Topic: Cb550?

[Vinhead1957]

I like my Harley too!  Different styles of  riding

[2ceebees]

I like my Harley too!  Different styles of  riding

Exactly, many different riding styles.  I'm working my way towards owning one of every type bike that interests me.  I really dig vintage bikes!  I also own a ZRX1100, an HD springer, a Norton Atlas(in progress), CB550K1(in progress), DOHC  CB750F(in progress) and those don't include my wife's two bikes. 

And honestly, I'm really looking forward to riding that CB550.  Something about them just makes me smile.

[jtran000]

Been a lurker for awhile.  Just started posting.  I love my 77 CB550k.  Highly recommend if you can get one for cheap, don't over pay for it too!  Need to start a build thread but been too busy to do it.

[jason41987]

to the OP.. recently i was faced with the same decision you were.. i knew i wanted a honda CB, but what?..

i was looking at 350s, 450s, the 550, and the 750... i quickly eliminated the CB750 because i wanted something lighter and the 750 was just too heavy for what i was looking for (for a touring bike, perfect, but i wanted something that would perform even better as a commuter)..

so then i started looking at the 550, 450, and 350... the 450 and 350 are gorgeous bikes too, and i intend on adding a 350 soon.. but although would be completely awesome for a commuter, didnt offer me much of an option for longer road trips... smaller engine, two cylinders more vibration, etc

so then i was offered a 76 CB550F.. had no tank, no seat, no front brake, mismatched wheels, and no electrical system... but made a great all-around bike for commuting, daily riding, touring, anything i wanted to do... so, this thing hadnt been started since sometime before 2001 when the last owner sold it, and apparently it was sitting around for quite some time before then

so i cleaned out the carburetors, changed the spark plugs, spark plug caps (couple caps were bad and quite possibly the reason it sat, leading the owner to overlook them and assume it had a bigger problem)... after that i pretty much wired the coils directly to the points system and to the battery.. then kicked the kickstarter... on the third kick it fired right up, no missing, no smoke, no sputtering, just ran hard and strong after the third kick after sitting 10+ probably closer to 20 years

should answer the question of reliability

[Duanob]

it's kind of an attention thing. Don't get me wrong I love riding and working on my bike and making it look as good as I can. But if you buy a squid bike you will only get other squids noticing and talking to you. Harleys, the same thing. I get people talking to me that own squids, harleys, triumphs, and not even riders! Just some guys that remember back in the day. I've had bicycle riders stop and talk to me more than once! now that's funny! But its a nice attention getter. And it is fun to ride, I don't need to go 100+ MPH. I have fun on back roads just as much as the next guy. The best thing is if my bike breaks down I know every square inch of it and there is a good chance I can fix it on the side of the road. Doubt 99% of squid riders can do that and prolly 75% of harley riders know there bikes that well.

Anyway that's my take.

[Bailgang]

it's kind of an attention thing. Don't get me wrong I love riding and working on my bike and making it look as good as I can. But if you buy a squid bike you will only get other squids noticing and talking to you. Harleys, the same thing. I get people talking to me that own squids, harleys, triumphs, and not even riders! Just some guys that remember back in the day. I've had bicycle riders stop and talk to me more than once! now that's funny! But its a nice attention getter. And it is fun to ride, I don't need to go 100+ MPH. I have fun on back roads just as much as the next guy. The best thing is if my bike breaks down I know every square inch of it and there is a good chance I can fix it on the side of the road. Doubt 99% of squid riders can do that and prolly 75% of harley riders know there bikes that well.

Anyway that's my take.

A definite +1 on that.
I get compliments from all kinds of bikers and non bikers and some of the first words out of their mouths is "I remember when......".

