Author Topic: Going to go look at a cb550! It followed me home, with pictures (Read 7180 times)

Sparked · « **on:** August 01, 2013, 01:07:15 PM »

I am excited to go look at this cb550. 1973, so a k0 I think. it's purple, has at least one side cover and original 4-4 exhaust. Besides checking to see if the engine is free what should I be looking out for on a 550? Can't tell to much about the bike from the picture besides the colour and the exhaust and i was lucky enough to be the first to call so I am making the drive to go take a look before it disappears at the asking price.

rb550four · « **Reply #1 on:** August 01, 2013, 02:27:38 PM »

Like anything else, condition dictates the price. The lower the price the less fussy you can be.
We don't know what condition you are looking for, what the asking price is ,or what condition it is actually in.
Basically it depends what you want to do with it, if you want to bring it back to showroom watch the rust, dents ,mileage, rust, you'll probably buy new tires anyways so, not those, rust, and you may want to get an idea from owner how it's been maintained.
If you are planning to cut it up and make an attempt at a full-on cafe, then condition doesn't matter much because you'll be changing everything out anyways. And if this is your first attempt at a motorcycle, and you haven't been very handy with tools or have no mechanical aptitude ,by all means find the cheapest one you can find in any condition to test the waters.
Check the pipes for holes if you want to keep them, pull the sidecover and see if the electric has been hacked ( sometimes it's a squirrel's nest in the headlight bucket), has it ever been under water, was it left outdoors,is it a project that failed? Why? How far did it go?
Or it could be something as simple as the 3000 mile maintenance schedule never happened , needs to , and a carb clean.
Whatever it is you are looking for I hope you find it, at a sweet deal, in good condition. These are exciting times, send pics when you get it home. Good luck.

RFogelsong · « **Reply #2 on:** August 01, 2013, 04:30:35 PM »

You say 1973 & cb550...those are kind of antithetical. The 550's were essentially an overbore with some minor (transmission mainly) improvements over the 500's and the first year for the 550 was 1975. Probably not a deal breaker for you, but just know what you're getting. Maybe he swapped an engine or just has the wrong sidecover badge on it.

Easy way to tell what engine you have is to look for the clutch cable. If it goes into the engine by the kickstart, it's a 550. If it's on the other side of the case it's a 500. The 500's were notorious for transmission issues so if you can, make sure it will shift through the gears and won't pop out of gear under acceleration (if it's running).

The frame will have the year right on it at the headstock so going off of those two points (clutch cable side and frame year) you can decipher if you've got an original or not.

The only other thing I can think to warn of is a noisy cam chain or leaking oil around the head to jug seal. Both require more disassembly than most people want to do.

Best of luck...btw, if the 4 into 4 pipes are in good shape they're worth a nice amount, keep that in mind as far as price goes if you're considering a cafe build (extra money to fuel it). Otherwise, keep them because they're becoming rare.

The 550's are pretty bulletproof so other than normal wear out items on every motorcycle, it's pretty easy to get into these with low mechanical knowledge.

RAFster122s · « **Reply #3 on:** August 01, 2013, 04:38:57 PM »

Uh, first year of the 550 was 1974. First year of the Super Sport 550F was 1975. There is some info on the sohc4 website about the models.
clutch and gearbox are the main improvements between the 500 and 550. I think they were enough to warrant seeking the 550.

Quote from: RFogelsong on August 01, 2013, 04:30:35 PM

You say 1973 & cb550...those are kind of antithetical. The 550's were essentially an overbore with some minor (transmission mainly) improvements over the 500's and the first year for the 550 was 1975. Probably not a deal breaker for you, but just know what you're getting. Maybe he swapped an engine or just has the wrong sidecover badge on it.

Easy way to tell what engine you have is to look for the clutch cable. If it goes into the engine by the kickstart, it's a 550. If it's on the other side of the case it's a 500. The 500's were notorious for transmission issues so if you can, make sure it will shift through the gears and won't pop out of gear under acceleration (if it's running).

The frame will have the year right on it at the headstock so going off of those two points (clutch cable side and frame year) you can decipher if you've got an original or not.

The only other thing I can think to warn of is a noisy cam chain or leaking oil around the head to jug seal. Both require more disassembly than most people want to do.

Best of luck...btw, if the 4 into 4 pipes are in good shape they're worth a nice amount, keep that in mind as far as price goes if you're considering a cafe build (extra money to fuel it). Otherwise, keep them because they're becoming rare.

The 550's are pretty bulletproof so other than normal wear out items on every motorcycle, it's pretty easy to get into these with low mechanical knowledge.

Sparked · « **Reply #4 on:** August 01, 2013, 04:39:45 PM »

well I picked it up. engine is stuck. #1&4 pipes are rusted out. but very complete. tachometer is blue and not stock. tank is clean inside with one small dent.

The frame plate says 11/1973, vin#cb550-10140**. engine#cb550-10138**.

clutch cable goes in by the kickstarter. the engine numbers look like a restamp.

I'll have pictures for everyone tomorrow! Still on the day home with it

RFogelsong · « **Reply #5 on:** August 01, 2013, 05:22:27 PM »

My bad on the year, sorry about that. Best of luck man!

