Topic: Price check: '79 CB650 Head and cam assembly

[brycegp]

I am planning a cb500 big bore project...605cc Henry Abe pistons.  I wanted to go up to a 650 cam as I have read here it is a good upgrade.  I have sourced the 650 cam but I can only get it if I also take the 650 head.

Price is for both head and cam assembly $100.  Is this a good price??

is the 650 head a compatible part to the 500? 

Both are used but in useable condition.  I must assume rebuild / refurb will be necessarry...as I can not get pics from this seller. Seller is reputable...but not tech savvy.

[FuZZie]

Unless your going to do the big pistons to fit in the head it's useless to you, least that's I took from reading the other tread. Compression would be to low.

[brycegp]

Unless your going to do the big pistons to fit in the head it's useless to you, least that's I took from reading the other tread. Compression would be to low.

using the 605cc Henry Abe pistons.  so as you said, those pistons are too small to use with the 650 head and would result in low compression. 

I didn't want the 650 head to begin with.  But if it is something I could resell to recoup my money...

Is $100 a good price for the cam assembly and head?

[Greggo]

Paulages has done an extensive write up of the possible combinations here: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=40414.0;topicseen

[FuZZie]

Yes that is the other tread were referring to Greggo.

I don't think that price is so bad brycegp what kind of prices are you seeing for it on line?

[brycegp]

Yes that is the other tread were referring to Greggo.

I don't think that price is so bad brycegp what kind of prices are you seeing for it on line?

These 650 cams are very illusive!!  There are none on ebay right now...and I'm getting no love from the forum either.

Another question...I know that the 1979-82 cams will all fit my 1972 CB500 head...BUT...are there any performance differences between the different model years??  I've read that the 1979 model is the "hottest" of the SOHC CB650 cams...

Any truth to this?

[Greggo]

Yes that is the other tread were referring to Greggo.

I don't think that price is so bad brycegp what kind of prices are you seeing for it on line?

These 650 cams are very illusive!!  There are none on ebay right now...and I'm getting no love from the forum either.

Another question...I know that the 1979-82 cams will all fit my 1972 CB500 head...BUT...are there any performance differences between the different model years??  I've read that the 1979 model is the "hottest" of the SOHC CB650 cams...

Any truth to this?

I've heard varying opinions, but never seen factual data to back it up.  So, assume all SOHC4 650 cams are alike, EXCEPT the German market cams, which were manufactured with a profile closer to the 550's.  There's another thread somewhere now with pictures comparing them..

[Greggo]

Here's the link to the thread: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=99942.msg1114969#quickreply


Here's the pic showing the difference:

[brycegp]

this is a pic comparing the 50hp German version and the 63hp American version?

so I'm getting a 1980 cam off eBay after all.  I will also be getting the head in the purchase.

[cb650]

The cams are going for about that much.   Yes that is a comp pic of the 50 an 63 hp 650 cams.
Oh yea other than the german one all 650 cams are the same.  Some people think the 79 is hotter because the 79 was "faster" but it had nothing to do with the cam.

[onepieceatatime]

I didn't want the 650 head to begin with.  But if it is something I could resell to recoup my money...

Is $100 a good price for the cam assembly and head?

If you get it and want to sell the head, I would be interested in it, depending on price, for a 1980 650 engine I might rebuild.

[dave500]

that 50 hp cam looks like it even has less lift than a standard 500/550 cam?i had an old briggs lawn mower years ago,the engine with the mechanical external governor,,it would start first pull but just wouldnt rev or have power,one cam lobe had worn down to about one mil lift.

[brycegp]

If you get it and want to sell the head, I would be interested in it, depending on price, for a 1980 650 engine I might rebuild.

Make it worth my time to pack it up and ship it...and its yours....  I got the whole assembly for $80 shipped...which is a decent price just for the cam according to my research.  The guy had two complete cb650 heads on ebay...both sold. 

1980 HONDA cb650 Custom hm265 head

[brycegp]

onepiece - I meant name your price...any amount that makes it worth my time to pack it up again.  that's code for I don't care and feeling generous.   

where are you locAted?

[onepieceatatime]

onepiece - I meant name your price...any amount that makes it worth my time to pack it up again.  that's code for I don't care and feeling generous.   

where are you locAted?

I am in Pennsylvania. I just found an entire good engine with 17k on it locally for $150.
I really appreciate your generosity, but that engine means I don't need to rebuild the one that broke a rod and and cracked the head anymore.
Thank you, and sorry for any inconvenience.