make it fit the holes on the rear retainer. Then I bolted the mounting plate that came with the U-bolt between pairs of hex head nuts, leaving just enough bolt exposed to fill the respective holes in the flange. I used my super-sized screw driver angled between the posts of the U-bolt to torque it. That long screwdriver generated so much torque I was able to easily loosen and remove the retainer. I also used it for the re-install. Quick, easy, and cheap ($2.89).
