Jul 08 2005
Honda CB550
Now that I have my motorcycle license and have been driving a 250 for two weeks, I’ve been actively looking for a motorcycle to buy. Yesterday someone told me about a 1978 Honda CB550Four K that’s for sale, so I visited the seller and fell in love with the bike: it’s in perfect condition. The seller’s asking $2000 (Canadian) for it, which is steep for a bike that old, but it IS in top condition, and the seller is willing to help me maintain it (although it needs no maintenance now; it’s ready for the road).
I think I’m going to get it.
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Tags: cb550, honda, motorbike, motorcycle
Isn’t this bike about twice as big as the one you’ve been riding, or does 550 mean it’s just twice as fast? Would it be any different riding it?
It’s it’s a steep price, it probably won’t sell right away. Gives you some time to shop around first.
Twice as big. It’ll be more stable at fast speeds (i.e. highway) due to heavier weight, which is my main concern.
So it’s liable to topple over once you get it into the driveway. Interesting.
Once I get my moped, we should go crusing around together.
As liable as any other bike, though less liable to fall over due to the wind.
The number is the cubic centimeters of the engine. The higher the number the bigger the engine.
This new (old) bike will be a muuuuuch different ride from the other one he’s been on. This bike probably weighs 600+ lbs, being so old it would be made out of heavy things like steel and asteroids, the best of 1978 technology. It would move a little on the highway when you pass a transport truck, but not too bad.
Plus it’s an antique, which is kinda cool.
does this mean that size matters?…yours truely stubby…
Jody,
It looks like a fine machine. Way bigger than my first bike of the same era, and about 500 CC’s more powerfull…. I had a 1976 Yamaha 650, which was made of that really heavy material that Pender mentions. (Actually I think this one will weight almost as much as my 1991 Firefly)… Which I might add is tearing up the streets of Edmonton… ;-)
Maybe you could go on a road trip, somewhere nice and cold, like Edmonton!
BTW, the first bike was a 1977 or 78 Honda XL 75… woaaahh, power…
http://www.xtremedecals.com/ho.....l75-79.jpg
You’d have to pay me or get me a job to go to Edmonton.
The plan was to get the bike yesterday, but the provincial government said we needed a formal appraisal done on the bike because it’s over 25 years old. Stupid fucking government - I’m buying at the price the seller and I agreed on regardless of its appraised value. So I bought the bike anyway, but it’s not registered in my name yet. We’re getting it appraised tomorrow.
This was my first “real” bike, tho mine was not very nice when I bought it. Looked like yours when I was done with it. I just saw one on ebay in the UK that sold for 1700 pounds. You will love it. Check out sohc4.net for kindred spirits
Don
> Check out sohc4.net for kindred spirits
I do visit that forum frequently. I think I even posted there.
Makes me sad to think about how far away mr. jody is, no more leaving work super early to harrass the pathetic humans in the streets.
now that your a man and you have a bike with a kickstart, look in to a dana 2 ignition; so you look cool starting it on the first kick . When you realize that the brakes don’t work, and the tires don’t stick to man whole covers look into a 70/77 CB 750 four sohc rear swing arm it will fit in to your fraim with no mod. Make sure you have the rear adjustors. Now comes the good part find a 1996 CBR 600 compleet front end that includes the triple tree and the rear tire with sproket and brake. All balls raceing makes tapered roller BRGs for yor bikes stearing head but honda was nice and made the two heads the same size. You will find the rear tire fits with one spacer mod keep in mind chain alignment. It won’t wheely but it will do what you ask of it with a CB 400 ss tank it will look cool! Welcome to the club . DFY helmet Johnny Rotten.
That WOULD be cool. I did a quick google on “dana 2 ignition” and found nothing helpful, though.
I have no idea what those are.
Anybody want to translate that?
just bought a 1978 cb550 in mint condition today,4200 miles for 2000 euro,hope your’s is going all right,from ireland!
> 4200 miles for 2000 euro
Wow. Good price. Mine’s running well. I’ve had to replace the headlight (the original 30 year old headlight) and the rear tire, but otherwise, she runs great. I wish I lived farther South so I could ride it more.
i am going to replace the back tyre also for safety really,ive ordered one and should have it next week.
