Honda CB550F a good bike?

[Zadkiel]

I am looking to buy one that is pretty darn cheap and from what I have read they seem to be ok bikes. I'm worried I'm missing something though, so I ask, are they a good/ok bike?

[Edbear]

They were a fine ride in their day. A well preserved one should still be a good ride.

Problem with most, esp. if they seem cheap is a questionable service history and it may be about to break down in a major way. You do need a good mechanic to go over it to pick up any problems, being a basic OHC with carbs it's not a major headache to check out.

You should get a compression test at the very least, check the oil, smell it, check steering head and swingarm bearings, check the wheels are tracking true, brake pads/shoes, carby mounts, all the usual stuff.

[HenryDorsetCase]

I am looking to buy one that is pretty darn cheap and from what I have read they seem to be ok bikes. I'm worried I'm missing something though, so I ask, are they a good/ok bike?

Ive never owned a 550, only three CB400F's.

They're great. But they're OLD. And depending on its history when you get it, you will need to factor into it things like a full service, a couple of oil and filter changes maybe tyres, chain and sprockets, wheel and headset and swingarm bearings, air filter etc etc. also fork oil, and the shocks probably lost what little damping they had in about 1982.

All parts are available (on the net, ex econohonda in NZ, or David Silver in the UK) and most dealers will at least be able to hook you up with an oil filter. David Silver can get you stuff like NOS exhaust systems, and a lot of hard to find bits. Bring money.

Their worst feature in my view is the contact breaker points. My next one will have an electronic ignition. (again, over the internet, via credit card). ALWAYS look at it before giving the cash away (I got caught a beauty on tardme like that).

If you want it, get it, but be prepared to be a lot more hands on with it than you would be with a more modern bike.

Failing that, if its an utter bargain I could be interested.

Why did I sell my last CB400F again??

[HenryDorsetCase]

One other point, you will hear a chain clanking deep in the guts of the motor: their primary drive is by a chain from the crank to the gearbox. When the seller says to you "they all make that noise" he is not lying. they all do. careful carb synching can lessen it, but in my experience it never goes away.

[Bonez]

I've had mine since '86. Yes they are good bikes if looked after. Get the good oil @ http://www.sohc4.net/

[Voltaire]

I had a 500/4 and I did the primary chain......I think I cheated and pulled the bottom off the motor and left the top un disturbed.

I really liked the sound of the 4 into two it had on.
+1 on binning points.... (unless its a BMW coz they are easy to set up.)

[Voltaire]

I've had mine since '86. Yes they are good bikes if looked after. Get the good oil @ http://www.sohc4.net/

jeepers...how many 'ondas have you got????:gob:

[Bonez]

Not many. But all of them are 20 plus years old and in various states of disrepair.:innocent: Just can't seem to throw anything out. Zadkiel the CB650s go dirt cheap too.They have a spring loaded slipper between the primary chain and the oil gallery the runs from the oil pump to the filter.

Could never understand why this wasn't on the 500/550s. The 350/400s had one bolted on the lower casting iirc. When the chain gets lose it chews into the gallery alloy. Did my 550s primary around 75,000 as well as a general engine refresh and it's due for another look. You can unbolt the sump to see how much play there is and may be able to run a finger across the top of the gallery to see if its damaged or not. Seeping head is common. I'd be avoiding using it around town as much as possible though. Not good for the top end. Points aren't much of an issue if looked after. I've only replaced one set in 70,000kms. Of course that's be mostly out of town tootling.

Another bike to try is the Z650. Of course early R series beemers are as cheap as chips too at the moment too.

[Zadkiel]

Thanks for that feedback. I would prefer lightweight over outright power, hence the 550 appealed to me. What would you say is the best, Z650, CB550 or 650, or BMW R series (65 most likely)?

The Z650s seem pretty popular and likely to be more expensive, plus I'm more of a Honda man, but if its a lot better then so be it.

[Edbear]

...Another bike to try is the Z650. Of course early R series beemers are as cheap as chips too at the moment too.


Thanks for that feedback. I would prefer lightweight over outright power, hence the 550 appealed to me. What would you say is the best, Z650, CB550 or 650, or BMW R series (65 most likely)?

The Z650s seem pretty popular and likely to be more expensive, plus I'm more of a Honda man, but if its a lot better then so be it.

The Kawasaki Z650 was an awesome wee bike in its day and the pick of the classics in that category. It was amazingly fast for its time and the engine was virtually unburstable. I'd pick it over the Honda! Deserving of preserving!

