Honda 550 From Early Seventies Question
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Honda 550 From Early Seventies Question Dan 06-19-2006
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Posted by Dan on June 19, 2006, 10:10 am
Hi All,
I'm trying to find out what year my late fathers old bike was (guess
I'm getting all nostalgic). It was an early '70ies Honda 550 Four. I
think it was a K model as it had 4 into 4 pipes. What stood out was
it's stock color, a metal flake orange color that my dad repainted to
all black once he got the bike home. I think he got a good deal on it
and thats why he settled on that color. I remember him letting me
finally ride it once I got my MC licsence, nice bike!

I've been searching the net and haven't come across any pics of 550
K's in that orange color. Any info is greatly appreciated!

Dan
Quadzila@NOSPAMoptonline.net
Remove NOSPAM from address when replying

Posted by on June 19, 2006, 10:27 am

Dan wrote:
> Hi All,
> I'm trying to find out what year my late fathers old bike was (guess
> I'm getting all nostalgic). It was an early '70ies Honda 550 Four. I
> think it was a K model as it had 4 into 4 pipes. What stood out was
> it's stock color, a metal flake orange color that my dad repainted to
> all black once he got the bike home. I think he got a good deal on it
> and thats why he settled on that color. I remember him letting me
> finally ride it once I got my MC licsence, nice bike!
>
> I've been searching the net and haven't come across any pics of 550
> K's in that orange color. Any info is greatly appreciated!
>

This is what you're after, I think

http://j-boy.blog.ocn.ne.jp/jboy/images/DSC03386.jpg

The early CB550s were styled exactly like the CB500 Four. We never got
that model in the UK. Then they revamped them into the CB550F Super
Sport, with a swoopy four-into-one like the 400 Four, plus plain
colours.

The F2 was essentially the same bike, plus some pinstriping.

The CB550K reverted to a four-into-four system, and was the last
version, with revised carbs to cure the CB550F's appalling thirst. But
it was styled nothing like the early four-piper.

Overall, probably the best compromise of the early Honda fours. Damn
nearly as fast as the 750 and handled infinitely better; more torque
and top end than the 400. But not so highly regarded by the collectors
these days. The early 750 and the 400 are The Ones To have.


Posted by Dan on June 19, 2006, 10:51 am
On 19 Jun 2006 07:27:06 -0700, chateau.murray@btinternet.com wrote:

>
>http://j-boy.blog.ocn.ne.jp/jboy/images/DSC03386.jpg
>
>The early CB550s were styled exactly like the CB500 Four. We never got
>that model in the UK. Then they revamped them into the CB550F Super
>Sport, with a swoopy four-into-one like the 400 Four, plus plain
>colours.
>
>The F2 was essentially the same bike, plus some pinstriping.
>
>The CB550K reverted to a four-into-four system, and was the last
>version, with revised carbs to cure the CB550F's appalling thirst. But
>it was styled nothing like the early four-piper.
>
>Overall, probably the best compromise of the early Honda fours. Damn
>nearly as fast as the 750 and handled infinitely better; more torque
>and top end than the 400. But not so highly regarded by the collectors
>these days. The early 750 and the 400 are The Ones To have.

Hi,
Very interesting re performance vs the 750s. I've always liked the
400Fs myslelf. Do you know what year that bike is in the picture? That
looks like the color & also looks like one of the colors diplayed on
the 550 brochure here
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6638967344&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:US:1#ebayphotohosting
The brochures for a '74, I believe.

Thanks!

Dan
Quadzila@NOSPAMoptonline.net
Remove NOSPAM from address when replying

Posted by pltrgyst on June 19, 2006, 10:32 am

>Hi All,
>I'm trying to find out what year my late fathers old bike was (guess
>I'm getting all nostalgic). It was an early '70ies Honda 550 Four. I
>think it was a K model as it had 4 into 4 pipes. What stood out was
>it's stock color, a metal flake orange color that my dad repainted to
>all black once he got the bike home. I think he got a good deal on it
>and thats why he settled on that color.

My 1978 was a metalflake orange-gold that could be what you're describing.

-- Larry


Posted by Steve on June 19, 2006, 8:16 pm
Hey, that was a nice color. My Honda 350CL was that color.
Isn't the year on the data plate on the frame/steering
ead? -- steve
| Hi All,
| I'm trying to find out what year my late fathers old bike
was (guess
| I'm getting all nostalgic). It was an early '70ies Honda
550 Four. I
| think it was a K model as it had 4 into 4 pipes. What
stood out was
| it's stock color, a metal flake orange color that my dad
repainted to
| all black once he got the bike home. I think he got a
good deal on it
| and thats why he settled on that color. I remember him
letting me
| finally ride it once I got my MC licsence, nice bike!
|
| I've been searching the net and haven't come across any
pics of 550
| K's in that orange color. Any info is greatly appreciated!
|
| Dan
| Quadzila@NOSPAMoptonline.net
| Remove NOSPAM from address when replying



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