I had a k3, technically better than the 500, but, the 550 was just a bit less special, the fuel filler cap was a bit less attractive, the riding position was just less right, a bit like my favourite old bike jacket, and the other 2 that I tried to replace it with, somehow a host of small differences add up to that being the right bike. I don't think it is the exhausts because I never had the proper system on the 500. That and possibly the investment crowd buying early versions because the trend is for earlier vehicles being worth more, a kind of self fulfiling policy. It is the same now with old Landrovers, ours is a fairly rare example sporting its original 2.0d engine, 10 years ago I was advised it was skip fodder, now they are sought after despite being well down on power ( like 50mph top speed when every othr variant could top 60) crazy world where the value is only real because it is percived as valuable by other investors.
