Topic: HONDA CB550 just came up for sale locally

[kyle750]

This CB550 just came up for sale very near to where I live - only 30 minutes away.   Seller states  "The engine is stuck. Parked for a long time. Must go to chase it."  Seller also says it's a 1980 but that does not seem correct to me.  Price is very reasonable.  I will be looking at the bike in the next few days.  Any thoughts, observations, or advice would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks!

[kyle750]

It's a strange coincidence but the condition of the CB550 looks eerily similar to my CB750 when I first bought it with nearly identical rusted wheels and surface rust throughout.  From the photos I would say the CB550 is in slightly better cosmetic condition.  My CB750 was in poor cosmetic condition but engine was running well.  The CB550 is not running.

[kyle750]

Notice the red dot speed warning light in the steering column nut so this is a JDM bike

[Deltarider]

Notice the red dot speed warning light in the steering column nut so this is a JDM bike

Thailand and Malaysia also had that. Smaller blinkers and petcock would make it a CB550(K0), but - as I do not have a partslist in those alphabets - it's a guess.

[Stev-o]

Fair amount of rust on that bile, but have seen worse. Non-stock items include paint color, exhaust and seat cover.

"Engine stuck" is a fairly common issue when bikes sit for a long time, the rings rust to the cylinder walls.  It can be "unstuck", a lot us of soak the cylinders with a "cocktail mixture" of acetone and ATF and then rock it back and forth to free it up.

You may want to research parts availability for the 550 in your area, here in the States, its no problem but some parts may be as available as your 750.  550's are great bikes, I really like my '76 550F.

[CycleRanger]

Looks decent enough. Obviously needs some level of restoration.
Paint looks recent. Check the inside of the tank.
The engine could come unstuck and maybe run ok or not come unstuck and need a total top end job or something in between.
No way to really know.

[bryanj]

Cant be 1980, carbs make it pre 76

[seanbarney41]

Stuck engines?....sometimes they just want to live, other times they don't.  Best thing to do is to use a borescope down the spark plug hole and have a look at what's going on (or not) in there.  Of course, you may have to buy it to find out so don't pay much.

[denward17]

I was thinking green guage faces indicated '76 model, but not sure on JDM models.

[kyle750]

Best thing to do is to use a borescope down the spark plug hole and have a look at what's going on (or not) in there.  Of course, you may have to buy it to find out so don't pay much.

I ordered a borescope this morning and paid extra for super fast delivery.  It should be here in the afternoon.  I should have had a borescope when I bought the CB750 to properly inspect the gas tank before buying the bike although rust or no rust in the tank  I would have still bought the CB750.  I now have a second opportunity to do better on an initial inspection.  Thanks!

[CycleRanger]

Make sure to check the engine and frame numbers. That will tell you what it really is.

[kyle750]

Make sure to check the engine and frame numbers. That will tell you what it really is.

I have requested photos of the frame and engine number from the seller.

[kyle750]

The biggest unknown is the condition of the engine and what it will need to get it running.  The biggest expense will be the exhaust.  Just like the CB750 original 4 into 4 pipes for the CB550 are expensive.  While searching for CB750 parts I came accross a seller who had a set of early CB550 pipes in decent condition.  I sent an email to him to see if they are still available. Who knows maybe they came off this bike?

[kyle750]

The bike was started with a cold start and is running.   I bought it 

[denward17]

Delkevic makes a nice set of reproductions 4 into 4 pipes.

Oh, Congrats on the 550, they are nice bikes to ride...

[kyle750]

Bike will be delivered in 2 hours.  I am VERY EXCITED 

[HondaMan]

Congratulations!

[bryanj]

Well done and unlike the 750 the engine top end can be stripped with engine in frame

[kyle750]

Delivered 

[Deltarider]

Frame- and enginenumber?

[grcamna2]

Now you have something to work with 
I hope you enjoy it. 

[newday777]

The bike was started with a cold start and is running.   I bought it 

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

[kyle750]

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

https://youtube.com/shorts/TPbFbWrovmQ

[denward17]

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....

[kyle750]

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    Gas tank was 1/4 full and the inside walls looked clean with no rust.