It’s a small world after all… I’m seriously considering buying a ‘78 CB550K for taking out-of-province trips starting next spring. I’ve been riding a ‘78 Kawasaki Kz400 Twin since taking the safety course and getting my license in late September. I had heated hand-grips installed last week and yesterday I logged my 9,000th kilometer. I don’t plan on stopping anytime soon but will continue to skip the days when the roads are slippery. The 400 twin has been great fun riding around town and on the twisting country back roads but it does have it’s limitations on the uphill parts of the 100 series highways.
Small world you said …
Some guy i know happen to gave me a cb550 78,it is not in real good condition but i expect to
reshape it this spring. BTW it is not so heavy, 214 kg (450lbs).It is my 6th bike including a cb750 73.
Have fun with yours!
Cool how people all over the world stumble on this post about the bike. Of course, people stumble over a lot of other stupid posts on this site, too. I’m just proud of this particular one.
of course thousands….no millions…no gazillions would stumble upon it if you rode a beemer…
or if we started arguing like those kooks on the best guitarist thread….
jody help me i miss my bike…..
I bought one of these bikes in 1979 (a ‘78 model) for $1000cnd but after five years started having problems with the electrical system which became frustrating at times… signal lights not working, headlight burning out to often etc. Never did figure out what the problem was so I sold it to a bike mechanic for $600cnd. It was a great bike up until then. Fastest I ever got it up to was 115mph then the bike would wobble. In hindsight I should’ve bought the CB750-4 after riding one in 1980 and the price difference wasn’t that much at the time.
how does the 550 feel as a beginner? I’ve just come across a beauty of a ‘76 550 but it would be my first bike and I’m not sure if I should wait and get a smaller 350 first. Have fun riding! Pat
I wouldn’t get anything smaller than a 550 if you do any highway driving, mainly due to its weight. You want something that doesn’t feel like it will be blown around when heavy trucks pass by in windy weather.
I have no desire to get a big bike, except just to try one. The bike’s speed capabilities isn’t a fun factor for me, although it IS fun accelerating quickly, especially when silly boys in steel cages think they can beat you.
If you get a 350 you’d be bored of it in 2 weeks. I would say 550-750 for a first bike, and if you have an aptitude, go with a 1000. It sort of depends on the individual though. If you’re a dumbass and you KNOW you’ll be trying to race it around, don’t go higher than a 550 cause you’ll probably kill yourself. If you’re sensible then really the only limitation is your comfort level. If you have a license and your buddies don’t mind, try their bikes out and see what you like best (sometimes stores also have “test ride” days, you usually have to sign up for it though ahead of time).
I’m shopping around for a moped.
Wow. Just looking for info on problem solving an electral fault on my ‘77 550F2 supersport. Stumbled on this litlle conversation you’ve had going for 2 years. That is really neat. Glad you are still enjoying your first ‘proper’ bike. It is mine two. unfortunately this means I’ve spent most of the last 2 years I’ve owned mine trying to learn how engines work, and far too little time on the road! Still she is beautiful and have loved the time we have had on the road :0)
Anyone want to swap a project, for a fully restored 550? Tee hee
I’m not mechanically inclined. If my bike ever broke down enough to require a lot of work and it was too expensive, I’d sell it.
Was just looking for pix of my old bike and found this. I had a 79 CB550 and it was a great bike, but when I bought it, back in the early 80s, I only paid $1500 US for it. Put a lot of miles on that bike, including a great ride to Yellowstone.
I had to replace the clutch cable last week, and a couple weeks ago I had to replace its fuses. I think those parts were the original 30 year old ones.
I wonder what will go next?
I’d love to get a sidecar for it.
If you got a sidecar, I’d hop in. That’s the only way I’d go for a ride, and I wouldn’t go near the highway. Too much of a splatter factor there.
Here’s a photo of my model with a sidecar.
Man, that’d be awesome.
mine does not look that nice…i have to take off the giant windjammer fairing…eeeyyyccchh…
I have a 1978 Honda CB550K for sale–completely restored and rebuilt, and it’s also going for $2,000.00 CDN.
Don’t forget something: That bike is 30 years old next year. Depending upon who decides, it is at least a classic, possibly vintage. They didn’t make a lot of those bikes. Restored versions (with the factopry paint and pipes) are very rare. That bike is an investment.
