Author Topic: New to the site- potential buy of a 1976 Honda cb550 (Read 3546 times)

Tews19 · « **on:** June 29, 2011, 02:23:01 am »

I looked At a Honda '76 cb550 last night. Bike cosmetically was in great shape. But weird thing when I tried to put it in first, was that it kept stalling. Bike has been sitting for over 20 years. He has paper work that it was given the full service last year..... Ie... Carbs cleaned synched, spark plugs changed ut, oil change. Bike has only 13k. After puttzing with the clutch cable I realized it was extremely loose. I was able to get the bike to go in first without stalling and drive it. Upon returning, I could feel the clutch teeth tryin to grab when I repeated the process after driving a few miles. I brought the bike back and it seemed to skip neutral. The guy wants 800. It may be some work to get her street ready ie new tires and work with the clutch. Is the guy asking to much? How serious may the issue with the clutch/transmission be? He is throwing in the original seat and exhaust as he has a set of kerkers on it now. There is rust around the buttom outline of the tank where there is plastic molding on the tank.. IS this another major concern? Any advice would be great...........

dave500 · « **Reply #1 on:** June 29, 2011, 02:35:04 am »

gday tews,the clutch might just need the adjustment done at the casing,just infront of your right big toe is a small locknut with an adjustment screw,the plates also might have been frozen together after such a long sit,the oil is gonna have to be changed that might also help,does the lever feel like it hasnt got the full stroke?it might have the wrong cable on it?,the 500 one is similar but wont work on a 550 and wont de-clutch fully,some times if you just pull the clutch apart and put it back together itll work better properly adjusted etc,have you got tools?if you bought the bike do you think you could drop the clutch cover off and dissemble the clutch yourself?its not real hard,down load the workshop manual here somewhere(someone else might provide a link im too lazy),talk the guy down and say the clutch is gone south etc and the shop wants XXXXX$ to fix it etc,,good luck.

KingCustomCycles.com · « **Reply #2 on:** June 29, 2011, 02:36:23 am »

Clutch issues are easy fixes for under $100 but transmission work can get pricey and the engine has to come out and completely down to fix. If it shifts through all the gears it is probably a clutch issue. $800 is fair for a running bike but you could definately bargain if it has clutch problems. Without riding it, thats all I got.

Tews19 · « **Reply #3 on:** June 29, 2011, 02:43:16 am »

Ya I asked him realisticly what he wants for it, His qoute" Guy, I told you 800..... If need be I will put her back in the barn.." I remind you all he is 76 years old on a million dollar farm... Bike is a beauty.... He did mention that he has owned it since 1980 as well... The bike did go through all the gears when I was driving and did down shift.,... I was cautious driving as it still has the original ties and they are cracked pretty bad... Sorry guys for the early messages, I can't sleep thinking how great this bike can be once restored....

Another quick question, this bike have mych torque? I read that they do. And I am not sure if i noticed it.. might be due to not trusting the tires and may because my kz650 79' has that much more? I am not sure .. Just looking for some advice.. Thanks guys

KingCustomCycles.com · « **Reply #4 on:** June 29, 2011, 03:17:00 am »

That torque will be at the higher rpm's. You probably aren't getting into the real performance on a timid test ride. It sounds like a good deal. I have come up against that nonbargaining technique myself. If it has a title, tell the old timer you are going to put it to good use and take care of it. I doubt the money means anything to him at this point.

ekpent · « **Reply #5 on:** June 29, 2011, 03:45:29 am »

Runs,original paint,he has the original seat and pipes and good history.Recent receipts for some work.Think you should def consider this one.Made back to a good looking stocker you will be way ahead money wise.

Stev-o · « **Reply #6 on:** June 29, 2011, 05:25:42 am »

First off, welcome!

Does it have a title? If yes, buy it! The clutch issue sounds minor. I have a 550 with only 13K miles and it too can be tricky finding neutral. No biggie.
Take all the old parts he has, you can sell them on this site if not wanted.

