Primary chain wear 550 K1

[Murf]

Hi all
Sorry but yet another question
Just looking in sump and checked primary chain, it had some slack/play in it so had a good look in engine, it has the mark as shown in the photo on what looks like an oil way from or to the oil filter /oil pump.  The mark is small but would you say the primary chain needs changing, or is this common on these bikes.
Thanks.

[Bryanj]

Yes to both, it is common and it goes need changing along with the 8 damper rubbers in the primary drive hub.
You will need one special tool and that is the generator rotor puller

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

As it's an engine out casing split depending on the engine history might be worth fitting a pair of primary drive bearings. Bearings are a standard size so usually cheaper to buy from a bearing supplier than DS.

Lots of members here have done such rebuilds in the last couple of years so plenty of advice from Bryan & others here.

[Murf]

Thanks
I had the feeling it was going to need changing as there was a fair bit of slack in the chain so thanks for confirming it. I haven’t had any experience with 550 before but I have done other bikes and the primarily chains are normally quite tight when new.   Thanks for tip about the primary drive bearings and the damper rubbers.  I have already got the top of the engine stripped so I guess now is the time to do it. I am going to do the cam chain so will be able to use an endless chain now. 
What about crankshaft oil seals I guess they should be changed and main and big end shell bearings checked. 
I have some rotor pullers but if I  haven’t got the right one where is a good place to get one.

[Bryanj]

Get an oil seal kit from silvers and the rotor puller is a bolt that screws in and pushes on the end of the crank after removing the retaining bolt, where are you in uk?
In the past i have taken the crank into a local dealer and asked them, now i have the puller!
Make sure you dont mix up the shell positions and it is common to not have to change them if servicing has been done correctly.

Download the 500/550 manual from Ashs dropbox

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

According to my records my rotor puller came from DS in Sept 2022 it cost £8.67 back then inc VAT.

Part Number is 079332160000 still listed now £9.58 incl VAT.

[Murf]

Thanks  for help.

I will get everything ordered up, damaged my ankle yesterday so ordering stuff is about all I can do at the moment. 

So far Working on the bike would lead me to think it has not received the best maintenance in its life so it will be interesting to see what the shell bearings and crank journals look like.  Everything else has been knackered so not that hopeful. From what I have seen I get the impression that in many cases these engines are in need of serious maintenance eg top end rebuild by 30000 miles.  Type of use and maintenance will of course affect this, I guess bikes get an ever diminishing level of maintenance as they get older and less desirable, eventually being abandoned in a damp shed for 20 years. 😄

[DomP]

I wouldn't be surprised if its not as bad as you think internally, my 550 had been poorly maintained and had the top end put back together with copious amounts of red gasket sealer as well as some numpty having put springs between the rockers on the tappets.  Thankfully everything measured up within spec with plastigauge and no damage to the rockers or valves.

Both the primary and cam chain were pretty well worn though, primary rubber bushes were like rock too.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Certainly standing unused for a few years might mean a rebore is needed due to corrosion. If well maintained and used regularly I would have thought they are more than cable of managing well  over 60k miles.

Also prolonged standing in old oil can lead to corrosion of various ball bearings at the "tide mark" inside. If you use your own labour a pretty substantial  engine rebuild can easily add up to the £800 plus mark.

[DomP]

Oh yeah I forgot I did need a rebore but other than that and replacing bearings while I was in there it was all pretty good.

[Bryanj]

30,000 is just run in as long as oil changed on schedule and not seviced by a numpty.
It is totaly possible that it only needs chains, dampers seals and gaskets

[Murf]

Hi
Can anyone tell me what model the cheaper  Kawasaki primary chain that can be used on the 550 is from.
DS primary chain is in the region of £80, that’s the cheapest I have found.
Thanks

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

The 400 & 500 have the same Primary Drive Chain I used the Kawasaki one 92057-1011 box was marked (Zx550-A1).

Just double check the part numbers for Honda Part 500 & 550 are the same.
Original 500 Honda p/n was 23131-323-000 - the manual shows an illegible  hand written change  looks like 23131-425-003.

The DS site shows the same part number for 550K3 & 500 as 23131- 425-003. So looks like 400/500/550 use the same Hyvo chain.

[Murf]

McCable-Thiele Thanks for all that info and part numbers, I will follow up and give one of the Kawasaki chains a try.
 I would imagine that the Hyvo chains are made by chain makers and bought in by the motorbike manufacturers and where possible the motorbike maker will try to use a standard size chains to save costs.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

I sourced mine from MSP it was £57.34 in Nov 2022 - that gives you a handle on cost.