Author Topic: Found another CB550k (1978) (Read 2754 times)

Tews19 · « **on:** July 03, 2011, 10:36:21 PM »

So this is another interesting find.. I am not sure what to think of it... Its a 1978 cb550k with supposedly 3700 miles.... Guy suggest carbs need tuning and cleaning..... He also has luggage racks that come with the bike and a Vetter fairing.... Is this normal for this year? I am lost when it comes what I should to think of this bike.. Cosmetically looks good but the fairing and luggage racks are throwing me off.. Guy recently replaced the ignition as well...

Is this frame the same as the Honda 1976 cb550k I missed out on earlier in the week?

bryanj · « **Reply #1 on:** July 04, 2011, 12:05:48 AM »

77/78 have different carbs that can be a swine to get properly clean, also some parts just dont exist anymore like original 4 into 4 exhausts and rubber manifolds from the airbox to carb. If the exhausts are in good order and original i have seen them sell in the UK for £350-£400

Hush · « **Reply #2 on:** July 04, 2011, 12:24:54 AM »

Who cares if it's not like the bike you missed out on, it looks great and the Vetter can be removed if you like.

dave500 · « **Reply #3 on:** July 04, 2011, 12:28:51 AM »

see how that one has the side stand about under the left foot peg?the ealier ones had the side stand much more forward than that.

db22 · « **Reply #4 on:** July 04, 2011, 06:37:17 AM »

Tews: What is the seller asking for this one? Where in Wisconsin are you located? When the seller said he replaced the ignition, did he mean the points & condensers? Man, that's a pretty good-looking bike from the little photo you attached. Replace the huge fairing with a smaller windshield and snatch that silly trunk offa there, and you'd have a nice ride. Keep the hardshell side bags -- man, I'd love to find a set of those for my 550.

Tews19 · « **Reply #5 on:** July 04, 2011, 07:12:02 AM »

I'm fifteen minutes west of Milwaukee. Where you from? If he didn't replace the parts you mentioned what kind of work am I looking at? We are working on the price. What do you feel is a reasonable price? As far as the luggage is concerned its all coming off and being placed in my shed.

sick_seven_fifty · « **Reply #6 on:** July 04, 2011, 07:24:08 AM »

It's hard to say what a good price is...one thing I've learned is that a bike could sell for $1,000 at one time and place, and $2500 at another time and place. Also it depends on the condition, and that's something that just can't be assessed with the small picture that you posted. A good price is what you are willing and happy to pay for it.

Stev-o · « **Reply #7 on:** July 04, 2011, 07:27:31 AM »

Tews,

The luggage is aftermarket, pull it off and you will see a great bike! Don't misunderstand Bryan when he says parts don't exist. He means you may not be able to buy them new from Honda, but good used parts are readily available and reasonably priced.
He probably replaced the points w/electronic ignition, a good thing. Yes, that frame is basically the same as the other bike you looked at.
If it has a title and can be had for around $1200 or less, I'd say it's a good buy.
Go see it in person ASAP!

Tews19 · « **Reply #8 on:** July 04, 2011, 07:47:13 AM »

Thanks everyone. I thought they were aftermarket. I am leaving first thing tomorrow aroun 5am

Deltarider · « **Reply #9 on:** July 04, 2011, 10:22:04 AM »

Remove your coffin. You don't want that riding with you. If it were mine, the fairing had to go as well. Free at last, free at last, thank God the bike is free at last! (I didn't say that.)

fmctm1sw · « **Reply #10 on:** July 04, 2011, 10:47:52 AM »

Quote from: sick_seven_fifty on July 04, 2011, 07:24:08 AM

It's hard to say what a good price is...one thing I've learned is that a bike could sell for $1,000 at one time and place, and $2500 at another time and place. Also it depends on the condition, and that's something that just can't be assessed with the small picture that you posted. A good price is what you are willing and happy to pay for it.

Exactly... $2500 where I am and $1000 in the northeast... Can I have the complaint department please?

Toxic · « **Reply #11 on:** July 04, 2011, 10:52:24 AM »

You have to be able to see the beauty that lies under all that added on stuff.

