Topic: Honda CB550 OEM seats

[redbaron]

I have a 1976 Honda 550F and recently bought a OEM seat from a 1978 550K.  The seat is too big for the grab bar to fit.  I thought all the 550 seats were the same.  Are they?

[Stev-o]

I have a 1976 Honda 550F and recently bought a OEM seat from a 1978 550K.  The seat is too big for the grab bar to fit.  I thought all the 550 seats were the same.  Are they?

No.   All 550 F model seats are the same.   

550 K had two different seats, I believe the '77-78 had a step up on it.

[Deltarider]

The step up seat was on the CB550K4 only. This modification came after criticism in the press, that women had difficulties riding the K3, the seat being too high. In those years Honda Tokyo literally spelled the tests in German motorcycle magazines like Das Motorrad.

[TwoTired]

The CB 500 550 line had at least four different design shapes.
K models up through 76 were interchangeable.  (Possible exception of the 71 Cb500 mount/latch.)
The F models were all the same shape and mount.  But there was the brown and black variations.

77 and 78 models were both one year only specific.  But would interchange if you didn't require the step/ non step versions.

Cheers,

[Kevnz]

Australian Two Wheels magazine, January 1976.

[jlh3rd]

Big Bike, november 1975.    honda ad 1975

[Kevnz]

A road test published in January 1976, would necessarily have been written in 1975, magazine deadlines being what they are, especially leading up to the Xmas break, so the bikes featured in the Two Wheels article would have been 1975 models. A sales brochure stating the seat is brown clearly does not preclude black being available, unless you are suggesting that seats shown in the article are, in fact, brown and I am suffering from that rare form of black\brown colourblindness. IMO, those images are irrefutable evidence that black seats were available, in some markets at least.

[Ichiban 4]

I have a 1976 Honda 550F and recently bought a OEM seat from a 1978 550K.  The seat is too big for the grab bar to fit.  I thought all the 550 seats were the same.  Are they?

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

I've got a '77 550K..and can affirm what others have said here..especially Lloyd (Two Tired).
Think the '78 step-seat is the better of the two for both looks and comfort..one or two-up. (and yes the '77 and '78 will not interchange with earlier model 550's).

You can always have an earlier seat pan re-upholstered..like I did..and then have nice custom-fit for your butt LOL Think I paid around
$175.00 to have that done (using old foam..custom trimmed).  But that was around 20 years ago.  Guessing it would cost at least twice that..@ today's inflated exchange rates LOL
Cheers..
Ichi

[jlh3rd]

A road test published in January 1976, would necessarily have been written in 1975, magazine deadlines being what they are, especially leading up to the Xmas break, so the bikes featured in the Two Wheels article would have been 1975 models. A sales brochure stating the seat is brown clearly does not preclude black being available, unless you are suggesting that seats shown in the article are, in fact, brown and I am suffering from that rare form of black\brown colourblindness. IMO, those images are irrefutable evidence that black seats were available, in some markets at least.

A brochure would clearly preclude a certain color if there is no other evidence to support a different one. Honda was elaborate with their brochures and highlighted everything they could about their bikes. Show me one stating black seat.
Pointing to a picture with no corroborating evidence is no proof at all. You can state a belief as your fact but that's all it is, a belief, an opinion, which is highly refutable. Show me your evidence. Until then, your opinion holds no water.

Honda was elaborate with their brochures....and there were no options.
Cms parts page, 1976 , seatcoat 77270-390-000.....1975 Honda parts book,seat coat...same number.
Your wrong.

[jlh3rd]

               [quote author=Kevnz link=topic=188907.msg2195501#msg2195501 d
A road test published in January 1976, would necessarily have been written in 1975, magazine deadlines being what they are, especially leading up to the Xmas break, so the bikes featured in the Two Wheels article would have been 1975 models. A sales brochure stating the seat is brown clearly does not preclude black being available, unless you are suggesting that seats shown in the article are, in fact, brown and I am suffering from that rare form of black\brown colourblindness. IMO, those images are irrefutable evidence that black seats were available, in some markets at least.
[/quote]

Big Bike,1975, november
Your wrong........Prove me wrong, I'll leave....

[jlh3rd]

A road test published in January 1976, would necessarily have been written in 1975, magazine deadlines being what they are, especially leading up to the Xmas break, so the bikes featured in the Two Wheels article would have been 1975 models. A sales brochure stating the seat is brown clearly does not preclude black being available, unless you are suggesting that seats shown in the article are, in fact, brown and I am suffering from that rare form of black\brown colourblindness. IMO, those images are irrefutable evidence that black seats were available, in some markets at least.

official 1976 Honda photo release........a honda brochure.....
Is the seat on the right black?...you tell me. we all know the '76 was brown.
uh oh...have I banned myself?

[jaytee-nz]

I think we are forgetting that there are other markets that Honda sold to around the world, other than the good old USA. Brochures and magazine reports will apply to the country they are published in.
Honda are well known for changing the spec's on the same model for different markets, as has been discussed on this forum multiple times.

[seanbarney41]

come on jlh!  Don't leave the forum!  It is too damn entertaining watching you get so wound up over these brown seats!

[Kevnz]

There was someone else who refused to concede defeat in the face of overwhelming evidence, but I can't remember who it was. Never mind, not important; I'm sure it'll come to me.

