Topic: CB500 vs. CB550

[lassenc]

What's the huge difference?

Is it only the bore or what?

[SteveD CB500F]

There are many detail differences between the two, but who's to say that Honda wouldn't have made those changes anyway if it had stayed as a 500 (after all, they changed the 750 over the years).

I think the extra 50cc was really a marketing ploy to keep up with the opposition who had launched 550 and 650 4 cylinder four-strokes.

I've got one of each (and prefer the old 500 any day  )

[JD]

Not very much.  Besides the bore the biggest change was a better clutch and possibly the trasmission but I can't quite recall.  The paint carried over to the 74 550 and then changed for the rest.

[TwoTired]

The clutch and clutch actuator were significantly improved for the CB550.  As was the shifing mechanism for the transmission.  A geriatric Honda mechanic (Bruce) told me he did a lot more transmission work (bent shift forks) on the Cb500.  But, considerably less so on the CB550.
Honda upped the CCs to differentiate from the CB500 and separate it form the reputation the CB500 had.

Be aware I'm talking about the US models CB500 K0 to K2.  There is a european K3 Cb500 that is the exactly the same design as the CB550 K3 except for displacement.  I think this was done because of local laws that required more restrictive operator licensing for bikes over 500ccs.

Cheers,

[SteveD CB500F]

In the UK we only had the K0 and K1 (although my 500 has a K2 engine according to Bryans list...)

The main difference (apart from the engine) is that the 550 sold here was the F and had 4-1 with different seat and tank. Also had the larger clocks and ignition switch moved up to the console. In 77 they let us have the 550K3 with 4-4 and new carbs.

I've seen a 500K3 on eBay UK which was imported from Italy

[lassenc]

The one I am looking on has the later (Better) clutch

[Paul]

Also on the 550F. I think one of the directors sons got a design job there, Because for some reason they designed the kick start such that you have to lift the foot peg out of the way before kicking. And worst of all, there's no big sign there that warns you as you lunge down only to crash into the peg. @@**.....once.

[Dennis]

There are many detail differences between the two, but who's to say that Honda wouldn't have made those changes anyway if it had stayed as a 500 (after all, they changed the 750 over the years).

I think the extra 50cc was really a marketing ploy to keep up with the opposition who had launched 550 and 650 4 cylinder four-strokes.

I've got one of each (and prefer the old 500 any day  )

 

"I've got one of each (and prefer the old 500 any day  )"

Steve, can you tell us why?

I've got a CB500 K1 (I think) complete, or it will be after I put a top back on the engine, a similar parts bike (complete, engine case broken by ignition, but runs) and a third bike (identical to the first) mostly there except for the usual pirated items, seat, carbs and side covers. Engine seems to be OK, but obviously I have not seen it run.  I also have most of 2 CB550 engines with the later clutch and transmission arrangement.
I will be reasembling the first as original and am wondering whether to use a 500 or 550 bottom end for the second. I have no idea of the condition of these 550 bottoms. Tops are off but that is another long complicated story.
They are all identical CB500K frames and running gear, so I am trying to figure which engine to build for the second one which will be a little stripped down. I'm still undecided on the final appearance.

[SteveD CB500F]

Its all subjective but...

The 500 is a classic - the first middleweight, affordable "gentlemans express". It looks fantastic and draws admiring comments whether I'm at a bike meet or just riding around town. It has Hagon shocks and Avon tyres and handles pretty well.  I had one in 1976 (see avatar).

My 550K3 is a "nut-and-bolt" restoration by PO and is almost perfect. Its like a 3rd (?) generation "classic". It has standard shocks and doesn't "nip" into corners like the 500. It follows road irregularities (maybe the Pirellis). In short - its a bit soul-less. Jim Shea has ridden it and said it was "fidgetty" which sums it up quite well. I had two of these in 79/80 and felt the same about them then.

If I had to sell one (when I find my 1979 CB900FZ in blue...) it would be the 550 as I just don't seem to have the same emotional connection to it.

Strange??

[Dennis]

So then it has nothing to do with the "new and improved" clutch and transmission or anything else in the power train area?
More like appearance,  frame, tires and shocks.

