1977 CB550

[Valentinik]

brilliant thank you.

Mike

[Bryanj]

On the 550 only one selector is on the drum the other two pivot on a seperate shaft with pegs locating in the drum grooves, again in the manual

[Valentinik]

Progress is slow due to a lack of time and money at the moment but tonight i got half an hour to start building the top crankcase up. I got the shift drum and shaft installed and starter gear (not sure if this is the correct term for this?)



Mike

[Valentinik]

Tonight I got everything in place and checked all gears engage thanks to the advice from Bryanj and Oddjob.

It selects all 5 gears and each one seems to select smoothly.

[Valentinik]

Thanks, I double checked the roller bearings were located over the pins as at first it didn't sit in position, but they sit down correctly now. By setrings, do you mean the half moon bearing fitted in the bearing groove at one end of either shaft?

Thanks for the pointer on the oil seals, i had presumed they would have been fitted after the cases were joined so it has saved me making the mistake.

Mike

[Valentinik]

Other things have stopped progress for a while but i found a set of forks on eBay complete with triple trees. They're in very good condition, the trees will need powdercoating and i'l replace the oil and seals but they're fantastic for £52 posted.





Mike

[Valentinik]

No progress for a while apart from collecting a few smaller parts, but I'm just about to order some bits to complete the engine rebuild.

Apart from a full gasket set, primary chain and primary dampers and cam chain, is there any other parts i should look at replacing?

I recall i've seen somewhere an alternative part for the primary chain  and maybe the cam chain swell that may be cheaper than DS, could someone point me in the direction of where to find one if i wasn't imagining it?

Mike

[Trigger]

Oil seal kit springs to mind. Piston rings and so on.
Cam chains from DID are not expensive, around the £25 mark

[Valentinik]

Thanks Trigger.

No progress pictures but i got the frame stripped down completely and took it to to be blasted and powder coated as well as the swingarm and yoke. They're quite busy at the moment so it may be a couple of weeks before its done.

On the way back i stopped into the local Main dealer and got the primary rubbers and a few circlips that needed replacing as well as some new shock bushes and oil seals. DS didnt have all of the parts in stock, so i have't got all of the bits to rebuild the engine at the moment.

Mike

[Valentinik]

The larger bits came back from the powder coaters today. Im really pleased with the finish, its 99% perfect and only cost £96 all in.
 
I found a prime position to start the build:
 


 
The wife didnt have the same opinion on where the build should continue so it was relegated to the garage. (it made it longer than i expected)



A few close up pictures:




Mike

[Valentinik]

A question before i start building the frame up. Which is the preferred method to fit the engine.

Fit the engine to the frame with an engine crane. Or position the engine on the floor on its side, and fit the frame around the engine?

Thanks
Mike

[MarkCR750]

With the CB750 definitely put the engine on its side and lower the frame onto the engine, I'm pretty sure the same method is best for the 550.

[Valentinik]

With the CB750 definitely put the engine on its side and lower the frame onto the engine, I'm pretty sure the same method is best for the 550.

Thanks Mark, thats what i will go with.

[Valentinik]

A question RE: swingarm installation.

When installed and the pivot bolt torqued, should the swingarm fall under its own weight or stay in position?

I have torqued the bolt to 38lb ft and now it is torqued up, when released the swing arm stays in position and doesn't fall. Is this correct?

Thanks
Mike

[Bryanj]

As long as it is easy to move by hand it will be OK, if you have to put effort into moving it no