Honda CB550
Encyclopedia
The Honda
CB550 is a 544 cc four-cylinder standard motorcycle
made between 1974 and 1978. It is a development of the earlier Honda CB500
, and like its predecessor, the original CB550K had 4 exhaust pipes and 4 silencers. The CB550K went through some minor iterations, the last being the CB550K4. Shortly after the CB550K was introduced, a second version of the CB550 was offered, the CB550F “Super Sport”.
The “K” and “F” versions were sold alongside each other. Mechanically, the "K" and "F" versions were similar, sharing the same engine, tank, seat, instruments, lights, wheels, brakes and frame. The main differences were that the “F” had a lighter 4-into-I exhaust/silencer kit, fewer chrome trimmings, different sidepanels and slightly flatter handlebars. Whereas the 'K" was in the styling tradition of the 1969 Honda CB750
, slotting into the Honda range as its junior companion, the “F” formed part of the Honda Super Sport range, the CB400F
, CB550F and CB750F. The “F” (aka “F1”) was succeeded by the “F2”, which had an additional flash on the fuel tank and its fork gaiters removed.
Both F & K models had a drum rear brake and a only single front disk brake, although each fork slider had a bracket for a brake caliper. The stainless steel brake disk was neither drilled nor slotted, and was prone to slipping in wet conditions until the disk became hot enough to evaporate any surface water.
The CB550 was based closely on the earlier wet sump
CB500, and was the largest factory boring of this sohc air-cooled cylinder block. Having a few visual similarities to the dry sump
CB750
, the CB550 was much smaller and lighter. The 50 bhp @ 8,500 rpm CB550 was replaced in 1980 by the Honda CB650
which was broadly similar but significantly more powerful, producing 63 bhp @ 9,000 rpm.
The CB550F Super Sport was capable of reaching speeds of up to 105 mph (46.9 m/s). The CB550 was fairly light and, despite having rather basic brakes and suspension, it was a competent motorcycle which handled reasonably well. Although capable of two-up touring, the CB550 was perhaps best suited to middle distance urban and highway riding.
Honda
is a Japanese public multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles.Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than...
CB550 is a 544 cc four-cylinder standard motorcycle
Motorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
made between 1974 and 1978. It is a development of the earlier Honda CB500
Honda CB500
The Honda CB500 four, introduced early in the 1970s, was similarly styled to the CB750, but smaller and lighter, with an output of 48 bhp and a manufacturer's specified top speed of 102 mph. Like the earlier CB750 it sported a single front hydraulic disc brake, rear drum brake, electric...
, and like its predecessor, the original CB550K had 4 exhaust pipes and 4 silencers. The CB550K went through some minor iterations, the last being the CB550K4. Shortly after the CB550K was introduced, a second version of the CB550 was offered, the CB550F “Super Sport”.
The “K” and “F” versions were sold alongside each other. Mechanically, the "K" and "F" versions were similar, sharing the same engine, tank, seat, instruments, lights, wheels, brakes and frame. The main differences were that the “F” had a lighter 4-into-I exhaust/silencer kit, fewer chrome trimmings, different sidepanels and slightly flatter handlebars. Whereas the 'K" was in the styling tradition of the 1969 Honda CB750
Honda CB750
The Honda CB750 is a motorcycle built in several model series between 1969 and 2003 and 2007 that is recognized as a milestone for Honda's successful introduction of a transverse, overhead camshaft inline four-cylinder engine that has ever since been the dominant sport bike configuration...
, slotting into the Honda range as its junior companion, the “F” formed part of the Honda Super Sport range, the CB400F
Honda CB400F
After introducing the four-cylinder CB750 motorcycle in 1969, Honda Motor Company followed with a string of lighter fours featuring engines as small as 350 cc , and the CB400F 408 cc Four, produced in 2 models from 1975 through 1977.For the most part, the CB400F was simply an upgraded version...
, CB550F and CB750F. The “F” (aka “F1”) was succeeded by the “F2”, which had an additional flash on the fuel tank and its fork gaiters removed.
Both F & K models had a drum rear brake and a only single front disk brake, although each fork slider had a bracket for a brake caliper. The stainless steel brake disk was neither drilled nor slotted, and was prone to slipping in wet conditions until the disk became hot enough to evaporate any surface water.
Wet sump
A wet sump is a lubricating oil management design for four-stroke piston internal combustion engines which uses a built-in reservoir for oil, as opposed to an external or secondary reservoir used in a dry sump design....
CB500, and was the largest factory boring of this sohc air-cooled cylinder block. Having a few visual similarities to the dry sump
Dry sump
A dry sump is a lubricating motor oil management method for four-stroke and large two-stroke piston internal combustion engines that uses external pumps and a secondary external reservoir for oil, as compared to a conventional wet sump system....
CB750
Honda CB750
The Honda CB750 is a motorcycle built in several model series between 1969 and 2003 and 2007 that is recognized as a milestone for Honda's successful introduction of a transverse, overhead camshaft inline four-cylinder engine that has ever since been the dominant sport bike configuration...
, the CB550 was much smaller and lighter. The 50 bhp @ 8,500 rpm CB550 was replaced in 1980 by the Honda CB650
Honda CB650
The Honda CB650 is a four-cylinder middleweight motorcycle manufactured from 1979 to 1985 by Honda. The machine was succesor to the Honda CB550, which was in turn based on the Honda CB500. The CB650 had a 626 cc SOHC four-cylinder, eight-valve engine which produced @ 9,000 rpm. The...
which was broadly similar but significantly more powerful, producing 63 bhp @ 9,000 rpm.
The CB550F Super Sport was capable of reaching speeds of up to 105 mph (46.9 m/s). The CB550 was fairly light and, despite having rather basic brakes and suspension, it was a competent motorcycle which handled reasonably well. Although capable of two-up touring, the CB550 was perhaps best suited to middle distance urban and highway riding.