Topic: Fair value of mint low mile 550F?

[centerpunch]

I'm a newbie here, but have had a 400F for many decades. (Along the way, also had '80 750F and '81 CBX, and currently have a mint '89 Transalp).

I've finally decided that I want to upgrade the 400F to a 550F.

I'm looking for a MINT, low mile one. I know they are rare, but I can be patient and find the right bike.

I did find one in the UK at the really-big price of $9K (plus shipping, etc.).

www.earlclassics.com/cb5500f-orange

That seems pretty high, but maybe I'm out of sync.

I thought maybe half that would be about right for a nice example.

I'd appreciate opinions and suggestions. Thanks!

[rotortiller]

Kippers charge and pay too much for bikes.

[flatlander]

that's a s@#!tload of money. can you not find something more local? in the US prices seem lower than this side of the antlantic. especially here in NL they have exploded over the past years and become quite unreasonable. still, what those guys ask seems crazy. totally mint you will always have to pay more and it's your call but still it seems like a lot.
a strange thing is that the redline zone on the tach is faded... so it spent some time outside in the sun besides being ridden for only 7k miles. i mean, that's 1 year's worth of riding if it was my bike, in over 40 years?

low miles is not always better. if it's not been ridden in 40 years it may look good in a showroom but you may have to plan in some work to make it run well again.

anyway, it's your choice and your money. if you get a bike that's less "factory fresh" you'd also need to spend some time and money to get it there, if that's what you want. only you can put a value to that.

[centerpunch]

that's a s@#!tload of money. can you not find something more local?

Yes, I probably wasn't clear. That UK bike seems too expensive, but it's an example of the kind of bike I'm looking for.

I've posted on this site and several others with a "wanted" ad. But wanted to get calibration from this forum on what price would be reasonable, assuming I can find a mint 550F.

I only ride a few times a year- my 400F only has 6K miles on it too!

[jlh3rd]

I have a mint 1975 550F. I was at an amca show in florida ( at Barber but not the Barber show) a few years ago. I talked to the Hagerty insurance guy who felt my bike was in the $4000 high end range. He said they'd insure it for $7000 being it was 100% original and complete.....this is still someone's opinion., and certainly not mine....just fyi....no, my bike is not for sale...
Be patient, you'll be surprised sometimes when something just pops up somewhere.....I wasn't even looking for a bike when i found this one in 1994......

I guess the 76 brit bikes had the double stay front fender, small blinkers, and a black ( not chrome) tail light bracket....

[bryanj]

UK bikes are always more expensive than US ones as they were dearer when new plus the US market shand value falls off way more quickly, having said that it is still a bit dear but then dealers here have to give a warrantee by law

[jakec]

550F's are hard to come by. Probably the hardest to find out of the three. I have only ever seen two "mint" ones for sale locally. one blue and one burgundy. They were both asking about $2,500-3,000. I saw an orange one recently but it had the wrong pipes. In the same span of time I've seen countless 400's even tho thy're also rare. A really nice 400 usually starts at about $3,000 and goes up to 5. I think ebay will be your best bet.

[Bankerdanny]

Even a mint 550 won't sell for that kind of cash here in the US.

Clean 550's routinely sell for under $2k. I sold my rider quality, mostly original '75 550F for about $1500 last year. A super clean original 74-76 550K should sell for no more than $5k and most likely less than that.

[Tim2005]

Could be worth waiting for the Mecum auction in Vegas, they usually seem to have some nice stock bikes of every model & pretty reasonable prices too

[Stev-o]

Does it have to be an F model?   Fairly nice K model, except for exhaust, for sale in Austin...


https://austin.craigslist.org/mcy/d/austin-1975-honda-cb550/6995382323.html

[Redline it]

how many mint condition 550s does anyone think there are in the world today, other than what Honda International has in a museum. Mint is strictly held to specific values. i doubt there are any. unless mint means looks good on the outside. these bikes sold for close to 1000 dollars in their time, who'd hold on to one for 40yrs while keeping it in perfect condition and then let it go for 4k? or 9k? that's the guy you want to be good friends with or his wife.

[jakec]

fortunately sometimes people do let those go. some people on the forum have gotten lucky. I got lucky with a CL175 that way once.

