Topic: Aftermarket tanks

[Lord Helmet]

Planning a build on a '77 CB550 - anyone know of places that sell reproduction tanks?  The one I'm going to work on has the tank filler cover on it and I don't want that.  I plan on doing custom paint on the tank so I'd rather not get a nice OEM tank since that should belong with a proper OEM bike...I also don't want to deal with a rusty tank as I've done that before and I'm not too excited about cleaning and sealing again.

Thanks-

[RAFster122s]

77 and 78 had the tank filler lid design...it is stock. Earlier tanks will require seat changes as well as rear tank mount mods to work with early tanks. Adapting any other tanks could require a lot of work. If you enjoy life steer clear of Carpy's tanks. 

[Lord Helmet]

Yes I'm aware 77 and 78 stock tanks have the filler design.  '74-'76 don't - are you saying those tanks would require mods to fit??

[RAFster122s]

Yes, tank lengths are different.

[Lord Helmet]

That is a real bummer to hear...I'll have to do some research to sort it out because I definitely want to use a '74-'76 tank.  Thanks for the heads up

[RAFster122s]

Not a huge difference, just a simple remove and reweldbif I understand correctly seeing it done in one or two threads. Sorry, I don't recall who did it.

[TwoTired]

The 77 and 78 K as well as the F model 550s had longer and bigger tanks, and seats cut to match the length. Earlier K seats will interfere with the newer longer tanks.

The 77 and 78 tanks have a different fuel tap style than the F models do.  But, the tank shapes are the same.  If you locate an earlier F tank make sure it comes with a usable fuel tap and filter. 

I don't know if your 77 CB550 is a K or F model.

Cheers,

[jonda500]

Earlier tanks will require rear tank mount mods to work

Not true - any Honda 500 Four or 550 Four or 550F tank will mount with no mods required! If you use an early type tank with a later type seat there will be a gap between them...
John
nb as early tank has dual fuel line, you would need to plug one of them

[RAFster122s]

Apologies for my misinformation, I thought I had seen that they required mods...

[Lord Helmet]

Well that's good news.  Sounds like I just need a pre-77 seat to go with a pre-77 tank and that will work with no mods.
Now...anyone got one they wanna sell?

Thanks all

[TwoTired]

Well that's good news.  Sounds like I just need a pre-77 seat to go with a pre-77 tank and that will work with no mods.

Slight correction.
K bikes are different than F bikes. F bikes were made from 75-77, all same tank style as 77-78K models but with different paint and fuel taps.  K bikes with the Four on the side cover are not F bikes.

For K bikes before 77, they all had same shape and need the seat to match.  Incidentally the 72-73Cb500 tanks are the same shape too.  Maybe even the 71 CB500.  Again, fuel taps and paint changed over these years.

And we haven't talked about the grab bar around the seat and the turn signal mounts.  There are differences there, too, to match seat styles among the 500/550 line.

Cheers,