Topic: CB550 engine rebuild parts source?

[sinister902]

well, I am pricing out rebuilding the top end of my '75 CB550, to weight the cost of rebuild vs. buying a good running motor. So far the only place I have been able to find parts i need is BikeBandit, and the honda dealer. I was just trying to shop around price-wise to see if I can save some money doing this rebuild. I have access to a full motorcycle shop with all tools necessary for free, so I should be able to do a real nice rebuild with some guidance from my friends dad who runs/owns the shop and learn something.

Bike bandit has prices listed as follows:(I already have a top end gasket kit)

Rings Set:                       $35.33 x4cyl = $141.32
Valve Guide Intake:           $12.64 x4val = $50.56
Valve Guide Exhaust:         $18.98 x4val = $75.92

Total cost of parts:                               $267.80 + shipping (YIKES!)

I was hoping that there was somewhere I could order a kit that was meant for the whole deal to be done, like a set of piston rings for all four cylinders, and a set of valve guides for the entire head in hopes that buying a "set" would be cheaper than buying individual per cylinder.

Any Ideas for other sites to check or suppliers?
I've checked Z1, JCWhitney, and OldBikeBarn as well.

[Sporkfly]

Read up on Old Bike Barn before deciding to order anything from them: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=7235.0

Also, in the FAQ section: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=743.0

I like servicehonda.com and hondaparts-direct.com - they usually have pretty decent prices. Also, before ordering go to the checkout and compare shipping. It'll save you a few bucks between bikebandit, servicehonda and hondaparts-direct. In the end, the prices are pretty much the same between the three when shipping comes in.

[moham]

Those prices are too high. I'm showing  just over 28.00 for the rings and just 10.00 for the valve guides...look to the dealers for these parts which are still readily available.

[FunJimmy]

sinister

I have a brand new set of 59mm pistons, rings, pins, clips and head gasket that you can have for $120.00 delivered.
The pistons are made in Japan by ART. 59mm pistons are 0.5mm overbore.

Picture doesn't show head gasket but it is included.

Jimmy

[sinister902]

I am very seriously considering snagging the 555cc kit from FunJimmy, and thanks guys for the other sources. I have to check with the dealer, but the guides I have found the cheapest so far for $103.74 shipped from hondaparts-direct.com.

Maybe I'll get lucky and the dealer will be cheaper, and I'll order my clubman bars at the same time (dealer has the clubmans for $24 shipped)

[moham]

Check these guys out, flat shipping and good availability.

http://www.discounthondaparts.com/catalog.asp

[bryanj]

why do you want guides? only ever seen 750 F2/3 worn out

[pablo78cb550]

why do you want guides? only ever seen 750 F2/3 worn out

my 78 550k guides wore out. i had the whole top end redone.

[sinister902]

I want to do guides because i want to eliminate any possibilities of low compression. I had 6psi on one cylinder, that its catastophically low, and the rings seem fine. So I figure its in the valve seals, guides, and headgasket

[Jonesy]

Give WesternHillsHonda.net a try.

The guides don't have much to do with compression- the valve seats and valves themselves are key to maintaining compression. If you get new valves (or regrind the old ones) and recut the seats, you should see improvement.