Topic: 500 vs 550

[Tancdoc]

Dear fellow SOHC/4
I am coming back to motorcycles after a 20 year hiatus and presently riding a CB 750/4 that belongs to a friend.
I am looking to buy a clean and unmodified lighter bike and I am considering a CB 500 or CB 550. Any thoughts or advice on which one to chose and which are the best years?
Thank you
T

[bryanj]

Treated with care they are all as good from 71 to 76, the very early 500K0 had som modification and some people consider the 550 box superior, personaly never had a problem with a 500 one, as long as it hadnt been abused by an idiot.
Stay away from 77/78 550K3 the PD carbs are an utter nightmare.

Some parts are now difficult to get, especially cosmetic ones, and whilst Yamiya specialise in the 750 repro there is not the same coverage for the 500/550.

[jonda500]

The 550 has a better designed clutch release mechanism and a lower overall gear ratio more suited to spirited riding. I suspect more 500's were made (over 5 million?) so it may be slightly easier to find parts for.
John

[Stev-o]

I'd go for a 550...more power!   

Dont worry about part availability, between this forum and eBay, every part you will ever need is available and reasonably priced.

[Bankerdanny]

As someone who has owned both a '75 and '77 550 I wouldn't be afraid of a 77-78 bike. The carbs are more fiddly, but I had a fair amount of carb issues with my 75 and none with my 77.

75 550F and 77 550K. I rode the F on a 4700 mile trip in 2017 and the 550K on a 1400 mile trip in 2011.

[HondaMan]

As someone who has owned both a '75 and '77 550 I wouldn't be afraid of a 77-78 bike. The carbs are more fiddly, but I had a fair amount of carb issues with my 75 and none with my 77.

75 550F and 77 550K. I rode the F on a 4700 mile trip in 2017 and the 550K on a 1400 mile trip in 2011.

You sure have nice lookin' ones, Bankerdanny!

[bryanj]

550 is quoted at 50hp same as 500

[Deltarider]

550 is quoted at 50hp same as 500

Not only that, in tests the CB500 was faster than all CB550s except the CB550F and CB550F1. I never had any problem with the gearbox, nor the clutch. Even the original push rod is still there. At around 75.000 kms I have replaced clutch springs and plates by new ones (OEM ofcourse). The old ones had exactly reached the minimum Honda denotes in the Shop Manual.

[flatlander]

it needs to be said that 50hp is an illusion. the dyno tests that were made, confirmed that actual production bikes had ca. 37-38hp at the rear wheel.
just so you don't get your hopes up 

[bryanj]

Thats about right for 50 at the crank

[Little_Phil]

The 550 has a better designed clutch release mechanism and a lower overall gear ratio more suited to spirited riding. I suspect more 500's were made (over 5 million?) so it may be slightly easier to find parts for.
John

Agree about the clutch, but the 500/550 work out as about near identical gearing. Different primary drive to clutch, same gear ratios, different final chain drive ratio and bigger rear tyre on 550.  They cancel out. I have both and like the look of the early 500s best, but the 550 seems to have more oomph.

[Kevnz]

I sold my 500 this year, had been riding it for over 10 years. Bought a project 550 and got it going over lockdown, so able to make a reasonable comparison. In my opinion, the handling was the same, but  forks didn't top out like 500, small difference. 550 was noticeably smoother, but that could just be the difference between examples and not a general thing. 550 had a bit more poke up to about 6000rpm, noticeably more above 8k. 550 gearbox slightly slicker, but neutral harder to find. My 500 originally had a problem jumping out of 3rd, but once cured gave no further trouble. Had a 500 when I was young and stupid and I could make the clutch slip when giving it heaps, but don't mistreat my bikes anymore, and as has been noted 500s are fine under normal use. Instruments look a bit nicer on 550, but 500 ones are fine. I think final decision will come down to best example you can find within your budget. Good luck.

[Shtonecb500]

550 is quoted at 50hp same as 500

Not only that, in tests the CB500 was faster than all CB550s except the CB550F and CB550F1. I never had any problem with the gearbox, nor the clutch. Even the original push rod is still there. At around 75.000 kms I have replaced clutch springs and plates by new ones (OEM ofcourse). The old ones had exactly reached the minimum Honda denotes in the Shop Manual.

i swear my 550 swap felt like i gained some mid range but My 500 motor was the #$%*.

[HondaMan]

I never understood the Honda statement of the "CB550 has an improved gearbox" other than that it has a little oil pump added to the countershaft to fill the inside somewhat faster. The 550 clutch lever's shift point doesn't move as far after warmup as the 500 does, but if you get a good (or even new) 500 clutch lifter and keep it greased (like no one ever did), it should last as long as the 550 does. My 500 (and my brother's) passed the ton with aplomb, never had a 550 up there to compare.

[dave500]

the engagement dogs were also changed in the 550 and the floating gears got bronze bushes in their hubs,the shift drum is held better from sideways end float nice n solid,two shifter forks also ride on their own shaft not the drum.

[BenelliSEI]

+1 to Bankerdanny. I owned my ‘78 550K for over 12 years. Seriously undervalued motorcycle and probably the only motorcycle I still regret selling......