Author Topic: 1977 cb550K3 drive chain  (Read 584 times)

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nairb

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1977 cb550K3 drive chain
« on: January 14, 2020, 05:50:01 PM »
Its been a few years since my cb550 was last on the road.  Its had a top end rebuild.  At 42,000 miles it was burning too much oil. 
So its getting ready to go out on the road.  New tires(tyres), oil/filter, fork seals and air filter etc.
Also its time for a new set of chain/sprockets.  I have decided to go with the standard setup.  Jt sprockets front and rear,  Front being 17T the rear is 37T.
My question is which type of chain should I get.  Its been a while since I bought chain for this bike and the types and makers have changed.  I usually like DID but there are other good brands also.  Is  X-Ring good enough or do I need to go for something else like VX Heavy Duty X-Ring.  Is O-ring chain too thick?.

Thanks in advance
Nairb

Offline HondaMan

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Re: 1977 cb550K3 drive chain
« Reply #1 on: January 14, 2020, 05:58:43 PM »
IMHO, the very best chain for these bikes is the Diamond XD or XDL. If you can't obtain that (check eBay) the Diamond Powersport is my second choice. Many here already know I am not a fan of O-ring chains, as they are an oxymoron on a motorcycle. For conveyors, they are great. ;)

Also: when you get your new sprockets, run them for at least 100 miles with the old chain FIRST. All modern sprockets are cast, not machined, and they have a fine grit on their teeth that will enter your new chain and damage it, quickly. Watch the valleys between the teeth: when they look smooth and shiny again, THEN install the new chain. If you don't do this in this order, your new chain will last less than 1/2 as long as it would otherwise.

And: when you get the new sprockets: take the countersprocket and grind off about 1mm (up to 2mm, it is not critical) from the tip of each tooth. Honda's sprockets originally had shortened teeth (and a larger base circle, but we can't get those today... :(  ) to make the front sprocket settle more quietly and open the rollers as they entered the more oil-rich up-front area, to held them nab a few molecules of oil into their roller's insides. This was called "pumping" the lube. It happens at both sprockets, but up front it has a better chance of collecting a bit more oil (especially in the 750).
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Offline dave500

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Re: 1977 cb550K3 drive chain
« Reply #2 on: January 14, 2020, 08:42:17 PM »
jt sprockets will last you almost forever.

Offline Bankerdanny

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Re: 1977 cb550K3 drive chain
« Reply #3 on: January 16, 2020, 02:15:08 PM »
You don't want to use an x-ring/o-ring style chain on a 550, at least not in the standard 530 size. They will rub on the case. Just stick with a good quality conventional chain and keep it properly lubricated and adjusted.
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Offline carnivorous chicken

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Re: 1977 cb550K3 drive chain
« Reply #4 on: January 16, 2020, 02:18:52 PM »
As BD said, O-ring chains will rub on the case, but also puncture a rubber seal that requires splitting the cases to replace.

Offline dave500

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Re: 1977 cb550K3 drive chain
« Reply #5 on: January 16, 2020, 08:53:42 PM »
I get good milage from ek heavy duty chains.

nairb

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Re: 1977 cb550K3 drive chain
« Reply #6 on: January 22, 2020, 01:42:33 PM »
Thanks for the replies.  I did think all I needed was some simple, good quality, standard chain.  Not x-ring or O-ring or super strength gold chain.  But times have moved on.  Make you wonder how we managed all those years ago with "standard" chain.
In the uk there are no suppliers of Diamond XD so I will look out for some DID.  These cb550 k3's are not the power bike of today.  I still think you get what you pay for.....   standard chain it is then.

Many thanks
Nairb