Topic: Need advice on buying a CB550

[Deimos]

I've been looking at/talking to a guy about a CB550.  I haven't seen it in person, plan to this weekend.  It's a 78 550.  It runs and rides well according to the owner, this was really the rundown of what it has going on.  "It has quite a few mods, mostly aesthetic, but it does have a aftermarket header and muffler, UNI pod airfilters, and jet kit for a little more snap.  It also leaks a little oil."  It also has 26,500 miles on it.

Now I'm not sure what else I should ask about, what things with this particular model should I be looking for? 

And the price.  He's asking for 1200, since it's running is that a pretty fair deal?

With the oil leak I already asked (waiting for a reply) on where it is leaking oil and I plan on inspecting that part myself once I get to see it.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

So far the only downer with this one I can think of is the seat, which just looks hideous.

[mickey6]

10 to 1 if it's leaking oil it's at the head (super common, pretty easy fix). I would see how it idles (after it warms up, while it's idling turn the idle screw counter clockwise and see if it will make it to 1000 rpms without dying). If it doesn't we can help you tune it, I'm just trying to help you with negotiation points. So if it doesn't idle that low and/or/if the brakes drag, tell the PO because of the cosmetic wear and the tune up the bike is going to require you'll give him $800 for it.... oh and you can offer to let him keep that seat lol

[cmonSTART]

Wow.  That seat belongs on a Goldwing.

[wedoo2]

That bike looks pretty good.  Gonna cost you a couple hundred to fix and paint the tank unless you have skills.  The exhaust looks cool, but I am having trouble seeing how to ride on the bike with that seat.  I had, back in the day, a Suzuki 400 that I put one of those seats on and it was fine with a Rooster fairing and standard bars.   But the clip ons?  What is that wire across the top of the headlight?

[Rgconner]

It's like a Mullet!

Cafe in the front, cruiser in the back.

550+ pods means trouble in many cases. See if he has the original airbox.

Run the bike through the RPMs, pods generally cause issues off the line or it will stumble when opening the throttle to accelerate  from midrange RPMs.
 

[steam-powered man]

make sure the electric start works, gotta split the cases to repair the starter clutch.  look inside the tank for corrosion, especially down/inside at the seams.  don't worry about oil leaks, you can strip the top end down to the cases w/the engine in the frame on these.  you may find the bike runs well enough w/pods (mine did w/pods, oem exhaust and kept the side covers on for less turbulence).

good price, buy the bike and stick here for advice.  do NOT ask about pods, brand of oil, compression results or bring up religion.     

[strynboen]

thek the splines in kickstarter..have to split cace to fix that on 550

[orange550]

FWIW, I bought a '74 550 that had been sitting a few years. The first week or so that I got it running, it leaked oil from the head gasket (but later learned it prolly wasn't the main head gasket) plus it leaked oil from the shifter shaft. I ran it for another few weeks, changed the oil, and it stopped leaking completely.

[Tews19]

Welcome aboard. Former Ft. Lewis Infantryman here. Our unit was moved to Germany and no longer is there. Great place, wild times there.  The bike looks to be decent. One thing I have picked up from the members here is the bike is worth what you want to buy it for. If you decide to buy, figure money to clean the carbs, change the oil and to complete the basic 3k tune-up,although if you have any mechanical skills, very easy to learn.  Figure you will most likely want a new muffler, thing is fugly but to each their own.   Plus this site has the 188 page manual to walk you through step by step for pretty much most maintenance....Figure a new seat. Check the forks, see if the seals are still good. If not 15 bucks on ebay, and the cost of the ATF fluid, 8 bucks......Check the head gasket and make sure to check the casings on the engine out. Take your time when doing this!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Check the chain for any cracks, ask the owner some of its history and while driving see the the rear seems loose. If it does, it may need new swing arm bushings. IMO, 1200 not a bad price but I would think more around 6-800....   Listen to the guys and play with the idle screw... If the bike doesnt idle around 1k it will need a tuneup... Be as picky as you can to lower that price..