My other bike is a fully restored 1975 Honda CB750.
> Restored versions (with the factopry paint and pipes) are very rare. That bike is an investment.
I didn’t buy it as an investment. I got it because it was cheap, in excellent condition, and reliable; however, I DO care about maintaining its vintage - most of its parts are original: seat, paint, etc. I’d like to keep it that way, although the seat is beginning to fray and there are chips in the paint. I hope to have that bike for another 30 years.
So did you ever get this bike? How was it?
1976 Honda CB550
> So did you ever get this bike? How was it?
Read the comments and check the motorcycle category out! You bet I bought it!
I HAVE A BIKE JUST LIKE IT !!! GREAT RIDE ! it will last along time with care & small maintenance
If you purchase this bike, you should be very happy with it. I have owned three of them (all 1976s) and have put over 250000 miles on them. I am trying to find another one and that is how I found your post. I just have two things to warn you about.. DO NOT put an o-ring chain on it- they are wider than the standard and WILL rub a hole in the cases. It’s a neat automatic chain oiler, but just not a good idea! The other thing is that if you have an ignition problem that no-one can figure out, look at the black wire coming off the coils. There is a junction on the left side under the tank that is notorious for going bad. Just a heads up! :) This bike should give you many years of trouble-free riding. I got 170k out of my first! Good luck and enjoy!
Bill Holley
Psychobikerbill@yahoo.com
O MY GOD! I AM SO HAPPY FOR YOU!!!!
That was my first bike: 1978 CB550K. I rode it everywhere. A bit weak in the electrical department, and a bit on the heavy side, but very reliable. Twenty five years later, after having a CBX and some other really classic bikes, I’m riding a CH150 Elite scooter born in 1985 and loving it. Things change, and requirements too. The scooter keeps me on two wheels and puts a grin on my face. I sometime miss my old 500 Turbo though.
I want a side-car now that I’ve seen Tommyboy’s bike with one.
Last summer the cb550 had a few mechanical problems. It’s made me nervous about driving it now, fearing a part will give out will cruising on the highway. I want my confidence back! I’m taking to the shop this spring for a major inspection.
I get my bike checked over every two years…of course I drive such old bikes that they tend to see the mechanic or undergo inspections pretty regularly….I am going to have to learn to be handy…or get another job….
in toronto and just bought my first bike a 1975 kz 900 inline 4!!! :P I have dirtbike experience n Im doin just fine on this tank. anyways that would be my tip for begginers is to ride a cheap dirt bike for a while and get comfortable with the gears n such. if you buy a bike like mine and have a happy throttle wrist then youd better hold onto the seat of your pants cuz it’ll go. anywho I got my best friend into bikes and he got a 1980 cb550 or w.e nice condition for 800 canadian! :O which is a damn good deal. anyways its a nice bike and great for a begginer good luck with it. hell Id go to edmonton for a road trip. better have faith in the bike though lol. long trip but nice in the mountains on a bike I bet. anyways thats my lil tid bit. taker easy and have fun ehh
Peace, dude.
i just bought a 1978 honda 550 an it was in rough condiion the pipes are broke an the elictricl has ben jerry riged some dumb ass hade it before me an he doged the snot out of it i found a manul fore it an am gona make an atempt to make it rideable o iwas wondering how dose it handle on the innrestate i live in salem VA an i wana ride it to knoxvill TN its about a 4/5 hower ride an just wana know what im in fore o ya i bought the bike fore 500$us now thats a steel
I have the same bike, they are nice rides. I have owned bigger and faster ones, but this one is nice for around town. It is nice to have a older unit that is original. Have Fun.
Well I have had my 1978 cb550k four for 3 years. I love it. It is my first bike to own. I am trying to restore it but having trouble finding parts for it. So i guess I wont restore it to original but will fix it up nice. Hope to chat more about it soon. When I figure out how to put pics on here I will.
