Author Topic: 1978 honda 550 k (Read 7202 times)

chemmy · « **on:** April 28, 2005, 08:05:21 AM »

am thinking of purchasing this bike for my wife. the owner said she was the original owner and was saving it for her kids but they both grew to over 6 foot 5 and just dont fit on it.

my wife is 5 foot 3 and is most comfortable on a 27 to 28 inch seat height. so i dont know. they are offering 750 for the bike saying it needs a tune up and new tires but at the current time it runs great. if it had new tires i could take it home via the road but now would be safer by truck lol. she said it was garage kept never laid down and no upgrades. this is about all i know of right now will talk to her husband tonight. can anyone help me out with this as far as what else to look for.

she knows it is a rare bike and thefore she is sticking firmly to 750 cause she knows if it ran better with new tires she could turn around and sell it for 1500 at least. i will be going in about 5 hours hopefully to look at it so any comments would be welcome. thank in advanced.

chemmy

Dennis · « **Reply #1 on:** April 28, 2005, 09:04:16 AM »

Quote

she knows if it ran better with new tires she could turn around and sell it for 1500 at least

I don't know about that kind of price.
Maybe if it was just about perfect cosmetically and low miles, cleaned up with new tires and running perfectly. In other words, just about a museum piece.

Harry · « **Reply #2 on:** April 28, 2005, 09:23:57 AM »

Motor should start and run with no abnormal sounds. Take some fresh gas with, and starter spray, if the bike has been standing for years it probably wont start! Some valve and camchain rattle is ok. Are exhausts original 4:4 (=good)...check for rust UNDER exhausts (rust=discount). Stick your finger in the exhaust and check for rust. Run finger around top of gas tank (rust - expensive). Run motor warm and give it a good blast - check for oil leaks (normal but a bit of a bugger to fix). Check front brakes work and dont stick. Check rubber carb mounts for cracking. Check for originality using a photo downloaded from web. Check for rust under fenders. Ask how they checked oil - (centerstand, oil stick NOT screwed in) and what oil thay used, gives an idea of their SOHC-ability. Check chain and sprockets, wear=discount. Owners manual? - nice to have. Calculate on buying new battery, take one with if you have one to check lights, horn etc. Original paint is good. Original seat is good. Try controls, if stiff -> new cables (=discount). Comment EVERY "problem" you find, make a list. Look at list, squint at sun, spit, pause......and buy it if you like it! Oh, hey, take a camera with!

MetalHead550 · « **Reply #3 on:** April 28, 2005, 02:06:31 PM »

Youre a pro huh Harry?!

A couple other things to look at would be the chain and rear sprocket, just check to see if its been adjusted properly and if the sprocket is abnormally worn based on that. Check the air filter to get an idea how well mantained it is. Check the fuel lines and breather lines for cracks. Have a look in the break fluid reservoir. Pull a spark plug or two, should be tan, not sooty or oily. Check the fork seals by applying the front break then compressing the front forks a bit, if bad there will be fork oil on the tubes. If its in good shape cosmetically and is all original with original 4 into 4 exhaust in good shape, buy it, even if it doesnt run that great. If its been repainted and has aftermarket exhaust ect. and doesnt run decent pay less.

MetalHead550 · « **Reply #4 on:** April 28, 2005, 02:08:46 PM »

Oh Harry already said chain and sprockets.

smithrelo · « **Reply #5 on:** April 28, 2005, 02:28:33 PM »

Chemmy, your wife and I are the exact same height. I have 74 550-4 and found a replacement seat which I had cut down (see photo). I was on absolute tippy-toes before the new seat. We were able to cut 3 full inches off the height of the seat and it made a world of difference. I'm still on toes, but better! I am now looking for "lowering" shocks for back to drop down maybe 2 MORE inches and that will make it "perfect"!

Hope you see a nice bike. Your wife will LOVE it, but I highly recomment installing a seat belt because every time I get the tach past 5500 rpm, I need one!

Post photos - so I can drool over hers!

