I find the recent interest in the 650 amazing. Why , it was only a few years ago , it seems, that there were only a handful of them on this forum . You didn't hear much about them from those who owned one . They knew how to keep a secret. The 650 was the almost the unknown Honda or the red header stepchild to those familiar with them. It was the the machine that wiped out the 550, the next generation kind of, but it could never take over the 750's place in history, left in historic limbo must be the reason for it's lack of popularity . I was under the idea that there was so little visible difference (except extra bulkiness and funky wheels).from the 550 to the 79 650 that there was really no point to it, a corporate mistake .The very next year Honda transformed it to a cruiser style machine bringing the 650 to the mainstream of other of Japanese motorcycle design of the day leaving behind the tried and true older classic style of the 500/550 and 750 that Honda lovers respected. I wasn't a fan , looked like a Yamaha to me. I bought a 650 by chance a few years back and was sold, I have no complaint about the 650 with one exception, that is . that some days I want to ride a 650 that doesn't look as bulky as the '79 and not as Yamaha as the '80' version , so the 550/ 650 swap was a perfect solution for me and others here too, the more interest the in the swap, made more interest to find other ways to make them faster. Reminds me of 60's 70's hot rodding, new ways to upgrade older machines . This is an exciting time for the 650 and it's new owners, because now is the time when you can make one of these great machines truly your own. Good luck with your project , they are as fun to build as they are to ride.
