Author Topic: Thoughts on going from CB750 to CB550? (Read 3794 times)

RAFster122s · « **Reply #50 on:** August 10, 2023, 03:38:55 PM »

79 cb650 had standard universal Japanese motorcycle upright riding style frame like cb550 and cb750. The '80-82 and later cb650 has a cruiser style frame with longer forks different shaped tanks and comstars and similar detractors...not nearly as nice. 81-82 cb650 used CV Keihin carbs which is a pain to keep the tiny passages clean and much pickier tuning if you start making motor mods.
The hemispherical head and many other improvements of the cb650 motor gave it more torque and horsepower which is really nice. Unfortunately not enough 650s were sold as tastes were changing and more powerful bikes were available for similar money from other makes.

kerryb · « **Reply #51 on:** August 10, 2023, 03:46:39 PM »

If you aren't going to get on a freeway, then the 550 is a perfect choice.

Kelly E · « **Reply #52 on:** August 10, 2023, 09:31:37 PM »

CB 550'S are pretty fun when you only weigh 125lbs as well as CB 400-4's.

Deltarider · « **Reply #53 on:** August 11, 2023, 07:28:54 AM »

Quote from: kerryb on August 10, 2023, 03:46:39 PM

If you aren't going to get on a freeway, then the 550 is a perfect choice.

Where did you get that idea? I have done just that for years. No problem at all. Early 70s a 500cc was still considered a big bike and the 750s were seen as just superbikes. Now that the market produces far weightier (often idiotic imo) bikes, people think the 500/550 are too light. Well, they didn't think that back then. Apart from that freaky moment in that Italian tunnel (read reply #33), I have always felt safe. After riding a Goldwing for six weeks in US and Canada, I concluded I don't want a bike that weighs more than 200kg. Overseeing the market now, if you really want a bike for the fun of riding, my advice would be: have a 600cc or 650cc max. Lots of fun and always plenty power.

drodg33 · « **Reply #54 on:** August 11, 2023, 07:36:58 AM »

Loving the dialogue here. When I had a Suzuki GT550 back in the early 70's I thought wow it is so fast and big. My 72 CB500 that I own now seems so small compared to all the bikes I have had the past 20 years. But realistically the 500 or 550's are great bikes for everyday riding. Though a friend of mine is offering to have me take out his 73 Kaw Z900 next week. I might change my mind!

Kelly E · « **Reply #55 on:** August 11, 2023, 08:31:09 AM »

The KZ 1000 and Suzuki GS 1100E don't feel big when I ride them, the Concours and FJR feel big but not huge like a modern Goldwing. Since I'm only 5' 5"and 125lbs I'm a pretty good judge of wether or not a bike feels big or not.

denward17 · « **Reply #56 on:** August 11, 2023, 08:42:57 AM »

^This is good dialogue drodg33.

I am about 5'7", weigh about 170, and after putting some more miles on it, it doesn't seem big while riding.

I have not ridden in over 30 years or so before I got this bike (retirement hobby). I need to get my riding legs back.

I have my eyes open for a 500/550 but am in no hurry, and at the present time don't think I am getting rid of the 750.

I remember when I was in my 20's, the '75 Z1 didn't seem big or heavy at all.

Kelly E · « **Reply #57 on:** August 11, 2023, 09:28:18 AM »

Quote from: denward17 on August 11, 2023, 08:42:57 AM

^This is good dialogue drodg33.

I am about 5'7", weigh about 170, and after putting some more miles on it, it doesn't seem big while riding.

I have not ridden in over 30 years or so before I got this bike (retirement hobby). I need to get my riding legs back.

I have my eyes open for a 500/550 but am in no hurry, and at the present time don't think I am getting rid of the 750.

I remember when I was in my 20's, the '75 Z1 didn't seem big or heavy at all.