Linda

Jonesy · « **Reply #6 on:** April 28, 2005, 06:37:51 PM »

Hey Linda-

Cycle Xchange has 11 inch shorty shocks for the CB bikes. They look exactly like the stock units, only an inch shorter. The only problem is they are out of them right now. I just tried to get some for my wife's "new" CB360T! You can also get lowering kits for your bike as well. JC Whitney (among others) has them.

chemmy · « **Reply #7 on:** April 28, 2005, 07:59:11 PM »

thanks everyone. i found some statistics of this bike on this site and a few others.

i dont think it is in bad shape she said if it had new tires it would be able to drive home without problem. like i said she was saving it for her soms this year and so had some work done to it to make it drivable then didnt need to keep the bike.
and from what she says it is in pretty good shape the only reason she is being firm at 750 is because to many people collectors mostly have told her it is a rare find to find such a decent 550k.

i will keep all of thes comments in mind when i go to look at the bike especially the frame the sprockets and the exhaust. i got a friend who polishes tools and such who said if there is rust on the pipes he would take a whack at getting them rejuvinated lol. now i just need this lady to call me back and give me her addy so i can drive out there to see it,

night to all thanks again hope this pans out.

smithrelo · « **Reply #8 on:** April 28, 2005, 10:58:30 PM »

OK guys need some help here.

I went to both Cycle Xchange and JC Whitney - I'm not sure what I'm looking for. Would the Lowering Shocks be under "suspension"?

Cycle Xchange does not have that heading and Whitney doesn't have my bike 550 4 KO listed.

Can anyone tell me what exactly I need to be looking for?

TIA

Linda

Jonesy · « **Reply #9 on:** April 29, 2005, 04:29:45 AM »

Quote from: smithrelo on April 28, 2005, 10:58:30 PM

OK guys need some help here.

I went to both Cycle Xchange and JC Whitney - I'm not sure what I'm looking for. Would the Lowering Shocks be under "suspension"?

Cycle Xchange does not have that heading and Whitney doesn't have my bike 550 4 KO listed.

Can anyone tell me what exactly I need to be looking for?

TIA

Linda

Got to this JC Whitney page: http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/Product/showCustom-0/Pr-p_Product.CATENTRY_ID:2006655/c-10111/Nty-1/p-2006655/Ntx-mode+matchallpartial/N-10111/tf-Browse/s-10101/Ntk-AllTextSearchGroup?Ntt=lowering%20kit

This is the lowering kit for the 750, 500, and 550. It moves the lower shock mount back a few inches, and they claim it lowers the bike approx. 2.5 inches, so this could be what you're looking for.

Here is the CycleXchange page. (The shocks are listed under "Accessories"): http://www.cyclexchange.net/Accessories%20Page.htm You have to scroll down a bit to see them.

Sorry for the confustion!

Gordon · « **Reply #10 on:** April 29, 2005, 06:34:41 AM »

Linda,

You can also get a set of shorter shocks from Brian at www.loudfastugly.com. If you email him and tell him what bike you have, how much you want to lower it, what size you are, and what kind of ride you want, he will set you up with a good set of shocks for a decent price. I got some from him for my 750 and am very happy with them.

nigel1114 · « **Reply #11 on:** April 29, 2005, 03:15:12 PM »

they also have a set at "crc2onlinecatalog.com" under "chopper parts" page3. $89.95 that I put on my 78 cb550k. oops, they're out of stock too. If you do put lower shocks on, you should also reposition the stop for the center stand(located off the muffler mount, at least it is on my 4 into 1). Otherwise you'll probably end up dragging the stand in turns.

chemmy · « **Reply #12 on:** April 30, 2005, 05:39:27 PM »

hey all
i picked up the bike yesterday. got the lady down to 650, she was being a real pain about it cause it was her first bike back in 78 and didnt really want to sell it lol.

anyways. the battery is dead and has gotten to the point over night that not even the kick start will start it and then again i dont have a heated garage so i am not suprised.

the frame is in almost perfect condition i can see smaller then a pea size rust spots here and there maybe 4.

the muffler tips are rusting and ruse where they connect to the motor but i have a friend who polishes tools who said he would spiff them up for me.

it is a little ruff to push this thing in and out of the garage. you can tell it needs some serious lube and deff needs new tires. any suggestions on what kind of tires to purchase for it.

the seat is torn a little so if anyone happens to have an extra one willing to part with or maybe a place where i can send it to to have it fixed would be fine. and she almost sits perfectly on it. she reaches the ground with a little more then her toes.

oh yeah the light is extremly dim has anyone put a halogen light bulb in theres or should i just make sure she doesnt drive at night, cause you really cant see squat.

well thanks again and i will post some pics as soon as i figure out how...

Dennis · « **Reply #13 on:** April 30, 2005, 11:10:27 PM »

Sounds like you're going to be starting off by buying a battery.
It looks like the old bike has been ignored for a while so you better check over everything you can think of. In addition to the "serious lube" you are discussing, I'd be looking at the brakes. That could be part of it.
You should be able to find a replacement seat cover on ebay or a local upholsterer or an online shop to repair the seat without too much effort, sorry there is no one I can personally recommend to you.
And yes many of us run H4 conversions for headlights. I have one in my CB750F and in my Yamaha RD350. I also have a couple squirreled away for when my CB500's are on the road.
And be sure to check the charging voltage on the electrical system also.

