Topic: What cb550 bike do I have? Because new seat doesn't fit.

[gerry113377]

Manufacture date 6/74

frame # cb550-1029851
engine #cb550e-1036010

title says 1974 cb550
side cover says cb550Four

The reason why I'm asking is I bought a seat and it doesn't fit.

If I move the seat back it all lines up (hinges, rubber ect.) but then there is a 1 1/2" gap between the seat and tank.

[CBGhia]

Sounds like a 550k1.  Did you get a seat for an F?

[bender01]

I think you might have a 74 550ko frame and a 75 550k1 engine. I found this info on the website option at the top of the page.Pick model guide and at the bottom click printer friendly option and you can read the page then. Some one should let a mod try to fix that. Do you have any pics?

[TwoTired]

Sounds like you bought and F model seat.  Those are different than K models seat.

You certainly should have told us what bike the seat you bought came from.

[gerry113377]

Ok sorry guys, here are some pics.  The old seat is the big bulky one and the one on the right (with both in the same pic.)  Note that the mounting studs are back further on the old seat and also the hinge is longer.  I bought the new seat on ebay, it just said for cb550.  Right now I have a flat, that's why there is no back tire.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/50724771@N04/

[Hinomaru]

See if this link can help: http://www.spookytoms.com/CB550-IDPlates.html

(Scroll down the page for the F models)

[Ricky_Racer]

You've bought an "F" seat; it works with the longer "F" tank. You can tell the difference by the undercut shape of the rear of the seat; the "K" seat is more a standard shape from the side.  RR

[TwoTired]

It's confirmed.  You bought an F model seat.  Those two wing nuts near the rear of it were for a tool kit hold down plate.  The Early K models put the kit on a tray over the air filter.  You have a gap in front of the seat because F model tanks are longer than the early K model tanks.

The 77-78 Cb550K models had yet another style seat.  Like many things for these bikes, the term "CB550" is not definition enough for many parts, as there are variances among years.  Some learning lessons can be costly.


BTW, tank and seat fitment among years have been discussed many times in this forum.  So, this info is in the search archives, too.

Cheers,