Topic: CB 550 or Goldwing?

[Japbikemike]

In a quandry, just sold the cb 750f and am faced with 2 choices....

Option 1:  cb 550 fair shape, complete and running $600

Option 2:  '77 GL 1000 Goldwing, running, full dress, to strip down into a solo cafe bike.  $1000

The CB 550 will get a cafe fairing and seat/clubmans...but so would the goldwing.
Which project would you take on and why?

[rob]

I've always really liked the look of those old goldwings and would definately take one on over the 550 if I had the free cash and free time.   I can't recall having ever seen photos of a goldwing done as a cafe style bike, definately cool!  However, I must admit that I know nothing of the engine/mechanical details on the goldwing. 

Rob

[SteveD CB500F]

I always had a soft spot for the early 1000cc Goldwings - ever since I was blitzed by one that was being ridden fairly rigourously around the lanes of Northamptonshire (that's before they built dual carriagways around Silverstone)

That cafe-esque G/W looks really nice.

[Terry in Australia]

I can't see why you're in such a quandry mate, the Gold Wing is a brilliant bike, I owned a 1975 model in the early 1980's, and it was the smoothest bike I'd ever ridden, and just begged me to take it on 600 mile per day rides.

If I wasn't in the army then and had to sell a vehicle when I was posted interstate (the army would only move two vehicles, and I owned three) I'd still have it now!

Sure, they're heavy, but the weight is nice and low, which makes 'em easy to manouvre in traffic, and a pleasure to ride on the highway............... I wanty!

[bryanj]

Wings do have a few mechanical problems and parts for the early ones are less easy + more expensive whilst the number of 550's about is large. Your money your choice

[bill440cars]

                                 Of course it's your choice. I'd be tempted to go for the "Wing" especially since
              the Valkyrie came out (it reminded me that the wing originally was a basic bike, not loaded).
              I've seen photos of a few cafe styles. I know I've seen 1 or more on  acecafe-london.com
              I saw a beautiful purple one with four chrome pipes that turned slightly upward At the rear and
              I think it had a minifairing on it, I'm not sure. I'll have to go back and do some checking on
              that. I think that a "Wing" would be unique and there's alot you could do to one to make it a
             stand out type bike with enormous appeal. I'd like to and 2 things are holding me back
             #1 Money & #2 My wife. Good luck with your decision, we'll be watching your progress with it
             no matter what it is.  Later on, Bill

[Chris Liston]

Wing for sure, you'll love the extra power and they look pretty cool cafe'd.

[Philly550K1]

"both" is the obvious answer, here.  the parts you strip off the wing will help pay for the fitty.

how will you ride it, where will you take it, do you wanna huck the extra weight around, and does the bulk make a difference space-wise?

both.

[Jonesy]

Wings do have a few mechanical problems and parts for the early ones are less easy + more expensive whilst the number of 550's about is large. Your money your choice

I'd go for the GL1000 (as that's my next dream bike....).

I thought the '75 and '76 models had an issue with the carburation and would stumble off the line on rapid acceleration, but that was sorted out by '77...?

[dusterdude]

wing,wing,wing...whoo hoo wing

[Japbikemike]

...do you wanna huck the extra weight around....

If I didn't want to huck the extra weight around I'd lose a couple of stones (different meaning on each side of the Atlantic).

Leaning towards the Goldwing, the market in the Pacific Northwest for used Vetter fairings is non-existant.   I'm considering using it as lawn art untill the neighborhood association fines me.
A Goldwing sold here recently with a Holley 4 barrel carb adapter.  What the duece?!!

[dusterdude]

ive seen holley 2 barrel adapters,but never a 4.that would be cool.

[74cb750]

Well, I sold my GL1000 and bought a CB550 fully restored. So can you guess how I would vote?

[Japbikemike]

Well, I sold my GL1000 and bought a CB550 fully restored. So can you guess how I would vote?

Question:  Is the 550 easier/cheaper to wrench on than the goldwing?

[Terry in Australia]

Nup. Don't forget it's a flat four, so you can do a complete top end rebuild with the engine in the frame a heckuva lot easier than any inline four. Hefting the engine in and out is easy too, as the frame rails bolt up underneath the engine so you can drop the lump on the garage floor.

I replaced the alternator and starter clutch on my own with no dramas, and that was with the absolute minimum of tools when I was in my early twenties. Honda took a lot of their design cues from BMW when they built this bike, as their intent was to build a better beemer, and they pretty much succeeded! Cheers, Terry.