[Deltarider]

I think we are forgetting that there are other markets that Honda sold to around the world, other than the good old USA. Brochures and magazine reports will apply to the country they are published in.
Honda are well known for changing the spec's on the same model for different markets, as has been discussed on this forum multiple times.

You're exactly to the point here. Stop talking years, it means nothing but in the American market hysteria. Here's your definite answer on p. 67, Ref No.2 where it concerns parts numbers 77400-404-670 and 77400-404-770, https://www.honda4fun.com/dwnload/Part-List/CB500/CB500-K3-CB550-K3-K4-Parts-List.pdf. The rest is anecdotal.

[jlh3rd]

come on jlh!  Don't leave the forum!  It is too damn entertaining watching you get so wound up over these brown seats!

I won't leave unless you prove me wrong. Not wound up,  don't appreciate the name calling from your buddies but that's typical of people who can't produce facts.
I don't care  if you care or not. If a newbie or someone needs the facts because they care, then here it is.

And who got wound up? All I did years ago was state a fact, something your buddy tt couldn't take along with a few others. told me to stop my drivel....so who got wound up?...

[jlh3rd]

I think we are forgetting that there are other markets that Honda sold to around the world, other than the good old USA. Brochures and magazine reports will apply to the country they are published in.
Honda are well known for changing the spec's on the same model for different markets, as has been discussed on this forum multiple times.

and the part #'s show the change...it's called superceeded, bud.
The '75 550F was introduced in april of 1975 in the U.S. It doesn't appear to have been introduced anywhere else. The '76 was distributed worldwide.
    So, show me. lol, stop  talking in circles. grow some balls.Prove me wrong, I'll leave.

oh, every '76 550F parts book shows the same seat coat # as the '75.....

[jlh3rd]

I think we are forgetting that there are other markets that Honda sold to around the world, other than the good old USA. Brochures and magazine reports will apply to the country they are published in.
Honda are well known for changing the spec's on the same model for different markets, as has been discussed on this forum multiple times.

You're exactly to the point here. Stop talking years, it means nothing but in the American market hysteria. Here's your definite answer on p. 67, Ref No.2 where it concerns parts numbers 77400-404-670 and 77400-404-770, https://www.honda4fun.com/dwnload/Part-List/CB500/CB500-K3-CB550-K3-K4-Parts-List.pdf. The rest is anecdotal.

? wtf are you even talking about. This isn't about the "K" models......and I showed part numbers, so huh?
 
years matter after 1974 in the usa. It's not hysteria. But I still don't get your babbling, I mean, really, what the heck is your point.
And usa distributed bikes only is all I discuss. I have no idea on other countries...but no matter the country, there's still a parts book.....And "model" sell dates and "release" dates I learned from YOU.
so, again, wtf is your point.

and again, prove I'm wrong, I'll leave.....isn't that incentive enough? Or are y'all gonna keep going in circles with your anecdotal "evidence "...

[jlh3rd]

come on jlh!  Don't leave the forum!  It is too damn entertaining watching you get so wound up over these brown seats!

furthermore, all I did on this thread was say specifically the '75 and '76 had brown seats and your buddy tt came unglued.....

[jlh3rd]

There was someone else who refused to concede defeat in the face of overwhelming evidence, but I can't remember who it was. Never mind, not important; I'm sure it'll come to me.

you mean Wilde...or speaking in "code".....what overwhelming evidence. A pic?...a "feeling"...an "opinion "

what's in the water over there in new zealand?..

[jlh3rd]

come on jlh!  Don't leave the forum!  It is too damn entertaining watching you get so wound up over these brown seats!

who gets wound up?

[jlh3rd]

omg!....the world is flat!...I have a pic!

[goodtryer]

From the "Red Book" Honda Motorcycle Identification Guide (USA version) (see attachments):

For the CB500/550 models, the only places I see seat color specifically called out are:

-76 CB550F "Seat is dark brown"
-77 CB550F "Seat is black"

The only other note specifically about the seat is on the 78 CB550K "Dual contoured seat".

Not taking sides. Haven't read the entire thread. Just providing some information.

Cheers

[jlh3rd]

I use the honda identification guide all the time. It is "a" source, not "the" source. All sources can have mistakes, understand. There are other sources such as parts books, old magazines, official brochures, original documented one owner , then lastly and least, opinions, feelings, "I heard", "I think" ..."my bike I found ".
Who cares? ..some people do. I do. Go on the 750 sandcast site and see just what matters such as the cap on the brake reservoir, right Benellli?.....
Maybe a newbie might care, maybe someone wants a correct 550F. So I post it, and some can't take it. They don't care about a correct 550 so why post anything? ...looking for trouble, being a smarttass...ok, I'll play...c.
    The honda identification guide gives no color for the '75 model. Ok, so now what. It doesn't prove or disprove anything. And I was told years ago to not post my drivel. So I've done the research, there it is. And I don't take too kindly to being told not to do something....
      Anyone care to have a discussion, fine.....
you should read all of the thread, it is entertaining.....some got deleted though....

[Bankerdanny]

I have a 1976 Honda 550F and recently bought a OEM seat from a 1978 550K.  The seat is too big for the grab bar to fit.  I thought all the 550 seats were the same.  Are they?

That seat should fit on your F since the F and 77-78 K tanks are basically identical, but the back of the F seat is shaped different than the back of the 77 and 78 K seats (the seat base tapers up slightly at the back, so to use the K seat you will probably also need the K grab rail.