[skaboo]

Great input guys, Thanks   

[Lostboy Steve]

it's kind of an attention thing. Don't get me wrong I love riding and working on my bike and making it look as good as I can. But if you buy a squid bike you will only get other squids noticing and talking to you. Harleys, the same thing. I get people talking to me that own squids, harleys, triumphs, and not even riders! Just some guys that remember back in the day. I've had bicycle riders stop and talk to me more than once! now that's funny! But its a nice attention getter. And it is fun to ride, I don't need to go 100+ MPH. I have fun on back roads just as much as the next guy. The best thing is if my bike breaks down I know every square inch of it and there is a good chance I can fix it on the side of the road. Doubt 99% of squid riders can do that and prolly 75% of harley riders know there bikes that well.

Anyway that's my take.

+2 couldn't have said it better. I absolutely love my 550 and it seems a lot of others do as well.

[Lostboy Steve]

YAY! Welcome to the 1977 club friend. lol

Been a lurker for awhile.  Just started posting.  I love my 77 CB550k.  Highly recommend if you can get one for cheap, don't over pay for it too!  Need to start a build thread but been too busy to do it.

[Lostboy Steve]

Yes.  Many many joyful puzzles.   I'm probably gonna figure women out first. 

But really - nothing's more satisfying than riding around on a vintage bike.  My stock 550K turns heads all day long. 

Harley guys make fun of it now and then, but my response is always "hey I didn't need to spend 20 grand to make friends."

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 2

hahaha.

[Lostboy Steve]

Sorry for all the quotes gentlemen. First of all I've seen awesome replies here. Better than usual. You all have me laughing and at the same time feeling great about my 550k. My 550 with decent tires feels great through turns. I have no problem leaning in hard and heavy. Will it keep up with anything more modern than 1984 with the same displacement? NO. Do I care, slightly, but not enough to sell my soul. I sold a 100hp Buell because I had more fun on my 550. Just Saying.

[TwoTired]

Now i hear the 550 has poor handling from a man who does a lot of motorcycle restoration..    True?  Is it dangerous? how does it compare to todays motorcycles

What?

The stock configured and shod 550 has wonderfully neutral handling where you can ride it hands off and steer by just leaning with your body.  You don't have to hold bars in counter steer in turns unless the tires are worn square, or have been, ahem, "upgraded" to "modern" salesman recommended types.

What "todays motorcycles" are you referring to?  And, why don't you just go buy one of those?

Anyway the bike is only dangerous when poor repair, modification, or negligent/foolish riders are combined.

[skaboo]

I fell in love with the look and style of a 550.  But i know someone who restores countless 2 stroke motorcycles, and he said they had bad handeling.    Motorcycles today do have much better handeling, but vintage is what i love.         "why don't you just go buy one of those?"  ?? 

[derelicte]

TT there's no need for the air quotes and condescending tone.  In case it wasn't already obvious by the title of his post that he was trying to learn more about it, he explicitly stated he had only heard this from a mechanic and I doubt he had any stake in that claim.  And surmising what he meant by a modern motorcycle would've been that difficult.

Now i hear the 550 has poor handling from a man who does a lot of motorcycle restoration..    True?  Is it dangerous? how does it compare to todays motorcycles

What?

The stock configured and shod 550 has wonderfully neutral handling where you can ride it hands off and steer by just leaning with your body.  You don't have to hold bars in counter steer in turns unless the tires are worn square, or have been, ahem, "upgraded" to "modern" salesman recommended types.

What "todays motorcycles" are you referring to?  And, why don't you just go buy one of those?

Anyway the bike is only dangerous when poor repair, modification, or negligent/foolish riders are combined.

[uksparky]

I like the 550 i can throw it into turns, and almost scrape the pegs, very light bike.. but it has its limitations, plus coming out of tight canyon turns i can give it full throttle and not worry about the rear tire breaking loose lol....i don't ride like this all the time, just when i find a good road...

