Forum

[samj]

Hi all,one of the things I like about this forum compared to one of which I was until recently a member is that when mentioning a bike other than of the forum marque people don`t seem to find it necessary to refer to it rather childishly as a H***A.
So I`m raising this query in the hope that someone out there may have been been in this position and can offer some advice.In addition to my 1953 G2 Bullet I have a 1977 Honda CB550/4 (the one with the exhaust pipes like the 400/4 and one silencer). I've owned it for 21 years so we've grown old together but now it needs quite major work as the large bearing behind the clutch is badly worn allowing the drum to wobble an foul the inside of the casing. This means engine out, split cases etc. to replace a bearing that may no longer be available!
I'm OK working on the Bullet but I just don't have the facilities,or I suspect the expertise, to tackle this job myself but also have to bear in mind that the cost of repair may well exceed the value of the bike. Anyone got any ideas as to the best way to proceed, recommended firms etc. The rest of the bike, I should add, is in very much above average condition so breaking for spares would be a great pity.
Advice, comments or even sympathy most welcome!

[grunda 12]

hi samj,if you give us an idea of your location i,m sure that some one local to you could recomend a repairer ,i also think that your worn bearing will be available.
atb paul,

[John M]

Find a parts book or ask http://www.davidsilverspares.co.uk/ if the bearing is available. It should be as it will be metric.
If you aren't up to splitting the engine you could take it out of the bike to save costs and then get a mechanic to do the work. I would take the clutch basket off first to check what exactly is worn out.

[sussexbullet]

Love the Honda 'fours'! Try David Silver (www.davidsilverspares.co.uk) by far the best known source of Honda spares in the UK. I'd be surprised if they didn't have a simple thng like a clutch bearing.

[sussexbullet]

...and finding someone to fit it (sorry, the previous answer was posted before I'd finished writing) should be as easy finding a local mechanic who learned his stuff in the 1970s. Alternatively, a local club might have a Honda enthusiast who can help.

[John M]

Further to the above, the clutch basket rotates on a plain bush in the centre of the basket, shouldn't be too difficult to sort with the engine in the bike.

[Alan R]

Hi guys----------------- was typing this as you lot posted yours}--------------------Hello SAMJ, ------------ First,"Don't panic Mr. Mannering"..... things aren't that bad !!! My other Bikes-of-Choice are a 1975 Honda GL1000 Goldwing PLUS a 1976 Honda CB750 Hondamatic..Over the years I've owned a 1964 CB160, a CB125S, a CG125, a CB750K6 plus a pair of PC50s' and currently am repairing a PF50 Graduate...and the one thing they all have in common is the quality of manufacture that lasts down the years..That 500/4 is a Classic in its' own right and deserves a bit of TLC..........Try these people for parts/advice etc }---- The Vintage Japanese Owners Club (http://www.vjmc.com/)-------The Single Overhead Cam owners Club ( http://www.sohc4.net/ )-------------- The Honda Owners Club ( http://hoc.createforumhosting.com/cb-50 ... t5838.html )------------- David Silvers ( http://www.davidsilverspares.co.uk/about-us/ ),---------- CMSNL spares, Belgium ( http://www.cmsnl.com/honda-cb-four_model7148/ )------------- Witney Bike Breakers ( http://www.witneybikebreakers.co.uk/Hon ... parts.html )------------------ WEMOTO ( http://www.wemoto.com/ )----------------- Oxford Classic Honda (http://www.classichondamotorcycles.co.uk/ )------------------------------------ The engines are easy to remove from the frame and, as they split horizontally, are a piece of cake to work on BUT --------------------- you yourself must adopt a more precise and clinical engineering approach than with the Enfields.....Remember, these engine units are capable of 8 to 10,000 RPM and can have a pre-strip life of up to 100,000 miles when handled correctly....(My K6 for instance had 65,000 on the clock when first dismantled.... All journal bearings were still within tolerances...A fellow VJMC club member has a CB750 F1 which is now on 32,000 miles (PLUS once on the clock ie}--132,000 miles) with just a re-ring at 75,000 miles, CERTIFIED !!!! The area for concern is the OHC runs directly in the cylinder-head Aluminium and the oil needs time to reach this area when starting up... Carb condition, balance and settings play a key part in good running too----------------------- Does that help a bit ?? ... Can you post a photo ??

[simon]

It's a rare beast the bearing that can't be found. If its a ball race it will be metric and almost certainly available. If its a plain bearing then there will be a stock bush that will be close and a bit of machining will make it right. Always had a soft spot for the 500 and the 550 fours. S:)

[apparently lucky eddie]

Back in the day I had a Benelli 500-4 which was a quite blatant Honda copy. The only difference was that the Benelli would corner too!

[simon]

I didn't realise that Benelli made a 500 four I remember the 750 SEI which was indeed a clear copy of Honda's brilliant motor. I owned a 650 Tornardo and a 250 Super Sport which were both lovely bikes.