Still trying to figure out what to do with my second 500. Maybe it will come to me as we start to work on it!

[SteveD CB500F]

If I had two 500's I'd turn one of them into a cafe.  I'd have to have a stocker, but loved the noise and riding position of the drop bars and 4-1.

Even after 30 years, I still ride with the balls of my feet on the footrests!

[Dennis]

If I had two 500's I'd turn one of them into a cafe.  I'd have to have a stoker, but loved the noise and riding position of the drop bars and 4-1.

Even after 30 years, I still ride with the balls of my feet on the footrests!

 

Well the one will definitely be a stocker, already have the NOS tank and original side covers. Still need one good used left side pipe. Don't want to buy a new one since the 3 I have are VG used and the new one would be very obvious. Or maybe sell the 3 and buy 4 new?

Anyway for the second bike, already have a pretty good Kerker 4-1 system on the parts bike. I like lower bars like the superbike style. Not sure what else to do.

[stevej]

As with most things in the car or motorcycle industy any defects or problems that come to light over time are usually ironed out in later models, a good example is the slipping clutch on early 500 fours and rectified I would imagine under warranty.The first 500 Honda came out eight years before my1980 550K3 Thats a long time to improve any shortcomings,although cosmetically (in appearance)I think the 500 four is a hard bike to beat.     

[SteveD CB500F]

Don't forget the sound stevej.

The 500/4 was the "soundtrack of my youth".  The 550K3 just isn't the same.

[stevej]

Steve D  must admit I did read once a long time ago that "my" beloved  550 four "was the nearest a bike had come to sounding like a vacuum cleaner",mind you they hadnt heard mine with a 4 into 1 Dunstal.

[clarkjh]

My first bike was a 75 550 with a 4 into 1, when I got it there was nothing in the the mufferler,  took a steel roller and cut the end off.  Poked a bunch of holes in it and shoved it in the end then welded a cap on.  It was wisper quite when idling but open the throutle and it sounded like straight pipes .  One of the reasons I wanted another 550.

James

[SteveD CB500F]

,mind you they hadnt heard mine with a 4 into 1 Dunstal.

I've got a Dustall in the garage. It came "free" with the 550!

My 500 (avatar) had a Piper 4-1 with the wadding removed from the baffles.

I also had a CB175 (360 degree twin) with Dunstall mufflers which sounded awsome (the 180 degree twins just weren't the same)

[clarkjh]

Steve

thats the bird, but in much better shape.  Someday the pipes will be that shiney on the bike I have now.

James

[Dennis]

Anyway for the second bike, already have a pretty good Kerker 4-1 system on the parts bike. I like lower bars like the superbike style. Not sure what else to do.

 

I wonder what the Kerker would sound like with the baffle removed. Does anyone know?

Let's see, Kerker less baffle, pods (already have 'em thanks to BryanJ), superbike bars. Need to get some mini turh signals. The seat (at least the vinyl) on the parts bike is trash, pan is good, I think the foam is OK. Have to figure out something with the seat. Best tank I have (not including the NOS one) is rattlecan pink, I think it was supposed to look like that 'other' K1 color. So I will need to figure out a color and design. I think rearsets and a solo seat might be cool!
Ideas?
Suggestions anyone?

[stevej]

Acyually my Dunstall wasnt that noisy it was more of a kind of muted Fomula 1sound burbling gently at tickover but once over 5000 rpm it came to life still not ever so noisy but music to the ears.It wasnt like the pipe on SteveD s page either  it was much longer and unfortunatly rotted away in a couple of years .Ive now got a BSM classic pipe which looks great and is lasting well but too quiet!

[SteveD CB500F]

Is that a BSM from David Silver?

There's a thread here by Jim Shea about drilling holes in his Motad. He checked with the manufacturer, drilled holes in the rear baffle and now it sounds less muted.

[Phaedrus]

I got some generic 4 into 1 off ebay and from the looks of it, it is a Mac.  I got so used to the old glasspack-ish pipes that came with the bike, I thought the new exhaust was too quiet.  Untill my wife told me she could hear me pull in to the parking lot while in the innermost room of our apartment.  I kinda like the sound now.