Topic: cb500k1(73 vs cb 550k3(79)

[thieu(NL)]

hello I'm new on this board(I'm from the Netherlands,Amsterdam) and just bought myself an CB500f,
i have a few questions and would like to have some tips...

this summer I'm going to make a big trip on my motor (which is still in a few boxes and is excited to be put together by me..)

a friend of me ownes an CB550f, i drove his motorcycle and it rides pretty good, my guestion is does my motor have the same driving-qualities, or is it an another experience..? I've been doing some research and by the books the 550 has 2hp more than the CB500, but by the books the 500 is faster because its lighter... i don't know what to expect from my bike, acceleration etc...

the trip we are going to make is true Europe we will drive from netherlands to Croatia, then with a ferryboat to Italy and than back to the netherlands this trip is 3500 kilometers which is 2000+ miles...

i would like to know if the parts of the ignition and other parts that can fail are interchangeable of the 500/550

other handy tips are also very welcome....

cheers,

Mathieu

[hymodyne]

Welcome to the site!
There are many links and threads that can give you information about the comparative specs on these bikes.

I've discovered that my 500(K1) has many parts that are interchangeable with the 550. someone on the site can sell you a 500/550 manual on CD ROM for about $7.00 US. it has a section dedicated to comparing the 500 and the 550.

hym

[SteveD CB500F]

Well Mat (don't mind if we call you Mat?)

If you consider that the 550 was basically Honda's second attempt at a 500, then the new parts should be better. Right?  Well I'm not so sure.

I have one of each ('72 500 and '77 550) and apart from the new clutch, the differences are mainly cosmetic. Sure it has 50cc and 2hp more - but doesn't it weigh more as well?

Most parts will swap apart from the obvious (tank, seat etc). Certainly the ignitions are interchangeable - but who says they fail?

Your rebuilt 500 is certainly capable of the trip.