Topic: 1974 Honda CB550 Freedom Green Metallic????

[ktm520]

Hey folks,

I think I stumbled on an all original 1974 CB550 in freedom green metallic. I can't seem to find any full pics of the bike on line (just a tank), but it sure seems to be original paint to me. Bike has been idle for nearly 20 years and I got it up and running today after some TLC on the usual stuff.

Thoughts?

So here is what I think: Either this is a Frankenbike of sorts or there are some variants on VIN number information on the internet (doubtful).

Per frame/engine VIN:

Built on 7/74
CB5501201277
CB550E-1036848

This would place it (per sources from this site and elsewhere) very early in the K1 build:



So perhaps a K1 bike with K0 tank/covers.

or

There may have been some overlap in the builds (especially early) year to year depending on stock of various parts (less likely)

My hunch is the former as several items along with VIN point to a 1975 (face plates read Nippon Seiki...) As you folks know it is hard to hide the age of these bikes and this one looks the part to be original (in terms of equivalent age of various components). However, my guess is that somewhere along the way, likely in its first 10 years of life, the owner got his hands on NOS tank and covers and put them on the bike. PA/dealer screwed up the title and this is a 1975 disguised with 74 tank/covers.


Either way still a nice piece of history to get back in circulation.

[jlh3rd]

so..Is that color candy jade green ? The stripe is gold/black.....are the instrument faces dark green?...yeah, the paint looks metallic, but....gauges could be nippon seiki or nippon denso...

nevermind, the 75 stripe is shaped different....

[bryanj]

If the vin plate says 7/74 then that is what it is but built then it could well be a 75 model, dont forget shopping time to rech dealers for Jan

[jlh3rd]

no, the plate is the date of manufacture, not necessarily the model year. Unless the plate says model year, then the engine and frame number designate the model, K0, K1, etc. Honda did not start model year until 1974 . Prior to that there was a " sell date" and a " release date".  And they were all over  the board as to sell,  release dates..
     My 1975 550F frame tag says 12/74...no model year. The 75 550F however was not available until may of 1975..
Someone on here just posted his frame tag for his 1976 F  model and the frame tag says 1976 model on it..

so, therefore why all the confusion sometimes as to what " model" year you have or title and registration dates....

look at this 350..

[jlh3rd]

wanna see more weird honda stuff........just what "model" year is the ca160 touring 160?....

and how about the cb160 sport 160 ?...sell date 65-69.......release date 07/01/64......?
maybe it's a typo.......who knows....

[seanbarney41]

There are also reports of dealers switching body sets before the bikes were even sold

[jlh3rd]

also, a customer walks in to finally buy the bike he wants. Its a newer model but he likes the previous models paint scheme better. The dealer says no problem, we'll order the previous years tank and covers and put 'em on for you.
Customer rides out of the shop with a brand new 1975 550 with 74 tank and side covers.
     

[ktm520]

also, a customer walks in to finally buy the bike he wants. Its a newer model but he likes the previous models paint scheme better. The dealer says no problem, we'll order the previous years tank and covers and put 'em on for you.
Customer rides out of the shop with a brand new 1975 550 with 74 tank and side covers.
   

Yeah, this one crossed my mind as the patina seems to be consistent across the whole bike. So either the dealer pulled a switch-a-roo by request or the owner did something soon after purchase.

Did the final tune today and it runs exceptionally well.