Author Topic: 1974 Honda cb 550 four  (Read 748 times)

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Offline KS13

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1974 Honda cb 550 four
« on: February 24, 2024, 08:28:04 AM »

Just pulled this ‘74 Honda cb 550 four from under tons of junk in the back of an old garage. Hasn’t been rode since 1983. It was my father’s and he gave it to my son who is 8 so they can restore it together. It will be lots of work but it will be worth it. If anyone knows of any good sites that sell parts or bikes for parts please let me know. I would appreciate it. My little guy is super excited to start this project.

Offline craz1

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Re: 1974 Honda cb 550 four
« Reply #1 on: February 24, 2024, 08:51:53 AM »
I would start with David Silver spares. By no means thay are the only ones. E-Bay may be your friend also. Just figure out what you need through PartZila then google that part or part number and multiple sources will pop up. How many miles on the bike. Looks like it is pretty complete.

If it's been sitting for that long I hope they pulled all the old fuel before putting it in the shed. I will need work on the carbs for sure. Here is a 74 I restored and just sold. Lot of work but enjoyable.
« Last Edit: February 24, 2024, 08:56:59 AM by craz1 »
74 CB550,73 Z1900, 74 Z1900, 75 Z1900,
72 XS2650, 73 RD350, 2013 FJR1300, 84 XJ550 YAM

Offline exponent

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Re: 1974 Honda cb 550 four
« Reply #2 on: February 24, 2024, 09:03:43 AM »
CMNSL, David Silver, Revzilla, Ebay, 4into1, common motor collective. Pro tip, take the crank shell bearings out before sandblasting the cases
'78 550K 2106630

Offline bryanj

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Re: 1974 Honda cb 550 four
« Reply #3 on: February 24, 2024, 09:22:08 AM »
If you go to the uk site and look in Ashs dropbox you will fing the ĥonda manual and parts book.
Delkavic in uk have just started doing oe style exhausts at a good price
Semi Geriatric ex-Honda mechanic and MOT tester (UK version of annual inspection). Garage full of "projects" mostly 500/4 from pre 73 (no road tax in UK).

Remember "Its always in the last place you look" COURSE IT IS YOU STOP LOOKIN THEN!

Offline denward17

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Re: 1974 Honda cb 550 four
« Reply #4 on: February 24, 2024, 09:31:13 AM »
If you go to the uk site and look in Ashs dropbox you will fing the ĥonda manual and parts book.
Delkavic in uk have just started doing oe style exhausts at a good price

Just went to the UK site, didn't see the OE style exhausts?

Should I contact them?

Offline denward17

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Re: 1974 Honda cb 550 four
« Reply #5 on: February 24, 2024, 09:55:54 AM »
Welcome to the madness KS13....

Start a project thread in the Project Shop sub-forum with progress of build.

As was mentioned, use a part number to search and several vendors will come up.
I usually check with South Sound Honda to get all rubber related Honda parts if I can; email them to see if part is available before you add it to the cart, saves a few hassles.

https://www.southsoundhonda.com/--xpartsstream#

Other parts come from;
Ebay JTMARKS
PartsNmore
vintageCB750
David Silver
CMSNL
Common Motor Collective
and a few others.....

Good Luck on your project..

My project is currently a '76 CB550K: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,193881.0.html

Offline carnivorous chicken

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Re: 1974 Honda cb 550 four
« Reply #6 on: February 24, 2024, 10:41:42 AM »
Pro tip, take the crank shell bearings out before sandblasting the cases

Before you get that far, you should see if it will run first as it is. Is the engine stuck or free? If it's free do a 3000-mile tune up (plugs, points, valves, timing, oil and filter change). Clean out the carbs, including blowing out all of the passages (keep the original brass, only change out rubber), change the fuel lines, check the tank (clean if necessary, or even coat it if you have too, replace fuel lines. Inspect everything else -- chain, sprockets, tires, electrical, new battery, etc.. With those steps a lot of old bikes will fire right up. Completely tearing down an engine isn't always necessary, and if you don't have the skill set it can mean abandoning the project. If the thing runs and rides some cosmetic stuff might be all you want/need to do.

You can always get it up and running and then if you want to tear it down completely do that later -- summer is coming, and winters make for good project times.

As always, up to you. Looks like it's pretty complete, how is the exhaust? Gonna be a great project.

Offline craz1

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Re: 1974 Honda cb 550 four
« Reply #7 on: February 24, 2024, 11:58:35 AM »
CMNSL, David Silver, Revzilla, Ebay, 4into1, common motor collective. Pro tip, take the crank shell bearings out before sandblasting the cases

It should be media blasted either with medium glass beads or Vapor Blast. Do not bring it anyone who is not familiar with motorcycle cases and do not sandblast.

And as someone posted get it started first and then proceed. Doesn't have to be a complete restoration if not needed.
74 CB550,73 Z1900, 74 Z1900, 75 Z1900,
72 XS2650, 73 RD350, 2013 FJR1300, 84 XJ550 YAM

Offline bryanj

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Semi Geriatric ex-Honda mechanic and MOT tester (UK version of annual inspection). Garage full of "projects" mostly 500/4 from pre 73 (no road tax in UK).

Remember "Its always in the last place you look" COURSE IT IS YOU STOP LOOKIN THEN!


Offline CycleRanger

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Re: 1974 Honda cb 550 four
« Reply #10 on: February 24, 2024, 03:13:46 PM »
Howdy! Welcome!
That looks like a fine project.
You can get the Honda shop manual and the parts manual from the link in my sig.
Do you have a copy of the Honda Shop Manual or Parts List for your bike? Get one here:
https://www.honda4fun.com/materiale/documentazione-tecnica
CB750K5        '79 XL250s     CL350K3
CB750K3        '76 XS650      '76 CJ360T

Offline grcamna2

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Re: 1974 Honda cb 550 four
« Reply #11 on: February 24, 2024, 03:42:55 PM »
subscribed
75' CB400F/'bunch o' parts' & 81' CB125S modded to a 'CB200S'
  I love the small ones too !
Do your BEST...nobody can take that away from you.