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Author Topic: Should i buy a 78 CB550K  (Read 5630 times)

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Offline hsas.69

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Should i buy a 78 CB550K
« on: November 15, 2015, 01:13:34 PM »
Not really tech but couldnt find a better spot for it. What is everyones thought on a 78 550K for $400. Needs carbs and forks rebuilt, front brakes and caliper rebuilt, rear brakes, all wheel bearings and steering stem bearings, chain and sprokets, battery, petcock and rear shocks. Clear is flaking on the tank and tanks if full of rust. Seat lock is broken. Seat was recently recovered. Has a set of older carbs, extra stator and some misc electrical stuff to go with it as well. Does run decent seemed a little underpowered but it may just be that im used to my 750.

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Offline Powderman

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Re: Should i buy a 78 CB550K
« Reply #1 on: November 15, 2015, 01:21:50 PM »
It runs for $400, why are you on the forum and not on the way to snag that thing before someone else does? I'm broke and would find $400 if it was near me.
Does it have clean title?
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Offline bookah

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Re: Should i buy a 78 CB550K
« Reply #2 on: November 15, 2015, 01:34:28 PM »
dude $400? Where I'm already on my way
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Offline RevDoc

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Re: Should i buy a 78 CB550K
« Reply #3 on: November 15, 2015, 01:35:58 PM »
I'm with Powderman, what the heck are you doing wasting time here!? :o

Yes, the carbs would certainly need rebuilding but the other items were determined by whom? My point is, it may not be as bad as you think. As for being underpowered, when the carbs are done & the engine tuned you will be very surprised at just how peppy these 550s are.

I got Angie for $500, put some time into her and love the performance now. :)

BTW, if you do get it and don't want the luggage rack/backrest let me know. I've been looking for one for Angie. ;)
« Last Edit: November 15, 2015, 01:37:41 PM by RevDoc »
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'78 CB550K--Angie
'82 CB750 Custom--Eva



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Offline hsas.69

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Re: Should i buy a 78 CB550K
« Reply #4 on: November 15, 2015, 01:44:05 PM »
I determined what was needed when i looked at her earlier today. The fairing and backrest/luggage rack would be going if i buy. And the underpower feeling may have been from the semi stuck front brake caliper as well.

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Offline Powderman

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Re: Should i buy a 78 CB550K
« Reply #5 on: November 15, 2015, 01:54:21 PM »
You'll get $100 easy for the fairing on CL, so the bike will only be $300. Are you still here?
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Offline hsas.69

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Re: Should i buy a 78 CB550K
« Reply #6 on: November 15, 2015, 02:58:14 PM »
Bought it for 300. Clean title. Now to decide if i'm getting this road worthy or rebuilding the F2 this winter.

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Offline Powderman

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Re: Should i buy a 78 CB550K
« Reply #7 on: November 15, 2015, 03:10:01 PM »
There ya go, can't go wrong with a running CB550 for $200 after selling the fairing.
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Offline hsas.69

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Re: Should i buy a 78 CB550K
« Reply #8 on: November 15, 2015, 03:12:31 PM »
Guess i got a new set of manuals to download. Are there any big differences between the 550 and 750?

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Offline RevDoc

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Re: Should i buy a 78 CB550K
« Reply #9 on: November 15, 2015, 03:13:09 PM »
Good job! As for the brake caliper dragging, when I rescued Eva from the back of a shop in south jersey it was the same situation. Rather than immediately starting to tear the M/C and caliper apart to rebuild I first flushed the system twice really pumping new fluid through to the bleeder. It's been working great ever since.
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Dana

'78 CB550K--Angie
'82 CB750 Custom--Eva



As soon as you straddle a bike expect every other driver on the road to suddenly start competeing for the title "Dumbestsonofa#$%*inallNorthAmerica!!"

