Author Topic: Found - 1978 CB550K (Read 7628 times)

Johnie · « **on:** September 05, 2016, 07:46:51 AM »

I ran across a rummage sale yesterday and found this 78 CB550K with title. The good - 9,700 miles, stored inside, chrome looks good, rims good, tank looks clean and hardly faded, side covers no cracks & all tabs OK, tank and side cover graphics and badges are nice, OEM exhaust with #4 rusted out, but the other 3 look pretty good. Does not appear the bike was ever down. All parts are in place & has key. Has a box of parts that were removed for the fairing. Shifts through all gears. The bad - motor is locked up and head gasket shows the weep. Owner has installed an oil cooler. Fork seals leaking. Carbs are off the bike but there. OEM seat is torn. Last run in 2006. He is asking $600, but said he would go lower. I think I could land it for $450. Thoughts??? I think I am hesitating as I was never really into the 550.

BomberMann650 · « **Reply #1 on:** September 05, 2016, 07:57:28 AM »

Good deal for a bike that isnt totally decrepit!

brewsky · « **Reply #2 on:** September 05, 2016, 07:58:37 AM »

Get it!

b52bombardier1 · « **Reply #3 on:** September 05, 2016, 08:28:25 AM »

You had better jump on it quickly. What is that address? You failed to mention it here. =8-)

Rick

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk

jonda500 · « **Reply #4 on:** September 05, 2016, 05:10:14 PM »

Wow, never seen a 550 with a stereo fitted before! Seems like a great deal to me.
John

rocket johnny · « **Reply #5 on:** September 05, 2016, 05:14:21 PM »

i'd be on it like a turkey on a june Bug you could part it out and make money

ekpent · « **Reply #6 on:** September 05, 2016, 05:41:18 PM »

Didn't see the word title in the description Johnie but at $400.00/450.00 your at a good bail out price if you needed too. Looks like a typical original owner bike or maybe second,especially if it still has the headlight bucket etc.. Might be a long cold winter over there across our pond and you will probably need some 'therapy' to get through

Hopefully if your interested its still around.

b52bombardier1 · « **Reply #7 on:** September 05, 2016, 05:54:55 PM »

The first sentence mentions that it has a title. That's worth a hundred bucks in aggrivation.

Rick

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk

ekpent · « **Reply #8 on:** September 06, 2016, 04:36:56 AM »

Quote from: b52bombardier1 on September 05, 2016, 05:54:55 PM

The first sentence mentions that it has a title. That's worth a hundred bucks in aggrivation.

Rick

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk

Note to self-- Read better- see the word now

grcamna2 · « **Reply #9 on:** September 06, 2016, 05:11:16 AM »

Get it before it's gone Johnie

DH · « **Reply #10 on:** September 06, 2016, 05:25:29 AM »

Buy it and see if you can at least get it to run without sinking anything into it. I'd bet with the ez life that one has had it'd
be easy to unstick the motor. Even worth a different motor if need be. You can always sell it if it isn't your cup of tea, eh?
A good find, esp if you can get it cheap.

sweatshirtolympics · « **Reply #11 on:** September 06, 2016, 06:27:20 AM »

BUY IT!

cause that would be really rad and that's a steal.

Johnie · « **Reply #12 on:** September 06, 2016, 08:32:43 AM »

Still in touch with the owner. Going to go take a good look at the box of parts that go with the bike. I think 3 of the 4 OEM mufflers are good to go. That #4...probably could try to fix it or locate a good used one. Let's say I get the motor free and running good, clean it up nice, take off the fairing, polish up the tins...keeping in mind it is a 1978 - what is a fair sale price for it. Of course I am like the rest of us and don't want to just break even. Got to make a little for my time and effort here. Just want to get an idea of my margin here.

BomberMann650 · « **Reply #13 on:** September 06, 2016, 09:14:01 AM »

$2,800 - that's 4x what it cost brand new!
Any higher and you're drivin the price into cafe' racer territory

brewsky · « **Reply #14 on:** September 06, 2016, 09:15:22 AM »

NADA says 1500-3000 depending on condition.....

I use completed ebay sales as a better indicator
http://www.ebay.com/sch/Motorcycles/6024/i.html?_sacat=6024&_sofindtype=21%7C21&_vxp=mtr&_dmpt=US_motorcycles&fisc=c6024&Make=Honda&Model=CB&_yrl=1977&_yrh=1978&_nkw=550&LH_Complete=1&_sadis=200&_fpos=&_fsct=&_sop=12&_ipg=50

You might want to keep it after you ride it though! It handles and feels better than the 750 IMHO....except for longer trips!

grcamna2 · « **Reply #15 on:** September 06, 2016, 10:19:52 AM »

Quote from: Johnie on September 06, 2016, 08:32:43 AM

Still in touch with the owner. Going to go take a good look at the box of parts that go with the bike. I think 3 of the 4 OEM mufflers are good to go. That #4...probably could try to fix it or locate a good used one. Let's say I get the motor free and running good, clean it up nice, take off the fairing, polish up the tins...keeping in mind it is a 1978 - what is a fair sale price for it. Of course I am like the rest of us and don't want to just break even. Got to make a little for my time and effort here. Just want to get an idea of my margin here.

