Author Topic: 1974 CB550 K0 Freedom Green Metallic (Read 8380 times)

Dos · « **on:** April 12, 2016, 01:16:23 PM »

I've been having some trouble finding this bike.

According to sohc4.net there is a 1974 CB550 K0 Freedom Green Metallic (blue) bike.

When I search through google I cannot find a blue cb550 only a cb750 in that color. I have seen one post on here with a NOS tank and another barn yard find covered in rust however I can't find any pictures of just the bike functioning.

Here is the only video I have seen on the internet of it:

I even asked in the comments if it was factory and he said yes.

Is this model and year just a very rare bike or am I going crazy?

Stev-o · « **Reply #1 on:** April 12, 2016, 01:55:07 PM »

You're crazy! There is no blue 550.

http://www.sohc4.net/cb550-model-guide/

"The CB550K was introduced in 1974 as an upgrade to the CB500K which it closely resembled. The bike came in three colors, Flake Sunrise Orange, Boss Maroon Metallic, and Freedom Green Metallic with a two-tone tank paint scheme featuring the base color with a black panel and a gold accent stripe. The side covers were painted the base color."

Never believe a seller!

flybox1 · « **Reply #2 on:** April 12, 2016, 02:05:44 PM »

If Freedom Green had that blue as the base, and another (green/gold)on top of it to create the nice dark-green color (similar to the dual-layer paint process of the CBO) this would explain the existing blue.
Notice there is no clear coat on the tank in the video whatsoever. The clear and top layer of paints could have faded, leaving the blue.

Dos · « **Reply #3 on:** April 12, 2016, 02:59:40 PM »

Hmm okay well here check this out this is someone from the forum this is their tank

Claiming its NOS

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=130575.0

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #4 on:** April 12, 2016, 05:18:45 PM »

Quote from: Dos on April 12, 2016, 02:59:40 PM

Hmm okay well here check this out this is someone from the forum this is their tank

Claiming its NOS

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=130575.0

Thats right, except it's GREEN, not blue.... They wouldn't call it "freedom Green" if it was blue...

Stev-o · « **Reply #5 on:** April 12, 2016, 06:08:45 PM »

Quote from: Retro Rocket on April 12, 2016, 05:18:45 PM

Quote from: Dos on April 12, 2016, 02:59:40 PM
Hmm okay well here check this out this is someone from the forum this is their tank

Claiming its NOS

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=130575.0

Thats right, except it's GREEN, not blue.... They wouldn't call it "freedom Green" if it was blue...

Thinkin DOS is color blind?!

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #6 on:** April 12, 2016, 06:31:08 PM »

Quote from: Stev-o on April 12, 2016, 06:08:45 PM

Quote from: Retro Rocket on April 12, 2016, 05:18:45 PM
Quote from: Dos on April 12, 2016, 02:59:40 PM
Hmm okay well here check this out this is someone from the forum this is their tank

Claiming its NOS

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=130575.0

Thats right, except it's GREEN, not blue.... They wouldn't call it "freedom Green" if it was blue...

Thinkin DOS is color blind?!

Maybe, different light, blue base coat...?

DH · « **Reply #7 on:** April 12, 2016, 08:47:12 PM »

When light hits it at certain angles, it appears as a sort of "teal" color on a 750 tank I have. It's kinda boring till
the color flip- flops. It mainly looks green.

Dos · « **Reply #8 on:** April 12, 2016, 09:05:21 PM »

so there is no blue tank okay I get it. Just didn't make sense to me when I saw the video and that picture from the forum here.

Dos · « **Reply #9 on:** April 12, 2016, 09:06:07 PM »

shoot maybe I am color blind.

PeWe · « **Reply #10 on:** April 13, 2016, 03:08:11 AM »

Photo with Freedom Green Metallic costume. CB550 look really nice in Candy Jade Green if there are thoughts about new paint.
Not OEM paint, hopefully correct anyway.

flybox1 · « **Reply #11 on:** April 13, 2016, 06:54:51 AM »

Quote from: Dos on April 12, 2016, 09:05:21 PM

so there is no blue tank okay I get it. Just didn't make sense to me when I saw the video and that picture from the forum here.

The bike in your video has faded paint with no clear coat on it! Makes a huge difference.

