Topic: What's your favourite SOHC4?

[Bailgang]

My 550 is my baby (money pit), agile in the turns and a blast to ride. My oldest sons 73 750 is a heavy turd compared to the 550 but I like the power so it's kind of a toss up.

It doesn't qualify as a SOHC but my youngest sons cbr600 makes the kid inside of me grin from ear to ear when I twist the throttle. Problem is it's power is too addicting and I know I'd get into way too much trouble with the local police if I rode it all the time. The other problem with it is that my feet are always searching for the foot pegs when I first get on it.

[Deltarider]

Although I've never seen one in real (they were not imported in Europe) the 550K2 '76 for me is the most desirable of the 500/550 series and here is why. It's the last model with the four original trumpet exhausts, that allow precise finetuning. In spite of the 550F1, that had most power to offer, I prefer the looks of this model. The oldstyle carbs, that are so easy to work on compared to the later PDcarbs. It's all in all the model that stays closest to the original (the 500) by offering most of the features that were good from the beginning and least of what had become 'mode' later. In detail: there is the reliable engine and updated transmission. There are those wonderful harmonicarubbers that used to protect forkseals so well before shiny legs became mode. There is the oldstyle, elegant and sober dash with just four idiot lights and not the cheaplooking setup with that insulting fifth idiot light (I mean who needs to be informed WHAT indicator is on? Who else but a true idiot). The modest ignition key is still under the tank, where it can do no harm. No hanky panky with a choke knob to mimick a car. I bet the wires are still tidy inside the handlebars. A pity it only came in Candy Garnet Brown and not in Excel Black as the 500K2 '76 did (European models). If I had one I'd change the US for the Euro handlebars and would have those big and cheap looking indicators and rear light replaced by the earlier and smaller ones.

[OT7]

My Shiny Orange 1976 Cb550F.

[crazypj]

550F is my favorite four, including the Rickman CB750 which was quicker accelerating but about same top end (130 ish' mph).
I worked at a Honda dealers and got to ride all of the fours up to the dohc 750/900's
Modified 550 is lighter, just as quick as a stock 750 but with better handling (less weight, narrower engine, etc)
 I owned CB550F1, 550F2 and 550FourK at the same time for comparison
400f's are OK but have major variations in handling, some are great, some try to kill you
 I also had a CB500f for a very short time, seemed a lot lower than 550 for some reason (springs probably worn out?)
It also seemed smoother running than any of the 550's?

[Deltarider]

I also had a CB500f for a very short time, seemed a lot lower than 550 for some reason (springs probably worn out?)

Must confess that a 550k3 offers me a better riding position than my own 500, don't know about earlier 550's.

It also seemed smoother running than any of the 550's?

I've read at least one test at the time that confirmes your observation.

[754]

 I dont hink I have ever ridden the smaller ones..used to do a lot of miles on 750s..work for me..836cc..even better..