Topic: Offroad cb550

[ieism]

So i'm planning a trip to Marocco next summer, and I need to decide if I want to use my 550, or buy an old dirtbike. Money's tight, so id' rather not buy a new bike. The trouble is, I expect to drive at least a few hundred miles on unpaved/dirtroads. I have zero offroad experience.
1. Has anyone ever driven their cb offroad for a few days?
2. Did it wreck the bike?
3. Did it wreck the rider?
4. Any mods to the bike worth looking into?

[nickjtc]

Watch 'The Long Way Round' to see what 'off-road' does to bikes that are not really designed for it. It can be done (vis. Nick Saunders' round the world jaunts on a Yamaha R1) but whether it should  be done only you can decide... One of the BIKE magazine crew took a Benelli Tornado down the west coast of Africa and survived to tell the tale. I'm sure it wasn't his money/bike that funded the trip.

If you want to use the CB I would suggest you try to find tyres that have a bit more tread.
Be prepared to end up with a knackered chain and sprockets. A Scottoiler would help.
Be prepared for your pride and joy to be less than pristine as a result of the inevitable tipovers.

Frankly, if you value the bike I wouldn't use it. A pre-owned proper dual sport (KLR650/DR650 etc) would not be too expensive and would be a much better bet. Especially given your lack of off road experience.

Just my 44 cents worth. (4 cents + inflation)

[Chris Schneiter]

Or "The Motorcycle diaries"!

[nickjtc]

Or "The Motorcycle diaries"!

Good call.

[ElCheapo]

Those 250 China dirt bikes are not half bad and one could be had for just under a grand. That way if you ditch it you wont be so up set.

[ieism]

That's true, but if I will save up enough money for the trip in  the first place, I probably won't have a grand to spend on a bike. More like a few hundred at most.
So I any dirtbike I can afford will be in pretty bad shape too. I know my Honda will suffer, but at least I will be pretty sure it won't have an catastrophic enginefailure in the wildernis. I don't mind falling a few times, I'll just drive slower if that happens a lot. 

[mlinder]

BMW r80gs would be the way to go. see if you can pick up a used one.

[Uncle Ernie]

Good luck on that.  The 800cc GS is one of the most sought after "modern" Beemers.  They are terrific, but their owners are cleaving to them.
What kind of off-road are you talking about?  If it's just fire/logging roads, merely taking it slower should be OK.  Anything else, both you and the bike are going to get the living daylights knocked out of you.

[Pinhead]

My old SL175 was comparable in design to my current CB650, which is very similar to the 550, though it was lighter. I used it to check cattle climbing hills. If you're going to be off road it wouldn't hurt to get a bigger rear sprocket so it's easier to tool around at slow speeds. Better tires and take it slow and you'll be good. If you're going to be on crappy roads (not necessarily off road) the sprocket probably wouldn't be necessary. It wouldn't hurt to carry quite a bit of chain lube just to be safe.

[mlinder]

Good luck on that.  The 800cc GS is one of the most sought after "modern" Beemers.  They are terrific, but their owners are cleaving to them.
What kind of off-road are you talking about?  If it's just fire/logging roads, merely taking it slower should be OK.  Anything else, both you and the bike are going to get the living daylights knocked out of you.

An r75/5 or /6, with some better shocks on the rear and dual sport tires would do just fine, as well. I've offroaded with an r75/5

[Jugghead]

If you want an up to date REAL look at african offroad motorcycling in morocco,
Check out the Dakar rally! I t is on VS versus network (the old OLN)

I would look into getting a BUNCH of air filters, some spare spark plugs and for sure points if you don't have an electronic ignition.
and make accommodations for a jerry can. (maybe one on each side-water and fuel) 5 gallons each?

How far you want to modify you 550 depends on how much beefier and more able to handle extreme conditions you want it to be.
Maybe you need different tires in addition to the sproket? Different Tread patternwise
Maybe modifications like what you might find on a CL versus a CB?  You could probably get some clues of the modifications Honda made to the CL, SL and XL models of classic Hondas for ways to make your CB more dual purpose.  Maybe you need to get handle bars with a cross member for added strength.  Maybe make an tuning/overhaul or improvement on front suspension for rough road handling. engine guards/"crash bars" might save you some headaches.

Those are just a few ideas I had thinking about a response to your post. I like the thought of making these CBs more able to confidently tackle grass, dirt paths, and State Forest roads.  Could be cool, I say save yourself some money and make some adaptations on your CB550.  Let us know how it goes.
Most of the builds going on now are modifying CBs to be more like CRs (caffe Racing style, and old school track racers.)

[ieism]

That's funny. I'm a big fan of the Dakar rally. In fact while watching it this week, i got the idea to go over there and visit an old friend.

I think i'll go with some mods instead of buying a different bike. The sprocket idea is really usefull, i'll look into that. 

[ChrisR]

I'm with Jugghead, too, on this one. I like the idea of modifying a CB to cope with bad roads and tracks. In the old days the trials irons were all basically standard machines lightened as much as possible but not so different from road bikes.
Old military despatch riders bikes were basically standard machines that had to cope with all sorts of conditions. My old AJS competition trials bike was just a standard machine with small tank, seat, alloy mudguards, knobbly tires, no lighting system and altered gearing.
So I don't see why what is basically a sound, simple (relatively) and sturdy machine like yours couldn't be modified to cope better with rough ground.
It seems like a good challenge - I haven't heard of anyone else doing it. Most people assume you have to have a purpose built off roader to go off paved roads. I say go for it.
Good luck on the trip.
Chris

[Tim2005]

Problem solved... here you go

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Honda-550-Four-field-bike_W0QQitemZ270077695045QQihZ017QQcategoryZ9806QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem


!!!

[bill440cars]

Problem solved... here you go

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Honda-550-Four-field-bike_W0QQitemZ270077695045QQihZ017QQcategoryZ9806QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

!!!

                              There ya go!

[Roach Carver]

I love the question section - "Does it wheelie?"

[Jugghead]

This is a cool thread and I think it should develop.
I would like to either buy a classic XL175 OR XL 250.
But an interesting variation is taking our beloved four cylinder Hondas and making them more robust and adaptable for unstable terrain.
Granted, the obvious direction with the "bikes that gave birth to the rise of super bikes" Is to modify them as racers, but to be honest, cafe is not my style. I like stock and dual purpose Honda styles way better.
I would be tempted to do a moderate rebuild in the direction of more off raod than more raceable.
I think getting the exhaust elevated above the engine case/frame is KEY to a successful build. Otherwise you sacrifice ground clearnace.
An F model exhaust would do nicely here with little modification necessary.
Notice Honda's CL models have the exhaust way up on the side, scrambler style.
That's all I got for now.  Cool discussion, l Iwould like to see more examples in addition to the Green Machine in the UK eBay.

[74cb750]

Last year some guy asked if I wanted to buy his "off road" cb550. Wish I had a picture of it. Only thing still good on it was the motor. I would buy the bike on ebay. Cheaper than modifying yours.