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Author Topic: 1974 Honda CB550 Puzzle  (Read 8037 times)

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Offline innovativems

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1974 Honda CB550 Puzzle
« on: April 19, 2017, 06:20:18 AM »
So been a busy week, made a deal on a rd400 and a suzuki gt380 that arrive on friday night.  and then this happened yesterday.

So i run a few craigslist ad's looking to buy bikes in my area.  I real nice guy contacted me saying he had a 1974 cb550 in his garage and he wanted the space back.  He bought it from a buddy that had taken it apart and never did anything with it.  It's 99% complete, titled, and in very good condition.  The tank and side panel have already been prepped and primed and looks like that work was done well. 

I'm going to do a compression test & leak down on the motor and if all is good, I'm going to assemble it and paint it the factory orange/black. 

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Offline Stev-o

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Re: 1974 Honda CB550 Puzzle
« Reply #1 on: April 19, 2017, 07:14:05 AM »
An RD & a GT, lucky you, congrats!  I have an RD350 and am looking for a GT550.

CB550's are nice bikes, I just picked up a '74 model too...

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'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline innovativems

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Re: 1974 Honda CB550 Puzzle
« Reply #2 on: April 19, 2017, 09:27:08 PM »
Quote from: Stev-o on April 19, 2017, 07:14:05 AM
An RD & a GT, lucky you, congrats!  I have an RD350 and am looking for a GT550.

CB550's are nice bikes, I just picked up a '74 model too...

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Thanks!  I live the gt550.  Those are super hard to find!


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Offline Stev-o

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Re: 1974 Honda CB550 Puzzle
« Reply #3 on: April 19, 2017, 09:33:47 PM »
Quote from: innovativems on April 19, 2017, 09:27:08 PM
Quote from: Stev-o on April 19, 2017, 07:14:05 AM
An RD & a GT, lucky you, congrats!  I have an RD350 and am looking for a GT550.

CB550's are nice bikes, I just picked up a '74 model too...

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Thanks!  I live the gt550.  Those are super hard to find!

I just found this one and emailed the guy, hope to go check it out tomorrow!


https://austin.craigslist.org/mcy/6093701594.html
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'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline innovativems

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Re: 1974 Honda CB550 Puzzle
« Reply #4 on: April 24, 2017, 10:13:58 PM »
Well the deal on the Rd and gt feel through in the 11th hour.  So now I'm picking up a 73 h1.  Basket case but all there


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Offline innovativems

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Re: 1974 Honda CB550 Puzzle
« Reply #5 on: April 24, 2017, 10:14:57 PM »


I feel like the crew chief in days of thunder when the car is leaking before the race. Valve adjustment got 1&2 in line for leak down.  Gonna see what running it does for the compression.

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« Last Edit: May 03, 2017, 10:09:39 AM by innovativems »
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1974 Honda CB350f
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1974 gt550

Offline Stev-o

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Re: 1974 Honda CB550 Puzzle
« Reply #6 on: April 25, 2017, 06:32:54 AM »
Quote from: innovativems on April 24, 2017, 10:13:58 PM
Well the deal on the Rd and gt feel through in the 11th hour.  So now I'm picking up a 73 h1.  Basket case but all there


I went and checked out the GT550 yesterday [link above]...I was somewhat disappointed in the way it looked, not as mint as in the photos on CL.
I knew it was a non-runner but the front brake was locked up, tank was lined [he lied - said it wasnt] and gauges looked bad. Bottom line, I just didnt love it.  It is a project bike at a high price, I threw him a low ball but he declined, no biggie.

Where'd you find the H1? I'd like another!

EDIT: is it the H1 in St Louis?  I saw it, looks pretty rough.
« Last Edit: April 25, 2017, 06:37:26 AM by Stev-o »
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'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline innovativems

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Re: 1974 Honda CB550 Puzzle
« Reply #7 on: April 25, 2017, 07:00:05 AM »
sorry to hear that about the gt550.  Hate when that happens.  I went and looked at a pair of CL100's once and the guy said on the phone, they both had compression and titles.  Get there and one has 70 psi and the other is just about 0.  Neither had titles and he wanted double the price when i showed up.  Hipster wannabe who thought he was sitting on gold.

Actually had a guy on instagram i talk with who got this basket case h1 with a complete one.  He sold the 74 and is tried of seeing the 73 take up space in his shop.  It's up in minnesota.  Planning to make a trip Thursday to haul it away.  not sure if i'll put it together and sell it or just sell it as it is.

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2007 KTM 990 adv
2003 Honda RC51
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1978 Honda Express
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1974 Honda CB350f
1974 Kawi H2
1974 Honda CB550f
1971 Kawi h1
1973 Kawi h1
1974 gt 550
1974 gt550

Offline palepainter

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Re: 1974 Honda CB550 Puzzle
« Reply #8 on: April 25, 2017, 07:27:58 AM »
You can never have too many.  :)
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Offline Stev-o

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Re: 1974 Honda CB550 Puzzle
« Reply #9 on: April 25, 2017, 07:48:27 AM »
Here is the St Louis H1....I dont see $2200 for it

https://stlouis.craigslist.org/mcy/6049460780.html
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'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline innovativems

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Re: 1974 Honda CB550 Puzzle
« Reply #10 on: April 25, 2017, 09:05:12 AM »
haha, my wife seems to disagree with that statement
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2007 KTM 990 adv
2003 Honda RC51
2000 Yamaha YSR50
1978 Honda Express
1975 Honda CB400f
1974 Honda CB350f
1974 Kawi H2
1974 Honda CB550f
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1974 gt 550
1974 gt550

Offline innovativems

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Re: 1974 Honda CB550 Puzzle
« Reply #11 on: April 25, 2017, 09:13:46 AM »
Well that's a project.  I don't think it's going to get that much but dang these triples are bringing money!!!  Did you see the 75 h2 frame with just the cases that went for $1450 on ebay the other day!?  Blows my mind!

