Topic: "Best" year to cafe a 550?

[bmarshall]

Hello, newb here. I have had bikes all my life, currently 97 VFR750 and 79 RD400 Daytona. I have the bug for a CB550 and would like to know of any differences between years as to which year/model would make the best cafe project and why. Little differences like a fork upgrade, different pegs or instruments, more HP etc...  I currently have my eye on a '75, but frankly can tell no difference between the years but for color. I did a search but I could not find any guidance to this matter, any help, tips, advice is appreciated. Meanwhile I will spend more time searching... Thanks everyone.

[Gorms]

The 550's are all pretty similar.  By cafe'ing them, you will most likely change much of what differentiates them.  The later (77 and 78) models had different carbs, making parts a little harder to find for them.  Later models also had passenger footpeg supports mode from tubes rather than pressed steel.  I like the tube look better but not enough to make much difference.  I would buy the best example you can afford to start with, regardless of year.

[bmarshall]

Great advice, thanks Gorms. Are there any trouble spots or know defect to look out for when buying a bike? Cam chain perhaps?

[Gorms]

Great advice, thanks Gorms. Are there any trouble spots or know defect to look out for when buying a bike? Cam chain perhaps?

Umm not that I am aware of.  These were pretty reliable machines.  Somone else might know for sure.

[bucky katt]

i remember hearing something about holes in the cam cover wearing out and causing leaks up top, not sure though as i have a 750.

[B.O.X.N.I.F.E.]

I'd watch out for high mileage. A 550 with more than 20K that didn't get regular carb syncs is ready for a new primary chain (which requires a case split and a lot of work). Also a high mileage bike is more likely to need swing arm bushings, wheel bearings, fork seals. You'll want to replace the rear shocks no matter what the mileage.

The side covers for 77/78 bikes are more scarce to find used, and usually cost more. 77/78 bikes had improved rocker box design.

I'm a nut for details and if you really get down to the nitty gritty there are differences between each year, from the manufacturer of the gauge clusters to petcock style. The 77/78 rocker boxes are actually shaped slightly different, but I never see that mentioned.

[B.O.X.N.I.F.E.]

Also, for performance improvement do a search for the 650 cam swap. You'll find details for swapping 79-82 CB650 cams into 550's. That's a good time to slap a 77/78 rocker box on an earlier engine too (that's what I did).

[bmarshall]

Thanks Everyone, BOX, what did the improved rocker box do for the motor; power, longevity...?

[B.O.X.N.I.F.E.]

The rockers would wear in an oblong pattern on the earlier style motors if I remember correctly. They added 4 tie downs to the rocker shafts on the later year heads that fixed this problem. I think the point was to avoid unever wear on the face of the rockers and cam lobes. If I'm off someone will clairify.

Also check the back of the cylinders for the cam chain adjuster. There is a shaft that actuates the tensioner and sometimes overzealous owners would shear this shaft off or otherwise mangle it trying to do their own tensioner adjustments. Its a top end off job to replace. Not a big deal, but I've seen it several times on the forum and mine was broken on my bike when I got it.

[Dead Bound]

I was in the same boat earlier this year with the 550.  I found a lot more pre-77 bikes and I really liked the orange and black paint scheme that comes on the 1974 or so. 

BUT,  I came across a decent 1978 so i bought it because it was the same year I was born.  It was destiny I guess.

http://benjiescaferacer.com/custbike.html   
BCR has a variety of customer cafe bikes on his site.  2 pages.  I like the yellow 1976, orange 1974, and the 1972 silver with the girl.