Johnie,
I remember you've got a welder buddy who fixed an oem stock muffler a little over a yr. ago

Johnie · « **Reply #16 on:** September 06, 2016, 11:28:40 AM »

That's right Bill...I forgot about that. I think I will pay him a visit.

bochnak · « **Reply #17 on:** September 06, 2016, 11:53:52 AM »

I'd snag that in a sec.

Johnie · « **Reply #18 on:** September 06, 2016, 05:12:42 PM »

OK, OK...I get the picture guys

So I went back this afternoon and took a good look at the parts box and found everything that was removed when the PO put the fairing on. Fork ears are spotless, all the bolts and stuff there too. Took a better look in the tank with a light and it is remarkably clean. Got the title and key in exchange for $500. Could not get him down to the $450 as with the title he said that is what he had into it. Nice guy with 6 kids and I was happy to pay him what he wanted to get out of it. As a plus though, still in the Honda wrap was a set of 4 OEM float needles and an OEM carb gasket set with receipt for $185 from the local Honda shop. So I think it was a great deal. I did pop a float bowl off and it is spotless. So the bike is looking better all the time. I do appreciate you guys telling me to get off my a$$ and go get it. Thanks for enlightening me on the 550. Will have to start a build thread when the weather gets cold.

ekpent · « **Reply #19 on:** September 06, 2016, 05:31:40 PM »

That will be a nice project to fiddle around on Johnie,congrats. I wonder if the engine seized up on it during the time the carbs were taken off, sounds like parts were bought and somebody had plans to do them and probably ride again. Does the receipt for the parts have a date ? Fingers crossed it unsticks easily for you, sounds like it can have a nice long soak.

Johnie · « **Reply #20 on:** September 06, 2016, 06:36:21 PM »

Eric the date on the carb parts receipt is July 2014. So hopefully that engine just seized recently. Hope it frees up as fast as the K3 I just sold.

grcamna2 · « **Reply #21 on:** September 06, 2016, 07:29:04 PM »

All Right

you've adopted another 2-wheeled beauty for a great deal w/ title !

grcamna2 · « **Reply #22 on:** September 06, 2016, 07:32:57 PM »

Quote from: Johnie on September 06, 2016, 05:12:42 PM

OK, OK...I get the picture guys So I went back this afternoon and took a good look at the parts box and found everything that was removed when the PO put the fairing on. Fork ears are spotless, all the bolts and stuff there too. Took a better look in the tank with a light and it is remarkably clean. Got the title and key in exchange for $500. Could not get him down to the $450 as with the title he said that is what he had into it. Nice guy with 6 kids and I was happy to pay him what he wanted to get out of it. As a plus though, still in the Honda wrap was a set of 4 OEM float needles and an OEM carb gasket set with receipt for $185 from the local Honda shop. So I think it was a great deal. I did pop a float bowl off and it is spotless. So the bike is looking better all the time. I do appreciate you guys telling me to get off my a$$ and go get it. Thanks for enlightening me on the 550. Will have to start a build thread when the weather gets cold.

You knew you were going to grab it all along

Johnie · « **Reply #23 on:** September 06, 2016, 07:54:44 PM »

Bill I guess because I am such a CB750 guy I did not think I would be getting a 550. Every time I looked at this bike to find something really wrong to say forget it...that something was not so bad. I really thought the gas tank would be like the ones I seem to find really rusty. So when I took the light to it this afternoon I was totally surprised how clean it was. That fairing really protected the tank to the point it has no dents, good graphics and nice paint that should polish up real nice...same with the side covers. This has the potential to turn our really nice.

Johnie · « **Reply #24 on:** September 06, 2016, 08:15:21 PM »

For the life of me I could not find where Honda stored the tool kit on this bike. Looked all over. Did a search and found the kit is tucked under the back of the seat under a hinged cover. Went out to check and sure enough it was there. I could not believe it. Took the kit out and I don't think the PO ever knew it was there. I opened it up and it is like new. The tool case is perfect condition and the tools shine. So the only thing I really wish I could find is the owners manual which is not under the seat in the holder.

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Author Topic: Found - 1978 CB550K (Read 7628 times)

DH