Topic: How do you determine which seat you have? (CB550K2)

[denward17]

I just purchased a 1976 CB550K and the seat appears to sit cockeyed a little and the front of the seat doesn't appear to fit the tank like it should.

This seat appears to have been recovered in it's previous life.

Is there any kind of numbers stamped underneath that tells you what it came off of?

[jlh3rd]

first, are you sure it's a '76 550 K ? Do the engine and frame #'s correspond to a '76 model?
Then, pictures would be needed of the bike, seat, including the underside.
I don't know of any # that designates what seat is for what model, and pictures allow recognition of a seat that might not belong, which sounds like your issue.
Is the seat too long, too short..etc.

[denward17]

Yes, frame and engine numbers line up to be a 1976 CB550K.

[jlh3rd]

according to this picture off of ebay, you don't have a 550 K seat, but I don't know. That ebay pic might be wrong..
Could it be a 500 seat?...sorry.

[jonda500]

I would think the '76 550 seat pan would be the same as the 500 and that you have the right one. The one in the ebay pic jlh3rd posted appears to be a later 77/78 550K one.
The seat latch has a small amount of adjustment in it - tricky to do because the spring is in the way.
If the hinge pin brackets on the frame have been tweaked they can be adjusted by bending/bashing them being careful not to collapse where the pin has to slide through...
John 

[Deltarider]

It's easy to determine. Go to CMSNL > CB550K2 > select the appropiate page that depicts the seat > click > CMSNL will tell you what other models had the 77200-374-003 seat.
In this case CMSNL informs:
Fits models:
CB500K2 GENERAL EXPORT
CB550 FOUR 1975 CB550K0 USA
CB550 K1 FOUR 1975 USA
CB550 K2 FOUR 1976 USA

[jlh3rd]

Things to consider.
His seat pan doesn't appear to have the metal spikes to attach the seat coat.
chrome strip is really misaligned with the tank as compared to other '76's
why is his seat lock sitting so much higher and noticeable as compared to other '76's..see previous comment.
Did they change the orientation of the manual holder in 77/78 ? If not, then his is opposite.

Trying to post other pics of '76's but can't.

[jlh3rd]

here

[Mark1976]

   I imagine its been modified and recovered,  maybe it was part of the effort to lower the bike by the previous owner. Ah the joys of someone else's modifications.

[jlh3rd]

yeah...that's kinda my thought...just trying to help the OP...I noticed that lower rear shock mount....wtf...
maybe it's just not pushed all the way down? I know my 550f has 2 positions.
anyway, someone needs to post a correct, unaltered seat pan .....

[denward17]

Thanks for the help guys, I've been searching and scanning pics for a couple of hours and I still am not sure what I have.

[Deltarider]

My CB500K2-ED also originally has the 77200-374-003 seat. Here's one > https://www.nospartsnow.com/nos-honda-cb550-f-four-seat-assembly-77200-374-003/ It's advertised wrongly though, It wasn't on the F models; on K models only.

[jlh3rd]

Thanks for the help guys, I've been searching and scanning pics for a couple of hours and I still am not sure what I have.

since delta's pic....it appears your seat is a correct '76 "K" model.....

[denward17]

^Thanks, it does look like it is the right one.

I think the locking mechanism has a problem, will further evaluate when I have time.

[jonda500]

These earlier model seats don't have the spikes, the cover is held on by the chrome strip (which is a not removable part of the original seat cover) and the pan has tabs that fold into the strip to lock it on.
I have two identical cb500's but if I swap the seats they don't line up properly - on one of them I have had to bend the hinge mounts and take the lock plunger mech off the seat and adjust it to get the seat and tank chrome sprips to line up perfectly.
John

[jlh3rd]

thats what kinda threw me....I do not know "K" models in depth, but I do know '75-'76 "F"'s. pretty well.
Those seats have the spikes.

[Deltarider]

These earlier model seats don't have the spikes, the cover is held on by the chrome strip (which is a not removable part of the original seat cover) [...]

It isn't even real chrome...
Imo it was the nicest and most elegant seat. I've been lucky to score a good secondhand one. For long rides, like vacations, I use a sheepskin cut out of an old carpet. Very, very comfy!