CB500 v CB550

[florence]

I've noticed that CB550s seem to be fetching very high prices now, often more than CB500s and yet there are  many more of them around.  I have heard that they are a lot sportier than the 500.  Is this true?  Perhaps I should look for a 550 engine for mine and give it a try.  What do people here think, which is best or are they more or less the same?

[SteveD CB500K0]

They have a better clutch and gearbox.

2bhp more (48 vs 50)

Other than that - more or less the same.

[matthewmosse]

I prefer the 500 or early 550 style wise. The 550 cluch is less inclined to slip, if you want more go, I personally cann't tell the difference. putting a K&N filter on a 500 released far more go from my 500 than when I put standard 550 engine and carbs in there. The 500 carbs also are easyer to live with in terms of not clogging anywhere near so easily on dirty or old fuel and (with the k3 carbs at least) the 500 is a better cold starter. 550k3 carbs give marginally better fuel economy but not so reliable for all year use (mine never liked very cold or hot weather) the carb rubbers on a 550 are also longer and harder to fit. Of course you can fit 500 carbs to a 550. If you want to drop a 550 lump in a 500 you'll need a new engine mount plate on the rear right of the engine to hold the cluch cable as the standard 500 one hasn't got that bit of brackettry. I have killed more 550 boxes than 500 ones so not convinced the new desighn was better gearbox wise but there was a sidecar to stress them more than would be otherwise. Most parts interchange on the engines, real world not much in it.

[Yoshi823]

Teresa's brother-in-law had both a CB500F & a CB550F2, & he said that he preferred the F2 far more. But then he took the Koni shocks that he had fitted to the 500 & put them onto the 550, so at least it went around the corners better.

[matthewmosse]

That is one difference to the two bikes that I overlooked, the 500 is smaller than the 550, the forks are a few inches shorter, which was a surprise to me until I was trying to mess around getting a nice streight non pitted set together and found I carry 2 lenghs of forks, I expect rear shocks might be meant to be different too. Makes a 500 a smaller bike in terms of bulk and height (I think the seat and tank might be an inch or 2 narrower but I've not checked.) Mine was a 550k3 so the f1 and f2 might be different again.