[Bonez]

Thanks for that feedback. I would prefer lightweight over outright power, hence the 550 appealed to me. What would you say is the best, Z650, CB550 or 650, or BMW R series (65 most likely)?

The Z650s seem pretty popular and likely to be more expensive, plus I'm more of a Honda man, but if its a lot better then so be it.I owned twin shock R65 for three years and prefered my cb550 over it, hence the reason I still have it. And I'd spent a fair amount of dosh on that beemer tidying it up and had ridden it a fair bit. Basicly get what ever tickles your tonsels. Any machine of that era is well worth having. If only for the mere fact they're not many in daily usage nowadays. You'd be surprised who comes and mentions their fathersmothersuncle use to own one when they're parked up.

Of course there's also the two valve Suzukis. No primary chain to worry about(z650s have them too), the best cam chain tensioner setup, imho, of that era and the shims aren't under the buckets so you don't have remove the cams to replace them. Only real problem was the charging system, but if its still running that's probably been sorted. More info- http://www.thegsresources.com/

Here's pic of my ol gal when she turned 30 in 2006:

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=24372

C'mon all you yammy fans................

[Bonez]

Just took the ol gal out for a toodle today:
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj175/Caluser2000/IMAG0006.jpg

[Zadkiel]

I am currently torn between a CB550 and a CB650. I just can't decide between them!

[jaffaonajappa]

Ive been perving at a yummy looking 500 Kwaka on TM for the last several weeks.....looks like its not selling, could proly chop 25% off the cost give him an offer?
Problem is - its konda outa the way in Ruatoria....

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=338055992


On the Hondaaaa front - theres some bargains and some erm highly priced examples atm.
2k vs 6k.
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Classic-vintage/auction-375754463.htm
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-357417783.htm

[Zadkiel]

Yeah that 6k one is crazy expensive! The 2k one is the one I was originally looking at. No however I'm thinking of going the whole hog and getting a CB750. :yes:

[Dodgyiti]

If your going from a GN2fiddy then anything 500cc or up is going to seem awesome. 4cyl bikes are never the lightest. If you want to learn mechanics as you go on an older bike because you will need to, how about a big single like an SRX Yammie or GB Honda? Light as they come, sweet handling and easy to fix/service/custom
1 cyl, 2 or 3 valves, 1 carb. Can't get less frightening than that and don't let the 2-strokers tell ya any different.

[Voltaire]

I went from a Sl 125 to a 500/4 to a Z1000 in less than a year.....only middle aged skinny fullas worry about the weight of bikes....
Fit an electronic ignition and thats most of the issues sorted.
have fun..and buy the best you can afford as doing them up costs $$$

[jaffaonajappa]

.only middle aged skinny fullas worry about the weight of bikes....


Yup - hate riding my GS1000 round town too much....struggle to reach the ground and it weighs a ton. Totally different story on the roads tho - then the weight/height doesnt matter at all. But around town traffic - arghhhh.

[Voltaire]

Yup - hate riding my GS1000 round town too much....struggle to reach the ground and it weighs a ton. Totally different story on the roads tho - then the weight/height doesnt matter at all. But around town traffic - arghhhh.

check out the BFTP social group...we love old bikes..drop Caseye a line.

[Zadkiel]

I did consider a Honda GB, but I;m not a fan of the single cylinder characteristics. I love to rev my engines, plus I'm not too small so I think a bigger bike will sit me better.

[R1madness]

You will find that the 650 is a better bike than the 550 as long as they are similar condition. Being newer it had significent changes and was almost unrelated to the 550 with virtually no parts interchangable. My old CB650LC did 89000km (82000 by me) before someone else decided they needed it more than i did and stole it...

[jaffaonajappa]

check out the BFTP social group...we love old bikes..drop Caseye a line.

Thank you! :yes:

[HenryDorsetCase]

Yeah that 6k one is crazy expensive! The 2k one is the one I was originally looking at. No however I'm thinking of going the whole hog and getting a CB750. :yes:

I reckon that unrestored minter K6 is worth buying. Not the $9500 he's asking, but maybe if you could get it for $8k, and it is as good as it looks?

buying a rough one and doing it up you could easy double what he is asking to end up with something quite nice.

Or look for a CB750F1 or F2: my personal view is they're under valued presently. Sure, last of the line blah blah, but they have better brakes, Comstar wheels, more horsepowers etc.

good luck!

[HenryDorsetCase]

I went from a Sl 125 to a 500/4 to a Z1000 in less than a year.....only middle aged skinny fullas worry about the weight of bikes....
Fit an electronic ignition and thats most of the issues sorted.
have fun..and buy the best you can afford as doing them up costs $$$

+1: absolutely