I'm 64 and the KZ 1000 doesn't feel big. I got it from my uncle, he said that it was starting to be too big after he turned 80yo.

drodg33 · « **Reply #58 on:** August 11, 2023, 10:49:24 AM »

I have had a Goldwing, a HD Ultra, multiple BMW R12 or R11RTs. You guys are right that Z900 probably won't seem big to me.

nvr2old · « **Reply #59 on:** August 14, 2023, 04:24:15 PM »

I'm lucky enough to also have an '82 CX500 Turbo...
[/quote]

Is yours like their fancy CX650 that had the EFI and a 'fake' throttle cable?
[/quote]

The CX650 Turbo was quite the upgrade from the 500. It had less turbo lag and is way faster, but not as smooth as the 500, strangely enough. My 500 has regular dual throttle cables, and yes, both are fuel injected. That thing starts on the first tap of the starter button even after sitting for winter months.

jlh3rd · « **Reply #60 on:** August 14, 2023, 07:52:31 PM »

In the early 70's my 450 was king of the road. Road it all over the highways. Did a SHV-Indianapolis-Amarillo-Dallas-SHV trip
Then got a brand new '76550F. Stuck a windjammer on it..Hit the hwys again...no problem.

deeveebee · « **Reply #61 on:** August 22, 2023, 06:17:25 AM »

Just had to chime in on this one!

I've owned three bikes in my 30 years of riding: a '92 CB750 Nighthawk, an '02 BMW R1150R, and, currently, a '78 CB550K. The 550 is my favorite of the three by a pretty wide margin. Bought it on a lark last year as a project bike and can't believe how strongly the engine pulls and how much fun it is to ride. Hesitate not!

denward17 · « **Reply #62 on:** August 31, 2023, 01:49:16 PM »

I went this afternoon to look at a 550K. I thought he was asking too much for the condition, so left it there.

Eyes still peeled....

craz1 · « **Reply #63 on:** August 31, 2023, 04:03:38 PM »

I will probably be selling mine at some point in the near future

denward17 · « **Reply #64 on:** August 31, 2023, 04:19:06 PM »

^Looks really nice...I'm trying to be patient and find one locally.

grcamna2 · « **Reply #65 on:** August 31, 2023, 05:21:11 PM »

Very Nice CB550 craz1 !!

dave500 · « **Reply #66 on:** August 31, 2023, 10:37:06 PM »

sure is!

denward17 · « **Reply #67 on:** November 10, 2023, 12:26:35 PM »

Well, I bit the bullet this morning............

Project will start in about a month or so...

1976 CB550K

RAFster122s · « **Reply #68 on:** November 10, 2023, 12:32:04 PM »

Congratulations

carnivorous chicken · « **Reply #69 on:** November 10, 2023, 12:43:40 PM »

Looks like a nice one to start a project with.

MauiK3 · « **Reply #70 on:** November 10, 2023, 01:20:37 PM »

Looks good, can you get side covers?

BenelliSEI · « **Reply #71 on:** November 10, 2023, 01:51:08 PM »

Quote from: denward17 on November 10, 2023, 12:26:35 PM

Well, I bit the bullet this morning............

Project will start in about a month or so...

1976 CB550K

Congrats! You will not be disappointed. Enjoyed your last project a lot, will be watching when you start again. You are definitely hooked! John D.

denward17 · « **Reply #72 on:** November 10, 2023, 02:09:02 PM »

Quote from: MauiK3 on November 10, 2023, 01:20:37 PM

Looks good, can you get side covers?

I have both sides, but the right side is broken.

RAFster122s · « **Reply #73 on:** November 10, 2023, 04:08:22 PM »

Frankenfrankenstuff has good quality repo side covers.

dave500 · « **Reply #74 on:** November 10, 2023, 11:26:18 PM »

those side covers,put a little petroleum jelly on the nubs that go into the rubbers,its old plastic now and brittle,be sure the rubbers are clean inside and also a little jelly,if you get replacement rubbers non genuine they wont be pliable rubber but a semi soft plastic thats quite hard and doesnt let the covers go on or off easy,i replaced a couple and used a carbide burr to make the hole slightly larger to save cranking on those nubs too much,same for any of the old hondas?

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Author Topic: Thoughts on going from CB750 to CB550? (Read 3794 times)