Author Topic: Honda CB550...whats there to know about these bikes? (Read 6077 times)

DarkRider · « **on:** September 25, 2007, 03:48:09 PM »

After a chat with the mechanic thats doing the service on my bike it was brought up he may have a Honda CB550 for sale...got talking to him today and he said i could have it for $200...Now i need to know what im getting myself into...All i know at this stage of the game that its black and has mint pipes coming with it along with needing a head gasket. The engine is already apart for the gasket though..just needs reassembly.

neil young · « **Reply #1 on:** September 25, 2007, 08:32:26 PM »

BUY IT
Chris theses bikes are dynamite.i have driven mine all over the place without a hitch.
they are easy to work on while still in the frame.unlike the 750's

get a Dyna s when you have the chance and the rest is gravy.
there are parts galore available still and.....OH just buy it.you wont be sorry.

Hope · « **Reply #2 on:** September 25, 2007, 09:25:50 PM »

You definitely do NOT want this bike!!!!

Tell me where it is and I will pic it up and tried to get paid for scrap metal. What is the address? Please be very specific as to where I can find this heap of junk. Trust me, you DO NOT want this bike...

hehehehe.. don't believe me. You'll love it when you get it running. If you don't get it for $200, I want it. Just give me his address.

DarkRider · « **Reply #3 on:** September 26, 2007, 06:18:20 AM »

Heh...figured this thing was gonna be a good deal. Sure i have my other bikes..but it will be nice to have another CB. Plus between it and my GPz...i will have two nice lil runabouts when i dont want to numb my hands out on the interceptors lol

DarkRider · « **Reply #4 on:** September 26, 2007, 04:22:16 PM »

I will say this though...theres a good chance im gonna want to go from 4 into 4 to a 4 into 1..Im bumping up the compression while its apart for the head gasket..have debated doing an overbore and bringing it closer to 600 cc..But for certian its getting increased compression and a hotter cam...More or less taking a cue from how Kawasaki made the GPz...pods will be thrown into the mix as well..Chances are good this lil 550 will be my cafe...

DarkRider · « **Reply #5 on:** September 28, 2007, 03:36:37 PM »

Found out for certian it is a 550K just not sure what year...hopefully i will find out on monday..if it helps were there any specific years that were black?

TwoTired · « **Reply #6 on:** September 28, 2007, 05:15:33 PM »

1977 and 78

DarkRider · « **Reply #7 on:** September 29, 2007, 05:10:38 PM »

That narrows it down a bit..only other thing that comes up is that it sounds like it has the rectangular fuel cap thats slightly flush mounted on the tank. Chances are for sure im picking this lil bike up. Even have some place to store a portion of the collection lol...the mechanic thats working on my bikes has space and will store my bikes for me for $30/Bike per month. Thats one option the other is at a friends house that once again i would be renting space..so either way i have the storage thing covered. once i finish the rennovations on my living space i may just move the CB into my porch so i can work on it during the winter perhaps...

upperlake04 · « **Reply #8 on:** September 29, 2007, 06:16:25 PM »

Quote

...i may just move the CB into my porch so i can work on it during the winter perhaps...

Jeez Chris, you're a bachelor - whats wrong with the living room?

DarkRider · « **Reply #9 on:** September 29, 2007, 07:05:05 PM »

well given the size of my living quarters...my porch will also be the living room lol

TwoTired · « **Reply #10 on:** September 30, 2007, 08:30:31 AM »

Quote from: OutlawZ24 on September 29, 2007, 05:10:38 PM

That narrows it down a bit..only other thing that comes up is that it sounds like it has the rectangular fuel cap thats slightly flush mounted on the tank.

1977 and 78

Tim. · « **Reply #11 on:** September 30, 2007, 04:01:08 PM »

If the 4 into 4 pipes are in good+ condition, you can sell them for 2x what you're paying for the bike.

DarkRider · « **Reply #12 on:** September 30, 2007, 05:53:19 PM »

From what i understand the pipes are mint..Indicating a low milage bike. The story behind it is this...the previous owner before the one im buying it from hydrolocked one of the cyls with over filling it with oil trying to regain lost compression from the leaking head gasket. So as said..the bike currently has the engine out with the head off for the new gasket..depending on the bikes milage i may just redo the headgasket and throw the engine back in..unless it would be a good idea to replace the gasket between the cyls and the block? If im pulling the cyls off anyways i may just look into some high compression pistons to gain some Hp as well as said a hotter cam if i can locate one.

DarkRider · « **Reply #13 on:** October 29, 2007, 06:45:56 AM »

Well just an update on this...turns out he has the cyls off as well so im replacing all the upper end gaskets...now im wondering is if there is an overbore kit avalable for this model anyone know? Also anyone have any suggestions to get a little more power out of this bike?

RRRToolSolutions · « **Reply #14 on:** October 29, 2007, 06:57:45 PM »

Outlaw - I want those pipes if they are as good as you thought. Seriously. I'm looking for a set of mint pipes to go on my low mileage baby here.

Regards,
Gordon

TwoTired · « **Reply #15 on:** October 30, 2007, 02:07:06 AM »

Quote from: Ilbikes on October 29, 2007, 06:57:45 PM

Outlaw - I want those pipes if they are as good as you thought. Seriously. I'm looking for a set of mint pipes to go on my low mileage baby here.

Regards,
Gordon

77-78 Pipes are not period correct for a CB500 and have quite a different look about them.

