Author Topic: Which CB550F do I have?  (Read 2189 times)

Offline garyb163

  • Newbie
  • Posts: 10
    • View Profile
Which CB550F do I have?
« on: February 11, 2018, 05:47:03 PM »
Hi everyone  I've recently joined the club after acquiring a 1977 CB550F.
Can anyone tell me please how do I tell if it's an F1 F2 or an F3 model?  Frame No: CB550F-2113617  Engine No: CB550E-1153376
Any help would be very much appreciated.
 

Offline Deano400

  • SOHC Expert
  • Posts: 480
    • View Profile
Re: Which CB550F do I have?
« Reply #1 on: February 11, 2018, 05:58:24 PM »
Welcome, you get plenty of help on here.
http://www.sohc4.net/cb550-model-guide/
Try this.

Offline Green1

  • SOHC Jedi
  • Posts: 2656
    • View Profile
Re: Which CB550F do I have?
« Reply #2 on: February 11, 2018, 06:02:49 PM »
Welcome buddy don't forget pictures are now mandatory on here.  ;)
Current bikes
Honda CB750k1 Valley Green Metallic
Honda CB750k1 Candy Gold
Honda CB550k Candy Jade Green
Honda CG125
Aprilia Pegaso 650
Moto guzzi 1200 sport
Kawasaki EX650R (Mine until dave pays for it)
Kawasaki ZXR400 J

Offline deltarider

  • SOHC Master
  • Posts: 1337
  • My kingdom for a turkey!
    • View Profile
Re: Which CB550F do I have?
« Reply #3 on: February 11, 2018, 06:11:19 PM »
Hi everyone  I've recently joined the club after acquiring a 1977 CB550F.
Can anyone tell me please how do I tell if it's an F1 F2 or an F3 model?  Frame No: CB550F-2113617  Engine No: CB550E-1153376
Any help would be very much appreciated.
Best I can do, is to direct you to the CB550F Parts Lists. In the first few pages of every parts list you'll find the frame- and enginenumbers listed. http://www.honda4fun.com/materiale-documentazione-tecnica/parts-list/parts-list-cb550 You need the right parts list to further determine the 'area code'.
BTW, there never was a CB550 F3. There was a CB550F, CB550F1 and a CB550F2. Yours is a F2. If it's original, it doesn't have the harmonica rubbers (front legs) and probably will have the wiring outside the handlebars. In case you don't have the Owner's Manual, they're here: http://www.honda4fun.com/pdf_libretti/550/550_77/libretto550_77_1.pdf
http://www.honda4fun.com/pdf_libretti/550/550_77/libretto550_77_2.pdf
http://www.honda4fun.com/pdf_libretti/550/550_77/libretto550_77_3.pdf
« Last Edit: February 11, 2018, 06:58:38 PM by deltarider »

Offline garyb163

  • Newbie
  • Posts: 10
    • View Profile
Re: Which CB550F do I have?
« Reply #4 on: February 11, 2018, 06:57:23 PM »
Thanks guys I'm pretty sure it's a F2 now.
Deltarider it doesn't have the harmonica rubbers on the front legs. I'm not sure what you mean when you say it will probably have the wiring outside the handle bars? Do you mean electrical wiring or brake/clutch cables?
Sorry if I sound dumb.

Offline deltarider

  • SOHC Master
  • Posts: 1337
  • My kingdom for a turkey!
    • View Profile
Re: Which CB550F do I have?
« Reply #5 on: February 11, 2018, 06:59:43 PM »
Electrical wiring is probably outside.

Offline garyb163

  • Newbie
  • Posts: 10
    • View Profile
Re: Which CB550F do I have?
« Reply #6 on: February 11, 2018, 07:05:36 PM »
Thanks Deltarider. It definitely has no rubbers on the Front forks I'll check the wiring tomorrow where will the wires be?

Offline jon stead

  • SOHC Expert
  • Posts: 378
    • View Profile
Re: Which CB550F do I have?
« Reply #7 on: February 11, 2018, 07:17:43 PM »
Thanks Deltarider. It definitely has no rubbers on the Front forks I'll check the wiring tomorrow where will the wires be?

Hi Gary and welcome to the forum.