When you get it, take that seat off and trash it!

Good luck!

tango911 · « **Reply #7 on:** June 29, 2011, 06:09:32 am »

Looks very nice to me. And if you need anything i have some parts left over from a 1976 cb550 part out, including a clutch.

In fact ill send you the clutch for the cost of shipping if you get it. I dont know if its good or not but i think it is.

wingman1946 · « **Reply #8 on:** June 29, 2011, 07:12:24 am »

Quote from: Stev-o on June 29, 2011, 05:25:42 am

First off, welcome!

Does it have a title? If yes, buy it! The clutch issue sounds minor. I have a 550 with only 13K miles and it too can be tricky finding neutral. No biggie.
Take all the old parts he has, you can sell them on this site if not wanted.

When you get it, take that seat off and trash it!

Good luck!

+1 for trashing that seat !!

Toxic · « **Reply #9 on:** June 29, 2011, 07:22:23 am »

So with another $300 for tires, tubes, balance, instal, clutch cable you will have what should be a very well sorted out bike.

In my neck of the woods that's a real bargain.

I wouldn't worry about the clutch as said above just an adjustment issue.

Bankerdanny · « **Reply #10 on:** June 29, 2011, 08:14:48 am »

He has the original pipes? If they are clean and rust free those are worth at least $500 all by themselves. Just give the man the $800 and run like hell before he changes his mind.

Tews19 · « **Reply #11 on:** June 29, 2011, 01:00:34 pm »

I am sick to my stomach!!!! I couldn't sleep last night. Woke up at 330 to make the post once I learned my account was approved. Decided to go to work early. 7:04 am in my office for roughly 45 minutes and the guy calls.... He hangs up right away.. I call him back voicemail!!!! I give it two minutes. Call back and I get a hold of him and tell him I was worried about the clutch last night.. He says" OH DON"T worry about it, after you left I fixed the clutch.." I was like OH OK, He respond, ": ya so don't worry another guy came by at 6 am this morning and bought it on the spot for what I was asking and hung up...... I was like WTF in my head....

But now that I have had the chance to drive a CB I am hooked. I wait patiently as my KZ650 is being fixed and wonder what IF? Oh well. I am now for sure going to be getting a 550, or 750.. Any insight to the 650? Thanks all you gave their info..............

Add salt to the wound, there was a title and the exhaust was mint with the original seat and an original repair manual....

dave500 · « **Reply #12 on:** June 29, 2011, 01:05:09 pm »

damn,,after you had posted he was a grumpy old guy,i was thinking yeah just by it, he might be #$%*ting you and just stashed it again?rubbing a little salt into the wound by saying he fixed the clutch aswell?i know how it feels,at least you have a little insight on these bikes now and might be able to spot another similar one soon,cheers mate.

Bankerdanny · « **Reply #13 on:** June 29, 2011, 01:49:04 pm »

Sorry you missed out. Always research before you go to look. You didn't need a membership here to read the posts and get a sense of what people are paying for their bikes. If you or a friend has a active e-bay account you can search completed listings and see what clean CB's are going for.

Fortunately we have seen quite a few posts here about bargain buys (including my own 4 months ago), they are out there, just keep your eyes on Craigs List and you will likely find another.

I am often amazed that sellers make no effort to determine value before they sell their bikes. Sometimes they are asking ridiculously high prices. but just as often I see sellers who clearly don't know what they have.

Stev-o · « **Reply #14 on:** June 29, 2011, 01:59:16 pm »

Someone came to his house to buy the bike at 6am?! Bu11sh1t!

Call it a lesson, you'll find a better one, start looking....

DJ_AX · « **Reply #15 on:** June 29, 2011, 02:29:15 pm »

He probably fixed it and decided he wanted to keep it.
Seen that happen more than once.