Good luck!!

MetalHead550 · « **Reply #14 on:** May 01, 2005, 07:41:24 AM »

To elaborate, the front break is probably hung up or way out of adjustment. Nothing major and pretty common for a bike thats sat a bit. Youll need to take the front calliper apart, easy as two bolts, take the pads out and inspect/clean them, then pump the brake lever till the piston pops out. Youll want to catch it with an old towel or a bucket cus all kinds of break fluid and crud is gonna fly out with it. Clean up the inside where the piston is seated and make sure the big o ring in there is ok. Put back together then flush/bleed the system. The break line is probably blocked up some too with old break fluid that has attracted moisture and become nasty so flush it till you see new fluid coming out. Check FAQ for a detailed walkthrough. And check this out for a new seat cover. They dont have good pics but they are nice products. http://www.saddlemen.com/skins.html I have two seats that have travel cade seat skins. They look like new and are easy to put on.

pmpski_1 · « **Reply #15 on:** May 01, 2005, 01:45:42 PM »

Dennis,

An H4 conversion sounds like a good idea ... What is involved with this and where can I get one?

Thanks,
Brian

Dennis · « **Reply #16 on:** May 01, 2005, 10:10:26 PM »

H4 conversion, lots of options.

You do have the 7" round headlight, correct?
Best choice in my opinion is from a later Honda, I think one of mine came from a DOHC about 1981.
There are sometimes used aftermarket replacements on ebay, several better manufacturers made them, that's how I got another.
There are some people selling cheap imported units on ebay (around $20 from India I think) and people seem to be satisfied with them.
There is always JC Whitney who has a couple to choose from.
And last but certainly not recommended you can get an automotive halogen sealed beam which firs right in for about $10. So look around, there's lots out there. You just have to turn over the right rocks.

Gordon · « **Reply #17 on:** May 02, 2005, 03:22:15 AM »

I bought the H4 conversion kit from JC whitney and have been very happy with it. Makes all the difference!

chemmy · « **Reply #18 on:** May 02, 2005, 09:41:23 AM »

well metal head is the winner for the good guess on the biggest problem. the front brake is locked up and is what is making it hard to move around. i will be taking it apart this weekend i think,

anyone got a good lead on tires for this thing. and thanks for the seat recomendation.

chemmy

SteveD CB500F · « **Reply #19 on:** May 02, 2005, 11:10:41 AM »

Search the board - there are threads on tyres (vintage and modern), and try the FAQs

Steve

Chris Liston · « **Reply #20 on:** May 25, 2005, 10:49:01 AM »

Quote from: gordon on May 02, 2005, 03:22:15 AM

I bought the H4 conversion kit from JC whitney and have been very happy with it. Makes all the difference!

Did that light have all the mounting holes properly lined up. for $40 bucks doesnt seem like a bad idea.

Chris Liston · « **Reply #21 on:** May 25, 2005, 11:06:33 AM »

Is this it?

http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/ItemBrowse/c-10101/s-10101/p-100000275170/mediaCode-ZX/appId-100000275170/Pr-p_CATENTRY_ID:100000275170

dusterdude · « **Reply #22 on:** May 25, 2005, 11:27:36 AM »

damn steve,i cant help it but iget a kick out of the way you spell tires.

Gordon · « **Reply #23 on:** May 25, 2005, 12:29:00 PM »

Quote

Did that light have all the mounting holes properly lined up. for $40 bucks doesnt seem like a bad idea.

Quote

The headlight doesn't use mounting holes. You use the stock headlight rings to mount the H4 reflector/lens just like the stock headlight. The replaceable bulb plugs right into the stock headlight plug.

The one that JC whitney has listed now is not the exact same they used to offer, and costs a little more, but I don't see why it wouldn't work. As long as it's the right size, it should fit just fine.

Dennis · « **Reply #24 on:** May 25, 2005, 05:28:29 PM »

for Chris Liston,
That would certainly work, but it is a rather modern looking design for a '70's machine. If you like that then it's fine.
If you want something which appears to be from the same time frame consider this:

http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/Product/tf-Browse/s-10101/Pr-p_Product.CATENTRY_ID:2003815/showCustom-0/p-2003815/N-111+10211+600002384/c-10111

In the 7" round size. Either will work.

News:

Author Topic: 1978 honda 550 k (Read 7202 times)

chemmy

MetalHead550

MetalHead550

smithrelo

chemmy

smithrelo

nigel1114

chemmy

MetalHead550

chemmy