First time CB550 rebuild

[plesko]

I am just starting work on a 74 CB550 (pictured). There is an oil leak from the left side of the head gasket so I will be pulling the head and replacing that... This is my first vintage bike and my first rebuild in about 10 years - I've got a couple questions...

There is a little clatter at low RPMs - I'm thinking it's valve clatter and the timing is off but I could be wrong. The guy that owned the bike before me gave me the receipts for the rebuild he did - valve work (new intake and exhaust valves, guides, o-rings, even the sand paper receipt). The bike sounds a little weird to me and is hesitant to accelerate at low RPMs. I feel like it's a compression issue.

It has also smoked, stalled, and smelled like burning oil after riding a bit...

I'd love to get a little more performance out of it and get the engine painted while I have it apart - Is there anything else I can/should think about while I'm doing this? Camshaft replacement?

This is all new to me - your help is appreciated.

 

[YogiBear]

If the bike has low miles and has sat for a long time the valve seals very well could be hardened causing some oil burning. My Brother has a CB550 that had the same problem. Smoked like crazy when he got it , replaced the valve seals and no more smoke. Btw, that's a nice looking 550 you have.

 

[crazypj]

cheapest/easiest 'performance mod' is the '605' kit (usually 591cc, need new liners for 605cc)
Then you have to find CB650 cam and head to get bigger valves.
bored and stroked you can get about 720cc
Make sure to fit heavy duty clutch springs, clutch will slip with even basic power upgrade (hell, they slip stock if you change gear near red-line rpm)

 

[plesko]

Thanks y'all. I'll look for a donor for the head and cam. I've never bored a head - difficult? Is there a walk through anywhere?

In the meantime I'm gonna get this all cleaned up and the compression correct. I'll stick to some bolt-ons and aesthetics for now - at least until I am more comfortable with my knowledge of this specific bike. I started a build thread: http://www.dotheton.com/forum/index.php?topic=36840.0