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SOHC.co.uk Forums => Other Bikes => Topic started by: Laverda Dave on September 16, 2019, 09:24:54 AM

Title: CBX550 info & issues
Post by: Laverda Dave on September 16, 2019, 09:24:54 AM
Good Morning All.
I'm currently following a CBX550 on ebay that is currently in a collection.
I always liked these bikes and nearly bought one when I was much, much younger but in the end I stuck with my 400/4.
The main reason I didn't buy one back in the day was because of the bad press they received within months of being launched due to the cam chain woes and the dreaded inboard discs.
Can anyone offer any advice regarding the cam chain issues? From what I remember it was to do with the tensioner, did Honda recall the bikes to undertake a mod? If they did is there anyway of telling if the mod was undertaken such as centre punch marks as the CX500`s? When does the cam chain start giving problems, early on or after a few thousand miles and is there a retro mod available, was the tensioner part superceded by Honda later on in the production run?
Are the inboard ventilated discs really as bad as people say, does it take two hours to get the front wheel out and back in with major loss of skin, knuckles and temper?
I can't really find anything about the technical issues on these engines, only road tests and my memory when they were new.
Personally I think they are really smart looking bikes especially in F2 format with the fairing.
Any advice appreciated.
Cheers
Dave
Title: Re: CBX550 info & issues
Post by: Bryanj on September 16, 2019, 10:57:36 AM
Cam chains just need proper adjustment, inboard discs are an aquired knack----take pics of how they are assembled!!!! I have heard of starter extended shafts giving problems and they have the alternator brushes like cbx1000 and dohc which can give problems. If you get it search for a proper Honda blue book manual fror real information not haynes.
Bodywork very difficult to get, i managed to locate a new sidepanel in Australia!
I sold one last year just after my hospital stay full mot, new(honda) fork seals, motad+spare Netto and spare forks in blue/white with fairing for £1995
Title: Re: CBX550 info & issues
Post by: Bryanj on September 16, 2019, 12:45:06 PM
If its the one at £1000 with the fairing "to go with it" make sure the fairing framework is with it
Title: Re: CBX550 info & issues
Post by: K2-K6 on September 16, 2019, 12:56:05 PM
http://www.manualedereparatie.info/en/download/honda-cbx-400-f-550-f-Service-manual.html

Edit #1
Haven't had time to watch it through yet https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=XHx2eH3byis

Edit #2
http://www.angelfire.com/ca/DrOhm/cbx550f.html

Difficult to find info on this engine but some kind soul's have been generous enough to share.

Edit#3
https://www.motorradonline.de/klassiker/auf-achse-mit-der-honda-cbx-550-f2-ausfahrt-mit-dem-honda-klassiker/

This last one is worth reading after translate for some of the best description I've read of a bike ;D
Title: Re: CBX550 info & issues
Post by: K2-K6 on September 16, 2019, 02:01:46 PM
And it gives you:-

 After a short gear shift, the first one snaps, the smooth and sensitive clutch creates the adhesion, dry twice quilted, hoarsely purrs the Honda CBX 550 from the residential area. Very tame, suddenly. The Honda people were not able to conjure up either: their engine goes well just over 1,000 tours to the gas, takes the 25-mm Keihin Gleichdruckvergasern without a swallows their mixture, but developed under 3,500 revolutions only delicate forward thrust. It follows a very civilized work area, up to almost 7,000 / min, which fits all the everyday needs.

Absolutely superb  ;D
Title: Re: CBX550 info & issues
Post by: MCTID on September 16, 2019, 07:26:24 PM
A Classic wordsmith indeed. Makes you proud to own a Honda ! 

Quote: 'takes the 25-mm Keihin Gleichdruckvergasern without a swill their mixture, develops under 3.500 revolutions only tender Vorwärtsdrang'.

That reviewer must now have a job at that big shiny palace where the sprouts are processed ! LOL.
Title: Re: CBX550 info & issues
Post by: mike the bike on September 16, 2019, 09:07:37 PM
More Engrish..
Title: Re: CBX550 info & issues
Post by: mike the bike on September 16, 2019, 09:49:29 PM
That's the way I did the brake on the VT250.  3 bolts, then slide the outer ring up the brake line out of the way.
Title: Re: CBX550 info & issues
Post by: K2-K6 on September 18, 2019, 08:42:08 AM
Looking further into engine,  it looks like the camchain is not adjusted manually. Seems to use spring loaded guides to work without interference.

They use Hy-vo for both cam and primary drive to clutch hub. Interestingly the gearbox mainshaft is direct drive to output sprocket when in top gear,  meaning they have completely removed the first jackshaft used on earlier small four cylinder Honda.

It's a pedantic view I know,  but chains can't be "tensioned" as such. All you can do is stop them flapping as they wear really, as they lengthen in pitch they reach unserviceable condition when pitch exceeds sprocket dimensions by too much.

Buying one of these it would certainly be wise to hear it running at least.  If it's quiet obviously a reasonable start point,  but reading through other experiences it seems that you'd be wise to eventually consider strip and replacement of rubber components at which point it might as well be chain replacement too. Seems quite a straight forward engine to work on but would need parts cost factored in to overall purchase and ownership.  If it's really good cosmetically and running well (so just refresh of chains and seals needed )  it should make a nice bike longer term.
Title: Re: CBX550 info & issues
Post by: Bryanj on September 18, 2019, 11:05:11 AM
I was told that the hy-vo chains self tension by "walking" up the gears(aks solid sprockets) that they run on
Title: Re: CBX550 info & issues
Post by: K2-K6 on September 18, 2019, 07:31:13 PM
Yes,  I think that's one of the attributes that makes them quiet I believe.
Title: Re: CBX550 info & issues
Post by: Laverda Dave on September 19, 2019, 06:27:33 PM
Thanks for all your help and advice everyone. You are right about lack of manual adjustment Nigel and I think that was one of the engines problems, they got noisy.
I have asked the seller about the alternator brushes and the seller advised the charging circuit is 100%.
He also has all the fairing brackets, the bike was originally owned by a Honda mechanic hence the service history. The original owner fitted the fairing from an F2 but the current owner removed it as he didn't like it.
Funnily enough the bike was pulled from ebay with 22 hours to go but no bids? I think a deal was done off line???
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