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Author Topic: '74 CB550 - Just Starting Out  (Read 1871 times)

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FE Knucklebuster

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'74 CB550 - Just Starting Out
« on: July 29, 2010, 07:08:30 AM »
I've had bike fever for a while and finally ran across a project bike - '74 CB550.

Been in a barn for years and needs a lot of work - but the motor seems to be in great shape.

To help me get started in the right direction, this thing needs a lot of parts.  Is there somewhere I can cross-reference year/type compatibility?  For example, the right bar controls are missing - what are my options?

My intentions are to resurrect this bike into some sort of cafe racer so exact parts for restoration aren't necessary.

Thanks for any advice or tips you can send my way.
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Offline Duanob

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Re: '74 CB550 - Just Starting Out
« Reply #1 on: July 29, 2010, 12:07:39 PM »
Hey, I am in the 'Newbie bought a fixer' boat myself. Except mine was a 'I can make this thing look cool in the 1980's' bike. At least my pipes are clean and OEM and the chrome is good. Engine smokes like a drunken sailor and the carbs need rebuilding and it's been dumped a couple of times. Yadda yadda yadda.


EBAY will be your best friend. When you find a good ebay seller save his info. I found a pretty good guy out of Ohio that I email what I need and he sends it pretty cheap. I also found a guy in Oregon with new OEM honda replacement parts. for fairly good price.

Good luck and post a pic if you can. "Classic Honda Porn"
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"Just because you flush a boatload of money down the toilet, doesn't make the toilet worth more",  My Stepfather the Unknown Poet

1974 CB360T
1976 CB550K2 Resurrected
1976 CB550F2 Barn Find
1979 CX500 VG "HONDA-GUZZI"
2007 Moto Guzzi Breva 750ie
2015 BMW F700GS
Another 1976 CB550K Cafe?

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FE Knucklebuster

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Re: '74 CB550 - Just Starting Out
« Reply #2 on: July 29, 2010, 02:43:43 PM »
Here she is - nothing special - but nothing I will feel bad about "modifying".


After pulling all of the loose stuff and the carb.


After pulling the motor and wiring.


I am pretty confident I can find parts - but I need to know about swapping and modifying parts.  For example, this bike is missing the throttle and right side controls.  What year bikes would be a direct swap or can I only use the '74 550 stuff?
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Offline SohRon

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Re: '74 CB550 - Just Starting Out
« Reply #3 on: July 29, 2010, 08:21:36 PM »
From the info I've been able to find, the right switch was the same for the '74 and some '75 550s, and it might be that other bikes had this switch; I'm not sure; the'75 models started the change to the new style switch. You need the one with the ON/OFF lighting switch. After '76 everything changed and you would have to do extensive rewiring to use one on your '74. The "ON/OFF" switch is hard to come by, but is (or was) available from Vintage Japanese Motorcycles, though it's likely to be pricey.


I'm doing a project thread on the right hand switch you might be interested in; check out the build thread listed at the bottom of this post for more info!
« Last Edit: July 29, 2010, 10:40:41 PM by SohRon »
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"He slipped back down the alley with some roly-poly little bat-faced girl..."

Assembling my '74 CB550: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=86697.0
Assembly of the Right-hand Switch (a rebuilder's guide):  http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=80532.0
Installing stock 4X4 exhaust: CB500-CB550 K: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=82323.0
CB550 Assembly Manual: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,151576.0.html

Offline lowflyingdutchman

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Re: '74 CB550 - Just Starting Out
« Reply #4 on: July 29, 2010, 08:31:30 PM »
Quote from: FE Knucklebuster on July 29, 2010, 07:08:30 AM
I've had bike fever for a while and finally ran across a project bike - '74 CB550.

Been in a barn for years and needs a lot of work - but the motor seems to be in great shape.

To help me get started in the right direction, this thing needs a lot of parts.  Is there somewhere I can cross-reference year/type compatibility?  For example, the right bar controls are missing - what are my options?

My intentions are to resurrect this bike into some sort of cafe racer so exact parts for restoration aren't necessary.

Thanks for any advice or tips you can send my way.

parts for 500t will fit and go unnoticed on the fleebay because not many folks look for these. Other than that, Dont worry. Honda built more ceebees than there are fish in the sea so parts are still widely available with maybe the exception of the usual wear culprits like calipers and the like.
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May the Fours be with you.

FE Knucklebuster

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Re: '74 CB550 - Just Starting Out
« Reply #5 on: July 30, 2010, 04:54:37 AM »
SohRon - Thanks for the link to your thread.  A very informative read.  I know that I will be going back to it when I'm ready to start slapping it back together.  Mine won't be nearly as stock or nearly as pretty!  Looks like I'll be needing a new right switch - keeping my eyes open.

lowflyingdutchman - Great tip on the 500t.  I'll be modifying several parts so things don't have to be exact - but it is good to know that I can get them right the first time and that there are more options.
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Offline Lars

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Re: '74 CB550 - Just Starting Out
« Reply #6 on: July 30, 2010, 05:04:15 AM »
For cross reference, I will advise you to buy Zedders Cross Reference for Internet, only $29.95

http://www.zedder.com/itm00616.htm

I have used it a lot, very usefull. As already pointed out, many parts are interchangeable. Use eBay or just ask. The right controll switches are pretty expensive buying NOS when they show up. Maybe just as well contact a salvage yard if you are not into a concourse restoration. Good luck with your project. They are very good bikes to ride!
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Offline lowflyingdutchman

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Re: '74 CB550 - Just Starting Out
« Reply #7 on: July 30, 2010, 06:04:42 PM »
Bit of bragging. Mine looked a hell of a lot worse than your ceebee when I got it. Had a harley single seat (?!), leather saddlebags, a windscreen (?!) and highwaybars. Pipes were open dragpipes. Had a piratesticker on the tank.

This is last weekend.
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Offline luckysubie

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Re: '74 CB550 - Just Starting Out
« Reply #8 on: August 01, 2010, 07:27:59 PM »
As far as cross referencing is concerned, most all parts microfiche have the ability to cross reference PNs.  Basically what I'll do is find the part I'm looking for based on what I have (74 CB550), get the PN, go back and plug it into the cross reference feature, then of course it spits back out what all models used the same parts.

I usually use this site.  I don't necessarily buy from them though.
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Offline Elniniomuchachos

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Re: '74 CB550 - Just Starting Out
« Reply #9 on: August 01, 2010, 09:08:33 PM »
Are you going to be using those 4-4's? if not hit me up I'm interested.
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FE Knucklebuster

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Re: '74 CB550 - Just Starting Out
« Reply #10 on: August 02, 2010, 05:07:38 AM »
Quote from: Elniniomuchachos on August 01, 2010, 09:08:33 PM
Are you going to be using those 4-4's? if not hit me up I'm interested.
Not sure yet.  The pipes are in great shape but the mufflers have holes.  Not really sure what my options are in trying to use/repair them.
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