Honda CB550

CB550

Manufacturer	Honda
Production	1974 to 1978
Predecessor	Honda CB500
Successor	Honda CB650
Class	standard motorcycle
Engine	544 cc (33.2 cu in) air-cooled 8-valve SOHC transverse four
Bore / stroke	58.5 mm × 50.6 mm (2.30 in × 1.99 in)
Compression ratio	9.0:1
Top speed	92 mph (148 km/h)[1]
Power	38 hp (28 kW) @ 8,000 rpm[1]
Transmission	5-speed
Suspension	Front: 35 mm telescopic forks Rear: Twin shocks with adjustable pre-load
Brakes	single single-caliper front disc, 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	437 lb (198 kg)[1] (dry)
Fuel capacity	14 litres (3.7 US gal)

The Honda CB550 was a 544 cc (33.2 cu in) standard motorcycle produced from 1974 to 1978. It featured a four-cylinder SOHC air-cooled wet sump engine. The first version, the CB550K, was a development of the earlier CB500, and like its predecessor, had 4 exhaust pipes, 4 silencers and wire-spoked wheels.

Model development

Compared to Honda's 1969 dry sump CB750, both the CB500 and the CB550 were much smaller and lighter. The CB550K shared some visual similarities with the CB750, and it fitted into Honda's 4-cylinder range as its mid-capacity bike.

From 1975 to 1977, a second version of the CB550 was offered,^[1] the CB550F "Super Sport". The K and F versions were sold alongside each other, sharing a similar engine, instruments, lights, wheels, brakes and frame. The F featured a lighter 4-into-1 exhaust and slightly flatter handlebars, and a different fuel tank without any chrome trim. The F formed part of the Honda Super Sport range which comprised the CB400F, CB550F and CB750F. The F (aka F1) was succeeded by the F2, which had an additional flash decal on the fuel tank and deletion of the fork gaiters.

Both F & K models had a drum rear brake and a single front disc brake, although each fork slider had a bracket for a brake caliper. A second front disc brake could subsequently be fitted (using genuine Honda parts) by owners. The CB550K went through some minor iterations, the last being the CB550K4. Closely derived from the earlier CB500, the CB550's engine was the largest factory boring of this cylinder block; and when the CB550 was replaced in 1979 by the broadly similar Honda CB650, a completely new engine design was necessary.

1976 Honda CB550F1 "SuperSport"

CB550K (4-into-1) on the road

References