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Author Topic: cb350 vs. cb550  (Read 10476 times)

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Offline Noco

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cb350 vs. cb550
« on: April 07, 2009, 11:53:06 AM »
I was fixing up my 76 550F to sell to a friend but now it's iffy because of parts problems.

there a few 70's 350s for sale in the area, but no 550.

Does anyone have an opinion of the 350 vs. the 550?

Do either one work well on the highway?

He will probably be riding the twisties in the country, but trying to keep up with 750's.

cheers
Noah
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Offline heffay

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Re: cb350 vs. cb550
« Reply #1 on: April 07, 2009, 12:24:03 PM »
i don't normally take my 350f cafe on the interstate but it'll do it... just sounds like i'm raping the crap out of it.

350f is more of a tool around town and twisty canyon type of ride, my opinion of course.
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Offline heffay

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Re: cb350 vs. cb550
« Reply #2 on: April 07, 2009, 12:25:22 PM »
you didn't say 350f... so are they 350 twins or fours? 
i'd jump on any 350f if i had the money as they are the rarest of the SOHC4s
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Today: '73 cb350f, '96 Ducati 900 Supersport
Past Rides: '72 tc125, '94 cbr600f2, '76 rd400, '89 ex500, '93 KTM-125exc, '92 zx7r, '93 Banshee, '83 ATC250R, 77/75 cb400f

Offline Johnny5

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Re: cb350 vs. cb550
« Reply #3 on: April 07, 2009, 01:05:09 PM »
The 350 wont even come close to keeping up with a 750.

I agree with the poster above, the 350 is great for around town and leaning into some curvy back roads.
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Offline Noco

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Re: cb350 vs. cb550
« Reply #4 on: April 07, 2009, 01:28:20 PM »
I haven't ever seen a 350F!
I think I would be tempted to buy a 3rd bike if I saw one.

around here they are twins

are 350Fs four cylinder?
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Offline heffay

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Re: cb350 vs. cb550
« Reply #5 on: April 07, 2009, 01:50:53 PM »
yes  ;)

cb350 twins are everywhere!
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Today: '73 cb350f, '96 Ducati 900 Supersport
Past Rides: '72 tc125, '94 cbr600f2, '76 rd400, '89 ex500, '93 KTM-125exc, '92 zx7r, '93 Banshee, '83 ATC250R, 77/75 cb400f

Offline Hush

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Re: cb350 vs. cb550
« Reply #6 on: April 07, 2009, 02:16:56 PM »
350f's are the coolest of the old 350's, sound like an industrial sewing machine, not the fastest 350 ever built but solid reliable and definitely rebuildable.
550's and 500's are a lot rarer here in NZ.
He wont keep up with any 750's though on a CB350f. ;D
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Offline HondanutRider

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Re: cb350 vs. cb550
« Reply #7 on: April 07, 2009, 02:42:52 PM »
Quote from: Noco on April 07, 2009, 01:28:20 PM
are 350Fs four cylinder?

You bet they are!!!  The sweetest, smallest four-cylinder production bike made.
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Offline flybox1

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Re: cb350 vs. cb550
« Reply #8 on: April 07, 2009, 02:44:59 PM »
things that bring a smile to my face.....

sex ;)

booze  8)

my kids  :D

....and riding my 350Four!  ;D

yesterdays ride, i passed my backwoods gas station. 5 plastic sportbikes were filling. I went by in 4th gear @6000rpm.  got some heads turning.   i dont think they knew what i was on. ;D  about 20 minutes later, they caught up with me, got some thumbs-up.  easily held my own in the twisties, but those bikes kill on the straights.  got some thumbs-up from 'em  8)

...love that $ht!
« Last Edit: April 07, 2009, 02:46:44 PM by flybox1 »
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'78 750K (F3 engine) PD42b's, Modified airbox w/K&N  filter, 40/110 jets, 1 needle shim, IMS@ 1 turn out. Kerker + Cone 18" QuietCore

