Topic: cb550 HP gain

[a.raia]

whats a cheap way to get a little more HP out of my 1977 cb550f.

[squirley]

Clean up the intake but matching it to the head
Do a little porting at the same time
Drop in a 650 cam

All quite simple mods and can be done individually, should add noticable change

[TwoTired]

whats a cheap way to get a little more HP out of my 1977 cb550f.

You mean besides a complete and thorough tune up?

At what RPM band do you want more HP?  And at what RPM band are you willing to lose HP?

How little gain do you want?

Have you already tried gearing changes?

[EdB]

best bang for the buck is the search function.  there are a few things depending on how mechanically knowledgable you are. if not much, leave it stock and enjoy better gas mileage, a smooth, and comfortable ride. however, if you have the skill and some money, make a 718  (there is a thread on a 550/650 project overbored to 718 i think) also you can drop some weight off it.
but ya, head work, k&n pods, exhaust, the 650 cam, hondamans ignition will get rid of adjusting points.

[youngerthanmybike]

Engine upgrades won't help your heart live any longer.....

[Soos]

I would say that the 650 cam is the cheapest gain you will get from a 500/550 engine.

And any cam(US spec anyways) '79 through '82 used the same cam, the 63HP cam. No differences on the microfiche I have looked at concerning cam changes through those years.

Be warned, there is a 50HP cb650 cam out there.
MANY EU german atc 650's had the reduced effect cam installed at the factory.
(i'm a little suspicious it isn't a 550 grind with a 650 tach gear on it)

[crazypj]

Hold throttle open until it hits red line in each gear.( back end not start)
 Its a little motor and likes having the tits revved off it.
 Fit electronic ignition as the points bounce at 11,000rpm
 If you want something to tootle around at 1,500 rpm there are masses of v-twins out there ( Honda. Suzuki, Kawasaki, Yamaha,and, HD)
PJ

[moham]

Its a little motor and likes having the tits revved off it.

Nice...

[edbikerii]

Couldn't agree more.  That is the number one tip for these SOHC4s.  I've been riding my GL1200 more lately, but I took the CB550 out for a spin yesterday.  Having gotten used to the GL1200, I CONSTANTLY found myself in too high a gear for the acceleration I wished to achieve.  Almost every time I wanted to speed up, I realized that I needed to downshift at least once.  However, once the proper gear is selected, the CB550 is like a rocket, and the high revs are exhilarating.

Different tools for different tasks.

Hold throttle open until it hits red line in each gear.( back end not start)
 Its a little motor and likes having the tits revved off it.
 Fit electronic ignition as the points bounce at 11,000rpm
 If you want something to tootle around at 1,500 rpm there are masses of v-twins out there ( Honda. Suzuki, Kawasaki, Yamaha,and, HD)
PJ

[jcorrill]

What do you mean by "clean up the intake by batching it to the head" ??  Does it not come aligned all the way or something?

Clean up the intake but matching it to the head
Do a little porting at the same time
Drop in a 650 cam

All quite simple mods and can be done individually, should add noticable change

[grcamna2]

What do you mean by "clean up the intake by batching it to the head" ??  Does it not come aligned all the way or something?

Clean up the intake but matching it to the head
Do a little porting at the same time
Drop in a 650 cam

All quite simple mods and can be done individually, should add noticable change

I think what's being referred to here is 'port matching' the intake manifolds to the flanges/ports in the head..,so there are no sharp edges and your intake charge flows smoothly and w/o restriction.

[Retro Rocket]

What do you mean by "clean up the intake by batching it to the head" ??  Does it not come aligned all the way or something?

Clean up the intake but matching it to the head
Do a little porting at the same time
Drop in a 650 cam

All quite simple mods and can be done individually, should add noticable change

Read up on flowing or porting heads mate, don't even consider mods without first understanding them...

[MRieck]

Hold throttle open until it hits red line in each gear.( back end not start)
 Its a little motor and likes having the tits revved off it.
 Fit electronic ignition as the points bounce at 11,000rpm
 If you want something to tootle around at 1,500 rpm there are masses of v-twins out there ( Honda. Suzuki, Kawasaki, Yamaha,and, HD)
PJ

That's the best advice I've ever seen.

[HondaCBarnfinder]

Thats Killer man, I've seen some sleeper cb550's out there with the cb650 engine swaps! heck I swapped a cb350 four engine on my 72' out once for a cb400f supersport engine and 6-speed it was a SCOOT!

[scunny]

Hold throttle open until it hits red line in each gear.( back end not start)
 Its a little motor and likes having the tits revved off it.
 Fit electronic ignition as the points bounce at 11,000rpm
 If you want something to tootle around at 1,500 rpm there are masses of v-twins out there ( Honda. Suzuki, Kawasaki, Yamaha,and, HD)
PJ

couldn't have said it better.

[HondaCBarnfinder]

Don't forget to drop on some cb650 carbs!