There is a market for that luggage and the fairing so you can re-coupe some of the cost.

Looks real nice.

Let us know how it turns out.

Tews19 · « **Reply #12 on:** July 04, 2011, 04:34:16 PM »

I bought the bike unseen in person. I asked for the vin on engine and frame. Around 15 pictures and he sent them to my iPhone. Then he used his gf's iPhone and sent me a live video of it running. For the price I figure I have two bikes already. This is the bike I really want and it's worth it. Plus they want me to go to the DMV to do the sale and title transfer immediately! Thanks guys for all the help. Now the fun will start once I get her

Stev-o · « **Reply #13 on:** July 04, 2011, 06:39:16 PM »

Cool.......when are you going to pick it up?

Tews19 · « **Reply #14 on:** July 04, 2011, 07:14:21 PM »

Tomorrow! Got to get ahold of the DMV and figure out the legistics. I'm shocked they want to clear the title immediately. Prolly cuz it was the grandfathers and he passed.

Tews19 · « **Reply #15 on:** July 04, 2011, 09:56:39 PM »

I am not sure.... All i know is that tomorrow morning can not get here soon enough... #$%*ty part is I may have to drive 5 hours to get a truck, then another 4 to get the bike.......... Spend the night and then do the title transfer and purchase on Wednesday......

I mean really, who really thinks someone is compulsive just because I, I mean the "individual" has not rode since 2004 and now is on their third purchase since June 1st?

?

Tews19 · « **Reply #16 on:** July 05, 2011, 01:21:42 PM »

The guy sent me a video of the CB550k starting up.... Can I get some advice as to what may be a concern of the bike, minus the bad digital effects of the cell phone camera... I saw how many people here were able to help the gentleman out who was interested in buying the Honda CB750ss and were able to notice every little detail........ Enclosed are more upclose pitcures he recently took for me..... Thanks

cameron · « **Reply #17 on:** July 05, 2011, 03:59:22 PM »

I think that is an F series.

PLease discuss.

Tews19 · « **Reply #18 on:** July 05, 2011, 04:37:55 PM »

Really?
I have the vin for the engine and the frame..... He sent me pics of both

sixthwisconsin · « **Reply #19 on:** July 05, 2011, 04:43:12 PM »

Quote from: Tews19 on July 04, 2011, 07:12:02 AM

I'm fifteen minutes west of Milwaukee. Where you from? If he didn't replace the parts you mentioned what kind of work am I looking at? We are working on the price. What do you feel is a reasonable price? As far as the luggage is concerned its all coming off and being placed in my shed.

That makes you my neighbor!
Love to see your bike when you get it home.

cameron · « **Reply #20 on:** July 05, 2011, 05:16:27 PM »

post those numbers.

I see that kick-stand placement and the tank.. I think F series.
Obv, I see the pipes and the giant K on the sidecovers.. I think K.

cameron · « **Reply #21 on:** July 05, 2011, 05:19:07 PM »

O-ho!

And look at that front fender with only one support brace.
That is an F.

Tews19 · « **Reply #22 on:** July 05, 2011, 05:26:25 PM »

Vin on frame k-2117207
E-2117283

Stev-o · « **Reply #23 on:** July 05, 2011, 08:14:26 PM »

Sounds great and looks good, other than the minor scratches. Will look even better once the fairing is off! Looks too good to chop up into a cafe, old stockers in that cond are harder to come by these days. How much did you give? It will be worth all you went through to get it.

PS. Just ignore any talk about it being an F!

cameron · « **Reply #24 on:** July 05, 2011, 09:09:41 PM »

Ha!

Looks like the joke is on me.
Upon further review.. they only made one version in 1978. . . and they called it a "K".

Obv, it has 4 pipes.. but from what I can tell, many of the other features are from he previous years' "F" series.. . including the tank, the frame, and the front fender. Its like the best of both worlds!

Your numbers put it firmly in the 1978 "k" range.. and it looks completely stock. I retract my previous comments.. and plead unfamiliarity with the '78 product line!

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Author Topic: Found another CB550k (1978) (Read 2754 times)