Topic: Thoughts on going from CB750 to CB550?

[denward17]

I recently partially restored a 1978 CB750K, and am thinking that a little bit lighter bike might be better to handle in confines of my garage.
I guess it is about ~100 lbs. lighter.

I really enjoy the CB750 and it runs really well, but keep having thoughts that a lighter bike might be better for me for long term.

Was thinking of a CB550, or something in that range.  I will never ride on the interstate, and most of the roads I ride on are either 35/45/55 MPH, mostly 45.

I really don't have room for 2 bikes, as much as I would like to keep the 750 and drag home another to restore.

Anyone else have these thoughts, what's the solution?

[Ichiban 4]

I haven't had a 750..but had a number of heavier bikes over the years [Ariel Square Four..Harleys..et al.].  After a hiatus of not riding for about 20 years..I bought a 550 4 about 20 years ago and have been quite happy with it's performance..as well as lighter weight [I'm into my 70's nowadays..so don't do much riding anyway] 
I think your concerns about having a lighter bike that you can handle more easily..are valid..at least they were for me.  I've also found that the 550 4 is quite 'peppy' on the road..has good acceleration and can cruise all day at 60 MPH [which I don't usually do BTW..LOL]
I guess the decision is essentially up to you..but for me personally..that's the way I went about 20 years ago now..and I've been quite satisfied..
Cheers
Al/Ichi

[bryanj]

The 550 has a lower seat height and is not as top heavy as a 750 and should happily cruise at 70mph+

[WideAWAKE]

I had a 500t that would easily cruise at 70.

Granted I dropped about 100 lbs off of it but I’d imagine a 550 would out perform it.

My old 350s cruised at 60 without issue.

[BenelliSEI]

At one point my wife rode a 1977 cb400F and I had a 1978 cb550K. Then, along came the 1978 cb750. When our son rode with us, they made a nice trio.

I always preferred the cb550 around town and for running errands. Fantastic machine and when pushed it really flew! I still regret selling it, you would not be disappointed and a later one would make a nice match to your 750K.

[carnivorous chicken]

I've always found 550s to be the perfect intermediate bike -- good for freeways and nimble enough around town. But if you're not going much above 55, when not a 350F or a 400F? Even lighter, even nimbler, and they'll both do freeway speeds if you need 'em to.

[grcamna2]

I want to find a Euro-version of a CB650(CB650Z)sometime;I wonder how much more a CB650 weighs compared to a CB550 ?

[MRieck]

You will need me to do another head with OS intake valves.

[craz1]

I find the Cb550 to be a comfortable ride and quite smooth. It's great on those back roads when your not in a hurry. If you want to just sit back and enjoy the ride its a great bike. Im not much of a Honda guy but I do enjoy my Cb550

[seanbarney41]

If you are a smaller person and/or you like to go around corners, the cb550 is a great choice

[scottly]

I recently partially restored a 1978 CB750K, and am thinking that a little bit lighter bike might be better to handle in confines of my garage.
I guess it is about ~100 lbs. lighter.

I suspect the weight difference between a 550 and a 750 is much less than 100 pounds, but the K7/K8 were the porkers of the breed.

[denward17]

You will need me to do another head with OS intake valves.

LOL, I already thought about that.....

Thanks for the comments Guys, appreciate it.  I am just pondering now, if something falls in my lap will give it serious consideration, but the 750 is going nowhere anytime soon.

[Mark1976]

   I think what you'll find out is, the 500/550 is great bike, in stock trim or otherwise. There's a ton of aftermarket for them still and that speaks to their likability by anyone who's owned one. I dare ya to buy one and not punch it up a little. I did,  couldn't help myself.

[Deltarider]

The CB500/550s are typical allrounders. I'm 6,4 and weigh 85kg. In my younger years I used to ride my CB500 @ 7000rpm (140km, 90 m/h) on the German autobahns for hours on end. The mechanic who owned a CB500 Four himself, had reassured me that these bikes are perfectly happy @ 7000 rpm. He was right. After such a ride the engine had cleaned itself completely which you immediately felt by an improved driveability on the country roads that followed. I once did 1000km in one day returning home from the Swiss-Italian border.
When the CB500 was launched in 1971, the then boss of Porsche stated that it was to be the bike of the century. BMW seriously considered ending the production of motorcycles alltogether and return to the small cars they had made before.
The CB500 Four has been copied in detail by Benelli and later also the Chinese have made a copycat.