Cheers,

DarkRider · « **Reply #16 on:** October 30, 2007, 06:08:18 AM »

Anyone have any pics of the 77 and 78 550s? Just so i can get an idea as to how the bike should look..

DarkRider · « **Reply #17 on:** October 31, 2007, 06:53:22 AM »

What all can be done with this little bike? I plan on keeping it stock in appearance after all and it will be the bike that gets the blitz black treatment but i want to know what can be done to get a little more performance out of the little bike.

Green550F · « **Reply #18 on:** November 01, 2007, 08:57:31 PM »

Wish I had a good set of origional pipes for my 75 550! Hate the look of the Jardine ones it came with!

A RATTY POS 550K was sold near me last year for a Whopping $900! didn't even look like it could be ridden home. $200 is a hell of a bargain!

TwoTired · « **Reply #19 on:** November 01, 2007, 11:38:28 PM »

Quote from: OutlawZ24 on October 30, 2007, 06:08:18 AM

Anyone have any pics of the 77 and 78 550s? Just so i can get an idea as to how the bike should look..

I can probably take some pics of my 78, if you think it would help. It no longer has the headlight bits on it, though. Anything in particular you want made prominent?

Cheers,

neil young · « **Reply #20 on:** November 02, 2007, 12:07:36 AM »

Quote from: Green550F on November 01, 2007, 08:57:31 PM

Wish I had a good set of origional pipes for my 75 550! Hate the look of the Jardine ones it came with!

A RATTY POS 550K was sold near me last year for a Whopping $900! didn't even look like it could be ridden home. $200 is a hell of a bargain!

i love the look of my Jardine slip ons

bill3749 · « **Reply #21 on:** November 02, 2007, 12:21:20 AM »

Buy it!

DarkRider · « **Reply #22 on:** November 02, 2007, 05:31:34 AM »

Quote from: TwoTired on November 01, 2007, 11:38:28 PM

Quote from: OutlawZ24 on October 30, 2007, 06:08:18 AM
Anyone have any pics of the 77 and 78 550s? Just so i can get an idea as to how the bike should look..

I can probably take some pics of my 78, if you think it would help. It no longer has the headlight bits on it, though. Anything in particular you want made prominent?

Cheers,

Basicly over all shots of the bike so i can get an idea of how it should look when its all together.

Thanx in advance

TwoTired · « **Reply #23 on:** November 02, 2007, 04:03:47 PM »

Quote from: OutlawZ24 on November 02, 2007, 05:31:34 AM

Basicly over all shots of the bike so i can get an idea of how it should look when its all together.

OK, heres my 78 cb550K.

Known differences front stock:
- Handle bars have 2-3 inch setback blocks on top tree. Fat grips are an upgrade.
- Headlight, headlight mounts and front turn sigs missing. They should be large ones like on the back. This had a Vetter Quicksilver fairing on it when I got it.
- Vetter fairing mount is an addition.
- The chrome trim piece at the bottom edge of the tank is in my garage somewhere.
- Oil pressure gauge under the point cover is a modification.
- Tires are oversize.

Cheers,

TwoTired · « **Reply #24 on:** November 02, 2007, 04:20:08 PM »

I don't know if Neil posted his bike pics as a 77-78 example. But, it has a number of discrepancies for that marque. Only the carbs and tank appear correct for a 77/78. The rest seems to be parts drawn from a 74 - 76K and side covers from even earlier models.

Cheers,

DarkRider · « **Reply #25 on:** November 02, 2007, 07:42:30 PM »

Thats a nice looking bike minus the lack of a headlight..what did the vetter look like?

TwoTired · « **Reply #26 on:** November 03, 2007, 05:53:30 PM »

I moved it to my 76 CB550F pic below.
Smaller than a windjammer yet you can ride with your helmet visor up. Has compartments for "things". I prefer it to the windjammer in all but the coldest weather.

Of course, cafe racer idols will hate it. But, I don't care. It suits me fine. I wish I could find another one (with mount for a 550). It's just about the perfect fairing for the 550, in my opinion.

Thanks for getting me to drag it out and giving it a good run on the twisty roads near Calaveras reservoir. It was a quite enjoyable ride. Perfect weather.

Cheers,

DarkRider · « **Reply #27 on:** November 03, 2007, 06:32:12 PM »

Looks like an interesting lil fairing...Im looking at a couple Puig windscreens for this bike as well as my GS1100..one may also find its way onto my S2 havent decided yet but i know the 550 is getting one for certian..

heres a pic of the windscreens that im considering
Top

Naked

GroovieGhoulie · « **Reply #28 on:** November 03, 2007, 08:13:26 PM »

Quote from: Green550F on November 01, 2007, 08:57:31 PM

Wish I had a good set of origional pipes for my 75 550! Hate the look of the Jardine ones it came with!

A RATTY POS 550K was sold near me last year for a Whopping $900! didn't even look like it could be ridden home. $200 is a hell of a bargain!

The original pipes are still available. Not cheap, but they can be bought new.

DarkRider · « **Reply #29 on:** November 04, 2007, 01:49:47 PM »

Since im going with the 650 head the stock pipes will be avalabable gordon. Im going to be going with a custom 4 into 1 that replicates the Supertrapp 4 into 1 on my GPz550

News:

Author Topic: Honda CB550...whats there to know about these bikes? (Read 6077 times)

upperlake04