Honda-SOHC

SOHC.co.uk Forums => CB500/550 => Topic started by: mastrup on September 08, 2020, 12:59:12 PM

Title: New 550 K3-owner. Whats with the decor?
Post by: mastrup on September 08, 2020, 12:59:12 PM: Hi all

Thanks for letting me into this forum.

Fell in love with the CB fours this spring, and been looking around for the right one all summer. Last Friday i bought this one (my first real vintage bike). In fine mechanical condition (it seems). And a very fine price. It's a (European) 550 K3 MY1978.

Can anyone here tell me whats with the tank decor? It doesn't seem original. And what about the color?
The seat is obviously not original. And I'm definitely planning on mounting a more classic looking (or maybe original) 550-seat.
Any suggestions?

I'm not planning on restoring the bike to it's original looks. Just want a nice bike for sunday cruising.(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/HNS4Z7hvHj4ITZUdgDF_5mJa1m911aVCZIQKC6K0bnbwY_VpehiojUHdY2WN2z0FeGxGhH1vEWvyn0O0UzClWM2NkTKD9q52Aowm4-5b_tBftNwqnXexI3-bD__s59jbgC1wk7WIjKe3gZCvSOYLwuZBMfzTwxbur3SEAPI2ImjBHgxk20a8Gr_Ab4WTAu_Wlhdrtya360YoKKaFGFcI20FOo6B_vC9vBy3fYm8KrmdpXtMsQ30Sjy59KupCmvETGFNrDRtOTJZhQfGZZ5tD8DXAksLh83CbkJExdmcH0nkkJwV1jdBCaUC2DE8-J87wfFmeCoasrtskmAq3-WXst2IIOm0jkW6snCAwdQS1zh3cmEFmWJdPdSni6aW-U6dV6CFA5EOx1o6_L2IBHshnN-VwvmWz0vRU5Z5nseuK-RzvFVMUNcsFzEl9QaSfMG_RXcza4-q7yJ8X1GSo5ZJEinRCRJA58EGQA0-nCWemheSe2Lk0AXiaLP9f0ypaIRIEh1bIF6vBAzwbKlN1OGh3OLKCTXwMwRPbTecTR0IkxIaw-K6GbzIW1-SS-cqlI8hMy9N7ov00-ikD079ecn1DJAWcrlpFMkGf_HVAbepnbeX1ocRN5UZYkZMMXsx856qiUkXl_q49r-dgmwW6K74N_d4EIEz6yJG0Biw_Xhjd2wrVjwGWOYMeq4ftCAiG7A=w1666-h937-no?authuser=0)

I have put a small video of the bike in this folder
https://photos.app.goo.gl/fAQaUugtWUfaL4Us7 (https://photos.app.goo.gl/fAQaUugtWUfaL4Us7)

Best regards
Mastrup from Denmark
Title: Re: New 550 K3-owner. Whats with the decor?
Post by: mastrup on September 08, 2020, 01:56:22 PM: Thanks, Oddjob, for the warm welcome. And your useful tips.

I'm already addicted to this forum ;)
Title: Re: New 550 K3-owner. Whats with the decor?
Post by: Nurse Julie on September 08, 2020, 02:23:43 PM: Welcome to the Forum.
Title: Re: New 550 K3-owner. Whats with the decor?
Post by: deltarider on September 08, 2020, 03:19:25 PM: Hi Mastrup. In Aladdin's Cave you can download the original Shop Manual Honda CB500-550. Your model is covered in one of the addenda. Best overall Parts List is here: http://www.honda4fun.com/pdf_parts_list/pdf_spac500-550/CB500-550_K3-K4.pdf BTW, you can identify your bike by comparing the engine- and framenumber of yours with those listed in p.4. Best Owner's Manual is here: http://dk.toastednet.org/CB550K/77CB550_OM.pdf (This because the European Owner's Manual gave the wrong advice concerning the camchain adjust method.)
Title: Re: New 550 K3-owner. Whats with the decor?
Post by: Rob62 on September 08, 2020, 08:01:54 PM: Spot on, i quite like the paintwork, not for the purist but looks tidy enough. Not so keen on the seat but that’s an easy fix.... either a nice new replica or a giuliari style replica would look cool..😎... ps it sounds nice too!
Title: Re: New 550 K3-owner. Whats with the decor?
Post by: mastrup on September 08, 2020, 10:12:50 PM: Thanks for the documents Deltarider. Great stuff.

Rob62, apart from Ebay, where would you suggest me to look for a new (or old) seat?

Thanks
Title: Re: New 550 K3-owner. Whats with the decor?
Post by: Rob62 on September 08, 2020, 10:55:57 PM: Hi mastrup, I have seen new replica seats for sale but I can’t remember exactly where. Could’ve been DS or wemoto but there are other potential sources; cmsl, 4into1 etc.. I would check them all before buying from DS..