Comments on: CB650 Cam in a CB550

By: Glen

Glen — Wed, 22 Dec 2021 00:21:39 +0000

Can I use the 79-82 650 cam in a 1975 CB550k?

By: william simon

william simon — Sun, 29 Mar 2020 15:07:28 +0000

Just a 2cents worth observation here-WHY did you ditch the std.airbox??Honda designed those for a very clear reason.You benefit drastically by having the ‘passive air space’in the box,free of any excessive movement or turbulence.At one time long ago,I raced a CB400F in AAMRR-the airbox was retained,and
no filter at all,just sealing the halves w/silicone.After some jetting work,and a less restrictive exhaust(as well as slotting the cam sprocket And DEGREEING the timing-advanced by a couple of degrees to increase slight overlap),the dyno revealed a gain of at least 4-5 hp,if memory serves correctly.And this was with a dead stock production motor.The problem that gets everyone at some point with a mild engine,and individual filters,is like the older tuner remarked,”They are exposed to so much air that they don’t get any”.It rings true in so many cases.If you are running an Extremely Built engine=read=$$$,High Comp.pistons,Radical camshaft,bigger valves,porting work,lightened and balanced crankshaft,et.al.,THEN you will have such a strong intake phase it will warrant either separate elements,or tuned intake horns(aka velocity stacks).The CB650 cam route I have taken as well,but-Degreeing the timing makes ALL the difference.Just recently I installed a NOS Weber street grind #58a into a friends’s
CB550F,but still,it was Degreed In.Mostly similar(mid range) to the 650 cam,but a good bit more power due to more duration.And if replacing the std.air cleaner,the smart money is the K&N product.I don’t know if the OEM drop in is available for the500/550 now,but it’s an excellent filter.Best of luck to all of you out there.

By: MDNMX

MDNMX — Wed, 12 Jul 2017 12:28:15 +0000

What year is 650 is the cam off of?

By: Maxime Bimar

Maxime Bimar — Mon, 27 Feb 2017 17:17:45 +0000

Thanks for the report. Regards from Denmark.

By: Adam

Adam — Tue, 07 Jun 2016 12:52:06 +0000

Hi David, I am using the stock carbs from my 550K. I have them setup with Uni filters, stock needle, 115 main, 40 slow. Still tweaking some fine tuning but it is pretty spot on. 650 cam was absolutely worth doing.

By: David

David — Tue, 07 Jun 2016 06:12:20 +0000

are you using stock carbs? F or K? I’m currently rebuilding the top end of a CB550F supersport and considering this mod along with carb mods or the pricey CR carbs

By: Ed

Ed — Mon, 23 May 2016 20:46:10 +0000

Damn… Race all y’all

By: MIke

MIke — Mon, 23 May 2016 20:30:30 +0000

Adam- yea 1200. but his “jetting was off” haha.

By: Adam

Adam — Mon, 23 May 2016 19:13:11 +0000

Mike, did you race him on the sportster? 1200 or 883?

By: MIke

MIke — Mon, 23 May 2016 19:04:17 +0000

Ed is still a little sore from his last race when I made him look silly. I bet his car is fast though.

By: D car

D car — Mon, 23 May 2016 18:08:23 +0000

My sportster would smoke eds bikes. It’s got 4 cams!

By: brad

brad — Mon, 23 May 2016 16:40:48 +0000

so whens the 650 vs 550 race happening? Ed’s getting a little slow these days. I think you can take him