Some bikes run the electrical wiring from the light switches, horn push button, starter push button, cut off switch and indicator switch etc, through the inside of the handlebars. It will be easy to see if your wiring is tied outside of the bar or run inside the bars.
2015 Triumph Bonneville T100 Newchurch

Offline Trigger

  • Grogu
  • *
  • Posts: 8434
  • Engines built on reputation, not advertising.
    • View Profile
Re: Which CB550F do I have?
« Reply #8 on: February 11, 2018, 07:29:46 PM »
Welcome to the mad world of the SOHC, wiring inside or outside will not ID your bike if someone else has changed the handle bars to non originals. It is the VIN (frame) number that ID's the Bike and it is clear in your case CB550F 2*****  ;)

Offline garyb163

  • Newbie
  • Posts: 10
    • View Profile
Re: Which CB550F do I have?
« Reply #9 on: February 11, 2018, 07:35:22 PM »
Just jumped in the car and went to the lock up to check the bike.
There are no rubbers on the front forks and the electrical wires run inside the handle bars is it still a F2?
I also noticed that the front flashers/indicators are bolted to the side of the headlamp. Nearly all pictures I've seen have the flashers/indicators about 6" down attached to the forks is this normal?

Offline Trigger

  • Grogu
  • *
  • Posts: 8434
  • Engines built on reputation, not advertising.
    • View Profile
Re: Which CB550F do I have?
« Reply #10 on: February 11, 2018, 07:52:31 PM »
Just jumped in the car and went to the lock up to check the bike.
There are no rubbers on the front forks and the electrical wires run inside the handle bars is it still a F2?
I also noticed that the front flashers/indicators are bolted to the side of the headlamp. Nearly all pictures I've seen have the flashers/indicators about 6" down attached to the forks is this normal?

A CB 550 F2 original head light bracket looks like this. If the indicators are mounted to the head light, maybe someone could not get a original head light bracket or stems. These old girls are getting on a bit and have been changed with non original parts over the years  ;)


Offline Trigger

  • Grogu
  • *
  • Posts: 8434
  • Engines built on reputation, not advertising.
    • View Profile
Re: Which CB550F do I have?
« Reply #11 on: February 11, 2018, 07:54:57 PM »
Welcome, you get plenty of help on here.
http://www.sohc4.net/cb550-model-guide/
Try this.

This guide is for USA units, not UK, Europe or anything else outside of the states  ;)

Offline garyb163

  • Newbie
  • Posts: 10
    • View Profile
Re: Which CB550F do I have?
« Reply #12 on: February 11, 2018, 08:25:30 PM »
Thanks for that Trigger.
I'm going to try and source some original headlight brackets as I would like to keep my bike as standard as possible.

Offline Seabeowner

  • SOHC Pro
  • Posts: 986
    • View Profile
Re: Which CB550F do I have?
« Reply #13 on: February 11, 2018, 10:03:33 PM »
Welcome Gary from another 550F owner.
The US site http://www.sohc4.net/cb550-model-guide/    is pretty confusing, even for US owners as it lists an F1, F2 and F3 and then if you scroll down shows pics of a F0, F1 and F2. Don't think the F0 was out in the UK. In reality our F1 looks similar to the F1 picture shown and our F2 similar to the F2. Take it yours is original UK bike.
The correct headlight ears in good condition are pretty rare. There are two varieties around, some have brazed on fittings that only fit the large US indicators. (US K type) You need ones which will take the screw on stems. And of course the tapered screw on stems are also rare as they are for European small indicators only.
My import is a 76 F1 (made in 6/75) but has a VIN CB550F-200*****. More confusing.
Phil
1971  CB500K0  Candy Jade Green or Candy Gold
1973  CB500K1  Candy Ruby Red
1975  CB550F1   Shiny Orange
1978  CB550K     Excel Black

Offline garyb163

  • Newbie
  • Posts: 10
    • View Profile
Re: Which CB550F do I have?
« Reply #14 on: February 11, 2018, 10:46:38 PM »
Hi Seabeowner, mine too is an import from the USA. I'm getting very confused about frame/engine numbers I'm pretty sure that my bike is an F2, I think??

 

SimplePortal 2.3.5 © 2008-2012, SimplePortal