Topic: Halloween Horror: 550 o-ring chain damage

[Zodo]

Hi folks,

I've been working on a 77 CB550 I purchased a few months ago, trying to get it rideable. The previous owner blatantly lied to me on a number of things regarding its condition, and in my naivety I took his word. After reading several posts here about o-ring chains doing damage to 550s, I finally took the front sprocket cover off. I cleaned out a solid two inches of oily gunk, and found this:



My question is this...how bad is this in the grand scheme of things? Anything I can do?

Thanks much.

[caluser2000]

Wouldn't worry about. I've done over 70,000kms with similar damage. Just slap on a standard chain and keep riding.

[dave500]

your lucky,,thats not bad,its only scaped the oil seal in front of the sprocket,,it looks to be not leaking,get a new non o ring.

[TwoTired]

Looks like you caught it in time.  If it isn't leaking oil, it will be fine until the next oring chain in put on.

[xsmooth69x]

lucky lucky

[Zodo]

Well things had just been pretty thoroughly cleaned in there, and it previously contained a mightily disgusting mixture of oil and dirt. Hopefully the oil wasn't coming from the gasket.

That said, thanks for setting my mind at ease. Any recommendations of decent plain chains, as well as sprocket sellers?

[CoachDoc]

I was in your shoes just 5 weeks ago, and I have about the same amount of damage. That seal is really thick, so you should be fine. A dealer recommended the O-ring chain to me. Amazing.

[dave500]

that seal for 550 is discontinued,,you can use a 34 mm brass freeze plug,,the 500 one has the hole for the clutch rod through it and is still available.

[bryanj]

Or if you are lucky there are still some aftermarket seal kits out there which have that blank in them

[Frostyboy]

Any recommendations of decent plain chains, as well as sprocket sellers?

I went through the exact same thing. I replaced mine with Tsubaki QR Pro Gold.

A dealer recommended the O-ring chain to me. Amazing.

It was a Honda Dealer that supplied me with an o'ring chain as well.
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=65509.msg739608#msg739608

[TwoTired]

A Honda dealer sold me the more expensive o ring chain for my Cb550, as well.  When it ground on the case I took it back.  The counter salesman insisted it wasn't a chain problem, so I asked him to consult with the service manager.  The service manager was well aware of the issue and confirmed that CB550s can't use a 530 oring chain.
The salesmen refunded the difference between the standard 530 and the oring chain and exchanged the slightly used part for the standard chain.

I've since learned that the front sprocket can be milled and a spacer added to provide the needed offset.  Technically, this would put the chain out of alignment, which is probably workable given the small amount needed.

Of course, a 520 oring chain is about the same width as a standard 530.  But, you have to change both front and rear sprockets as those are narrower than the 530 sprockets.

Cheers,

[CoachDoc]

A Honda dealer sold me the more expensive o ring chain for my Cb550, as well................................

I've since learned that the front sprocket can be milled and a spacer added to provide the needed offset.  Technically, this would put the chain out of alignment, which is probably workable given the small amount needed.

TT, have you known first hand of anyone having success with that spacer/milling technique? I'm assuming you put a spacer maybe 1/8" thick on the inside of the drive sprocket, and then mill the same amount off the shoulder on the outside of the sprocket. Is that about right? I'm one of those guys who got the o=ring chain off just in time, but I did save it and it's almost cherry. Tempted to try this out.

[TwoTired]

No first hand experience.  Just read posts on this forum of the mill/spacer technique.  Which seems it could work.  Of course every time the front sprocket wears out, it would have to be milled next time.  And, if the bike were sold and the front sprocket was NOT milled, then the bike is again damaged.

I think I'd prefer the 520 chain.  Less chance of the mistake reoccurring later.  And, less inertia to overcome with a heavy chain.

Cheers,

[dragon79]

i did 520 chain and sprockets from rebel gears. been working great!!!

[CoachDoc]

i did 520 chain and sprockets from rebel gears. been working great!!!

Is that 520 chain an O-ring chain???

[Bwatson]

I had the same issue on a 550 last year. I was leaking oil pretty bad, so cleaned the area up the best I could and put some JB Weld on it and replaced the o-ring chain with the standard chain. I rode the bike a few thousand miles with no leaks before selling it.

[Rgconner]

i did 520 chain and sprockets from rebel gears. been working great!!!

Is that 520 chain an O-ring chain???

That is the point of going to 520, you can use an O-ring chain.