Topic: New (to me) 74 CB550

[luckysubie]

I just bought a 1974 Honda CB550.  I've only got the CL picture.  Perhaps I can get some more tomorrow.  It needs a couple of really small wiring things done, header/exhaust, headlight and side covers.  I paid $300.  I'm really happy with it.  I should have it running in a couple of weeks.  I fell in love with the vintage Hondas after stumbling on some photos a couple of years ago of the 750s.  After that the hunt was on for a 750 or 550.  Then I found my Yamaha and postponed my search.  I started looking again about a month ago.  I just got it to my buddies shop today.  Hopefully I can start in on it sometime next week.  If anyone has something that will pass for an exhaust LMK, and I may have a couple of leads in FS section on a Headlight.  Those are my primary concerns right now.



Currently the stable includes my 99 Subaru 2.5RS, 96 Miata, and 00 Yamaha YZF600r.  I think this rounds it out nicely.

[Tretnine]

pretty nice find. While the 550 doesn't have the oomph of the 750, I still love my 550, I think you will too. It pulls my wife and I up and down the the blue ridge parkway here in VA without complaining. (Granted, the two of us together MIGHT break 250lbs.) If you live in Virginia, I have a bunch of parts sitting around that I could be persuaded to part with, including a couple of sets of exhaust. (Neither in fabulous repair, but one that is fair.) I would also recommend digging up a NEW wiring harness, which, I understand can be had for $70-80. I spent TOO MANY FLIPPIN HOURS trying to figure out what was wrong with mine, and it turned out to be many things, including a bad headlight filament that was burning up main fuses.

Maybe one of these boys knows where to get a good wiring harness? I know they're out there.

[luckysubie]

I live in Memphis, TN.  I forgot to list it when I registered.  Depending on how much it costs to persuade you I'm willing to make a road trip.  I'm glad its just a cruise around town type of bike, if I have a need for speed I'll jump on the Yamaha.  I don't think this bikes harness is in a poor state.  The hand controls are off so they will need to be wired and the blinkers were the only other thing needing wiring in.  Just some of what I've seen I can tell this will be a helpful site,  I found service manuals and wiring diagrams within 20 minutes of being here.  My buddy will help me work on it, he's a motorcycle mech and we rebuilt most of my Yamaha.  The only thing we were really leery of are the points.  That's new to both of us.