[Ichiban 4]

I'd agree with general consensus here..that $9K seems too expensive..and same for over 6K in the U.S.
First question I'd have would be: How much would it cost and entail to ship to the U.S?
When I bought my '77 550K some time ago..it was in pretty close to 'mint' condition..had low mileage and was reasonably ridable (had been in storage for several years before that). BUT..most of the rubber items (Tires..carb boots..hoses..fuel lines..et al) were in poor to deteriorated condition. Disk brake had to be disassembled..cylinders re-kitted..etc.
Bottom line: after initial purchase of about $2,000..had to spend another $2 to $3,000 to bring everything back up to reliable working condition.
IF..it's to be a rider..then those sorts of things need addressing..I'd suggest.  If it's just going to sit in a showroom or be shown at bike shows..then not so important..seems to me.
Pic of my 550 is in my Avatar BTW.  Ichi

[jlh3rd]

how many mint condition 550s does anyone think there are in the world today, other than what Honda International has in a museum. Mint is strictly held to specific values. i doubt there are any. unless mint means looks good on the outside. these bikes sold for close to 1000 dollars in their time, who'd hold on to one for 40yrs while keeping it in perfect condition and then let it go for 4k? or 9k? that's the guy you want to be good friends with or his wife.

there is this one....

[jlh3rd]

ride into history

[centerpunch]

Astoundingly, after looking only one day, I located and just bought this 5800-mile 1977!

[ekpent]

 Very nice,I like that color and stripe combo. Is it too rude to ask what the market price for that one was ? If all original was it an original owner or maybe one removed.  The thrill of your hunt ended quickly 

[jlh3rd]

there you go!......nice!

[jakec]

welp there you go.

[centerpunch]

Very nice,I like that color and stripe combo. Is it too rude to ask what the market price for that one was ? If all original was it an original owner or maybe one removed.  The thrill of your hunt ended quickly 

3rd owner, he had it just two years, but has other bikes. Mid-4000 price range. It certainly helped in negotiation since I was buying it in October instead of April. I'm gonna bring it home and put it away for six months before riding season starts!

[flatlander]

well done, congratulations!
now just put on some european style lower bars like that UK model you were first looking at

[centerpunch]

well done, congratulations!
now just put on some european style lower bars like that UK model you were first looking at

Yes, coming from a 400F that is definitely on my list.

[flatlander]

you can actually use the 400f bars. they're just a tad narrower and lower than the OEM european 550 bars.

[centerpunch]

you can actually use the 400f bars. they're just a tad narrower and lower than the OEM european 550 bars.

Good to know. Are the footpegs and controls ok where they are?

I've had my 400F so long I may even paint this bike red and add a similar filler cap (I actually have a spare 400F gas tank). (Blasphemy, I know.)

[jakec]

I've had my 400F so long I may even paint this bike red and add a similar filler cap (I actually have a spare 400F gas tank). (Blasphemy, I know.)

What? No

[centerpunch]

What? No

I knew that would get ya!

[Stev-o]

Here is my 550F.  I changed out the bars to M bars...

[flatlander]

you can actually use the 400f bars. they're just a tad narrower and lower than the OEM european 550 bars.

Good to know. Are the footpegs and controls ok where they are?

footpeg position is ok for those bars. the european models came with lower bars from factory so they're set up for that. only in the US they had those higher bars because they thought they'd appeal more to the local market.

there's also a way to fit 400 footpegs which are set a bit more to the rear. i think stev-o did that and has a write-up somewhere.

[Stev-o]

you can actually use the 400f bars. they're just a tad narrower and lower than the OEM european 550 bars.

Good to know. Are the footpegs and controls ok where they are?

 i think stev-o did that and has a write-up somewhere.

I did not, FL.  I think Scott did it....

[Scott S]

 And I'm not sure how or if it would work on an F frame. The stock pegs and brake pedal mount differently on the F model. I've only done it on the K model.

[flatlander]

sorry for confusing you guys with each other. i should remember fellow 550 guys better 

[centerpunch]

Thanks, guys.  I’ll start with a lower handlebar and see how that feels.

[PeWe]

Professional restorers need all hours covered and paid for. A mint bike restored by a good mechanic doing his own bike must cost much less.
A bike equal to this bike must be possible to find for at least 30-40% less https://www.earlclassics.com/z1-brown
Much cheaper in USA! https://www.smartcycleguide.com/L52190756
Maybe not the bike that is asked for here.... 

[Redline it]

fortunately sometimes people do let those go. some people on the forum have gotten lucky. I got lucky with a CL175 that way once.

that is lucky and crazy. my best friend yesterday gave me a mint condition all black ducati dainese "s" type A jacket, all black leather with elbow/forearms and spine inserts. 2 white lines going down the arms, sewn on ducati name on the back, size 52, made n ukraine. just walked up and said here you want this?

[ekpent]

 Made in the Ukraine ? Oh my, I think we need a major investigation about that      52 is a big one,lotsa leather there.