Topic: Yoshimura? 1976 550

[Blitzburgh207]

Hey guys - I'm going to look at this 550 on Saturday.  The guy tells me it was raced it's whole life and it has an old Yoshi 580 kit.  The kickstand and lights seem to tell me otherwise but who knows... Search doesn't really bring up anything and I was wondering if anyone has any info on this illusive kit 

Here's the bike:







He wants 600 for it (money I was going to spend on boring the 750) but it does look like fun 

Thanks!

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Can't tell much from the exterior. Pipes look serious! From my Yoshi parts list....the 500 had 553, 562 and 590 kits were available that could include rods, cam, pistons, springs, tranny, etc. No 580 but hey, that was a long time ago. Seeing would be believing. If it runs good the price is right regardless.

[Blitzburgh207]

We'll see Saturday.  It looks like it'll be a fun bike to tool around on regardless. Maybe it's the 590: wishful thinking 

He really stresses in the ad that it's NOT for street use.  I want to start racing in New Hampshire but I was thinking of getting into the 350 class to start with...is the 550 too big for a noobie?  I'm sure it could be easily converted for street use anyways...

[Scott S]

 Those look like CB750 carbs. Wanna sell the header?

[bwaller]

It's a Yoshimura pipe, that's the only thing for certain. It'll be interesting to know if there are other Yosh goodies besides pistons. Lose the old K81's they'll be hard as rock. If it's not completely worn out you can have fun racing a 550....I'll be racing at NHIS May 13th weekend, maybe see you there.

[Blitzburgh207]

Brent, Ill be there either way. Your bike and that article on your getting back into racing is some of my inspiration to start. I'd like to at least go to some races and take the race school this summer and see where it takes me. My girlfriends already mad and I haven't even bought it yet.

[singedebile]

buy it! I will buy those pipes off it to help offset the cost! if that helps... though I wouldnt blame you for keeping them hehe. Cheers! Either way you should definitely buy it, good deal.

Curious about those headlight ears as well, any other pictures?

[dave500]

if its been thrashed its entire life just hope the transmission is still solid?

[Greggo]

Sweet Yoshi pipe, and 750 carbs for sure.  It's still kind of a gamble, and the pipe is probably the most valuable part ($200-$300)

[bryanj]

400 twin front end, unknown rear shocks, obviously been down on the RH side, its gona be well worn mechanicaly-----your money youre call

[andrewk]

That's a late 750F/ DOHC front end.  Much better than the 400 twin front end.

[Scott S]

 The rear brake drum looks different, too. Maybe a '77-78 CB550? Or CB750?

[Blitzburgh207]

Well I didn't snap any more pics for you guys - sorry.  But I did go check it out and I like it    It looks rough at first but it's just barn dust - no rust anywhere.  The guy said he bought it from his friend of his about ten years ago and said the friend had raced it since it was new.  He rode it on the street for a year after buying it and hasn't touched it since saying that it wasn't fun on the street - stiff clutch, stiff suspension, tall gearing, etc.. 

Didn't know much about it besides the yosh kit and claimed it also has a barnett clutch.  He told me it's definitely making more power than stock as he can get the rear tire loose in the first three gears.  He said he assumed it was ported because otherwise the 750 carbs would be a little much? What do you guys think?

Also comes with a few huge boxes of spare parts, five or six rear sprockets of various sizes, and other goodies.  I'm going to try to buy it in a week or two when I get my taxes...merry christmas to me!

[Greggo]

I say buy it

[Blitzburgh207]

I'm going to. I'm just so nervous someone is going to buy it in the meantime!

My girlfriend (of five years) has threatened to leave me if I buy it - I told her more room for the bikes 

[Greggo]

I'm going to. I'm just so nervous someone is going to buy it in the meantime!

My girlfriend (of five years) has threatened to leave me if I buy it - I told her more room for the bikes 

Um, just tell her it's a business decision...if you had to part it out, you would double your money...girls like that entrepreneurial sh1t

[dave500]

i wanna see the rear wheel get loose in the first three gears!mustve been snowing?

[Spike]

I'm going to. I'm just so nervous someone is going to buy it in the meantime!

My girlfriend (of five years) has threatened to leave me if I buy it - I told her more room for the bikes 

Um, just tell her it's a business decision...if you had to part it out, you would double your money...girls like that entrepreneurial sh1t

Yer killin me! 

[brooze72]

i wanna see the rear wheel get loose in the first three gears!mustve been snowing?

Maybe easier with those rock hard K81s still on it.

[Blitzburgh207]

i wanna see the rear wheel get loose in the first three gears!mustve been snowing?

It was snowing  that's why I didn't test ride it.

[bollingball]

i wanna see the rear wheel get loose in the first three gears!mustve been snowing?

Dirt road