Author Topic: Looking for a SOHC 4 project. 750 vs 550 vs ??? (Read 1202 times)

Jayelwin · « **on:** July 13, 2013, 07:13:08 PM »

Hey, so I finished restoring a CB350 twin for my wife and I'm itching for a more involved project. I want a matching vintage CB so I naturally was gravitating towards a pre '78 CB750 (you know, with it being the 'motorcycle of the century' and all). But everyone else must've read that article too because man oh man people want a mint for their junkers and chopped messes. So I'm thinking of expanding my horizon of possibilities to find a bike. I ride my wife's bike, but it's a bit small and I'm a bit cramped on it. The 750 would probably fit well. How much smaller is a 550? And is it going to be hard to find parts for a restore since they sold many fewer 550s? 550 seems to be popular around this forum. Thanks.

-Josh

bjbuchanan · « **Reply #1 on:** July 13, 2013, 07:28:36 PM »

I'm 5'10" with short legs and feel just fine on my 750. It has been lowered one inch rear and 3/4 inch front and has a stockish seat. I could ride a stock 750 tho now that I am comfortable with how they feel. I'm not sure if you are inseam challenged but if you are you are just gonna have to get used to using one foot at a stop. I don't get hung up on that stuff, I adapt to the machine I am on or in

I have seen 550's in person but not been on one, they seem diminutive in comparison tho. I suppose it comes down to how much riding you have done and what you REALLY want. If you just want something bigger than a small twin I suppose any of the larger bikes would suffice really

My bike so you can put some sense of my stockish seat and feel/look

Jayelwin · « **Reply #2 on:** July 13, 2013, 08:02:39 PM »

I'm pretty comfortable on tall bikes. My DR650 has a 35" seat height and I'm tiptoeing. I'm also comfortable on heavy bikes, my Vstar 1300 approaches 700 lbs. I was just looking to find a bike to work on for about a grand. No way you'll find a 750 at that price.

cheftuskey121 · « **Reply #3 on:** July 13, 2013, 08:26:35 PM »

Quote from: Jayelwin on July 13, 2013, 08:02:39 PM

I'm pretty comfortable on tall bikes. My DR650 has a 35" seat height and I'm tiptoeing. I'm also comfortable on heavy bikes, my Vstar 1300 approaches 700 lbs. I was just looking to find a bike to work on for about a grand. No way you'll find a 750 at that price.

maybe it depends on area. there have been a few opportunities around here for sub $1000 cb750s. keep looking. I am glad I got mine

Corey · « **Reply #4 on:** July 13, 2013, 08:32:12 PM »

I bought my "76 CB750 for $750. It was a running bike it just needed a lot of work.

I'm 6' 160 lbs and I fit fine on the 750. I've sat on a 500/550 that I had intended to buy but didn't and I don't remember it being to small for me, but that was a year ago and I don't quite remember.

Jayelwin · « **Reply #5 on:** July 13, 2013, 08:32:16 PM »

Quote from: cheftuskey121 on July 13, 2013, 08:26:35 PM

maybe it depends on area. there have been a few opportunities around here for sub $1000 cb750s. keep looking. I am glad I got mine

So you think I should hold out? I'm in central NJ and people want $3500 for something that needs work. Maybe after riding season.

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Tews19 · « **Reply #6 on:** July 13, 2013, 08:51:24 PM »

I could find you a nice bike for 2k here and it would be running.im 5'9 155... I have both 750 and 550. I love my 750.. but for riding around town and twisties cant go wrong with a 550.

cheftuskey121 · « **Reply #7 on:** July 13, 2013, 08:56:32 PM »

Oh yeah prime riding season commands prime pricing. There is a running cb750 40 minutes from me for $1000 for example. Maybe keep looking and find the one in your budget and time frame. I haven't seen or ridden a 550 but I hear they're fun.

76four · « **Reply #8 on:** July 13, 2013, 08:57:00 PM »

According to Wikipedia the 750 seat height is a 31 inches while the 550 sits a little higher at 31.7 inches. Kind of surprising since the 750 is a bigger bike.

Jayelwin · « **Reply #9 on:** July 13, 2013, 09:06:37 PM »

Quote from: 76four on July 13, 2013, 08:57:00 PM

According to Wikipedia the 750 seat height is a 31 inches while the 550 sits a little higher at 31.7 inches. Kind of surprising since the 750 is a bigger bike.