GL--Tews

[the technological J]

800 isnt too bad if the tires are good.... i would def change the seat and get it running well before you change anything else.... these bikes are great little bikes but it will def make you into a mech or help keep yours in business. but if your willing to get a little dirty its a  great bike

[Deimos]

Oh I plan on getting quite dirty with this thing once it's mine.  I've got plenty of hands on know how with this sorta thing, will just be my first time tearing anything apart in a few years.  (Been itching to get my hands dirty for a while!)  Only downer is I live in the barracks so I gotta find an alternative work station since I don't have a garage. 

I plan on trying to negotiate a little with him though his craigslist add said that he was in no rush to sell so it may be a little difficult.  I'll see try and do that idle test and maybe get him on the paint and the seat if I'm lucky.   This one is in running order and I plan on taking a good test ride on it soon, I at least plan on looking at it this coming weekend, weather is preventing a ride from the looks of things.

I haven't found many bikes up here.  I found another one but the guy wants a grand for it with a dropped valve on ebay.   There is another one (CB 500Four) with an unknown price (minimum not reached) but needs many more parts to get it running. I would link them but we can't do that?

If I get this one the seat will be the first to go.  Just looking at it makes me gag a little bit. And yeah, probably get a more tradition four into 2 or four into one exhaust.  I plan on a cafe style setup, not sure how far I intend to go with it just yet though.

[the technological J]

that seat looks in good condition and someone will pay for it so make sure not to pitch it

[Tews19]

Ft. Lewis actually has a shop you can use. I know I did all my mods during my fast and furious days there. They have all the tools you will need. Also, it is free. Not sure if it is open but it was when I was there from 2001-2005. It is near 3rd brigade. It is free and I am sure you can leave over night if need be.
Eitherway the 550 you are looking is a great bike. I have the 75 550F and 78 550K....

Also, here is a 750.. it says its an 86 but im pretty sure that is a 70's..http://bellingham.craigslist.org/mcy/2760834854.html

all within driving distance....
http://spokane.craigslist.org/mcy/2803180124.html

http://spokane.craigslist.org/mcy/2780457087.html

[Deimos]

Touche Tews19.. I had not seen the Spokane bikes.   So if I'm correct the main difference between the 80's models and the 70's is primarily just the plastics?  Mechanically/frame wise they're all the same?

[Tews19]

OH NO bud............. read the links on both web-links.....I have nowhere near the knowledge of these bikes as pretty much anyone on this site... One thing I do knowis I  have seen and read lots of is these SOHC's are in a class of their own. reliability, engineering back in the day and the actual joy of riding and wrenching on...

read up a little if you have time...
http://www.sohc4.net/?page_id=2011

http://www.sohc4.net/?page_id=2015

[wedoo2]

make sure the electric start works, gotta split the cases to repair the starter clutch.  look inside the tank for corrosion, especially down/inside at the seams.  don't worry about oil leaks, you can strip the top end down to the cases w/the engine in the frame on these.  you may find the bike runs well enough w/pods (mine did w/pods, oem exhaust and kept the side covers on for less turbulence).

good price, buy the bike and stick here for advice.  do NOT ask about pods, brand of oil, compression results or bring up religion.     

You mean the one about Buddha riding a cafe pod set up with synthetic oil in the crank.  10:1 that gets you in trouble.   

[Deimos]

Hmm I'm not even sure where to start with this guy.  I asked him about the price via email (i'm not in the state at the moment, i'm going back this weekend.  This is what he said.

My asking price is $1500 OBO. I paid 1300 for it but have invested about $500-600 into it since I bought it. I wont be breaking even, but hoping to recover some of the investment. let me know what you think.

Any tips?

