Author Topic: Need advice on purchasing a cb550 (Read 6128 times)

luckyeights · « **on:** January 05, 2015, 07:55:35 AM »

So I know someone that is selling a 1975 cb550f. It has the original blue paint and it looks in pretty decent shape but, it dose not have the original exhaust, is missing front and rear turn signals and looks to have an oil leak on the head. The bike has 2400 miles. He is asking $450. The exhaust is some what bothersome as it is black not chrome. Which to me is kind of ugly but nothing I can do about it. The turn signals I think can be replaced easily I hope. What are your thoughts. Is this an ok deal? And if so what stems and lights do the cb550f use? Thanks

Muckinfuss · « **Reply #1 on:** January 05, 2015, 08:27:53 AM »

Uuummm.....tell me where it is.....I'll look it over and get back to you

Lostboy Steve · « **Reply #2 on:** January 05, 2015, 08:43:54 AM »

Quote from: luckyeights on January 05, 2015, 07:55:35 AM

So I know someone that is selling a 1975 cb550f. It has the original blue paint and it looks in pretty decent shape but, it dose not have the original exhaust, is missing front and rear turn signals and looks to have an oil leak on the head. The bike has 2400 miles. He is asking $450. The exhaust is some what bothersome as it is black not chrome. Which to me is kind of ugly but nothing I can do about it. The turn signals I think can be replaced easily I hope. What are your thoughts. Is this an ok deal? And if so what stems and lights do the cb550f use? Thanks

What type of exhaust? I may be interested in trading for my chrome kerker.

Bankerdanny · « **Reply #3 on:** January 05, 2015, 09:41:45 AM »

Does it come with a title? If not, do you live in a state where this is not a problem?

In general $450 for the bike you describe is a very good price so long as it comes with the appropriate paperwork to get a license plate. If it needs a title, but doesn't have one and the seller can't get one, then the price is just fair based on the condition you have described.

Turn signals area readily available. You can get an original 550F header (chrome with all 4 tubes bending to the left (looking at the motor) around the oil filter housing) for reasonable money. The expensive bit is the original muffler. But altermative mufflers aren't that hard to find and I don't think the original looks that great anyway.

strynboen · « **Reply #4 on:** January 05, 2015, 09:42:44 AM »

just go for it..leaky top is kommon..and no problem..can it run and start..

flybox1 · « **Reply #5 on:** January 05, 2015, 09:45:36 AM »

As Bankerdanny stated, $450 is a great price, and check your state for title issuance process if this bike does not come with one.

Duanob · « **Reply #6 on:** January 05, 2015, 10:04:59 AM »

Best advice? Let me handle it!

I still regret selling my 76 550F.

Always looking for another one.

RevDoc · « **Reply #7 on:** January 05, 2015, 10:23:33 AM »

Title is not a huge issue. I bought a 550K with missing title and just went the Vermont non-resident route rather than go through the nightmare and expense of tracking and replacement for a missing title here in PA. If you want info on Vermont just shoot me a PM and I'll help you.

As for the price and condition of the bike watch out for these savages! They'll be all over that bike like a pack of wolves on a crippled deer! I, of course, would never even think of such behavior.

fmctm1sw · « **Reply #8 on:** January 05, 2015, 10:38:14 AM »

Didn't the early 550Fs have the problem of some sort of camshaft wear? At 2400 miles I doubt it's an issue but you can search it. edit: the journals wore in an oval shape or something like that?

And like RevDoc said on the title, mine cost me around $300 from motorcycletitlenow in VT. Not a showstopper but about a $300 problem if you need one.

flatlander · « **Reply #9 on:** January 05, 2015, 11:09:15 AM »

if it's generally in decent shape and running well, for 450 it's a great price. the bike has 2400 miles after 40 years? is that true or some random number on the counter? if so, it's a steal if it's not been rotting away.

turn signals are easy to get. getting an original muffler won't be easy and will be pricey but there's plenty of nice aftermarket stuff if you don't insist on 100% stock. as others have said, some leakage at the top end is common. it's not disastrous and can be fixed.

fmctm, you might be thinking of the rocker shafts? the head covers of the earlier models didn't lock the shafts so they could move along with the rockers, which could wear out their journals. can be remedied by swapping a to a later 550 cover (k3, f2 or late f1). i'm dealing with the same thing at the moment.

RevDoc · « **Reply #10 on:** January 05, 2015, 11:29:57 AM »

fmctm1sw "And like RevDoc said on the title, mine cost me around $300 from motorcycletitlenow in VT. Not a showstopper but about a $300 problem if you need one."

Ouch! I don't know how they justify that price! I filed the papers (avail. on the DMV website) and just paid $40 for reg & about $60 for tax!

luckyeights · « **Reply #11 on:** January 05, 2015, 01:21:20 PM »

Thanks everyone. It has a title and as far as the 2400 miles your guess is as good as mine it is what the gauge says. Now if it is true or not who knows. Rust is very minimal other than the kick stand which is going to need to be powder coated for sure. Anyone have links to some stems and lights for the 75 550f? I am not sure but I think the f has diffrent front stems then the k?

Mooshie · « **Reply #12 on:** January 05, 2015, 01:58:54 PM »

Buy it or send it my way. I'll pay $500

rb550four · « **Reply #13 on:** January 05, 2015, 02:25:11 PM »

You aren't still thinking about this , right? Why are you reading this ? Go get that bike!

luckyeights · « **Reply #14 on:** January 05, 2015, 02:41:09 PM »

Well sadly I cant go pick it up until saturday but once I get her and clean her off a little I will post some poctures.

goldarrow · « **Reply #15 on:** January 05, 2015, 02:42:15 PM »

It may not last until Saturday

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #16 on:** January 05, 2015, 02:50:00 PM »

$450 for a complete bike titled or untitled is a great price. Buy it now or regret it later.

Bankerdanny · « **Reply #17 on:** January 05, 2015, 03:14:59 PM »

I don't think there is any difference between the signals on the K and F bikes. The difference in those bikes was the tank, seat, and exhaust.

Check the "for sale" board here at the site. You should also find many on eBay. I think that the signals from most of the mid 70's Honda street bikes will work just fine.

Stev-o · « **Reply #18 on:** January 05, 2015, 04:31:08 PM »

What is more important than buying a bike at a great deal???

I bought this one for $600....

Duanob · « **Reply #19 on:** January 05, 2015, 05:20:04 PM »

I bought mine for $600 too running with title. I sent it out the door looking a bit different for $3000!

luckyeights · « **Reply #20 on:** January 05, 2015, 05:56:47 PM »

Wait you got those bikes for $600 in that condition and running ? In what year did you purchase them? If only i could find one like that heh.

Stev-o · « **Reply #21 on:** January 05, 2015, 06:05:19 PM »

$600 and (barely) running with title, found it 5 years ago in Iowa....

natron602 · « **Reply #22 on:** January 05, 2015, 06:14:18 PM »

The black exhaust is a real deal breaker. I'm not even going to tell you guys what I paid for mine....

MiGhost · « **Reply #23 on:** January 05, 2015, 11:28:25 PM »

Quote from: natron602 on January 05, 2015, 06:14:18 PM

The black exhaust is a real deal breaker. I'm not even going to tell you guys what I paid for mine....

The most expensive bike is always free!!

ekpent · « **Reply #24 on:** January 06, 2015, 07:09:55 AM »

Got to pick up those cheapy deals like that when they show up. Got this one from the original owner for $375.00 and yes I had to get signal stems, headlight bucket etc when the fairing was removed, both parts specific to the F model.

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Author Topic: Need advice on purchasing a cb550 (Read 6128 times)