Topic: What have I been riding?

[josh550]

I recently bought what I thought was a 73 CB550 four.  The title says 73 and the sticker on the frame with the vin. says 6/73 and the engine and badges read 550, but after looking for info about the bike everything I have found, including the chart on this site, says that the 550 was not made until 74.  Is there a place where I can decode the vin?  Or is it possible that the 6/73 on the bike means that it went to the showroom on that date even though it was a 74 model and the DMV made a typo with the title? 
This might be a dumb question, but trying to figure it out has been drivingme nuts!

[TwoTired]

Honda believes you have a 74 model.  If you post your engine a frame numbers I can tell you what the Honda Motorcycle Identification Guide states, printed by American Honda Motorcycle Company.

The date on the headstock is the manufacture date in Japan.  Then there is the slow boat ride where ever in the world.  Also, next year models go on sale about September of the year prior to the model year.

I suspect you have an early manufactured 1974 CB550.
Cheers,

[josh550]

Thanks, that is great help!

[bryanj]

On the same plate that says 6/73 it should say the model and the frame (vin) number should start cb550-******** anyway

[dusterdude]

yea,its like my 750.its manufactured in august 1971,titled as a 72,but it is a k1.from all the info ive seen k1`s were not built in 72.