Topic: Just bought my first bike, '74 cb550

[coheed]

Hey guys like the title says I just bought my first bike, a 1974 cb550. I got it in pretty rough shape with no tank seat carbs or exhaust, and a seized engine. But Im currently restoring it to "mostly" stock. Will have apes, lower the rear and repaint everything, while makeing a few parts. This may sound like a dumb question, but how many gears is my bike supposed to have? I can find 3, and for some reason that seems right but I wanted to be sure. edit: I forgot to put I live in Maiden, NC.

[my78k]

Hmmm...I just always assumed they were a 5 speed tranny. Funny I have never seen this come up on this site if it were different...

Dennis

[TwoTired]

All the 550's are 5 speeds.  You might need some rear wheel movement to get all the gears to mesh without the engine running.

[coheed]

All the 550's are 5 speeds.  You might need some rear wheel movement to get all the gears to mesh without the engine running.

This is true hadnt thought of that. But obviously cant check it cause the thing is on the other end of the spectrum from running.

[my78k]

You don't need it running...just rolling (slightly)

[coheed]

You don't need it running...just rolling (slightly)

Not anywhere near that either ie no wheels, swingarm, or suspension period.

[TwoTired]

You don't need it running...just rolling (slightly)

Not anywhere near that either ie no wheels, swingarm, or suspension period.

Then turn the front sprocket by hand while operating the shift lever.