Topic: newb trying to decide, 550 or 650

[thunderzy]

Im looking at 2 bikes in my area. 1975 cb550 and a 1981 cb650 both with clear titles, both  not  running, both with seemingly easy to fix issues. the 550 needs a new battery, and some wiring sorted out, and the 650 needs a new stator. Asking price for both is relatively the same.

The questions i have are; Which model has more support: parts, info, after market, and racing? Which is more common, produced in higher numbers?  Which is easier to work on?

This will be my first project bike, and first cafe. It will be used for around the town motoring.

thank you
Zack

[kslrr]

You will find more support regarding the CB550.  Parts for the CB650 stator are hard to come by, the carbs are more difficult to modify and the electronic ignition can give you problems when you have charging problems (i.e., it melts).

[McQueen 750]

DEFINITELY go with the 550. You'll find more info, parts, and support for that bike over the 650. It's not worth the extra 100cc's to go w/ the 650

[strynboen]

yes uou are  right,,,butt 650 have hyvo cam chain,,and more pover..
and elektronic egnision..a littel better engine,,but 550 are good 2.. have all 650 alu veels ,,not så good for cafe make,,only min idea

[Gordon]

I like both bikes for their own reasons, but if I had to choose I'd go with the 550, especially if the 650 you're looking at is already having charging system problems.  It may be a simple fix, but it could also end up being a huge headache you are forced to deal with before you can ride your bike.  Of course, the same could be said for pretty much any old vehicle.

Power difference is negligible.  Thee 550 ride is a little more sporty, where the 650 is more of a mild cruiser with a lower-slung seat and leading front axle.  The 550 carbs are easier to work on and make adjustments to.  There are benefits to the CV carbs, but I just prefer the old style carbs for their simplicity.  The 550 has a kick-start, 650 doesn't.  If you like that the 650 has a points-less ignition, a dyna-s can be installed in the 550 for $125, as well as some more and less expensive options.  The 550 can be easily hopped up by installing a stock 650 cam and making a slight change to the drive sprocket/s. 

Like I said, I like both bikes and would be proud to have a 650 in my garage, but the 550 is my preference. 

[73hutch]

go with the 550.

[mgbgt89]

I would go with the 550. I own a 82 650 nighthawk. I absolutly love it. I don't care for the looks of the other 650's though. It's a real pain finding parts for the 650 when i need them. It's not a very well supported bike. Having rode a 550, i much prefer the riding position of the nighthawk. It does feel much heavier, even though it's not.

It's really a matter of what you prefer. I would love to own a 550 someday, complete the collection. Started with a 650, got a 350F, now a 750. They all have different personalities. I love riding the 350 alone on a tight winding country road where it would be tiring to ride the 650. The 650 does have a ton more power, and is much nicer riding 2 up than my 350.

I haven't rode a 550 more than around the block, but it did remind me a lot of the 350. Felt really tossable and nimble.

[Bluto]

Chicks dig 550's. 

[thunderzy]

Thanks guys! youve helped me make my decision. Im going with the 550. Ill get some pics up as soon as I can.

Thanks

[traveler]

FWIW, I went with a 550K because they make better looking cafe bikes.

~Joe

[motorhead55]

I bought my '76 550F new and love it. People are now finally noticing what nice bikes they are.

[traveler]

I bought my '76 550F new and love it. People are now finally noticing what nice bike they are.

I really like your bike....very nice.  Not overdone....just right.  Cool little cruiser.

~Joe

[motorhead55]

I bought my '76 550F new and love it. People are now finally noticing what nice bike they are.

I really like your bike....very nice.  Not overdone....just right.  Cool little cruiser.

~Joe

It's stock.....No mods

[strynboen]

thats the big idea of 550,,its a classic  nearly  cafe,,just as there are,,from new,,,
så dont thance a lot..

[fletcha221]

550, less moving parts, more available parts and the most important thing: The 550 sounds soooooooo sweet.

[HondaNorway]

550!!!

[kslrr]

550, less moving parts, more available parts and the most important thing: The 550 sounds soooooooo sweet.

How does the 550 have less moving parts than the 650?  Considering that the 550 has a points ignition.

[famoussas1]

Im a newbie as well, but when i bought my 74 550, the owner said u can basically drop a 650 cam in a 550 for improved performance, (im sure with some other additions), is that even close to accurate?

i also had fuel probs. with this bike and the same owner said he thought 87 gas was premium.   

[Gordon]

Im a newbie as well, but when i bought my 74 550, the owner said u can basically drop a 650 cam in a 550 for improved performance, (im sure with some other additions), is that even close to accurate?

i also had fuel probs. with this bike and the same owner said he thought 87 gas was premium.   

Do a search from the main page for "650 cam 550", and you'll get all the answers you need on the cam question. 

As for the gasoline, 87 obviously isn't premium, but it's all your bike should need unless it's had performance mods that would dramatically increase the compression.   

[traveler]

I bought my '76 550F new and love it. People are now finally noticing what nice bike they are.

I really like your bike....very nice.  Not overdone....just right.  Cool little cruiser.

~Joe

It's stock.....No mods

Well, that's even better.  You have all the reliability.

I was just trying to say I like the way it looks.

~Joe

[paulages]

550, less moving parts, more available parts and the most important thing: The 550 sounds soooooooo sweet.

How does the 550 have less moving parts than the 650?  Considering that the 550 has a points ignition.

maybe he meant less reciprocating mass? or maybe he's forgetting that the '79-'82 760 is single cam?