3 cylinder 550

[z1100r]

 What were numbers 1,2, and 3...?

[mickwinf]

other cyls 125 psi so should be ok, will keep you informed, wont be able to take head off for a week or so, have to make a living to pay for this money pit!!

[mickwinf]

well i had a bit of time today so decided to take off the head. i got all the bolts and nuts off, but the head refuses to come apart from the cyl barrels, the whole assembly is loose from the crankcase. Any ideas chaps? I have tried tapping with a block of wood and gently levering but no luck. I dont realy want to take engine out again!!

[Bryanj]

You have taken out the 10mm headed bolts front and back and the tensioner top bolt havent you? Only ask 'cos i have made the same mistake in the past!!

There ought to be two pry points, one on each end

[mickwinf]

yes i took out the bolts you mentioned Bryan, where are the pry points? I think the PO stuck the head gasket with sealer/ cement!

[matthewmosse]

Head gaskets are always stuck like the proverbial and usually take a lot of time and care to remove on these bikes. the pry points are I think - been a while - at each corner at the front and Honda actually recommend using a srewdriver! there is actually even a recess for this if you look carefully

[mickwinf]

thanks for advice i found the pry points, one screwdriver and one hammer and the head is off!! took out the no 4 exhaust valve and it is bent, i think i have a spare so should be an easy fix ( i hope!!)

[kaceyk2]

Mickwinf,
When you said "after years in bits" did you mean your bike OR the motor...
Just had a thought, If the motor was in one lump before you took it apart to  find the bent valve.....,
It could well be worthwhile, to try and find out what caused the valve to bend??
Just a thought. To bend, it must have clouted the piston, I would want to know why..

[mickwinf]

both bike and engine have been in bits engine had been assembled when i got it, supposedly by a mechanic but the cam timing was wrong, i think when i turned the engine over it hit the piston.Moral of the story, always check yourself, dont take someone elses word for it!!

[mickwinf]

well after a strip down and replacement valve i now have a four cylinder 550 again! Got it back together and fitted my rebuilt wheels, had a ride down the drive,probably the first time it has moved under its own power since about 1982!! Feels great!!

[Spitfire]

That's great news, nice when a plan comes together.

Cheers

Den

[mickwinf]

bad news guys, it has gone back to 3 cyls! this time no 2 cyl is not firing properly, the engine sounds ok but a little flat, the no 2 exhaust is not getting hot, but it runs worse if i remove no 2 plug cap so it is doing something.Oh no i thought, another valve, but compression is 140 psi. I tried another plug which seemed to help a little but still not right.Anyone had similar probs? Mick

[Bryanj]

Bad plug cap or low battery voltage?

[mickwinf]

hi bryan, battery is charged, bike starts first kick,coils and caps are new,but i will try another cap in case i have a duff one

[matthewmosse]

I seem to have had a few dud spark plugs in the past few years which were dud streight from the box, and one that the threads parted company from the rest of the plug - not overtighened as on inspection there was the yellow passivate plating inside the broken metal of the plug so new isn't always known good.