Sparked · « **Reply #6 on:** August 01, 2013, 05:32:15 PM »

Quote from: RFogelsong on August 01, 2013, 05:22:27 PM

My bad on the year, sorry about that. Best of luck man!

No worries, I'm glad to learn something new myself. I knew it was going to be an early bike, ended up being earlier than I thought. I was lucky that I could slip out of work inorder to beat other interested parties. I was parked in the PO's driveway waiting for him to come home from work. The PO is in the process of building a 750 cafe, told him about the forum so hopefully we'll have another new member soon too.

TwoTired · « **Reply #7 on:** August 01, 2013, 05:57:19 PM »

Quote from: Sparked on August 01, 2013, 04:39:45 PM

The frame plate says 11/1973, vin#cb550-10140**. engine#cb550-10138**.

clutch cable goes in by the kickstarter. the engine numbers look like a restamp.

It is a 1974 model Cb550. Manufactured in Japan for the 1974 model year via slow boat.

Stev-o · « **Reply #8 on:** August 01, 2013, 07:04:40 PM »

Congrats Blue tach could be from a 750....

RAFster122s · « **Reply #9 on:** August 01, 2013, 07:28:46 PM »

Would not a blue tach also indicate it might have a 650 cam in it as the 750 tach has a different drive ratio than the 550. That would be an added bonus.
David

Tews19 · « **Reply #10 on:** August 01, 2013, 07:42:35 PM »

Blue tach may be for a 77-78 550...

Sparked · « **Reply #11 on:** August 01, 2013, 09:10:47 PM »

Here is a picture I took on the way home when I pulled off the hiway to let the dog out for abit. I'll go over the bike closer and take some more pictures this weekend.

Sparked · « **Reply #12 on:** August 02, 2013, 09:16:30 AM »

Here are a few pictures of the bike I brought home. Does anyone know what the tachometer is from? someone mentioned it may be a 750 tack or a later model 550 item. There wasn't a key with the bike so I'm going to have to get the seat unlocked so I can pull the tank and start cleaning things up.

Sparked · « **Reply #13 on:** August 02, 2013, 09:17:54 AM »

Here is a picture of the gauges

TwoTired · « **Reply #14 on:** August 02, 2013, 09:43:33 AM »

The red line on the tach says it's from another CB550. No worries there. It'll work fine.

Tews19 · « **Reply #15 on:** August 02, 2013, 10:14:14 AM »

Yep as TT stated... You arr good to go on the tach... What's the plan now that you got her home?

Sparked · « **Reply #16 on:** August 02, 2013, 10:29:32 AM »

Good to go is good to hear. First order of business will be getting a key cut,cleaning it up and start working on getting the engine unstuck. Also curious if the 4-2 Jardene exhaust that I have tucked away that never fit the 350f right are actually 550 pipes...

rb550four · « **Reply #17 on:** August 02, 2013, 10:37:07 AM »

Too bad about those pipes, but you do have both side covers. Doesn't look too rusty at all from here. And looks to be complete. Looks like a real good place to start, congrats.

RAFster122s · « **Reply #18 on:** August 02, 2013, 11:09:18 AM »

The ATF & acetone mix of penetrating solution in the cylinders and top end through the sparkplug holes and tappet adjustment covers is a good idea to get the motor freed up.
Code from the ignition lock can be used to get a new key. Several sources for a new key.

Duanob · « **Reply #19 on:** August 02, 2013, 11:40:19 AM »

As far as a key goes, take the seat latch lock off the frame there should be a T#### number stamped on it. Then go search on ebay or there is a website that sells old Honda keys someone else might have the web address.

ekpent · « **Reply #20 on:** August 02, 2013, 11:40:30 AM »

When your trying to break it free best to work directly off the crank on the non points side or rocking it back and forth in gear rather than forcing it with the kickstart.

Sparked · « **Reply #21 on:** August 02, 2013, 12:37:02 PM »

Thanks for the advise. I have a local locksmith that I can get recut bike keys from so I will probably go to him again. This is going to be my first time breaking an engine free so I am kinda looking forward to the lesson in patience.

ekpent · « **Reply #22 on:** August 02, 2013, 12:54:34 PM »

Use a good lube like was suggested and also do not be afraid to really heat the outside of the cylinders well with a heat gun.That will cause some expansion/movement in the metal and will allow the lube to penetrate even better. Work well on a kaw triple I have.

Stev-o · « **Reply #23 on:** August 02, 2013, 03:21:28 PM »

Quote from: ekpent on August 02, 2013, 12:54:34 PM

Use a good lube and That will cause some expansion and will penetrate even better.

That's what she said!

Tews19 · « **Reply #24 on:** August 02, 2013, 03:51:02 PM »

Quote from: Stev-o on August 02, 2013, 03:21:28 PM

Quote from: ekpent on August 02, 2013, 12:54:34 PM

Use a good lube and That will cause some expansion and will penetrate even better.

That's what she said!

I was about to say something like that but thought the 2 guy pic may have been pushing it..

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Author Topic: Going to go look at a cb550! It followed me home, with pictures (Read 7180 times)