Topic: What would you buy CB450, CB500 or CB550

[Scott]

Hi there

I'm tossing up the idea of getting a smaller the 750cc bike.

What do you think are advantages or disadvantages of different models.  Would you do long distance on a 550 but not a 450 for example.  Are parts more available for one than the other. 

I can't fault my CB750 K2 at all (except it's heavy to pick up off the ground) I was just thinking something lighter may be in order for my dirt road rides on a Sunday morning.

Thanks for any thoughts on this as I don't know where to start looking
Scott

[Deltarider]

It depends: all models have their pro's and contra's. Don't worry about long distances, do worry about short rides and cold starts. I remember the days a 500cc was regarded as a heavy bike and the 750cc as a superbike. I remember how my dad and an uncle rolled their eyes when I showed up on my 500. Before the war they had been on a holiday to Switzerland and Austria, two up on a small DKW. The friend that I did a 10.000 km trip with in 1980, rode a CB350F and apart from a seized front brake that was easily freed by a mechanic on the Peloponnesos never had an issue.
A friend of mine went on a CB400F all the way to Morocco and many miles into it. Bike is still a 100% in his garage. Bigger bikes came on the market, but that has nothing to do with stamina or whatever. They don't appeal to me. People have travelled the world on a 350 and I have witnessed the advantage of a 350 over a 600 in the desert. Personally I don't want a bike that weighs over 200kg naked. That's the maximum when extra loaded with luggage, I can upright when it has fallen over, without help. I like to go of the road here and there to find a wonderful spot in nature to camp in the wild. There's nothing that beats after a day of riding to sit near your little shelter, campfire and a beer, enjoy nature and hear the ticking of the engine cooling down. That's my idea of a motorcycle trip and I don't see me doing it on a weightier bike.
As far as the CB500/550s I'd favor the ones with 4 rocker arm shafts over the ones with 8. You can recognise them by comparing the enginenumber to the numbers in the parts lists. http://www.honda4fun.com/materiale-documentazione-tecnica/parts-list/parts-list-cb500
http://www.honda4fun.com/materiale-documentazione-tecnica/parts-list/parts-list-cb550

[brewsky]

my pic.....
CL450

[dhall57]

Being Honda's all are good bikes Scott. I currently have a project 71 CB500 but not road ready at this time. I had a 1976 CB550 back in the day and was a very nice bike. It rev up quick to the redline a ran like a scalded dog. Never had a CB450(but I've heard they are the most impressive bike Honda ever made) other forum members will know what Im talking about The twin  DOHC CB450 is not as smooth as the CB500 or 550 inline fours however. IMO I would choose the CB500 or 550 over the CB450, but that doesn't mean they aren't good bikes either.

Good looking CL450 brewsky

[brewsky]

Being Honda's all are good bikes Scott. I currently have a project 71 CB500 but not road ready at this time. I had a 1976 CB550 back in the day and was a very nice bike. It rev up quick to the redline a ran like a scalded dog. Never had a CB450(but I've heard they are the most impressive bike Honda ever made) other forum members will know what Im talking about The twin  DOHC CB450 is not as smooth as the CB500 or 550 inline fours however. IMO I would choose the CB500 or 550 over the CB450, but that doesn't mean they aren't good bikes either.

Good looking CL450 brewsky

Oops... I meant "my pick" not "my pic"!

That one is not mine (sadly), but a twin to the one I had and sold in 1972....

The reason I would prefer a 2 cyl 450 vs a 4 cyl 500 or 550 is because he specified dirt roads.

High pipes, no exposed oil filter, drum brakes and broader torque band are all a plus for off pavement imho..

I installed a set of underslung TT pipes on mine only to crush them flat going over a log trying to keep up with my buddy on a kaw 175 dirt bike!

[Jonesy]

In choosing between the 500 or the 550, while I like the styling of the 500 better the 550 had more technological refinement. The 500 had issues with the clutch actuator mechanism and lifter. The valvetrain was also prone to wear problems in the rocker shafts as the bores they are retained in would wear oblong, making valve lash adjustment impossible. Now, these issues were mostly due to lack of maintenance and if the bike was well cared for they shouldn't cause problems.

In the 550 the clutch actuator was moved to the other side of the engine to the clutch cover. This eliminated the need to grease the actuator and the troublesome pushrod. in '76 Honda pinned the rocker shafts so they would not twist and wear into the head/valve cover castings. They also adopted the Hy-Vo style primary chain which is darn near bullet-proof.

[Deltarider]

The 500 had issues with the clutch actuator mechanism and lifter.

Probably the early models only.

The valvetrain was also prone to wear problems in the rocker shafts as the bores they are retained in would wear oblong, making valve lash adjustment impossible.

Same goes for the CB550. That's why I directed to the parts lists to look from which enginenumber on Honda modified.

In '76 Honda pinned the rocker shafts so they would not twist and wear into the head/valve cover castings.

My CB500 was assembled in 1976 and so has this modification too.

They also adopted the Hy-Vo style primary chain which is darn near bullet-proof.

That chain was already on the very first CB500 in 1971.