Check out this ad, three h1's for $5k!

https://rmn.craigslist.org/mcy/6100942896.html
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2007 KTM 990 adv
2003 Honda RC51
2000 Yamaha YSR50
1978 Honda Express
1975 Honda CB400f
1974 Honda CB350f
1974 Kawi H2
1974 Honda CB550f
1971 Kawi h1
1973 Kawi h1
1974 gt 550
1974 gt550

Offline Stev-o

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Re: 1974 Honda CB550 Puzzle
« Reply #12 on: April 25, 2017, 02:43:28 PM »
Quote from: innovativems on April 25, 2017, 09:13:46 AM
Well that's a project.  I don't think it's going to get that much but dang these triples are bringing money!!!  Did you see the 75 h2 frame with just the cases that went for $1450 on ebay the other day!?  Blows my mind!

Check out this ad, three h1's for $5k!

https://rmn.craigslist.org/mcy/6100942896.html

The H1's are bringin crazy money and the H2 prices are out of this world! 



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Offline 02z06dave

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Re: 1974 Honda CB550 Puzzle
« Reply #13 on: April 25, 2017, 02:56:03 PM »
Quote from: Stev-o on April 19, 2017, 07:14:05 AM
An RD & a GT, lucky you, congrats!  I have an RD350 and am looking for a GT550.

CB550's are nice bikes, I just picked up a '74 model too...

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I just got rid of a GT550 a few weeks ago. I could have hooked you up
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Offline Stev-o

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Re: 1974 Honda CB550 Puzzle
« Reply #14 on: April 25, 2017, 02:57:29 PM »
Quote from: 02z06dave on April 25, 2017, 02:56:03 PM
Quote from: Stev-o on April 19, 2017, 07:14:05 AM
An RD & a GT, lucky you, congrats!  I have an RD350 and am looking for a GT550.

CB550's are nice bikes, I just picked up a '74 model too...

Subscribed

I just got rid of a GT550 a few weeks ago. I could have hooked you up

I just sold a CB550 and am shopping. What bargains do you have?
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Offline 02z06dave

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Re: 1974 Honda CB550 Puzzle
« Reply #15 on: April 25, 2017, 05:48:05 PM »
Quote from: Stev-o on April 25, 2017, 02:57:29 PM
Quote from: 02z06dave on April 25, 2017, 02:56:03 PM
Quote from: Stev-o on April 19, 2017, 07:14:05 AM
An RD & a GT, lucky you, congrats!  I have an RD350 and am looking for a GT550.

CB550's are nice bikes, I just picked up a '74 model too...

Subscribed

I just got rid of a GT550 a few weeks ago. I could have hooked you up

I just sold a CB550 and am shopping. What bargains do you have?

nothing now. i just sold a cheap cl175 too. that was it for the moment
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Offline innovativems

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Re: 1974 Honda CB550 Puzzle
« Reply #16 on: May 02, 2017, 09:12:24 PM »
Got the motor in the frame. 



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1975 Honda CB400f
1974 Honda CB350f
1974 Kawi H2
1974 Honda CB550f
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1974 gt 550
1974 gt550

Offline innovativems

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Re: 1974 Honda CB550 Puzzle
« Reply #17 on: May 03, 2017, 08:54:56 PM »
Got some more done.  Front end is next.


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Offline innovativems

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Re: 1974 Honda CB550 Puzzle
« Reply #18 on: May 04, 2017, 09:46:06 PM »
Did a quick polish on the fork legs.  Once seals arrive, back together they go


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Offline Fezzler

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Re: 1974 Honda CB550 Puzzle
« Reply #19 on: May 04, 2017, 11:15:05 PM »
Man, nice job!
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Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: 1974 Honda CB550 Puzzle
« Reply #20 on: May 05, 2017, 08:28:01 AM »
You did such a nice polish on the 90% of the leg, it almost begs the rest to be done. I suppose it IS the portion of the leg that's more hidden from view and more prone to road grime.
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Offline innovativems

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Re: 1974 Honda CB550 Puzzle
« Reply #21 on: May 05, 2017, 09:53:57 AM »
I was probably going to go back and clean the bottom axle cap area better.  It got late and i said, "that will do for tonight"
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Offline BLAC

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Re: 1974 Honda CB550 Puzzle
« Reply #22 on: May 05, 2017, 11:05:04 AM »
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If you can't fix it with a hammer, it's an electrical problem... If it's an electrical problem, it's Cal's problem.

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Offline innovativems

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Re: 1974 Honda CB550 Puzzle
« Reply #23 on: May 05, 2017, 11:51:01 AM »
haha
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1974 Honda CB350f
1974 Kawi H2
1974 Honda CB550f
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1974 gt 550
1974 gt550

Offline Stev-o

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Re: 1974 Honda CB550 Puzzle
« Reply #24 on: May 05, 2017, 02:37:48 PM »
Cant argue with that!   Great job on the 90%....I love polished aluminum...
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