Topic: Who has Owners Manual CB 550 76?

[Deltarider]

Sometimes one has to be a detective to reconstruct service data or used parts in the various 500 and 550 models. Some sites like motogrid http://www.motogrid.com/pages/OemParts?aribrand=HOM can help and most of the Honda documents can be consulted online or downloaded. Our Italian brothers cannot be praised enough for this. Check their Manuali, Libretti and Parts Lists at  http://www.honda4fun.com/home.html
A document I haven't seen so far is the Owners Manual of the CB 550 1976 and ment is the K model. If I'm not mistaken the cover of that booklet is green and has 76 in the right corner below. Does one of you have that booklet? I'm interested to know in particular if changing the front fork oil is described and what amount of fluid is prescribed for that model.
Some owners manuals do describe this (500K1, 550 1973, 550F2), some don't (500 1975, 500/550K3, 550F 1976).
Second question: would you like to upload that owners manual to complete the collection? So far I know, it's the only one missing.

[Stev-o]

Imjust bought a '76 550K and would like to get a manual too.

[Bluto]

HI Steve-O

I have the one that came with my bike when I bought it new "back in the day".


If the pic is not clear it says "4.8 - 4.9 ozs of premium quality ATF (automatic transmission fluid).

I just re-built mine and used 10W Bel-Ray fork oil.

Cheers

[Tews19]

4.8-4.9 oz per fork of total??

[Bluto]

Per fork leg.  That's what the book say's.  When I did mine I put 5 oz. in each shock.  Seems to be fine.

[Deltarider]

Many thanks, Bluto. It's the 550 K (that originally has 4-4 exhausts), right?
BTW, it always strikes me that the original Owner Manuals with photographs are better than those in 4 languages without true photo's.

[Bluto]

Yep.....550K. (wish I could find a nice F model)
BEWARE...........36 year old original Honda fork oil is the nastiest. ..stinkiest...crap on the planet.  I'm convinced they used some type of skunk extract.

[Stev-o]

Thanks for the info bluto (Animal House?)

I too was searching for a clean 550F, and recently settled on a K with the F four into one header, I'm a sucker for those!

I'll be riding today...

[Deltarider]

BTW, is there any owner (of a 550K or 550K1) that has 6.3-6.5 ozs (185-191 cc) as the  prescribed quantity of fork oil in the owners manual?
Cf. p. 137 of the Honda Shop Manual.

[geminimotors]

FWIW, I checked the red owners manual for 75 550F, and it calls for 4.8-4.9oz of ATF.

[geminimotors]

Aaaand, an early Clymer calls for 5.4 oz of 10w-30 for CB500. Later Clymer calls for the same for CB500 and 6.5oz of ATF for 550

[78 k550]

Yep.....550K. (wish I could find a nice F model)
BEWARE...........36 year old original Honda fork oil is the nastiest. ..stinkiest...crap on the planet.  I'm convinced they used some type of skunk extract.

I have a 76 550F owners manual. PM me.
4.8-4.9 ATF

Paul

[CoachDoc]

My '74 550 manual says 5.3-5.4 oz. I just use ATF, whatever is around. Has always worked fine. Still on the original springs after 37 years and suspension solid and smoothe.

[Bluto]

Yep.....550K. (wish I could find a nice F model)
BEWARE...........36 year old original Honda fork oil is the nastiest. ..stinkiest...crap on the planet.  I'm convinced they used some type of skunk extract.


I have a 76 550F owners manual. PM me.
4.8-4.9 ATF

Paul

Lol   I meant I wish I could find a nice 76 55K bike to go with my K model.

Thanks though.

Bluto

[Deltarider]

The reason I asked is this. I discovered by studying the Parts Lists that various models have the same front legs. Still I've found different quantities of prescribed fork oil.
In the Owners Manual for the 550 1973 we read 160-166 cc (5.4-5.6 ozs.).
In the Owners Manual for the 550 1976 it says 145-150 cc (4.8 - 4.9 ozs).
In the Honda Shop Manual on p. 137 we read 185-191 cc (6.3-6.5 ozs.).
Interesting as they're all the same legs.
BTW, this concerns K models.
It's at least 12 years ago I renewed my forkoil and I plan to do this next spring. Is there maybe a level mark inside the tube? I've read in the Shop Manual the 550 F, F1 has one, but that's an F model.