Topic: Original 75 CB550k w fairing?

[PheNam]

Good morning gentleman. I wanted to thank you all for your expert advice to this point. It has given me peace of mind to know that regardless of the expectation that a 40 year old bike will need TLC with time and money, any problem that arises will most likely be solved by all of your collective experiences. And so having said that...I officially have the CB550 bug and I am looking to purchase another CB550 and wanted all of your sage advice...

This one is a 75 Honda CB550k, see attached picture.

Here is what the owner has stated so far:

Original owner 16,353 Miles. Needs a little work on the carbs, Runs but floats are stuck open. Will need a new battery.

My questions:
I have tried looking for a picture of an original CB550 with the fairing still on, but surprisingly, could only find one or two old grainy pictures with bikes with them on. Now I can't tell from the original picture if it is the original fairing, but my question is this...Did all of the CB550's come with the fairing to begin with? Or was that an additional cost when the bike was purchased?

[EricHa]

All fairings were aftermarket until Honda made the Gold Wing Interstate in 1980. That CB550 would not have come from the factory with that Vetter fairing.

[goldarrow]

yeah get rid of those fairing quick!

[PheNam]

Ha, will do. I thought I had come across a more rare beauty with full on original everything. Does the same go for the backrest/rack?

[goldarrow]

Ha, will do. I thought I had come across a more rare beauty with full on original everything. Does the same go for the backrest/rack?

luggage rack may be useful if you ever wanted to do long trips

[PheNam]

Ha, will do. I thought I had come across a more rare beauty with full on original everything. Does the same go for the backrest/rack?

luggage rack may be useful if you ever wanted to do long trips

Say these bikes are in good running condition, when I do decide to do long trips, should I be aware or be prepared for anything to happen? Are there problems that would arise more frequently than others? And besides a good tool set, manual, bottle of alcohol, beef jerky, and flares, is there anything else I should always have on me?

[goldarrow]

3k miles service plus go through and clean electrical contacts and pack few common wear and tear items, plugs, fuse, condensors, etc should be all good.  i commute 500 miles a week on my bikes, broke down twice.  once was blown fuse out of no where, replaced it and done.  another time but different bike was also blown fuse, had a short around dash panel.  other than that, bike has been very reliable

[Tews19]

That is Mark's bike. He is firm on his price. The bike needs some work. I will send you a PM. I talked to him last year and over July 4th weekend.

[Thamuz]

Also pack maybe a extra clutch cable.  Like they said, tools.  took mine 800 miles, not one issue.  Just do that 3k tuneup and play it safe.

[rocs]

I can't stand that everyone has a freedom green 550 and I don't.

Enjoy that bike. It looks great

[Stev-o]

yeah get rid of those fairing quick!

+1 and the ugly backrest and put some correct handlebars on there and you will have a good looking bike.
Tews will give you some good info, he is a 550 expert. 

[Thamuz]

Fairing does need to go, into a recycle bin.  Place backrest in too.  lol  Sorry, had a fairing, hated it and the backrest.  Both came off before I rode mine.

Seriously, good looking bike otherwise

[TwoTired]

There are a lot of fairing phobes on this forum.  But, if you are going to ride the bike long distance as it was made to do, then you will likely worship the fairing.  On mine, it actually improved the gas mileage.
If you take a passenger, he/she will enjoy the backrest, especially if there are long distances involved.  The back rack allows a lot more utility from the bike.  You can carry stuff much easier.  Rain gear, a six pack cooler, picnic lunch, and extra helmet, etc.  Never underestimate the power of bungee.

You have what was common as a touring set up.  Lots of miles with comfort and not beat to #$%*e when you get there.

I'm a form follows function guy.  If it works well, I'm happy.  I don't give a rats behind what someone else thinks looks good.  In fact, most of them will uglify any bike simply by siting upon it.  I'm not riding just for the show, or for someone else.   I ride for me.

I've had lot's of compliments on the fully faired 550 with comments about the nostalgic, period look of when these bikes were in their heyday.  There were a lot more of these back then than any with the "cafe" look.  IMO.