Topic: What kind of gas mileage do you get on your CB550?

[dylboss]

Just wondering what folks are getting for gas mileage.  Also curious at what mileage range you have to switch to reserve.

[flexibledaveb]

I'm getting around 48 mpg on my 1976 550 Four, unless I'm riding really hard, in which case I get about 40.

[TwoTired]

I get 45-50 -ish in stock trim with Uni Nu 4055 air filters.  The 78 is about 5 MPG higher than the earlier bikes, even with the stock paper filter.   

Miles to reserve depends on tank size, and length of the stand pipe on the fuel valve.  The 550's have three different styles of fuel valves and two different tank sizes.

I should add that the one and only Cb550 I had with a 16 T front sprocket got about 5-10 MPG worse than the rest.  (Uni NU 4055 filter and Mac 4 into 1 exhaust system).

Cheers,

[dylboss]

I have a '78 and it seems like I'm getting gurgling at around 90 miles, then have to switch to reserve.  Went to the gas station about 3 miles later, and filled it up with about 3.2 gallons.  How much is the reserve volume?

[Tree]

77 550K, Mac 4-1 and Uni 4055 filter.  Get around 46 MPG and have to switch to reserve after about 180 to 190 Miles.  I think the reserve has about 1 GA of fuel, but never measured.

[dylboss]

Sorry, I should have mentioned that I also have a MAC 4-1 exhaust.  Maybe I'm jumping the gun.  Maybe I should have pushed the gurgling envelope a little longer.  I've been hyper sensitive lately with all the tuning and figuring out of the bike.  Very new to me still.  Also should add that I've done a full 3k tune-up.

[Raef]

Rode about 150 miles today with 3 other guys, filled up in the a.m. And rode 90 miles mostly 60mph highway topped off with 2.2 gallons (about 40mpg) it is a 75 550 f with stock 4-1 with a Harley longshot muffler, Hand drilled jets around 115-118, stock air box with a foam filter. I was starting to notice deminished performance (flat spot in acceleration) but I had not switched to reserve.

Mark

[dylboss]

Rode about 150 miles today with 3 other guys, filled up in the a.m. And rode 90 miles mostly 60mph highway topped off with 2.2 gallons (about 40mpg) it is a 75 550 f with stock 4-1 with a Harley longshot muffler, Hand drilled jets around 115-118, stock air box with a foam filter. I was starting to notice deminished performance (flat spot in acceleration) but I had not switched to reserve.

Mark

Thanks Mark.  That's helpful info.

[jvandyke]

I got 47mpg last year.  All stock but for the 4-2 pipes.  I fixed a draggy caliper this spring so I was hoping for even a bit better but probably not.

[TwoTired]

I have a '78 and it seems like I'm getting gurgling at around 90 miles, then have to switch to reserve.  Went to the gas station about 3 miles later, and filled it up with about 3.2 gallons.  How much is the reserve volume?

The Honda shop manual states the K3's tank capacity as 4.2 US gallons, and the reserve capacity as 1 US gal.

Cheers,

[Bankerdanny]

100% stock including 4-4 exhaust. Typically 46-47. Yesterday after a couple hours on the highway at 6k (indicated 75, really 70mph I think), about 43 .

[dylboss]

Great info.  Thanks!