[ElCheapo]

...do you wanna huck the extra weight around....

I'm considering using it as lawn art untill the neighborhood association fines me.

I say always park them where they piss off the most neighbors or in my case the most #$%*y I mean City Council Gestapo members.

[unlucky71]

In a quandry, just sold the cb 750f and am faced with 2 choices....

Option 1:  cb 550 fair shape, complete and running $600

Option 2:  '77 GL 1000 Goldwing, running, full dress, to strip down into a solo cafe bike.  $1000

The CB 550 will get a cafe fairing and seat/clubmans...but so would the goldwing.
Which project would you take on and why?

First off, my vote is for the 550. To me they're just more fun than them big bikes and if you're talking cafe racer, a 550 handles clubmans a little easier than a goldwing. 
Secondly, did you take my advice and sell the 750f up north? I'm still pissed that I didn't end up with it, but I hope you made a tidy profit. Good luck on whatever project you end up with.

[Japbikemike]

Yes, acting on your advice I listed on Craigslist Seattle and sold it for $1400, $500 more than offered over a month ago.  You are without a doubt "the man".
Before the riding season starts and bike prices rise I feel compelled to strike now since I've got a pile of cash in pocket.  Both bikes are about 20 miles apart and I'll visit them both before deciding tomorrow.  The goldwing is a runner, the 550 is not (at this time).
I do fear that I'll enjoy the ride behind the Vetter fairing in the rain and buy the bike and never take it off.  Then as out English cousins warn...."It's time for the flat cap, pipe, and slippers".  Great visual.

[ProTeal55]

Be different - go with the "OldWing"
Thats my vote......

[unlucky71]

Yes, acting on your advice I listed on Craigslist Seattle and sold it for $1400, $500 more than offered over a month ago.  You are without a doubt "the man".
Before the riding season starts and bike prices rise I feel compelled to strike now since I've got a pile of cash in pocket.  Both bikes are about 20 miles apart and I'll visit them both before deciding tomorrow.  The goldwing is a runner, the 550 is not (at this time).
I do fear that I'll enjoy the ride behind the Vetter fairing in the rain and buy the bike and never take it off.  Then as out English cousins warn...."It's time for the flat cap, pipe, and slippers".  Great visual.

sweet! i knew you'd be able to get more for that bike up here. if you end up with the 550, and decide to sell it, e-mail me first.   as goldwings go though, that is probably the coolest one i've ever seen. just man up and kill the fairing (although that one doesn't look half bad). its for the same reason you never see anybody under the age of 60 in the northwest with an umbrella. sure they may make sense but, c'mon.

[fourplay]

Goldwing. That thing is cool.

You will have better luck reselling it too.

[JHansen]

I dunno mate... If the choice were mine, I'd probably go with the 550.

I love the styling of the 550, G/W seems big and cumbersome. 550 was my first bike ever, so I'm partial.

Can't begin to imagine what a G/W would look like cafe'd out, but I'm guessing the bigger proportions might make it look a bit chunky.

Maintenance wise, I think they are both just as easy to work on, but in parts might be easier to find for the 550.

In defense of the G/W, value when finished will probably be higher. So really, I'm no help.

Pawn something off and buy 'em both

Best,
John

[Japbikemike]

Today (Saturday) was the day, pouring rain, I made up my mind and chose the goldwing.  I went and test rode it.  It was a shade past rough.  Weak breaks, slipping clutch, missing side cover, curious wiring.  I took it for a ride down the rode and cross country on a very challenging mud/gravel/rut flooded driveway.
Conclusion....pass.  The 550 needs to be assembled but is complete.  I've noticed prices creeping up around here as the promise of summer approaches.  For the time being, I'll let the $'s burn a hole in my pocket.

[bill440cars]

                       I guess what intrigues me about the"wing" is: even though it's different, it's still a sohc4.
          It's very different but yet has a certain appeal to it. It'll get you to start thinking about how to
          create a custom but, in different ways. This project could cause others to consider the "wing"
          for other uses other than a loaded down cruiser. I started having ideas about what one could
          look like that was done up like a cafe racer or a custom. Don't get me wrong, I'm still very partial
          to the 500s & 550s but, the"wing" could open up a whole new area to build on and cause us to
          get the creative juices to flowing and some of those ideas could help to bring out new ideas for
          the other sohc4s. To me, the only end to custom ideas and features is "an empty pocket book".
          Later on, Bill