I bought a 78 550 four a few years back. i love it. im in the military now so i havent rode it in about 2 years, actually just moved it to my dads so he can clean the carbs,and tank out for me. i have had more people bug me to sell it than i can count. one being my sisters boy toy, he’s been bugging since i got it, and so has my brother. when i went out to sturgis in 06 i had a bunch of people checking it out, made me feel proud to own it. i will never get rid of it because it is my first bike, and i dont want to be one of these people that a few years down the road wishing i still had it. i cant wait to get back out on it. i only paid 6-700 for it. it had around 13000 on it and now has over 28000. i fully trust it for a trip. the only thing i have had to absolutly replace was the ignition switch, chain, and rear brakes. i believe hondas to be verry reliable. i would definatly buy another.
geez after all these testimonials I think I am going to have to add one of these to my “fleet” of bikes…hey jody wanna sell a bike?
Hi, I also have a cb550, 1976 model, I don’t know how or I’d post a pic. I love my old scoot, I plan on mostly just keeping it stock for longer life span, its my only transportation and me and my girlfriend ride two-up to work and every where else for that matter, it accelerates just fine with both of us and cruises 70mph easy with us. Hope yall enjoy your bikes and ride safe. Remember that solid front disk brake provides little stopping when its wet, so slow down, the after market electronic ignition are available and will increase drive ability, lube the chain every ride or install a auto lube system, they will last a long time, stock tires are best to me, after market uni-filter pods are a nice upgrade but you must re jet the carb, not hard to do, get a shop manual, and read a lot on the net, you will learn, sync the carbs after any improvement also, another not to hard to do, read “dan’s motorcycle repair” site he is a motorcycle guru, also check out ” oldmanhonda” just Google these you will find it, make sure to look on oldmanhonda for the timing instructions, this is a must do once in a while, any other info I can help also just e-mail joecool14u2@msn.com ok remember ride safe and stay alive, oh yeah i live in Georgia, its good to ride here all year, just rain to ride in sometimes, snow and ice are rare, winter usually mild 30-40 degrees
Thanks for the feedback, joecool14u2. It’s astounding how this little ole post is found by folks everywhere, sometimes compelling people to write about their bike. It’s cool reading about others riding and maintaining a similar 30+ year old bike.
I have no idea what “uni-filter pods” are. I get someone qualified to to work on my bike. I’m afraid I’ll start something and then not know how to put it back together, making my bike unrideable.
Well Jody, my girlfriend also has a honda cm250 she rides and she has taken the carb off and taken it apart for service, we would take are bikes to a shop but i have never had money to pay for someone else to work on them so we just follow directions like making a red velvet cake, to the tee, and a lot of reading and research prior to doing the work, but if you are not mechanically inclined or just have the funds then yeah a good shop will usually do a great job of maintaining your bike(given they are honest, I have heard horror stories of bikes shops charging $50-70 just to install a battery), just google any of the stuff i talk about and you will find great information on the net, you have a good bike and really dependable, not fast like these newer bikes or as comfortable as some newer cruiser models but faithful to its respective owner and good for 100,000 miles + according to wikipedia, check it out, its got its on wikipedia page and lots of cool information there to, my bike is at 19878 miles now, factory paint and side covers intack, original seat still fairing well, averaging 45mpg, changing sprockets soon hope mileage gets better, current spockets are 17-40, factory was 17-37, i am installing 18-37, this will lower the rpms at highway speeds, oh yeah, mike bike is pictured on mikes website, its posted under his name up close to top of page
sorry, i meant my bike not mike bike lol type-o, its on the page of others bikes
WOW! This thread has been going for a long time! I’m looking into getting a 79 CB550. I currently have an ‘80 Suzuki GS750. Nothing super fast. Just fun to ride.
What should I look for in particular when I’m looking at the 550? People have mentioned the electrical as being an issue. Anything else?
I have no idea what condition it’s in. I’ve heard that it hasn’t been ridden in 3 years.
The seller says that there is a side car that would go along with it. The only thing that it’s missing is the brackets to attach it. Was a side car an option at some point, or would this be an after market kind of thing? I’m looking for something that I could take my daughter out on rides in. Is this reliable enough to do something like that?
The seller is asking $800 US for the whole package. From what I’m reading, that sounds like a pretty good deal. Thanks for any help/advice you can offer!
The CB550 was only made from 1974-78 so I can’t help you on that one.
Hrm… Apparently I’ll need to get some additional information from the guy. Regardless of year, the same questions stand.
Was a side car ever an option? Are there any major issues that I should look for when checking out the bike?