[Doobie]

I've owned both at the same time and the 550 is much more manageable than the 750. The weight difference is substantial for old guys like me. I think when the time comes, and I can't manage a 750, I will downsize to a 550 and ride it to the end.

[flatlander]

my thought? do it!

and then you hit up this guy:

You will need me to do another head with OS intake valves.

... to get the best of both worlds 

i did that with my 550 which i use for both shorter rides and long distance touring with luggage. for me, that works great. sure, it's no GS but neither is the 750.

[denward17]

Does the '78 CB550K suffer the same fate as the '78 CB750K exhaust valve guide wear?

[bryanj]

Not normally but it does have the god awfull pd carbs

[Stev-o]

I have both, a 550F and a couple CB750's.  I like them both equally for different reasons, I think if you sold your 750 you would miss it, especially after all the time [and money] you've spent on it.

One thing I dont like about the lighter weight 550 is when passing a large truck, the "air wake" can be felt a lot more than when on the heavier 750.  I'm sure you could squeeze one more bike in there, have both!

[TwoTired]

Does the '78 CB550K suffer the same fate as the '78 CB750K exhaust valve guide wear?

I think it does to some extent.  Not as bad as the 750 F models did, though.  The 77-78 550K runs lean burn hotter to appease the EPA of that era for lower emissions.  My 78 surely suffered from bad exhaust valve guides.  Be sure to do frequent oil changes, as hotter oil breaks down faster.  You can usually tell when to change oil when the trans doesn't shift as smooth because the clutch begins dragging some.  On mine it was at about 1000 miles, season depending.  If I got stuck in hot weather traffic, even sooner to change oil, although true synthetic usually has better heat withstand characteristics in my experience.

The PD carbs are fine with stock air induction and exhaust.  But, are a challenge to adapt them for filter and exhaust changes.  Then they run even leaner and hotter with stock jetting.

IF you primarily ride one up the 550 will still satisfy, and is more nimble than my CB750 F models.  Two up sorta taxes the 550 bike and makes using power during collision avoidance... iffy.  The CB750 is more amenable to two up riding with it's extra power.  But, is top heavy by comparison in the twisties.  It's certainly manageable, just need better anticipation with how you drive it.   Twist and go for the 750.  The 550 needs to downshift to get it to scoot.  So expect to use your left foot more for spirited riding.

[dave500]

ive never liked the 550k or super sport bulbous tank with that flap over the cap?get the first 550s that share the 500 frame and tank,they also have the more tunable early type one carbs,theyre the better 550s in my opinion.

[Deltarider]

ive never liked the 550k or super sport bulbous tank with that flap over the cap?get the first 550s that share the 500 frame and tank,they also have the more tunable early type one carbs,theyre the better 550s in my opinion.

I agree 100% and, as far as styling, the CB550(K0) is the prettiest by far. My favourite. Alas, they were not imported in Europe.

[Rosinante]

.....I wonder how much more a CB650 weighs compared to a CB550 ?

It looks like the 550 weighs one pound MORE than the 650, dry weight:

https://www.google.com/search?q=honda+cb550k+weight&sxsrf=AB5stBiiVb5IbFKSpIoq9GLZZlLvBAHNbQ%3A1690985519728&source=hp&ei=L2TKZLCwKLjH0PEPw4iz4As&iflsig=AD69kcEAAAAAZMpyPxNKuDJ3BJDEc8gmpJCU20o7kF9M&ved=0ahUKEwjwg-H5k76AAxW4IzQIHUPEDLwQ4dUDCAs&uact=5&oq=honda+cb550k+weight&gs_lp=Egdnd3Mtd2l6IhNob25kYSBjYjU1MGsgd2VpZ2h0MgYQABgWGB4yCBAAGIoFGIYDMggQABiKBRiGAzIIEAAYigUYhgNIxzZQAFj2MXAAeACQAQCYAfICoAHDD6oBCDEyLjQuMS4xuAEDyAEA-AEBwgIEECMYJ8ICCBAAGIoFGJECwgIHEAAYigUYQ8ICDRAuGIoFGMcBGNEDGEPCAhEQLhiABBixAxiDARjHARjRA8ICCxAAGIAEGLEDGIMBwgITEC4YigUYsQMYgwEYxwEY0QMYQ8ICBxAuGIoFGEPCAhYQLhiABBgUGIcCGLEDGIMBGMcBGNEDwgIIEC4YgAQYsQPCAgsQLhiABBixAxiDAcICDRAAGIAEGBQYhwIYsQPCAgUQABiABMICChAAGIAEGBQYhwLCAggQABgWGB4YD8ICBRAhGKABwgIFECEYqwI&sclient=gws-wiz

