Author Topic: HONDA CB550 just came up for sale locally  (Read 4220 times)

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Offline Deltarider

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Re: HONDA CB550 just came up for sale locally
« Reply #25 on: June 10, 2025, 03:28:24 AM »
Old Honda's never die. Congrats! Needs maintenance though. Either not running evenly on all 4 or in need of checking and adjusting.
Do all 4 headers get equally hot?
Frame- and enginenumber?
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Online kyle750

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Re: HONDA CB550 just came up for sale locally
« Reply #26 on: June 10, 2025, 03:43:47 AM »

Do all 4 headers get equally hot?


I'm not very keen on grabbing headers when hot  ;) It is truly amazing how 50 year old neglected and unfired Honda engines can still rip
« Last Edit: June 10, 2025, 03:46:29 AM by kyle750 »

Online denward17

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Re: HONDA CB550 just came up for sale locally
« Reply #27 on: June 10, 2025, 04:30:16 AM »
video still not working for me..

Offline Deltarider

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Re: HONDA CB550 just came up for sale locally
« Reply #28 on: June 10, 2025, 04:52:03 AM »
I'm not very keen on grabbing headers when hot  ;) It is truly amazing how 50 year old neglected and unfired Honda engines can still rip
You don't have to grab them. Just flash touch with your fingertips right after it fired up. Some of us spit on their fingertips first. It's a simple and quick test done by many of us to check all 4 work evenly. If one (or two) remain significantly colder, it indicates the corresponding cylinder(s) need to have their ignition and eventually carburetion checked.
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Offline CycleRanger

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Re: HONDA CB550 just came up for sale locally
« Reply #29 on: June 10, 2025, 05:27:57 AM »
Well neat! Congrats!  :)
Glad it wasn't seized!
Do you have a copy of the Honda Shop Manual or Parts List for your bike? Get one here:
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Online kyle750

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Re: HONDA CB550 just came up for sale locally
« Reply #30 on: June 10, 2025, 06:52:37 AM »
WoW . . .  although not an original CB550 color the candy gold paint is really looking good.  Lots of flake in the paint.   In bright full sun the paint looks orange and  in low level light it turns to a pale yellow gold. A very bright shade of Candy Gold.

Not original but I actually like the 2 into 1 exhaust with the traditional megaphone look.  I believe they are stainless steel - I will check with a magnet tomorrow.

I also like the tank with solid color and no chrome trim.  Again more modern looking and I'm quessing the previous owner was after a later F1 CB550 Super Sport look with the bike.

Very happy with the bike but it will be a long road to full recovery
« Last Edit: June 10, 2025, 07:10:16 AM by kyle750 »

Offline seanbarney41

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Re: HONDA CB550 just came up for sale locally
« Reply #31 on: June 10, 2025, 07:07:56 AM »

Do all 4 headers get equally hot?


I'm not very keen on grabbing headers when hot  ;) It is truly amazing how 50 year old neglected and unfired Honda engines can still rip
Yes, it is amazing, but in this case, it's amazing that it ran at all as Delta is right, it is only running on 2 or 3 cylinders....in no way was it ripping.
If it works good, it looks good...

Online kyle750

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Re: HONDA CB550 just came up for sale locally
« Reply #32 on: June 10, 2025, 07:15:11 AM »



Yes, it is amazing, but in this case, it's amazing that it ran at all as Delta is right, it is only running on 2 or 3 cylinders....in no way was it ripping.

I was shocked it fired up and got it running.  Of course once running it was harder to negotiate a large discount on the price with the seller  ::)

In this photo you can better see the condition of the bike.  Very poor with rust throughout   

Also notice the side kickstand with JDM extra attachment
« Last Edit: June 10, 2025, 04:47:39 PM by kyle750 »

Offline CycleRanger

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Re: HONDA CB550 just came up for sale locally
« Reply #33 on: June 10, 2025, 07:48:17 AM »
I was shocked it fired up and got it running.  Of course once running it was harder to negotiate a large discount on the price with the seller  ::)
You may have had to pay a little more but you have probably saved more than that in time and money having to deal with a seized engine.
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

Online kyle750

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Re: HONDA CB550 just came up for sale locally
« Reply #34 on: June 10, 2025, 07:53:05 AM »
You may have had to pay a little more but you have probably saved more than that in time and money having to deal with a seized engine.

Thanks mate.  I was absolutely terrified of a seized engine

Online kyle750

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Re: HONDA CB550 just came up for sale locally
« Reply #35 on: June 10, 2025, 08:04:46 AM »
You don't have to grab them. Just flash touch with your fingertips right after it fired up. Some of us spit on their fingertips first. It's a simple and quick test done by many of us to check all 4 work evenly. If one (or two) remain significantly colder, it indicates the corresponding cylinder(s) need to have their ignition and eventually carburetion checked.

Very good to know and I will remember to do this next time I start the bike.   I only checked the pressure coming out of the pipes but you are right.   Since this has a 2 into 1 exhaust there is no way of telling if 1 or 2 cylinders are firing.  Thank You!
« Last Edit: June 10, 2025, 08:24:18 AM by kyle750 »

Offline grcamna2

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Re: HONDA CB550 just came up for sale locally
« Reply #36 on: June 10, 2025, 08:35:07 AM »
I hope you replace the plastic rear fender;this one installed on there now may not have enough strength to support that taillight assembly.
75' CB400F/'bunch o' parts'
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Do your BEST...nobody can take that away from you.