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Offline kslrr

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Re: cb350 vs. cb550
« Reply #9 on: April 07, 2009, 02:54:29 PM »
Reading your story flybox has got me yelling in my head here at work I'VE GOT TO FINISH MY 350!!!!  I have not riden it any distance since 1989!
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Now  1972 CB350FX (experimental v2.0)
        1981 CB650c Custom with '79 engine (wifes)
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Offline flybox1

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Re: cb350 vs. cb550
« Reply #10 on: April 07, 2009, 03:40:42 PM »
 :D
glad you didnt yell out loud you need to get piss drunk and L@ID!

nothing but lake loops and backwoods 2-laners out by me. 
counting the minutes until i can punch out and get some "2-wheel therapy" before the wife and kids descend on me.  ;)
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'78 750K (F3 engine) PD42b's, Modified airbox w/K&N  filter, 40/110 jets, 1 needle shim, IMS@ 1 turn out. Kerker + Cone 18" QuietCore

Past Bikes
1974 550K0 (stock), 1973 CB350F (stock), 1983 Yamaha XS400K (POS)
77/78 cool 2 member #3
"Knowledge without mileage equals bullsh!t" - Henry Rollins

"This is my CB. There are many like it, but this one is mine…"

Offline stevenmgrr

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Re: cb350 vs. cb550
« Reply #11 on: April 07, 2009, 04:58:13 PM »
When I was looking for a bike, I originally was looking for a CB350.  The guy that I called who had the 350 also had a 71 CB500.  He asked what I would be using the bike for and I told him that I wanted something to get around town and keep up with friends that have Triumphs (new ones) and occasional highway rides.  He recommended the 500 because the 350 would be wide open at highway speeds.  He sold me the CB500 for the same price I have been very happy.
« Last Edit: April 08, 2009, 08:47:58 AM by stevenmgrr »
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Offline mlinder

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Re: cb350 vs. cb550
« Reply #12 on: April 07, 2009, 05:04:48 PM »
I hit 95 regularly on my cb350, 65-70 was a little high on the RPMs for extended periods, but not terribly. Smooth enough engine that you really don't notice, in my opinion...
That being said, the 500/550/650 or 750 does make a better highway bike, to be sure.
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Offline fmctm1sw

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Re: cb350 vs. cb550
« Reply #13 on: April 07, 2009, 05:11:38 PM »
Quote from: Hush on April 07, 2009, 02:16:56 PM
He wont keep up with any 750's though on a CB350f. ;D

Exactly...  Not one running on all cylinders anyway...
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Offline schwebel

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Re: cb350 vs. cb550
« Reply #14 on: April 07, 2009, 06:27:54 PM »
As having owned  CB/CL350 twins, 350f, and a 550 I have a couple observations.

The twins (including the 450/500), are great backroads bikes. Very torquey and fun to blast out of turns. I really like the "scrambler versions". But they are not near as smooth as the Honda 4's. And also seem to lack oomph on the highway.

The 350f is a great around town bike. Nice and smooth, and has one of my favorite exhaust notes (it gets addicting). It's the swiss watch of the old Hondas. It revs pretty high over 50mph, but you don't really notice that much. But it would not be my first choice for a highway cruiser.

The 500/550's make up for what the others do in power. But it seems to lack the character of the others. It'll cruise on the highway and tackle the backroads. A great all around bike, even if it doesn't have a lot of panache.



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Offline heffay

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Re: cb350 vs. cb550
« Reply #15 on: April 07, 2009, 07:12:25 PM »
by the way... my 350f is the only bike i've vowed to never sell.

by the way... that was before i found sohc4.net   ;)

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Today: '73 cb350f, '96 Ducati 900 Supersport
Past Rides: '72 tc125, '94 cbr600f2, '76 rd400, '89 ex500, '93 KTM-125exc, '92 zx7r, '93 Banshee, '83 ATC250R, 77/75 cb400f
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