Thanks for any help that anyone can provide!
You can put a side car on almost any bike. Just be sure to have someone qualified and knowledgable do it, it is not something I would do as a do it yourself unless you fit the aformentioned.
I have a 72 750 bmw with a sidecar and my kids love it…but it is not like riding a bike..it is an open air three wheeled car…but it is fun nonetheless….I have a velorex side car which from what I understand is a very lightweight rig….it works fine….
as far as checking out the bike…sorry I am mechanically inept…but I have access to a good mechanic….
good luck…eight hundred sounds reasonable….if the bike is running
I posted about tommyboy’s sidecar before.
I’d love to get a sidecar, but I think I would get another bike JUST for a sidecar, so I wouldn’t have to mess around with removing and installing it.
I haven’t actively looked for one, but a new one is at least a couple thousand in Atlantic Canada (if I can even find one; I’d probably have to order it from Quebec or Ontario).
can anyone post what mpg they are getting? i get 40mpg, better if ride easy worse if riding hard!
I get about 40-45 mpg, but I’m a conservative driver, although that’s mostly city, too.
yeah i just bought a 1978 550 four k 2 days ago gave 400.00 [usa] for it it has 4600 miles on it but it has one problem and i can’t figure it out when i turn the turn singnals off two in the front stays on and when i turn it to the right the left one comes on instead turn it to the left the right one comes on and the 2 back singnals don’t even work at all the bike is in perfect shape but some one try to put a front windsheild on it with lights on it and look like they cut into the original turning singnals wires so i check the fuse box and nothing shot so i’m wonderif the did not burn the switch out does anyone have a idea i can try befor paying a bike shop to repair it any help would be helpfull thaxs
try this link for downloads of manuals, try rewiring yourself, train yourself to do your own maintenance, try these sites for help, oldmanhonda and dan’s motorcycle repair
I have a 1978 Honda CB550K and only have one gripe with it: in 1978, Honda changed the shape and size of the seat in such a way that any number of accessories for the 1971-1977 550s (which are otherwise virtually identical) won’t fit the ‘78. These include most aftermarket seats, sissy bars/back rests/luggage racks and some suspension parts. A minor quibble, I suppose, but if you’re planning on customizing a ‘78, you may be in for a challenge.
On the other side of the coin, in 1978 Honda redesigned it’s transmission and I believe the revamped version is a bit heftier and more durable than its predecessort–I think the clutch might be slightly bigger as well. The only complaint I’ve ever had with mine has been that it’s difficult to get into neutral when hot, but tightening the clutch slightly helped with that.
Love this site! Started reading comments from 2005 and figured this was a dead site with long-forgotten messages, but they kept getting newer and newer. Ha.
Just bought a 78 cb550 for $650 US from a guy in West Tennessee who evidently scours the South for old Hondas, fixes them up, and then resales them. Said he has sold almost a thousand bikes over the years.
He bought this one from a soldier in Kentucky who was shipping out, and had to sell the bike fast, so he cleaned it up a bit, and posted it on Craig’s List at noon today (Saturday). I just happened to see the ad at 1 pm, emailed him, and gave him my phone number, telling him to call collect. (It was a long distance call to my house in Nashville.) He said he had already had 20 emails in the hour it was posted, but I was the first guy to say he could call collect. Ha. Maybe that is a tip for future bidders?
Anyway, he is delivering the bike later this week, and I’ll post a follow-up, if anybody cares.
Have had bikes since I was 14, except for the last 4 years…so with the price of gas leaping higher and higher, I decided to get back into riding on 2-wheels.
Hope this bike proves to be a good investment. As long as I keep it out of ditches, I should be able to ride it for a few years, and then recoup my modest investment.
I’m sure I’ll have lots of questions for this circle of experts over the next few months.
Best to you and yours. Happy Riding.
Thom
Awesome site. Still posting strong after 2 years! Must be quite the bike. I’m going to pick up a 1976 cb550 tomorrow and if all goes well, I should be riding along in no time!
quit slobbering over junk……… got three harleys and looking for #4
To Hogman You should have gotten it right the first time and got a honda then you would only need one bike.
I have a cb750k full dress king/queen seat and love it. Paid $500.00 U.S. three years ago granted i bought it from my uncle so he was nice to me on the priceing.