https://www.google.com/search?q=honda+cb650z+weight&sxsrf=AB5stBign7rWacMM05EZRUTXMTBn69M6nA%3A1690985481394&ei=CWTKZOrVF8CH0PEPmd6A0AY&ved=0ahUKEwiq_sDnk76AAxXAAzQIHRkvAGoQ4dUDCBA&uact=5&oq=honda+cb650z+weight&gs_lp=Egxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAiE2hvbmRhIGNiNjUweiB3ZWlnaHQyBRAAGKIEMgUQABiiBDIFEAAYogQyBRAAGKIESLoYULoJWNwQcAF4AZABAJgBYKABqQGqAQEyuAEDyAEA-AEBwgIKEAAYRxjWBBiwA-IDBBgAIEGIBgGQBgg&sclient=gws-wiz-serp

[grcamna2]

.....I wonder how much more a CB650 weighs compared to a CB550 ?

It looks like the 550 weighs one pound MORE than the 650, dry weight:

https://www.google.com/search?q=honda+cb550k+weight&sxsrf=AB5stBiiVb5IbFKSpIoq9GLZZlLvBAHNbQ%3A1690985519728&source=hp&ei=L2TKZLCwKLjH0PEPw4iz4As&iflsig=AD69kcEAAAAAZMpyPxNKuDJ3BJDEc8gmpJCU20o7kF9M&ved=0ahUKEwjwg-H5k76AAxW4IzQIHUPEDLwQ4dUDCAs&uact=5&oq=honda+cb550k+weight&gs_lp=Egdnd3Mtd2l6IhNob25kYSBjYjU1MGsgd2VpZ2h0MgYQABgWGB4yCBAAGIoFGIYDMggQABiKBRiGAzIIEAAYigUYhgNIxzZQAFj2MXAAeACQAQCYAfICoAHDD6oBCDEyLjQuMS4xuAEDyAEA-AEBwgIEECMYJ8ICCBAAGIoFGJECwgIHEAAYigUYQ8ICDRAuGIoFGMcBGNEDGEPCAhEQLhiABBixAxiDARjHARjRA8ICCxAAGIAEGLEDGIMBwgITEC4YigUYsQMYgwEYxwEY0QMYQ8ICBxAuGIoFGEPCAhYQLhiABBgUGIcCGLEDGIMBGMcBGNEDwgIIEC4YgAQYsQPCAgsQLhiABBixAxiDAcICDRAAGIAEGBQYhwIYsQPCAgUQABiABMICChAAGIAEGBQYhwLCAggQABgWGB4YD8ICBRAhGKABwgIFECEYqwI&sclient=gws-wiz

https://www.google.com/search?q=honda+cb650z+weight&sxsrf=AB5stBign7rWacMM05EZRUTXMTBn69M6nA%3A1690985481394&ei=CWTKZOrVF8CH0PEPmd6A0AY&ved=0ahUKEwiq_sDnk76AAxXAAzQIHRkvAGoQ4dUDCBA&uact=5&oq=honda+cb650z+weight&gs_lp=Egxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAiE2hvbmRhIGNiNjUweiB3ZWlnaHQyBRAAGKIEMgUQABiiBDIFEAAYogQyBRAAGKIESLoYULoJWNwQcAF4AZABAJgBYKABqQGqAQEyuAEDyAEA-AEBwgIKEAAYRxjWBBiwA-IDBBgAIEGIBgGQBgg&sclient=gws-wiz-serp

Ok 

[PeWe]

You need both!