Topic: CB550 Wanted

[MILO]

Howdy!

I'm after another CB550, or at the very least a 550 engine.

Anyone know where I can find one in Vic?

Don't say Puds, that guy needs a clip over the back of the ears with a 2x4 

cheers!
-Liam

[MILO]

Anyone?

[Terry in Australia]

I feel your pain Liam, I needed a GL1200 engine for my latest project, and there was nothing to be had around Melbourne, but Ebay USA is full of them, so I found one wth really low mileage and bought it.

600 bucks for an excellent low mileage engine from Michigan and another 580 for shipping, and I'll be back on the road in a few weeks.

Are you building another bike, or just don't want to go thru the hassle of rebuilding your engine? I wouldn't recommend Pud either, I know two guys who've paid him to rebuild their engines and both are very disappointed.  Cheers, Terry.

[MILO]

The US Ebay for me is like being a kid in a lollie shop!

I'm about to start a Kawasaki F9 soon, unless I find an F5 first.... know anyone with an F5 Bighorn they want to sell? lol.

As for the sohc side of things, My bike's 98% complete! , I'm wanting to have a shot at building a big bore CB550, with the cb650 top end... and 750 sleeves in the 650 barrels.
The only problem I'm having so far is finding a 550 bottom end, and a 650 top end hahaha. Finding anything for a reasonable price is crazy. I'm hoping to find some bits at the Bendigo swap meet in a couple of weeks.
I got my bike from Pud a few years ago. He was recommended.... I've learnt things the hard way, I thought he'd be alright, being the president of the honda four club for Vic, in hindsight, he's probably the shiftiest rip off I've dealt with in the last two years. A 'running' engine shouldn't have wasp nests come out of the exhaust ports when kicked over.

There was a CB550 for sale in Bondi on Gumtree a few weeks ago, for about $500. Complete! but not running, if i didn't have work commitments I would have driven up there. A big block 550 sounds like a good bike to have in classic racing in the 750 class. I'll have to keep dreaming for a bit longer i think.

[Terry in Australia]

Best of luck mate, personally I don't believe a 550 bottom end will reliably handle the additional power, it's been done here before, but with not a lot of success. Cheers, Terry.    

[MILO]

What do you reckon for general riding with a 550/650 engine done up like that? I't would still be cool to do, so long as it will last a while, as an apprentice building one engine per year is about all i want to pay for lol.

[Terry in Australia]

Will a 650 engine fit in a 550 frame? If it does, I'd just buy one from the US, and whack it in your frame. I'm importing a good used Goldwing engine at the moment, and the EBay Seller I'm dealing with will sell you an engine and ship it to you for a reasonable cost.

They don't have a CB650 engine listed on their EBay store, but I can ask them if they have one, if you like? What I like about them is they list a bike they're wrecking with a youtube video of it running, so at least you know it's a runner. Cheers, Terry.