Ride safe everybody.
the prices here seem very reasonable for working condition bikes…I may have to trade in a beemer and get a honda….
just got the 750 k bike out Jody and compared to the 72 750 R it is like a floating spaceship what a great bike to ride…..I have to get the brakes checked on the side car rig so the kids are sad…seriously I am looking at these old hondas…..oh Jody we are working on the Jawa…playing around with it and it actually turned over….after fifteen years….hope to have it road worthy next summer….it is a 1969 jawa california…look up the jawa sidecars…they are interesting….may have to get one for this bike….
My damn CB550 has an electrical problem - the main fuse blows out irregularly. I’ll have to check all the wiring, which I have no idea how to do.
I’ve had the same problem….three months after I bought mine it blew a main fuse. I replaced that and it ran all last summer without a single problem (over 1000 miles). Fired it up this spring and once the Minnesota weather got warm enough to do some proper riding, I blew two main fuses in two days.
I’ve been told by others that old Hondas tend to blow fuses for no apparent reason, and I’ve been unable to find anything wrong with the wiring (I did find a worn spot on a turn signal wire, which I fixed–the last two times it has blown right after I signaled a right turn). I do wonder about the voltage regulator though I am not sure how to test it.
Anyone else have any thoughts? I’ve been trying to find a slower-acting fuse and considering putting a 20 amp in place of the 15 in case it’s just voltage “spikes” that are blowing the main. Mind, I don’t want to blow anything more than the fuse, for obvious reasons.
Thoughts and similar experiences are welcome.
My kz400 is doing the same thing. One thing you could check is to turn the key in on position but don’t start the bike, now feel the main fuse. If it slowly gets hotter as you have the key on then you have something shorting out. If it stays cool for over 5 min with the key on and in run position then putting a heavier fuse on should do the trick. I have not been able to figure out what is going on with my bike. Im thinking my problem has something to do with the on off switch.
Good luck
I’ll try that, Charles. Thanks. It’s running fine now but I fear riding on long trips now in case a fuse blows again (I haven’t replaced the spare yet).
You should buy it!! But if you choose not to, please forward the contact info of the seller as I am interested in that model. thanks.
I should have read the dates more carfully…haha! Anyways how do you like your 78 cb550??
Well, I’ve narrowed the problem with mine down considerably. I pulled the side cover and fuse box cover, then switched the ignition on. The main fuse got so hot within a minute that I’m sure it was about to blow. Then I noticed the tail light wasn’t lit.
I let things cool down, then switched the ignition on, tapped on the taillight twice, and the light came on. After that, I left the ignition on for 10 minutes and the main fuse didn’t so much as get warm.
So tomorrow I’ll take the tail light apart–it’ll be a loose wire or perhaps a problem with the socket. Either way it’ll be easy enough to fix.
All of the rear lighting on the CB550 runs through the main fuse so that might be the best thing to check first. It’s certainly the easiest part of the wiring to access!
So, a word of warning, folks….don’t overlook the obvious! If I’d bothered to see if all of the lights were working in the first place, this wouldn’t have been much of a puzzle at all. With any luck, I’ll be back on the road and reliable tomorrow. Whew!
I have another annoying problem now: on a cold start I have to keep the throttle over 2000 rpm for at least 2 minutes to prevent it from stalling, even with the choke open.
In the good ole days I merely had to open the choke, press the Start button, and that’d be it; I’d then put my gear on while it warmed up; I never had to rev it.
Now I have to keep my hand on the throttle to keep the rpms up else it will stall.
Any suggestions? Maybe the choke isn’t working correctly, even though I had it pulled out all the way.
I am assuming that your throttle is set right. If not then just turn it up a tiny bit. also you could have a clogged air filter but you would notice that all the time. Sounds like something in the carbs.(obviously)
By the way Dave Iam glad that you found out your problem. I hope I can figure mine out soon.
I have owned three. Bought 1st brand new Aug. ‘79 $1850.00 Put 41,000 miles on it. Should never have sold it.
Bought a 77 in 89 with 2500 miles for $650.00 sold in 1994 for 1350. never should have sold it.
