I found a 1975 Honda 550 in good condition locally. I was hoping to find a 750, but this seems like a good price and condition. My only concern is that I won't be able to ride it to school on the interstate comfortably. Anyone know what the top speed is like on a 550?

 

Top speed on my CB400 was almost 90mph, and it would cruise at 65-70 on the highway with no problem - I had that thing tuned up realy nice

 

you'll be outclassed by modern machinery, but you'll have enough power and speed to travel on the interstate

 

Nice find. I've always wanted an orange CB550 (and a matching CL350, CB400, CB750K0, and CB750F)

 

You will be fine. I was concerned that my old Kawasaki would have trouble on the freeway (mostly due to condition, not displacement), but it got up and went just fine with traffic. It was a 750cc paralell twin, and would cruise along at 80 mph without a second thought.

 

You could ride that thing on the freeway on half the cylinders firing..

 

Thanks for the replies guys. I really want this bike, but I'm torn between just getting it because it's a good deal, or waiting for a 750 at the same price.

I know if I get a 750 for the same price it isn't going to be anywhere close to the same condition.

I don't know how dificult to find the parts will be for the 550. I figured it'd be easier for the 750 since it was more popular.

I'd like to buy a bike that is a little faster than my Ninja 250. I don't know what the HP numbers are like on this kind of bike. Nothing like half the HP and half the gas mileage, because you've got 2x the displacement.

 

50 hp, 102 top speed. In its day, of course.

For all of these stats and more, check out http://www.sohc4.us. They also have a great forum dedicated to these older Hondas.

I'm in the process of rebuilding a '68 CL350 right now, which is significantly slower. Still, it will make a great first bike to cruise around the city and backroads.

Good luck, and let us know how it turns out.

 

Get it. Then get a 750 too.

 

I have a 78 550, it will be fine on the highway, although the way it is geared, it cruises at 70MPH at around 5700-6000RPM, with the aftermarket pipes, it just screams bloody murder the whole way, haha.

Take off the sissy bar/backrest and trunk :D

 

I contacted the guy and he has a sale pending, so we'll see.

 

there is a mint conditioin one here in memphis area... 2900

http://memphis.craigslist.org/mcy/429183596.html


http://memphis.craigslist.org/mcy/429423720.html

Be happy to check out anything for you... i'll do anything for a free ride




Modified by MSchu at 6:13 PM 9/28/2007

 

Thanks for looking those up man. I missed your reply. I just saw this bike today and it's closer to the $2k price range I had in mind.

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/mcy/444115814.html

The description says "Slight mid-rpm stumble". What do you guys think? I'm not very mechanically inclined.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Gotcha &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The description says "Slight mid-rpm stumble". What do you guys think? I'm not very mechanically inclined.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Probably just a carb sync, maybe new plugs or points or a points adjustment. If you've never worked on the old stuff before it can be a little daunting but they're very simple with the help of a shop manual.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Gotcha &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
The description says "Slight mid-rpm stumble". What do you guys think? I'm not very mechanically inclined.</TD></TR></TABLE>

ahhh the old mid-rumble stumble!!
they taught me that one in my Jive dance class!!

 

Mid rpm stumble can be ovaled out needle jets too. Dropping the needles can help this sometimes.

 

used to have a cx500, it did just fine on any type of condition I put it in.....including offroad

 

Slight side track... Those CB550 makes nice boppers/cafe racers... I want to get one too...
Here's one all fixed up (from http://www.cb750cafe.com/)... A CB500... Probably the same styling as MSchu's posting.

 

I have a 76 550. I've only gone 95 but you will fly down the freeway with no problem.