1976 CB550F1 (what have I let myself in for) Project

[eight0]

Well finally after moving house and now having my own garage and workshop setup I took the plunge ans split the cases.

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Lots of sludge in the bottom but no surprises really. Gears and dogs all look in good condition. No play in the bearings.

Do these shells look like they can be re-used? I'll just post a few images as they're all similar.

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Also, I want to get the engine cases, head etc painted, the barrels re-bored and a slightly damaged fin repaired. Is there a one-stop shop that someone can recommend to do this for me?

Cheers

[Bryanj]

See Trigger for the work and those shells are not the best but OK to use if the clance platigauges ok

[eight0]

Before I send the engine parts off for acid dipping,  Is this an issue? I felt no play in the bearings when the cases were together but these look pretty worn.

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I also can't get that bearing dowel pin out. Tried heat and pliers.

[Bryanj]

As long as you have the locating pegs and half rings it should br ok

[eight0]

Yeah I thought it looked like it has been spinning.

There was a mess of oil and crud by the sprocket, hard to tell if it was from the chain or not though. I was wondering if someone else had been into it as there was a fair amount of sealant and it is brown in colour.

[Trigger]

Only two things cause that surface damage, 1) the cases were not bolted down or 2) the bearing seized and spun in the cases 

[eight0]

Hopefully someone can advise me here.

I want to paint the engine. Countless posts have said not to get it blasted with any medium because of the complicated oil galleries and acid dipping is the way to go. I found a company who can do cast aluminium safely: surfaceprocessing.co.uk but I'm in London and they're in the Midlands.

Does anyone know a place near London? Everyone I speak to says 'you don't acid dip engine cases!' To anyone who has posted a disassembled engine before, what's the way to go? Separate boxes? 

[Nurse Julie]

Ideally, you need a large, heavy duty box. Wrap each part of the engine in bubble wrap, then wrap cardboard around it and pack into the box with extra packing to stop movement. Get a box that you can close secure with cable ties. Something similar to this :-

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[eight0]

This engine just gets better and better.

No idea how I didn't notice this before.

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[Bryanj]

From memory i dont think that matters as the cam chain is enclosed and the head bolts sealed

[AshimotoK0]

I am not so sure that the 'acid' dipping is actually acid but is something like dichloromethane (methylene chloride) / de-carbonizing agent  mixture that removes stubborn carbon deposited in the 'pits' of the casting  too.

I think any kind of real 'acid' would be a most definite no-no, however mild it is..... but what I described above  should be perfectly acceptable.

[eight0]

Seem to recall they are meant to be there for oil drainage back to the sump.

Ok checking other images (which I probably should have done first) it does look like they are supposed to be there. They are just so uneven they don't look like they are meant to be.

[K2-K6]

Seem to recall they are meant to be there for oil drainage back to the sump.

Ok checking other images (which I probably should have done first) it does look like they are supposed to be there. They are just so uneven they don't look like they are meant to be.

Aren't they going the other way?  Just crankcase air vents leading to the air plenum and vent hose on top of engine.

Most engines vent out from highest point to avoid as much as possible the risk of pushing oil out under "ahem" extreme use. 

The cover over the cam chain acts as a baffle to prevent oil flinging too.

[eight0]

Been falling behind on posting progress, but with all the time given back to me this Christmas I hope to make some headway and will post up some pics (and some questions no doubt).

I got the frame, tank and seat back from LV customs, I'm sure it wont be to everyone's taste, but I'm very happy with it.

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[simonc]

paint looks good