[strynboen]

think he mean the primær /sekundær- bottom thain..Honda call it primary shaft thain pos 6 in the service manual

[Stev-o]

I've had a 500 and several 550's. Buy a 550! 

I'd also like a most impressive 450, but it will be an early Black Bomber model.
Or an early CL450...if I can find one in good cond.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I would recommend a 550.  The 550 has some improvements (clutch actuator and slightly higher displacement) over the 500.  The handling is superb - much more nimble than a 750 - with more grunt than a 400f. 

Plus, when you are ready, you can drop in a 650 motor into the frame!

[JWilde]

and the 750 is being sold this week. I didnt even get to ride it, bought it on a whim when I was impatient while the 350F was being built.

A relatively new rider, I CANNOT stand heavy bikes, and prefer the nimble 350-500 range. Im getting a 400F this week. This is my 350F

https://www.instagram.com/p/BGR65o-NCa7/?taken-by=janus_jeffrey_wilde

[Bankerdanny]

I am of course biased because I am on my 2nd 550 (well, 4th considering the project bike and parts bike), but if you want maximum flexibility to enjoy around town and still ride 1000 miles, the 500 or 550 is the way to go.

Of the two the 500 is probably the best due to some improvements in the clutch and gearbox over the 500. But I wouldn't shy away from a 500 if you found a good deal.

I personally hauled my (then) 225 lbs plus around 50 pounds of gear over 1400 trouble free miles in 6 days during relay rally #1 in 2011 and just finished 385 mostly drama free miles this past weekend.

Both trips involved multiple hours of highway time at 70-75 mph. For this past weekend I averaged approx 45 mpg.

[strynboen]

yes 500.. 550..get the one vho looks and runs best..not realy matter if it is a 500 or 550.
.if the veaknes is thekked(.valve shafts clutch pusher)on erly bikes
550 is sligtly better..but a low milage 500 can be a better bay anyvay..then a heigh miles 550..
the old bikes looks better. like the smaller light turnsignals /tanks etc..
.

[Scott]

Thanks for all the replies so far.

I will keep reading and keep a look out for a bike.  I'm in no hurry.

Scott

[Jonesy]

The 500 could have also had the Hy-Vo primary as well... Memory is fuzzy on that one.

[chewbacca5000]

My vote would be the 400f easy to tune and work on.  Good if you have a girl that wants to learn to ride as well.

[scottly]

Hi there

I was just thinking something lighter may be in order for my dirt road rides on a Sunday morning.

Thanks for any thoughts on this as I don't know where to start looking
Scott

For Sunday morning fun on dirt roads, it's hard to beat a Honda XL/XR Honda thumper. I wouldn't want to do a long distance tour on one, but I wouldn't recommend a four for off-road fun, either.

[drumstyx]

In a heartbeat. I'm getting a little tired of 4 bangers. They're cheap, powerful and plentiful, but theres character to twins

[Deltarider]

Honda XL/XR Honda thumper. I wouldn't want to do a long distance tour on one

The numbers I've seen dancing their way through the Sahara desert. Talking about distances  . Most were Yamaha's, btw.

[flatlander]

i suppose the guys making these comments mean long distance to equal barrelling down a highway.
there's nothing wrong with a smaller bike for long travels, it all just depends on how and where you want to travel. and you'll see and experience more on the smaller roads.

[Deltarider]

you'll see and experience more on the smaller roads.

That's what we thought when we rode our Goldwing GL1100D Interstate through several states. It is still true ofcourse, but in US be prepared for roads that are in a deplorable, third worldlike condition. Maintenance is kept to a minimum. Had to keep my eyes on the road constantly. Where in Europe you glide from one curve to the next (not everywhere, I generalise) in US you would stumble from one bump to the next. Spoiled our fun for a part. Canadian roads were excellent.
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[Scott]

I have in mind a bike I can use for touring, so maybe a couple of thousand Km's while also taking in some dirt roads on these trips.  Maybe the Birdsville track or similar outback roads.

On Sunday mornings I usually go for a ride of 200 - 400 km's depending on what I have on for the rest of the day.  This is mainly on road but there are some "short cuts" that are about 20km of dirt.  I do this on the CB750 but after dropping it I want to consider a lighter bike.  A lighter bike may also make me want to explore other dirt roads that I haven't been down yet.

I have also been checking out XL's and XR's but I think I will wait until I can get to my mates farm and pick up the old XL they used as kids.  Can't go wrong for a box of beer.

[flatlander]

That's what we thought when we rode our Goldwing GL1100D Interstate through several states.

maybe you should have taken an xt500

[Deltarider]

maybe you should have taken an xt500

Never rode one, but I did ride it's succesor the 600 Tenere on a piste in Cameroon. Man, was I impressed! Felt like I was hoovering while the front legs worked energetically and nothing of that energy made it to my hands. What a bike!

[Gene]

I've never ridden a 450, but I've had my 550 all over and back - mountains, beaches, desert.  It's a great, nimble bike with plenty of power for cruising and also feels good in slower situations.  It's never left me stranded and parts, as far as I know (I haven't looked for everything, knock on wood) are plentiful.  They are also ridiculously easy to work on.