Bought a 1978 in 2001 for $1200.. had 2349 original miles, still have it , never going to sell it I hope, D’oh. it now has about 3200 original miles. Buy the factory workshop maual. Most things can be done easily. Carry Spare fuses of all the needed sizes.
mine blew fuses also, i fixed it with a 5/16″ bolt for a fuse, has run know for nearly 9000 miles with out a blow fuse, never have got around to seeing why the fuse blowed, maybe when i pull it apart one day to rebuild it, oh jody, about the choke thing, new plugs, spark plugs i mean and clean the points a bit will help, amazing how good my bike run after installing new plugs, try the Champion RA8HC, it runs great in my bike, the ngk plugs tend not to last too long, as posted before try the air cleaner, and run high octane as you can get plus try one full tank of gas plus one can of “sea-foam” walmart sells it here, autozone and most parts stores carry it, it cleans out the jets well and don’t seem to harm anything, just dump it in gas tank fill it up with gas and ride it out, might want to use it beginning of season and once at season end, just make sure you ride it all out after putting it in, don’t want it sitting in there for months, and if that don’t help try adjusting the valves and setting the timming, basic full tune-up time i quess, i tune mine a lot and keep it running daily so hard to say how often you need to do it, i adjust the valves about every 4000 miles, when i do that i set points and timming, possibly resynchronize the carbs at that time, but i clean the plugs and file the points every 1000miles, and i change the oil every 1500miles or so, adjust the chain every 2000 miles if needed and check oil and lube chain daily, hope this helps
If you can do all that jody can you teach me….
thanks joe for all the info…I now own an “older” bike and have just ordered the manual, perhaps in a vain attempt to become more knowledgeble with the mechanical aspects of riding a 70 s era motorcycle
Maintaining one of these is a bit like a trip back in time, to the days when working on ignition meant setting points and “fuel injection” meant spraying starting fluid into the carburetor. Every time I have to do some adjusting on my machine I’m grateful for my misspent youth, part of which was misspent variously riding and working on a series of mini-bikes driven by lawnmower engines.
I have the Clymer manual on 4 cylinder Hondas, which is not as comprehensive as the Honda shop manual but a lot cheaper–and covers more than the Haines manual which is available at the same price (original Honda shop manuals….be prepared to lay out $100 or more). It’s a great start, but I have to say that the various tips and tricks one finds on various Internet forums are indispensible.
My electrical problem proved to be hilariously simple–so simple I overlooked it for some time. I had narrowed it down to the tail light assembly and so was going over all the wiring etc. with a multimeter but couldn’t find a single problem. The tail light never came on when the ignition was switched on but came right on if I tapped on the housing.
You guys know where this is leading, right? I finally took the lens off and tried tapping on it. Sure enough–bad bulb. Tapping on the assembly brought the broken ends of the filament together enough that the bulb would light, and the next bump shut it down again.
Replaced the bulb and haven’t had the slightest problem since.
Incidentally, that was the OEM bulb that I replaced. Just to be on the safe side, I’m going over the whole bike and replacing all of the rest of the bulbs (they’re standard and can be gotten at K-Mart). However reliable they may have been all this time, getting rid of any 30 year old bulbs that may still be on the bike just seems like good preventive maintenance.
I heard recently that every four cylinder Honda made in 1978 was delivered with a factory defect in the form of a hole that was drilled just a bit too large in the #1 carburetor (if your bike drips when you forget to shut the fuel off and you think you’ve got a stuck float–chances are you don’t). Apparently there is a replacement screw available from Honda which will fix the problem easily and lead to a smoother-running bike in the process. Has anyone else run into this?
New problem! The choke is stuck. I pulled it up this morning and now the damn thing won’t go back down. Maybe that’s part of my original problem of it stalling before it’s warm. I DID clean the spark plugs and adjusted their gaps last weekend, which helped a little.
How the hell do I unstick the choke, though? Googling “cb550 choke stuck” returns this stupid post as its first hit!
Sounds like its time for a carb clean.
i have a 1976 honda 550Four, awsome bike. 50 mpg, drive it all summer long.
you can get most of yer parts on ebay. be prepared for the clutch cable to snap on ya. have one on reserve. also keep a spare tiretube and a can of fix-a-flat handy. enjoy
don’t use fix a flat it will wear out your tires quickly from the inside
jody, sounds like the linkage is jammed against something on choke