Topic: New to us '74 550

[wally550k0]

I will say the other 2 colors offered that year are so much cooler:  Freedom Green and Sunflake Orange...I WANT THE FREEDOM GREEN!  Not the purple that they call Maroon for some reason.  Oh well, I digress.

Although I bought a new (orange) CB550 in May of '74, I have never seen a complete 550 in Freedom Green Metallic. Once, in a salvage yard in the late '70s, I saw a FGM gas tank from a 1974 550. I wonder if the that color was offered in markets other than the U. S. If I ever restore a CB550K0, I will probably have it painted Freedom Green Metallic.

The exhaust presents a challenge. Surprisingly, DSS does not offer a reproduction. But even if a repro were available, I think that I would prefer period-correct 4-1, such as a Jardine, Bassani, or a Kerker.

Back to the OP's find, good for you! That is one sweet bike.

Bob

I've never seen a 550 in any shade of green in the flesh, only pictures.  I think it's a great color but the market definitely fell for the orange.  Not many Boss Maroon ones that I've seen either.

How would you like a brand new 4 into 4 system made by the original manufacturer?  For $1954 plus a mound of cash for shipping you can have one (cough, sputter).  http://www.cmsnl.com/honda-cb550k0-four-usa_model465/muffler-setcb500fourcb550fourk_00000kit0139/#.UeMcJj-p3Yg

[wally550k0]

Wally ,
thats a really cool original find! congrats!
I just scored a 77 400F!
deals are still out there!
sohcphreek

Thanks, nice find of your own.  Yes, they are but you better jump fast when they show.  Good ones go quick.

[wally550k0]

Congrats Wally and I agree, no Mac.  Please let us know how the bonded title process goes, I have a K7 that I need to title. Thanks.

Will do.  It's already a pain and I haven't even made my first trip to the tax office.

May be better to start at the tax office? They'll tell you exactly what you need, and they will do a VIN check on your bike (I started the process a couple years back on an old Suzuki)

Guessing you've seen this website? Has links to the forms you'll need....


http://txdmv.gov/motorists/buying-or-selling-a-vehicle/bought-a-vehicle-with-no-title

Sorry for not updating you sooner.  In case you haven't gone through the process I offer the following.

1) Do not start at the county tax office, that was my first mistake.
2) Complete the VTR-130-SOF.
3) Acquire the VTR-270 and have your local motorcycle state inspection shop fill it out.  Since I was getting a safety inspection also, the VI-30 is optional and was accepted.
4) Take those forms to a DMV Regional Service Center.  I also took the bill of sale, copy of my TxDL and my insurance card.
5) If over 25 years old they will screw you and declare it worth $4K.
6) Once processed take all your docs to a surety bond issuer.  Pay the man, mine was only $150.
7) Acquire and fill out the Form 130-U.
Now take the heap of documents to the county tax assessor's office.  Pay an even larger sum and leave with a plate.

The tabs on the webpage you referenced are actually steps in the process.  Hope this helps.

[Stev-o]

Congrats Wally and I agree, no Mac.  Please let us know how the bonded title process goes, I have a K7 that I need to title. Thanks.

Will do.  It's already a pain and I haven't even made my first trip to the tax office.

May be better to start at the tax office? They'll tell you exactly what you need, and they will do a VIN check on your bike (I started the process a couple years back on an old Suzuki)

Guessing you've seen this website? Has links to the forms you'll need....


http://txdmv.gov/motorists/buying-or-selling-a-vehicle/bought-a-vehicle-with-no-title

Sorry for not updating you sooner.  In case you haven't gone through the process I offer the following.

1) Do not start at the county tax office, that was my first mistake.
2) Complete the VTR-130-SOF.
3) Acquire the VTR-270 and have your local motorcycle state inspection shop fill it out.  Since I was getting a safety inspection also, the VI-30 is optional and was accepted.
4) Take those forms to a DMV Regional Service Center.  I also took the bill of sale, copy of my TxDL and my insurance card.
5) If over 25 years old they will screw you and declare it worth $4K.
6) Once processed take all your docs to a surety bond issuer.  Pay the man, mine was only $150.
7) Acquire and fill out the Form 130-U.
Now take the heap of documents to the county tax assessor's office.  Pay an even larger sum and leave with a plate.

The tabs on the webpage you referenced are actually steps in the process.  Hope this helps.

Yes, it does thanks.  Need to do it for my K7 but its not a runner yet, so won't pass inspection.

I run antique plates on my bikes, did you consider that?

[wally550k0]

Yes, it does thanks.  Need to do it for my K7 but its not a runner yet, so won't pass inspection.

I run antique plates on my bikes, did you consider that?
[/quote]

I did briefly, but all things considered I accepted the standard registration for now.  Each office had been facing statewide computer outages and the usual manpower shortages all week.  I wasn't pushing my luck...