Having never seen them up close it seems that they are pretty similar in frame size with the 750's extra heft being from engine only.

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Tews19 · « **Reply #10 on:** July 13, 2013, 09:17:42 PM »

Gold K1 750. Blue 550F.... 750 is taller heavier better for highway riding... 550 is more nimble ..... you cant go wrong with either

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Bankerdanny · « **Reply #11 on:** July 13, 2013, 09:50:08 PM »

I'm 6-4 and other than having to remove the strap from the seat because it occupied where my ass needed to be, I was very comfortable on the 550. Enough so that I when I decided to buy another SOHC4 that's what I went looking for.

bender01 · « **Reply #12 on:** July 13, 2013, 10:03:14 PM »

http://hiltonhead.craigslist.org/mcy/3923460701.html
This one Chef? Wheres the one you speak of?

cheftuskey121 · « **Reply #13 on:** July 13, 2013, 10:09:08 PM »

Quote from: bender01 on July 13, 2013, 10:03:14 PM

http://hiltonhead.craigslist.org/mcy/3923460701.html
This one Chef? Wheres the one you speak of?

Not that one. I thought about it but it needs to come down 200-300 for that condition! It's located on Darien. It's a 79. Turn key ready to go.

Bootlegger56 · « **Reply #14 on:** July 13, 2013, 10:18:35 PM »

I like the 550 for the availability of them. I bought mine for $400 just so I could brat it out. It handles great on the twisties but is a little too small for me. There are several in this area that I know of for sale cheap. A gent in Elkin has a 75K1 550 with 1800 miles that he bought new. Its in a storage building and he has the title. The down side is that the motor is stuck. I prefer my 750K5 for cruising around the countryside and in town leisurely. Its heavier and rides smoother. The 550 could probably be made to ride just as smooth but that wasn't my intent. I agree with most of the above posts. The 550 for horsing around on the back country roads and the 750 for leisure cruises. I don't see parts availability as an issue for either bike.

bjbuchanan · « **Reply #15 on:** July 13, 2013, 10:21:23 PM »

plenty of cheap cb750 in the area. I am in tarrytown so I see north jersey listings i would like to snag up if I had the space. How big is your net? I am originally from orange county ny so my net is a little bit big. If you expand the area you can really find some deals

Bootlegger56 · « **Reply #16 on:** July 13, 2013, 10:28:09 PM »

The southeast is loaded full of both with a lot less than 1K and some real nice looking ones for less than 4K. 4K sounds like a lot but when you start with a 1K bike needing a real good going over both mechanically and cosmetically it wont take long to add up the bucks; especially if you pay it done. Do the search tempest thing on Craigslist and type in CB.

Xnavylfr · « **Reply #17 on:** July 14, 2013, 09:30:09 AM »

Broaden your search and be willing for a road trip!!

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/csw/mcy/3906731603.html

Takes LOTS of looking but remember you get what you pay for!!

Xnavylfr(CHUCK)

http://denver.craigslist.org/mcy/3903662751.html

Jayelwin · « **Reply #18 on:** July 14, 2013, 02:22:34 PM »

I didn't see that one. I do global searches using craigshopper. But the K blocked the search from turning up using "CB750" alone. I need to use an asterisk from now on.

Dave Voss · « **Reply #19 on:** July 14, 2013, 08:48:21 PM »

Lots of great advice by others, so let me just add that I'm 6'0" and 175 lbs, and I fit just fine on my CB550, not cramped at all, very comfortable riding position, the CB550 feels bigger when riding it, than it looks when parked. The CB550 is very nimble, making it very easy to ride slowly, which is great in town and in tight turns, but with experience the CB750 is too. I would look for a CB750 if I planned to *regularly* take long distance trips or ride tow-up, otherwise the CB550 is capable of both.

Another thought to consider, is how comfortable are you with higher engine revs? The CB550 really likes the 4-7k range, which for some ridiers can seem too high, in which case the CB750 might be more comfortable to ride. I like the higher revs, so the CB550 suits me very well.

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Author Topic: Looking for a SOHC 4 project. 750 vs 550 vs ??? (Read 1202 times)