Dos · « **Reply #12 on:** April 13, 2016, 07:48:33 AM »

Ahh okay thank you.

Dos · « **Reply #13 on:** April 15, 2016, 09:19:56 PM »

Actually I don't know guys.

Trad one of the guys in the forum said that his tank is NOS and

" Freedom green in a K0 colour. 74 only. It was one year, pretty dang hard to come by. "

So I think this is my new quest to find this

Supersportguy · « **Reply #14 on:** April 17, 2016, 06:53:01 AM »

The 74 CB550 only came in orange and maroon. It did NOT come in green. Only the 750 came in that color.

ekpent · « **Reply #15 on:** April 17, 2016, 07:19:51 AM »

This chart shows it came in Freedom Green in 1974 http://www.motorcycleproject.com/text/lubrtech.html

Stev-o · « **Reply #16 on:** April 17, 2016, 08:22:22 AM »

This model guide shows it was a one year color in '74...

http://www.sohc4.net/cb550-model-guide/

Deltarider · « **Reply #17 on:** April 17, 2016, 11:10:52 AM »

Quote

This model guide shows it was a one year color in '74...

http://www.sohc4.net/cb550-model-guide/

That model guide is incorrect. Tank of the CB550K2 is not depicted correctly or does anyone have a K2 with the old paint scheme?
Anyway, as always: good old Honda Parts List tells it all. http://www.honda4fun.com/pdf_parts_list/pdf_spac550/CB550-K0-K1-K2/CB550-K0-K1-K2_06.pdf
Note that all tanks are listed with partsnumber 17050-xxx-xxx and 17500-xxx-xxx. Does any of you know why this is? That silly Preserve nature sticker maybe?

PeWe · « **Reply #18 on:** April 17, 2016, 12:59:06 PM »

That silly little sticker make the restore to look really good today

Stev-o · « **Reply #19 on:** April 17, 2016, 01:01:06 PM »

Quote from: Deltarider on April 17, 2016, 11:10:52 AM

Quote
This model guide shows it was a one year color in '74...

http://www.sohc4.net/cb550-model-guide/

That model guide is incorrect.

In this case it is not!

Deltarider · « **Reply #20 on:** April 17, 2016, 01:37:46 PM »

Quote

That silly little sticker make the restore to look really good today

I must admit that, although my bike is almost 100% original, I'm not a purist. Far from it. I can't remember if my tank ever had that sticker, but if it had, it's well possible I've rubbed it of. Another thing I've never understood: what makes a sandcast 750 so special? Was is better?

Stev-o · « **Reply #21 on:** April 17, 2016, 01:39:30 PM »

Quote from: Deltarider on April 17, 2016, 01:37:46 PM

Quote
That silly little sticker make the restore to look really good today

Another thing I've never understood: what makes a sandcast 750 so special?

It is rare. There are only 400 documented examples out there.

Dos · « **Reply #22 on:** April 17, 2016, 07:13:22 PM »

Yeah, they produced it for CB550's in 1974. There are K and F model bikes. K0 is another way of saying a 1974 CB550K. K0 = 1974 (first year the b550 was made) K1 = 1975 (Second year) K2......ect.

The real question is..

Does anyone have for sale this bike? or know of anyone? I will travel far and wide for it

bender01 · « **Reply #23 on:** April 19, 2016, 04:27:54 PM »

Wow! Ive never seen one for sale or a picture til now! Interesting though the chart doesnt continue to talk about its top coat and other specifics as the 74 750k in Freedom green does. Or the maroon or sunrise 550ks do!

Dos · « **Reply #24 on:** April 19, 2016, 05:03:37 PM »

Trad is pretty cool I don't think he would lie about it he's not even selling it haha and as I said before I have seen it one or two times on the internet. I can definitely understand it being super rare since it was only made one year..

I've always wanted a cb550 however I just thought the colors were awful but I could do with this K0 Freedom Green Metallic color.

In regards to the cb550's were the later year one's better in terms of mechanics and less engine problems?
Because in this case if I can't find a K0 Freedom Green Metallic I would seek out the latest cb550 and paint it myself ( not including the 1977 or 1978 cb550k models) just the classic 4 gypsy light cb550's.

News:

Author Topic: 1974 CB550 K0 Freedom Green Metallic (Read 8380 times)

DH