Topic: Purchasing a bike - advice please

[NeilH]

Hi there,

I've been looking for a Honda 400/ 500/ 550 Four as a second bike for a considerable amount of time. Which out of the models stated would you recommend? What should I look out for when viewing one of these bikes?

I've found a 550 Four which looks to be in good condition but did Honda produce a 1978 550/4 F in this colour?

Any advice appreciated!

Neil

[kslrr]

Looks nice.  If you can take it for a test ride that should help you decide.  If not this one, the 400 Four is a sweet little bike as well.

[mcpuffett]

Hi Niel, it looks ok nice & tidy etc & all there , not sure if the colour is correct or not but someone else in the know will chime in , and not sure if price is about right or maybe a little high? cheers mick.

[Geeto67]

no, because there was no 550F in 1978. Only 1977. Even in 1977 that still doen't look stock. There was a 78 550K but that looks totally different.

Still it is nice, who really cares if it is the original color or not.

[TwoTired]

It's a european model, I'd guess.  Except for the smaller  turn sigs it is like a 76  US model 550F  with the accordian boot forks and the 2 stay front fender.  The black tail light mount is the first I've seen, US models were chrome.  Maybe to accommodate the billboard license plate?  The color looks right for a US 76 model, too.

The handle bar end shouldn't be open like that.  Probably an incomplete bar grip change.

Looks like a pretty nice example in the pics.    In the states, that price would be top dollar "for collectors only".  Of course, it wouldn't be period correct for a US model.
I don't know how to value a Brit model bike.

They are very nice bikes, though,  I've got 4 of them.

Cheers,

[paxtonpony]

Original or not, that's a nice little bike.  The price is way too high for the states but who knows what a fair price is over there.  One thing to think about is a lot of bikes from that time frame sat on showrooms for a year or two at a time.  The 'born on' date may be 1976 but will be titled or registered as a 1978.  I could be wrong in relation to your country but I have a 94 VFR that's titled as a 95.