1977 CB550

[Valentinik]

Thanks guys.

Oddjob, yes i've had blown out and cleaned the swing arm before i did anything else. The chain guard brackets have been removed as i don't intend on using the chain guard.

Thats good to know about the engine, is it possible then to fit the cylinder barrel with the bottom end installed in the frame, or is it better to fit it before fitting the engine to the frame?

[JamesH]

Listen to Oddjob. He's the man...

[Valentinik]

Thanks, I think i'l fit it the barrel before i fit it into the frame and then fit the head, clutch etc when the engine is mounted.

[Valentinik]

Following Oddjob's advice of fitting the engine to the frame partially assembled I started assembling the first few bits onto the frame.

My tapered steering bearings arrived today so I've now got the yokes installed. I fitted the swingarm during the week. This is how it stands at the moment:





My next job is to work out a way to hold the rear hub so i can remove the wheel bearing retainer.

Mike

[MarkCR750]

Is it easier to wait until the wheel is built and then change the bearing Mike ?, I don't know if the 550 is the same as the 750 but on the 750 the retaining ring is centre dotted to lock it in position, I took a fine drill and drilled out the centre dots , I'm not sure if there's another way but someone will say if there is .

[Valentinik]

Is it easier to wait until the wheel is built and then change the bearing Mike ?, I don't know if the 550 is the same as the 750 but on the 750 the retaining ring is centre dotted to lock it in position, I took a fine drill and drilled out the centre dots , I'm not sure if there's another way but someone will say if there is .

Thanks Mark, i wanted to strip it down so i can have the parts blasted and powder coated so it needed to be done before the wheel is assembled. I've now got it stripped down and the bearings removed, ended up holding in a vice between 2 pieces of aluminium to protect it. I made a tool to remove the retainer ring.

Mike

[Valentinik]

My primary and cam chains came from DS today so tonight I put the crank into the top half of the crankcase. Hopefully during the weekend I can fit the bottom case and get it sealed up.

[Valentinik]

I have some  loctite si5980 sealant, will this be suitable for sealing the cases together?

If not, I need to buy some hondabond to seal the cases, is there a specific type/strength which is the correct one to use?

[Trigger]

Me thinks that SI5980 is just silicone sealant, you want something that does not dry.
Hondabond or Hylomar is cheaper, it needs to be a thin layer or it will squeeze out in to your engine. I always put it on the case and scrap it with a plastic card, leaving just a tacky surface.

[Valentinik]

Thanks trigger, I've got some blue hylomar so will go with that if it's suitable.

Mike

[Bryanj]

Don't forget to put the primary gear inside the chain first

[Valentinik]

Thanks for the pointers both, the kickstart is already assembled in the bottom case. I have however forgotten to order the cap for the clutch shaft.

The local main dealer can't get them in stock and they are a week special order from DS so il have to wait for it to arrive before I can assemble the cases. 

[Valentinik]

My oil seal arrived today so I got on with building the engine cases back up.

I got both cases mounted together and the primary installed:



I have also installed the gear shift:



A concern I have though is, there seem to be 2 small issues with the casting either side of the shaft, shown in this picture. Is this something I need to be concerned about?



Mike

[Bryanj]

I seem to remember that the line on the bearing should be horizontal with the joint line so are you sure it was on the locating peg properly?

[Valentinik]

Thanks Bryan, I did look at that and double checked the pin was located and that everything moves as it should. I've also got a picture of it like this before I stripped it down:



Mike