| Manufacturer | Honda |
|---|---|
| Production | 1974 to 1978 |
| Predecessor | Honda CB500 |
| Successor | Honda CB650 |
| Class | standard motorcycle |
| Engine | 544 cc air-cooled 8-valve SOHC transverse four Bore X Stroke: 58.5 x 50.6 mm CR: 9.0:1 |
| Top speed | 102 mph (164 km/h) |
| Power | 50 bhp (37 kW) @ 8,500 rpm |
| Torque | 30.4 ft·lbf (41.2 N·m) @ 7,500 rpm |
| Transmission | 5-speed |
| Suspension | Front: 35 mm telescopic forks Rear: Twin shocks with adjustable pre-load |
| Brakes | single single-caliper front disk, rear drum |
| Tires | Front: 3.25 x 19 in Rear: 3.75 x 18 in |
| Rake, Trail | Rake: 64°, trail: 105 mm |
| Seat height | 805 mm (31.7 in) |
| Weight | 191 kg (420 lb) (dry) |
| Fuel capacity | 14 litres (3.7 US gal) |
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 (37 kW) @ 8,500 rpm CB550[1] was replaced in 1980 by the Honda CB650 which was broadly similar but significantly more powerful, producing 63 bhp (47 kW) @ 9,000 rpm.
The CB550F Super Sport was capable of reaching speeds of up to 105 mph (169 km/h). 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.