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Author Topic: Should my cb550 have fork covers?  (Read 627 times)

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Offline Joemillar1994

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Should my cb550 have fork covers?
« on: February 20, 2024, 11:44:12 AM »
Hi All!

Currently rebuilding my CB550 forks and not sure if it should have the fork covers or not? It says in my haynes book that the cb550f models should have them, and they had them on their when I bought the bike. Model is a 1977 CB550 four

thanks!
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Offline jlh3rd

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Re: Should my cb550 have fork covers?
« Reply #1 on: February 20, 2024, 01:06:29 PM »
the '75 and '76 U.S. models had fork boots. The '77 did not.

are you sure it's a '77? Should say so on the frame tag along with the number.
« Last Edit: February 20, 2024, 01:08:20 PM by jlh3rd »
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Offline newday777

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Re: Should my cb550 have fork covers?
« Reply #2 on: February 20, 2024, 01:07:47 PM »
Quote from: Joemillar1994 on February 20, 2024, 11:44:12 AM
Hi All!

Currently rebuilding my CB550 forks and not sure if it should have the fork covers or not? It says in my haynes book that the cb550f models should have them, and they had them on their when I bought the bike. Model is a 1977 CB550 four

thanks!
Welcome aboard the forum Joe
When you say fork covers, are you referring to the accordion boots between the headlight ears and the lower fork legs?
If so, the accordion boots ended with the 1976 model.

1977 K model CB550.
https://www.southsoundhonda.com/--xpartsstream#/Honda_Powersports/CB550KA_(77)_550_FOUR_K%2c_JPN%2c_VIN%23_CB550K-2000007_TO_CB550K-2015308/FRONT_FORK/e78b9119-f792-4cf6-ab47-c471041bb569/9fd2cbd7-9789-4219-8314-c29c084cee8c/y

1977 F(Supersport) model didn't have the accordion boots either.
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Stu
Honda Parts manager in the mid 1970s Nashua Honda
My current rides
1975 K5 Planet Blue my summer ride, it was a friend's bike I worked with at the Honda shop in 76, lots of fun to be on it again
1976 K6 Anteres Red rebuilding project, was originally my brother's that I set up from the crate, it'll breath again soon!
Project 750s, 2 K4, 2 K6, 1 K8
2008 GL1800 my daily ride and cross country runner

Prior bikes....
1972 Suzuki GT380 I had charge of it for a year in 1973 while my friend was deployed and learned to love street riding....
New CB450 K7 after my friend returned...
New CB750 K5 Planet Blue, demise by ex cousin in law at 9,000 miles...
New CB750 K6 Anteres Red, to replace the totaled K5, I sold this K6 at 45k in 1983, I had heavily modified it, many great memories on it and have missed it greatly.....
1983 GL1100A, 1999 GL1500 SE, 1999 GL1500A

Offline Nurse Julie

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Re: Should my cb550 have fork covers?
« Reply #3 on: February 20, 2024, 01:57:58 PM »
On our UK models, the 550F1 had the rubber gators, the F2 (and the K3) didn't have them.
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Offline Deltarider

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Re: Should my cb550 have fork covers?
« Reply #4 on: February 21, 2024, 12:34:37 AM »
I'm sorry to repeat my self.
I love gaiters. In spite of over 140.000 kms, they are still as new and so far I did not have to replace any seal yet. For the rest, it's all a matter of taste ofcourse.
Gaiters are for men, shiny legs are for sissies who shave their legs. Sorry, just another opinion. ;)
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Offline MauiK3

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Re: Should my cb550 have fork covers?
« Reply #5 on: February 21, 2024, 06:52:16 AM »
I too like gaiters, they really serve a purpose here in our marine environment, they slow down the effects of salt.
I hate to see dirt on a chrome shaft designed for a seal to slide by.
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Offline BenelliSEI

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Re: Should my cb550 have fork covers?
« Reply #6 on: February 21, 2024, 08:14:20 PM »
Not sure about ‘77, but my ‘78 550K did not have them. Honda did fit a set of top “wipers” above the seals. These keep dust and dirt from getting directly in contact with the oil seals.
« Last Edit: February 21, 2024, 08:16:29 PM by BenelliSEI »
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Offline Stev-o

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Re: Should my cb550 have fork covers?
« Reply #7 on: February 22, 2024, 07:44:07 AM »
Quote from: Joemillar1994 on February 20, 2024, 11:44:12 AM
Hi All!

Model is a 1977 CB550 four

thanks!

Here is the model guide for your bike...

http://www.sohc4.com/cb550/cb550/#cb550f

Clearly states "fork boots were eliminated".  Good luck finding out why yours has them, could be a number of reasons including a front end collision, no telling what these bikes have been through in 50 years! [unless you are the original owner]
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'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline exponent

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Re: Should my cb550 have fork covers?
« Reply #8 on: February 24, 2024, 09:09:06 AM »
Quote from: BenelliSEI on February 21, 2024, 08:14:20 PM
Not sure about ‘77, but my ‘78 550K did not have them. Honda did fit a set of top “wipers” above the seals. These keep dust and dirt from getting directly in contact with the oil seals.


Yours looks just like mine!
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'78 550K 2106630

Offline BenelliSEI

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Re: Should my cb550 have fork covers?
« Reply #9 on: February 24, 2024, 12:11:26 PM »
Quote from: exponent on February 24, 2024, 09:09:06 AM
Quote from: BenelliSEI on February 21, 2024, 08:14:20 PM
Not sure about ‘77, but my ‘78 550K did not have them. Honda did fit a set of top “wipers” above the seals. These keep dust and dirt from getting directly in contact with the oil seals.


Yours looks just like mine!

Right down to the crash bars and low bars!
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Offline Joemillar1994

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Re: Should my cb550 have fork covers?
« Reply #10 on: February 28, 2024, 10:56:43 AM »
Hi All!

thanks for the replies, massive help! Glad to be on the forum :)
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