Honda CB550 four K AWY 834S

[SteveD CB500K0]

Put the frame and engine numbers up here and Bryan will tell you far quicker than DS


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[Rob62]

The front wheel and discs were definitely off a 400N, I’m 99.9% sure. I remember buying them from a breakers in Leeds called “twistgrips and spanners”.... I guess the ones you have will be the originals I fitted.. what about the generator cover? Does it still have a hole or evidence of a repair....it looks like it might on your photo... The frame is obviously the original I'm assuming the number matches the v5 and it still has evidence of the enamelling... wow it’s exciting seeing a bike from all those years ago...40 years since i first bought it.

[Rob62]

Im racking my brains trying to remember stuff.... I’m pretty sure i remember bundling the original 4 pipe exhaust with the sale to young LC murderer :-) I cant be 100% but i bet I gave him the the original wheels too as they would have been kicking around with the pipes. So the spoked wheels /hubs that came with it could well be the originals.... i’m sure I never fitted an after market swing arm, my photo’s dont quite show but it looks to be standard.. The reasons I fitted comstars were 1 to make it look more modern, 2 because the original spokes were rusty and 3 because the rear spokes used to come loose for some reason and cause low speed wheel wobble... probably my fault for not adjusting them properly. The tank has recesses in the sides, did you do that? It could be the original tank as it has the flip up cover... Another thing i remember, the nut on the top of the steering stem had damaged threads (slightly stripped) I always struggled to get the steering head bearings adjusted properly and had that nut off a few times, i had to be careful not to overtighten it..

[Rob62]

These are all the remaining photo’s i have that haven’t already been posted on here... most importantly they show the number plate.

[rocker61]

first thanks to rob62,oddjob , Steve d ,and any others that have made a newbie feel welcome with info and advise its very much appreciated!

rob 62 - only the 4-1 downpipes came with the bike and they are painted matt black.
tank recesses - yes I did that to cover dents and dings
stem nut - still have to be careful locating the lead thread
brake disk - identical to one of your pics
clutch cover - dull aluminium cover

oddjob - will be going back to spoke wheels eventually so might take you up on offer of disk
  Steve d - frame - cb550f 1000201  engine 550e 1100181

[Rob62]

More questions for you rocker     You mention the downpipes that came with the bike, are they the same ones in my photo i.e. cross over pattern? . Have you checked the generator cover, is there evidence of a small hole where the metal was worn away on the bottom edge... this would be a sure indicator that its the original motor.. cheers, Rob.

[Bryanj]

F0 started at frame cb550f 1000002 añd engine cb550e 1100004.
Not even Honda kept records of what engine went in what frame only the start numbers for each model.
Those numbers are in the correct region for being original but unusual in that engine number is lower than frame.

EDIT I seem to remember that the frame and engine number were stenciled on outside of cardboard crate cover but dont remember if engine number showed on invoice so recorded but even then at that time it was paper records and probably long gone.

Oddjob can you remember those crate numbers?

[Trigger]

That frame number relates to a CB550 F1 or F0 in the USA. A CB550 K3 frame should be CB550K 

[Bryanj]

trigger is correct about the numbers given, the US I.D. book does not even mention a "K" in the frame number and according to them frame starts CB550-20*****

Only Honda UK can say if its correct but knowing what Honda did with the 500 to UK numbers anything is possible. I take it the numbers on V5 match the stamped numbers?

[Rob62]

I find it highly unlikely that its a usa frame in a uk bike considering that we have already established that its the same frame that I had enamel coated back in about 1984. Any Honda dealer will confirm the model if you quote the chassis number to them in order to buy spares, just do that Rocker..... I am confident that all will be well. ..

[rocker61]

rob62 see enclosed pics, the pipes are not cross over as you fitted. I have never seen pipes like that what can you remember make  they were? also gen cover large area of road rash but no hole

[rocker61]

pipes

[rocker61]

brianj  couple of pics of vin plate and v5 details (sorry coundnt get a clearer plate pic)

[Trigger]

You identify a UK CB550 by the VIN number.
The CB550F1 VIN will be CB550F-1******
The CB550F2 VIN will be CB550F-2******
And the CB550K3 will be CB550K-*******

There is a difference between the F and K3 frame 

The cross over pipes were made by Lazer, not to be confused by Laser exhausts 

[Nurse Julie]

So are we talking about 2 totally different bikes 🤔🤔🤔
as Rocker 61 replied to Steve D with this number.
Steve d - frame - cb550f 1000201  engine 550e 1100181