Stev-o · « **Reply #16 on:** July 01, 2011, 03:43:08 pm »

Call on this one now!

http://appleton.craigslist.org/mcy/2471534265.html

Tews19 · « **Reply #17 on:** July 01, 2011, 07:28:04 pm »

Thanks, i saw that a few weeks ago.. Guy called me up last week as he still has it... It doesn't run.. he says he is not sure why it won't run

Stev-o · « **Reply #18 on:** July 01, 2011, 08:19:44 pm »

Quote from: Tews19 on July 01, 2011, 07:28:04 pm

Thanks, i saw that a few weeks ago.. Guy called me up last week as he still has it... It doesn't run.. he says he is not sure why it won't run

Offer him $350 as is, we'll help you get it running. If it's been sitting for two years, the battery may be shot and not giving out spark.

Tews19 · « **Reply #19 on:** July 01, 2011, 10:47:22 pm »

Maybe I will call him up tomorrow and see if the bike at least starts... Any idea where I may be able to get the clutch and throttle cables?
I saw them on barnbike for like 8 bucks each............

dave500 · « **Reply #20 on:** July 02, 2011, 01:57:07 am »

if that bike is close enough to go and see go and see it,,so long as its complete and not blown/seized itll run again once its sorted,or can the seller email you photos to guage its overall condition?two years the battery will be rubbish!,itll probably need carbs apart etc,do you just want a buy and ride bike or are you prepared to get in and have tools ready?these are easy to fix and theres no end of help here,,with luck someone lives close by to help out with problems?dont forget plan A can become plan B once things are taken apart,if the bike more or less looks un tampered with and just not running or seized itll be ok,,im such an optimist!.

pknopp · « **Reply #21 on:** July 02, 2011, 05:44:36 am »

When you get that low on a bike such as CB's, sometimes (most times) you just need to make the deal, throw it on the truck and sort it out after you get home.

Worse case is for the kind of money we are talking here, you part it out and make a few bucks for the next buy.

The last two bikes I bought (63 Dream 71 CB750) I never got the chance to ride. It was raining too hard when I went to look at the Dream and the front tire was shot on the 750. Both started right up and for the money I trusted the sellers that they had recently rode them.

For the money I knew that even if something wasn't right it could be made right and I'd still be into them O.K.

Tews19 · « **Reply #22 on:** July 02, 2011, 11:01:06 am »

So the guy called me... Talk about weird and shady... He would not let me speak, got offended when I told him my uncle lives five minutes from him and I would have him look at it due to me living a few hours away.... He stated there is no reason for him to loook at the since it is worth 2k and up and he is only asking 600..... Then he says i "should" buy the parts bike that he wants to get rid of because he has sold over 400 bikes so far this season and does not have any space............. NOW check this out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He states he is in Tennessee and would not be around to show it... But if I buy it over the phone using PAYPAL he will drop it off to my front door at no cost, TODAY!!!!! It is annoying how peeps think some people are absolutely dumb... To top it off I tried to get off the phone with him, he wouldn't let me go... Kept saying I can part out the bike and make money on it... I told him i already have two bikes in my garage..... OH i forgot to mention,he told me the engine isn't original and that if I found a bike with the original engine and frame matching the bike would be 5k in rough shape.... Not sure if this fact was true..Then he tried telling me that in WI when it comes to title the frame does not need to match the title?

only the engine does.... He lost me... What a waste of time talking to him but at least I was able to make in interesting blog here today about it.....
i know I shouldn't but I am looking to cafe it... I guess is this even a good set up or should I stick with the 550?

Now I may have found a decent bike... 1977 750F SS, A lil more then I am looking to spend but here is a picture of the bike... asking $1800, fair?

pknopp · « **Reply #23 on:** July 02, 2011, 01:18:32 pm »

Whatever you do, don't send the guy money in hopes he sends you the bike.

Stev-o · « **Reply #24 on:** July 02, 2011, 04:26:28 pm »

+1 on don't send money! (I bet you're smarter than that).

The 750F looks good, how does it run? Mileage?? Title???

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Author Topic: New to the site- potential buy of a 1976 Honda cb550 (Read 3546 times)

KingCustomCycles.com

KingCustomCycles.com