[CapeCafe]

I'm fortunate to have one of the best handling bikes (arguably) in my garage and one of the fastest production bikes ever built right next to it.  I chose to add a CB550 because I liked the look, simplicity and the reliability I heard so much about.  I did take my bike down to the frame and restored and replaced just about every aspect of the bike with the exception of the motor.  It had 14k on the clock when I got it and was a pile of rust and crud.  The 550 had sat in a damp shed for 22 years before I picked it up.  Last week I pushed the starter button for the first time and it fired right up. All I did to the engine was polish and a 3000 mile tune.  I did adjust the valves but they really didn't even need it.  After she cleared her throat (and I filled her with fuel) she was purring like a kitten.  She had run all of 5 minutes in the last 22 years before I took her out with the intention of doing plug chops to get my carbs dialed in.  I didn't need to do a thing and ended up pulling back into my garage 130 miles later with a grin from ear to ear.  I have a lot of "Ducatista" friends and I have not stopped telling them the story of my little Honda.  Mr. Honda sure got it right and I am very happy to have the opportunity to own one. I'd highly recommend you pick one up.  I kinda want a 750 now.....

[Muckinfuss]

Bikes are like women....they're all good at one time or another.  No bad ones.  Some just better than others.  In the end, you need to ride a few to really know what you like.  Me, I've owned BSA's (Lighning, Super Lightning....when they were new!)  More Harley's than I can remember....own two today....just look at my signature below.  Thing is, if you don't crazy go nuts changing the bike after you get it, you can sell it for what you have in it fairly easily and move on.  Try that with a woman.

[skaboo]

I appreciate the support and help guys.   

[Stev-o]

I appreciate the support and help guys.   

So, what have you decided?

[skaboo]

Cb 550 for sure. 4 into 1 exhaust.  Not sure what year. will see what comes.     Now i just need to find one

[Duanob]

TT there's no need for the air quotes and condescending tone.  In case it wasn't already obvious by the title of his post that he was trying to learn more about it, he explicitly stated he had only heard this from a mechanic and I doubt he had any stake in that claim.  And surmising what he meant by a modern motorcycle would've been that difficult.

Now i hear the 550 has poor handling from a man who does a lot of motorcycle restoration..    True?  Is it dangerous? how does it compare to todays motorcycles

What?

The stock configured and shod 550 has wonderfully neutral handling where you can ride it hands off and steer by just leaning with your body.  You don't have to hold bars in counter steer in turns unless the tires are worn square, or have been, ahem, "upgraded" to "modern" salesman recommended types.

What "todays motorcycles" are you referring to?  And, why don't you just go buy one of those?

Anyway the bike is only dangerous when poor repair, modification, or negligent/foolish riders are combined.

Jeez lighten up. I didn't see anything condescending about TTs tone at all except towards the misinformed self-proclamed expert guy that made the claim. TT is the 550 guru on this board and if you want an honest opinion on these bikes he is more than desrving to give it. If you listen, you will learn.

[crazypj]

I found stock 550's a bit low and ground out a bit too easy for me.
F1 exhaust made me fall down a few times so I swapped it for under sump system that was way better tucked in. It was still too low so I fitted CB750 F1 fork tubes and springs with Girling rear shocks,made bike about inch and a half or so higher.
Ended up with wider Boranni rims and a 590 conversion plus decent tyres (Pirrelli Phantoms give zero warning when about to 'let go'
TT100 (K81) were best but led to tank slappers around 115mph, because of extra rubber on the road when leaned well over you didn't need to brake as hard (extra friction from tyre slows you down)

[Tews19]

For twisty rides you can't beat the 550. 

[Bankerdanny]

I was impressed enough with my 550 that after I sold it to buy a bike 'better suited' to highway use (despite the perfectly comfortable and flawless performance during a 6 day, 1400 mile ride) I immediately regretted it and finally bought a 550 project bike in January.

The 550 is a great every day bike that is fun on the back roads, easily cruises at modern expressway speeds, and is small and agile enough to make a great city bike.

I can't wait to have mine on the road.

[crazypj]

I bought a 1995 Suzuki Katana to 'replace' my 1977 550 F1 as it's really tired with 106,000+ miles on it (still have it though)
 Kat is faster and smoother but I would have another 550 in an instant if I could pick one up cheap enough (and didn't already have 6~7 project bikes in each country  )