Topic: just got a 1974 honda cb550k.

[boneyardcb550]

junk it or not???

[OldSchool_IsCool]

Need WAY more info before I can vote.  How are the pipes?  Seat? Tank (inside & out)?  Pics would be a big help.  If you are expecting to turn the key and ride away, you may be disappointed.  If you're not willing to put in some wrench time, polish it up and flip it.

[crkhobbit]

Ship it to me and I'll dispose of it properly for you.

[boneyardcb550]

good tank, seat&side covers.finders are a little rusty,so are the pipes. just surface rust. these pipes are 2 into 1. one pipe on each side. it also has a front cowl(windsheild like thing) on the front of it. rims are a little rusty too. just wondered how this will run? i have a 2003 honda vt750 spirt,w/vance&hinse pipes,stage one carb kit,&K&N air filter.

[shizzomynizzo]

It will be a lot of work to get it looking good and running good. It can be done.
If you decide to "junk it" would you be parting it out?
I will be interested in the engine, depending on mileage, if you do.
I'm sure many other people will be interested in parts too.

If you're not familiar with engines and want to learn, this is a great opportunity. I have never learned more about every aspect of motorcycles than ever before, working on my k0 550.

[TwoTired]

You haven't posted any reason to junk it, other than whim.  Age alone is certainly no reason.
If you have no mechanical skills, sell it to someone who does.

[campbmic]

Where is it located and how much does the lady want for it?

[boneyardcb550]

it is in my garage.bike needs work...30k miles on it.

[OldSchool_IsCool]

I think my signature says it all...

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

am i the only one not seeing pictures?

[boneyardcb550]

keeps saying file size to big???help!

[campbmic]

If your located in Dallas I would say roll it out by the trash cans and pm me your address 
I know I would kill for a free bike! Anyways, its basically up to you. I bought mine for $200 and have spent about 30 hours on it so far and have pretty much completed nothing but I enjoy working on it!

[boneyardcb550]

i am located in north west ohio.all my experiance has been on 2 stroke motorcycles.(dirt bikes) i have never wrenched on one of these sohc motors. anyone want to buy my cb550 pm me.

[westondc]

i'd say keep it, work on it and have fun learning about motorcycle maintenance on these old hondas. maybe even get hooked on a new hobby. did you buy the bike recently or was it just sitting around for a while? if you put an add on CL i bet you wouldnt have a probelm selling it. or post in the for sale section of the forum. if you put up a few pics some of us could give you and idea of what its worth. if you part it out i know you could make some money off of me, i need a few parts for my project.

[boneyardcb550]

this bike was sitting in my aunts garage since 1984. so she gave it to me,knowing i like to wrench on thing.she said it ran when they parked it. has luggage rack,sissy bar,howe kutter windsheild cowling on it,and highway bars. i just dont know much about this kind of motor cycles. i have rebuilt 2 stroke dirt bikes,but this is way different. it is kinda neat looking(except i dont like the cowl thingy up front looks dorky! lol)

[boneyardcb550]

pic i got alot cleaned up since this pic. been taking it apart to clean carbs, got them sitting on my work bench,looks gunked badly.

[OldSchool_IsCool]

Bone,

As for posting pics, you have two options.  If you have a photo editor on your computer, you can load the pics then save them ate a lower resolution.  Somtimes they call the lower resolution "Best for Web".  The "Thumbnail" setting will make for a small file, but a small picture too.  

Another option would be to save the picture to an on-line site like photobucket then paste the link in your post.  You can post pretty much any size and any number of these.  Here are examples of what happens:


This pic is from my photobucket.  I pasted in the IMG tag that Photobucket provided:


Here is a LINK to a short video on Photobucket:



Here is a pic uploaded with the "Additional Options" on the forum.  This option limit the size and/or number of pics, but the are permenent to your post.  The above options will disappear if you move or delete them from photobucket.

[OldSchool_IsCool]

pic i got alot cleaned up since this pic. been taking it apart to clean carbs, got them sitting on my work bench,looks gunked badly.

OH now you've done it!  You've started wrenching.  You'll find that it's actually a simple machine.  Not much more complicated then your 2-strokes.  You'll turn a screw here, take off a bolt there.  Read the forum on how to put it back together and discover the pride of doing a pretty good job.  Then you'll want that feeling again, so you'll take on the removal of the Jammer and maybe cleaning up the electrics.  Adjusting the points, cleaning the tank.  Hmmm wonder what would happen if I put in a new battery and pressed the start button?  Then you'll hear it.  That noise, that sweet throbbing growl of a SOHC/4 at idle.  The roar as you twist the grip.  Not the "angry mosquito" sound of a sport bike, but something deeper, more serious, more meaningful.  You'll be hooked!  You'll be... one of US!

[westondc]

not bad... looks like a fixer-upper but it seems complete. exhaust might be shot, it looks a bit rusted. i have the exact some exhaust in good shape that id be willing to sell for cheap soon (i just picked up some original exhaust). I had to go thought my carbs last month after i bought my CB500. took me one afternoon and it was up and running. you'll find all the info and help you need here. you could have this bike running and looking good by spring time.

[boneyardcb550]

i have a 2003 honda vt 750,and it runs real good,but its a v twin. how does these sohc 4cylinders run in comparission to the vt 750? never rode anything but a v twin.?

[shizzomynizzo]

probably smoother, longer, and more efficiently , but never been on a vt

[OldSchool_IsCool]

the in-line for is a very smooth engine when well tuned.  The outside two cylinders fire opposite of each other as do the center two.  Redline is in the 9k to 11k range, depending on year.  Their power band is up near redline.  

The bike you have there is pretty heavily loaded what with that Vetter on top of about 450 pounds dry weight.  Your expected horsepower is in the low 50's so don't expect it to pull like a modern sport bike which is about 2 thirds the weight and at least double the horsepower.  

Don't get me wrong, your bike has plenty of git.  There is plenty there to scare you, at least my 550 can scare the hell outa me from time to time.

Braking is not impressive.  Forget wheelies and stoppies unless you are REALLY good at pressing the envelope.

[boneyardcb550]

wheelies..... stoppies.... ahh NO!!! like to keep both wheels on the ground. had a 1995 honda cr 500 dirt bike that liked to do wheelies... sold that thing. scared the hell out of me every time i rode it...lol

[pinnacle]

i've have the pleasure of owning both a 78 cb550 and a honda shadow vt750  vtwin neither can be compared to each other as they both have their own traits but i must say for pure fun and satisfaction i enjoy my 550 way more.hold on to it  and be amazed at their simplicity once you start tearing into them.

[boneyardcb550]

i guess im afraid of getting hooked on this thing.can i do something about the wind jammer thingy up front? it is so ugly!!!!!i mean so damn ugly i would have to wear a bag over my helmet to ride this thing like this!!!see i did this on my vintage jet ski! bought it for $300,but $700 in upgrades...ect! will this become a sickness??