[rb550four]

What was the best offer? Bring $800 in fifties in your wallet, $200 in fifties in your other pocket. Take a test drive and see what you think ( and no smiling), if you aren't thrilled offer $600 cash. There is about 5 or $600 worth of stuff that won't be used that you will have to replace...lights,seat, headlight, header, pods...offer $800 if he has the parts in his garage.       Well, that's what I would do.The only thing special about this bike is that it is a 550, not stock,and probably not well maintained...

[Deimos]

I found a CB500 four on ebay. I'd link it here but this website doesn't allow links?  Price is cheap at the moment, but there is a minimum bid, no idea how high that person may have it set to be.

[Tews19]

Guy jumped from 1200 to 1500??? Weird... I wouldn't be in a rush. Take your time. Also, if you are able to travel a few hundred miles for a great deal do it. My closest bike purchase was just the other week... Luckily only 20 plus miles. Both 550's were a several hour trip.. first one was 6.5 hours one way, a hotel and a drive back... Other 550 was 1.5 hours away one way...... My opinion is 1500 is way to much... But then again I am from WI... I really am against posting pics on others threads but here are my bikes I bought with the prices next to them...

My 75 550F (supersport) with only 6700 miles... Bought her for 450 or 400.. I forget.. She didnt run when I bought her but not to long after she did...


My 71 750.. I paid 800 for... To find her I posted several ads on CL looking for a 750.....


Now my pride and joy is my 78 550K. This was the road trip one... Paid 700....


Great deals are out there. Be patient.

[Deimos]

I'm starting to see where people are going with this. I thought it was 1200 but he wants 15, I guess he thinks this was an 'investment' in something that would gain value and he probably overpayed for it to begin with and refuses to accept it as is.  I'm going to keep an eye on this one on Ebay and see where it ends up when the final bidding starts to happen on the last day.  Is there any way to link stuff on here so I can get an opinion on that one too?

Here is the info listed on this one...

1971 Honda CB500 Four
 
Mileage: 38,710
 
Bill of Sale
 
This is a great bike that has been stored inside. The chrome is in great shape. The paint looks good but could easily look better with some TLC. The front and rear fenders are in great shape and it has both side covers which are increasingly hard to find.
 
This bike is about 90% complete and does not need a whole lot to get back to the road.
 
The bikes only really needs;
 
Chain
Brakes “front and rear pads only”
Seat
Fuel tap

Current bid is at 350, minimum bid unknown.     He said he "Knows' these are sought after bikes" so i'm weary of what he's expecting to get for it.

Tews19, those are some nice looking bikes.

[Tews19]

Try this link.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Honda-1975-CB550-Jade-Green-Nice-Original-Condition-/290658398186?pt=US_motorcycles&hash=item43ac972fea

That guy is in Seattle... Email and try to find out what he is looking for the bike... Looks real clean...


Or a few more..
http://motors.shop.ebay.com/Motorcycles-/6024/i.html?_nkw=honda+cb550&_catref=1&_dmpt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&_trksid=p3286.c0.m1538&_rdc=1

[Deimos]

That bike is clean but it dropped a valve, how much would it cost to get that replaced approximately? I have no doubt i could do all the wrenching myself.

This is the other one that's in my area.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1971-Honda-CB500-Four-Cafe-Racer-Project-/110809562911?pt=US_motorcycles&hash=item19ccc3bf1f#ht_500wt_1182

[Tews19]

In regard to no title, contact washington state DMV. I am pretty sure I saw a thread on here about obtaining a title for a titleless bike for your state here...

I would be leary as to why it needs a chain. Most of the time, when a chain is replaced you may want to replace the sprockets as well. The wear won't be even with a new chain and old sprockets. I have no clue what a dropped valve means.

Try this link as well.
http://www.searchtempest.com/results.php?location=98433&maxDist=50000&region_us=1&search_string=honda+cb550&keytype=adv&Region=na&cityselect=zip&page=0&showeb=1&category=8&subcat=sss&minAsk=min&maxAsk=max

[Deimos]

The first bike that shows up from Seattle is that green one from ebay with the dropped valve and he wants 1500 for it.