Topic: What kind of intake boot is this? 550 F0

[denward17]

550 F0
Is this a special intake boot?

[jakec]

Looks like the threaded end of a hose sleeve for a radiator or something like that... looks like something I've seen on my dad's car.

[Stev-o]

Yeah agree with Jake, just a cosmetic cover of some sort.  Have never seen a brake lever like that either?

You on the search for an F bike, Den?!

[denward17]

Yeah agree with Jake, just a cosmetic cover of some sort.  Have never seen a brake lever like that either?

You on the search for an F bike, Den?!

Maybe, it's so close locally that I have inquired about seeing it.

[Stev-o]

Yeah agree with Jake, just a cosmetic cover of some sort.  Have never seen a brake lever like that either?

You on the search for an F bike, Den?!

Maybe, it's so close locally that I have inquired about seeing it.

I've had both, F & K models, both are great bikes.  When I was getting back into vintage bikes, I fell into love with the 550F exhaust system, it's like a work of art.  I sold off my K models but still have 1  of the many F's that I bought over the years. It has the original exhaust which is hard to find.  And it appears the bike you are looking at has it too.

[denward17]

^It appears to, along with a lot of other changes (good or bad).

I'll report back if they respond.

[HondaMan]

It looks like the brake lever is something out of the ordinary, possibly to clear that brake lever?

[Mark1976]

Yeah agree with Jake, just a cosmetic cover of some sort.  Have never seen a brake lever like that either?

You on the search for an F bike, Den?!

Maybe, it's so close locally that I have inquired about seeing it.

   Kinda hard to turn down a reasonably intact F model at a decent price, they're an attractive machine... it's got less than 5k on it....

[carnivorous chicken]

Looks like most of that stuff is cosmetic. The brake lever looks stock just with a pad added to it. The peg isn't stock, but looks like the mount is. And looks like someone covered up the end of the engine mounting bolt as well. Someone just wanted to add their own touch I guess, but easily brought back to stock looking. and the F0 doesn't have the tank lid (IIRC) and a few other cosmetic things different from the later 550Fs.

And I'll add to the chorus -- I brought a 550F down here to Mexico City 6 months ago and it has been a blast. I'd owned a few 550Ks of various years, but never an F. And mine has the OEM exhaust as well.

[jlh3rd]

"and the F0 doesn't have the tank lid (IIRC)"

??

[carnivorous chicken]

"and the F0 doesn't have the tank lid (IIRC)"

??

My mistake, must've been thinking of the Ks.

[jlh3rd]

F's are great bikes.

[Stev-o]

It looks like the brake lever is something out of the ordinary, possibly to clear that brake lever?

Not sure I follow you, HM??

[denward17]

Went to see the bike, the intake thingies are just decorative covers on the 2 outer carbs.
Asking is $2700.

Bike looked ok overall, I left without giving an offer, needed quite a bit for me ((to get back to stock configuration (new handle bars, all cables, foot pegs) seat needed recovering, head gasket oil leaks and inside of gas tank looked horrible)).

Speedometer/tachometer looked like they had been tampered with, so no telling how many miles.  Tach is not original either.

[jlh3rd]

for that matter, neither is the speedo.

[denward17]

for that matter, neither is the speedo.

Do you have a picture of the correct OEM tach/speedo?

[jlh3rd]

yes. The speedo is NOS, the tach has an aftermarket faceplate. 1975 U.S. Honda 550F's had dark green faceplates. I re-did the tach.

[jlh3rd]

I have an original, unrestored, mint 550F if you have other questions.
I've done extensive research on just what is factory on this particular model.

[denward17]

^Wow, Thanks for the info......

I made an offer that was turned down, will wait him out a little while, I hope he sells it to someone else.

I did some calculations this afternoon after just finishing a 550K model, so I estimated it would take about $2K to get it back cosmetically like I would want it (OEM configuration or close approximation), and road worthy.

[jlh3rd]

sounds like you would know...

[BenelliSEI]

^Wow, Thanks for the info......

I made an offer that was turned down, will wait him out a little while, I hope he sells it to someone else.

I did some calculations this afternoon after just finishing a 550K model, so I estimated it would take about $2K to get it back cosmetically like I would want it (OEM configuration or close approximation), and road worthy.

Didn’t take you long to start looking again…… Impressive!

[denward17]

^Wow, Thanks for the info......

I made an offer that was turned down, will wait him out a little while, I hope he sells it to someone else.

I did some calculations this afternoon after just finishing a 550K model, so I estimated it would take about $2K to get it back cosmetically like I would want it (OEM configuration or close approximation), and road worthy.

Didn’t take you long to start looking again…… Impressive!

LOL, I'm trying to be a bit more discerning if there is a "next" one.

[Mark1976]

^Wow, Thanks for the info......

I made an offer that was turned down, will wait him out a little while, I hope he sells it to someone else.

I did some calculations this afternoon after just finishing a 550K model, so I estimated it would take about $2K to get it back cosmetically like I would want it (OEM configuration or close approximation), and road worthy.

Didn’t take you long to start looking again…… Impressive!

LOL, I'm trying to be a bit more discerning if there is a "next" one.

   I think CB is short for "constantly buying" but I could be wrong. It is what it is, $2700 is a little steep, but I suffer from "short arm deep pocket syndrome", your health and judgment may be better (more than likely) than mine. Tough time of the year to be spending cash on near 50 year old bikes. Maybe after the holidays...

[Stev-o]

Den - I think you did the right thing, $2700 does seem high for the bike in that condition. Sounds like the mods can be easily changed, but did it have original paint in good condition?

[denward17]

Den - I think you did the right thing, $2700 does seem high for the bike in that condition. Sounds like the mods can be easily changed, but did it have original paint in good condition?

The seller does not know if paint is original, but it looked original to me in pretty good shape.
The seller is selling for a friend, the owner has passed a few years back and she decided it was time to let it go.