Topic: 1974 Honda CB550 Freedom Green Metallic????

[ktm520]

Hey folks,

I think I stumbled on an all original 1974 CB550 in freedom green metallic. I can't seem to find any full pics of the bike on line (just a tank), but it sure seems to be original paint to me. Bike has been idle for nearly 20 years and I got it up and running today after some TLC on the usual stuff.

Thoughts?

[my name is nobody]

Ya just don't see em in that color. Very nice indeed.

[jlh3rd]

that is one nice original bike. grips are period correct but not stock honda. Most people did change them out. Rear peg is missing.
paint ,seat, chrome , engine look great. more pics would be nice.

[ktm520]

that is one nice original bike. grips are period correct but not stock honda. Most people did change them out. Rear peg is missing.
paint ,seat, chrome , engine look great. more pics would be nice.

Thanks, must be a rare color as stated. I have had my fair share of bikes in this era and had not come across this color with unique tank scheme so I wasn't sure. Good catch on the rear peg, I hadn't notice that despite being elbow deep in it the last 2 days.

I will post some more pics after detailing it a bit. I road it last night about 5 miles and all seems great, definitely will need to get some new rubber and a deeper dive into the drive train to go any further. I put the grips on out of the gate as the originals were toast. Cool that we can still find these bikes relatively unmolested after all this time. This one started its life in Pennsylvania and was last registered in 1996 (12K) by original owner. It made its way west just to sit for another 10 years.

Cheers, Keith

[Stev-o]

Good find!   12K miles?  Needs to be kept totally original including the grips. 

[bryanj]

What do you mean by unusual colour scheme?

[Deltarider]

Is that little lid (fuse) original? Can't remember I have seen it before.

[bryanj]

Spare fuses, standard on 500 and 550 K0,1,2

[jlh3rd]

that is one nice original bike. grips are period correct but not stock honda. Most people did change them out. Rear peg is missing.
paint ,seat, chrome , engine look great. more pics would be nice.

Thanks, must be a rare color as stated. I have had my fair share of bikes in this era and had not come across this color with unique tank scheme so I wasn't sure. Good catch on the rear peg, I hadn't notice that despite being elbow deep in it the last 2 days.

I will post some more pics after detailing it a bit. I road it last night about 5 miles and all seems great, definitely will need to get some new rubber and a deeper dive into the drive train to go any further. I put the grips on out of the gate as the originals were toast. Cool that we can still find these bikes relatively unmolested after all this time. This one started its life in Pennsylvania and was last registered in 1996 (12K) by original owner. It made its way west just to sit for another 10 years.

Cheers, Keith

it's a stock color for 74, one of three. But there may not be as many of that color around...

[ktm520]

Good find!   12K miles?  Needs to be kept totally original including the grips.

Yup 12K original, many factory yellow paint marks intact. Will seek out some OEM grips;)

[jlh3rd]

so, are you going to ride the bike, or try to preserve it as an original, unrestored ?

[ktm520]

so, are you going to ride the bike, or try to preserve it as an original, unrestored ?

I have some other bikes, so I will likely sell it sooner than later to someone appreciative of the era. Definitely will not alter from original.

I will go through it more thoroughly to make it a dependable runner, get the title work done...

I would hate to see this one get chopped or modified.

[PeWe]

All those yellow markings on bolts, nuts an important detail.

I have seen stock restores where they added the yellow markings as Honda did it.

[jlh3rd]

All those yellow markings on bolts, nuts an important detail.

I have seen stock restores where they added the yellow markings as Honda did it.

yep. my 75 550F has all those, the endless drive chain, red striped fuel lines, the factory tires, etc., it's 100% ...

[jlh3rd]

so, are you going to ride the bike, or try to preserve it as an original, unrestored ?

I have some other bikes, so I will likely sell it sooner than later to someone appreciative of the era. Definitely will not alter from original.

I will go through it more thoroughly to make it a dependable runner, get the title work done...

I would hate to see this one get chopped or modified.

does it have the original bridgestone tires?....does the chain have a master link in it?....if the fuel lines and carb overflow lines have a red stripe on them, they are original honda fuel lines, so don't throw them away...

[jlh3rd]

also, i see that is the original fuel cap......the ones that were to be replaced with the locking cap.
do yourself a favor. when you go to open that cap. push down on it as you push the lever. that reduces the chance of breaking that lever/ latch mechanism.......if it was my bike.....

[PeWe]

An old stock original bike's yellow paint marks and stickers with their locations are good information for other restorers where all this have disappeared decades ago.
Photos of it all.

I have searched for stock CB750 photos to verify all stickers and where placed. Stickers differ by year and country.

[Erny]

Spare fuses, standard on 500 and 550 K0,1,2

Interesting
I have original 550K1 but spare fuses are inside fuse box in rubber holder. I have us model. Otherwise airbox cover looks the same

[jlh3rd]

An old stock original bike's yellow paint marks and stickers with their locations are good information for other restorers where all this have disappeared decades ago.
Photos of it all.

I have searched for stock CB750 photos to verify all stickers and where placed. Stickers differ by year and country.

If you're asking for pics, I'll try to put some up.....for some reason, some pics say too large........
I have done extensive research on my 550F........even the shocks have decals on them...........also, the majority of reproduction decals are not exact duplicates.......

[bryanj]

I maybe wrong about the 550 perhaps it has been retrofitted a 500 air box cover?

[jlh3rd]

no, i think your right, the parts fiche for the 550 K0 shows that plate with the tool holder and the oval hole for the fuse......and shows the screen tool holder.........

[Deltarider]

Spare fuses, standard on 500 and 550 K0,1,2

Interesting
I have original 550K1 but spare fuses are inside fuse box in rubber holder. I have us model. Otherwise airbox cover looks the same

You're correct. The older models CB500 had the spare fuse holder as shown in that pic. The CB550K, K1 and K2 had the spare fuse holder behind the left side panel and so had the CB500K2 (ED, F, G). So the spare fuse holder in that pic is not original and came from a CB500. 

[ktm520]

maybe he has a 500 ? ......jet green?

time to check some numbers?

Seriously give me a little more credit than that;) I know how to check serial numbers.

I have had my fair share of 500's as well.

[jlh3rd]

i erased it....the clutch cover is for a 550........it's wasn't personal......all kinds of people with exceptional experience....or none post on here. I don't know your background from adam.........you've had 5 posts....
chill.....

[jlh3rd]

furthermore......for s...'s n giggles........if the shop is open tomorrow, I'll have a look at that 74 right there, and see just what is correct.