Offline hsas.69

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Re: Should i buy a 78 CB550K
« Reply #10 on: November 15, 2015, 03:15:53 PM »
My F2 had corrosion growing in the groove for the seal. Cleaned it out and put it all back together. Had been good through 5k miles. But it had been sitting for 30 years. This 550 has been ran at least a little for the past ten.

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Offline Lostboy Steve

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Re: Should i buy a 78 CB550K
« Reply #11 on: November 15, 2015, 04:34:50 PM »
Jesus Christ, I paid 250 for my 77 without a title and it looked like it had been recovered from a swamp. Then 500$ for a title reclamation. You did well.
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Offline DaveBarbier

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Re: Should i buy a 78 CB550K
« Reply #12 on: November 15, 2015, 06:17:54 PM »
I payed $300 for my 650 and that was a POS. Only the motor was salvageable, which was the only thing I wanted.

Hsas, I have an almost complete rack of PD46c's. If you're interested PM me.
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Offline Stev-o

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Re: Should i buy a 78 CB550K
« Reply #13 on: November 15, 2015, 06:27:22 PM »
Good buy. The 550's are fun bikes to ride, you'll find it similar to your 750 but different.  It will look a lot better once you get that aftermarket crap off of it!
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Offline hsas.69

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Re: Should i buy a 78 CB550K
« Reply #14 on: November 15, 2015, 06:30:03 PM »
Yeah. The rack and fairing have to go.

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Offline Powderman

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Re: Should i buy a 78 CB550K
« Reply #15 on: November 15, 2015, 09:13:07 PM »
$50 for the rack and you're down to $150, it's making me sick. :P
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Offline hsas.69

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Re: Should i buy a 78 CB550K
« Reply #16 on: November 15, 2015, 09:15:56 PM »
Im feeling very luck i have a buddy that gets deals like this all the time. Guess its just my day.

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Offline SKTP

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Re: Should i buy a 78 CB550K
« Reply #17 on: November 15, 2015, 09:49:46 PM »
Sorry if I missed it, but where did this sale take place? That bike would be 2 grand easy in California
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Offline hsas.69

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Re: Should i buy a 78 CB550K
« Reply #18 on: November 15, 2015, 10:03:46 PM »
Quincy, Illinois

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Offline Deltarider

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Re: Should i buy a 78 CB550K
« Reply #19 on: November 15, 2015, 11:05:42 PM »
I've read this thread several times... nobody mentions the 4-4 exhausts???? They alone are worth more than the 400.
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Offline rusty_tank

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Re: Should i buy a 78 CB550K
« Reply #20 on: November 15, 2015, 11:19:42 PM »
My GOD. $300??? That's insane :o

Congrats on the new bike ;D
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Offline DaveBarbier

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Re: Should i buy a 78 CB550K
« Reply #21 on: November 16, 2015, 02:01:03 AM »

Quote from: Deltarider on November 15, 2015, 11:05:42 PM
I've read this thread several times... nobody mentions the 4-4 exhausts???? They alone are worth more than the 400.

+1 I sold two of those 4-4 systems. One that was in great shape for about $750.
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Offline brewsky

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Re: Should i buy a 78 CB550K
« Reply #22 on: November 16, 2015, 03:07:03 AM »
You will love the 550 after you get rid of the fairing and extra hardware.......the power to weight ratio will go way up, and it will be way more flick-able in the twisties!

I have both, and prefer the 550 for shorter, fun rides, and the 750 for travel.
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Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: Should i buy a 78 CB550K
« Reply #23 on: November 16, 2015, 07:52:48 AM »
brewsky is right about the 550/750 short versus long rides. The 550 handles much better because it's about 90 lbs lighter and has good geometry. It could use a little more power of you are used to a 836 or anything modern.
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Offline hsas.69

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Re: Should i buy a 78 CB550K
« Reply #24 on: November 17, 2015, 12:06:29 PM »
How hard can i turn this thing stock before the rods step out to say hello? 

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