Online kyle750

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Re: HONDA CB550 just came up for sale locally
« Reply #37 on: June 10, 2025, 08:36:55 AM »
I hope you replace the plastic rear fender;this one installed on there now may not have enough strength to support that taillight assembly.

Tomorrow I will be making a list of what is needed.  The plastic fender is a goner - looks silly!

Offline newday777

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Re: HONDA CB550 just came up for sale locally
« Reply #38 on: June 10, 2025, 01:28:43 PM »

Congrats. So the motor wasn't frozen? It started when you got there to see it?

https://youtube.com/shorts/TPbFbWrovmQ

Private video, doesn't work for me....

Published and status changed to Public.  Pressure from both the 2 into 1 exhausts was very strong and equal in intensity. The rear fender is a replacement and is painted plastic  :o  Gas tank was 1/4 full and the inside walls looked clean with no rust.
I wondered about the rear fender.
It has promise to get going after a good cleaning.
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

Online kyle750

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Re: HONDA CB550 just came up for sale locally
« Reply #39 on: June 10, 2025, 04:16:52 PM »

It has promise to get going after a good cleaning.

The Thai Girls in my little village will be cleaning the bike this morning.   They call the CB750 "Thai Wife #1" and the CB550 "Thai Wife #2"

Offline BenelliSEI

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Re: HONDA CB550 just came up for sale locally
« Reply #40 on: June 10, 2025, 06:13:23 PM »

It has promise to get going after a good cleaning.

The Thai Girls in my little village will be cleaning the bike this morning.   They call the CB750 "Thai Wife #1" and the CB550 "Thai Wife #2"

I wish I knew anybody that would clean my bikes!

Offline willbird

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Re: HONDA CB550 just came up for sale locally
« Reply #41 on: June 10, 2025, 06:27:08 PM »

Congrats. So the motor wasn't frozen? It started when you got there to see it?

https://youtube.com/shorts/TPbFbWrovmQ

Why is the oil pressure light on ??

Bill

Private video, doesn't work for me....

Published and status changed to Public.  Pressure from both the 2 into 1 exhausts was very strong and equal in intensity. The rear fender is a replacement and is painted plastic  :o  Gas tank was 1/4 full and the inside walls looked clean with no rust.

Offline grcamna2

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Re: HONDA CB550 just came up for sale locally
« Reply #42 on: June 10, 2025, 08:23:47 PM »

It has promise to get going after a good cleaning.

The Thai Girls in my little village will be cleaning the bike this morning.   They call the CB750 "Thai Wife #1" and the CB550 "Thai Wife #2"

I wish I knew anybody that would clean my bikes!

 ;D ;) :)
75' CB400F/'bunch o' parts'
  I love the small ones too !
Do your BEST...nobody can take that away from you.

Online kyle750

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Re: HONDA CB550 just came up for sale locally
« Reply #43 on: June 10, 2025, 10:06:14 PM »
The Team hard at work.  The CB550 is covered in thick black grime.  The clean up transformation is shocking.

Kannika on the Left and Pai on the Right

The Best!
« Last Edit: June 11, 2025, 08:18:16 AM by kyle750 »

Offline seanbarney41

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Re: HONDA CB550 just came up for sale locally
« Reply #44 on: June 10, 2025, 10:16:13 PM »
Damn!  Those young ladies know more about bike cleaning than most American motorcycle owners!
If it works good, it looks good...

Offline newday777

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Re: HONDA CB550 just came up for sale locally
« Reply #45 on: June 11, 2025, 04:33:30 AM »
Cleaning the outside is good.....
But... if you haven't ordered Hondaman's new 500/550 restoration book, you will need it to clean the inside of the carbs.

There's a 10% discount until 6/13.

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,65293.0.html
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

Online kyle750

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Re: HONDA CB550 just came up for sale locally
« Reply #46 on: June 11, 2025, 08:08:46 AM »
Cleaning the outside is good.....
But... if you haven't ordered Hondaman's new 500/550 restoration book, you will need it to clean the inside of the carbs.

There's a 10% discount until 6/13.

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,65293.0.html

I will definitely be buying Hondaman's New CB550 book.  We are very fortunate he is sharing his experience and very helpful information.  An essential and valuable resource and I'm looking forward to ordering the book.   
« Last Edit: June 11, 2025, 08:10:23 AM by kyle750 »

Online kyle750

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Re: HONDA CB550 just came up for sale locally
« Reply #47 on: June 11, 2025, 08:12:40 AM »
1st round of cleaning today.  The engine was black with grime.  I made a list of everything "Thai Wife #2" will be needing.  It's a long and demanding list.
« Last Edit: June 11, 2025, 02:30:01 PM by kyle750 »

Online kyle750

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Re: HONDA CB550 just came up for sale locally
« Reply #48 on: June 11, 2025, 08:17:08 AM »

Why is the oil pressure light on ??


Thanks for the observation.   I will look into it before starting the bike again.  Checking the oil level would be a good place to start  :D

Offline grcamna2

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Re: HONDA CB550 just came up for sale locally
« Reply #49 on: June 11, 2025, 11:37:28 AM »

Why is the oil pressure light on ??


Thanks for the observation.   I will look into it before starting the bike again.  Checking the oil level would be a good place to start  :D

Will the bike idle at a certain rpm ?
75' CB400F/'bunch o' parts'
  I love the small ones too !
Do your BEST...nobody can take that away from you.