Honda-SOHC

SOHC.co.uk Forums => CB500/550 => Topic started by: garyb163 on February 11, 2018, 05:47:03 PM

Title: Which CB550F do I have?
Post by: garyb163 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.
 
Title: Re: Which CB550F do I have?
Post by: Deano400 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.
Title: Re: Which CB550F do I have?
Post by: Green1 on February 11, 2018, 06:02:49 PM
Welcome buddy don't forget pictures are now mandatory on here.  ;)
Title: Re: Which CB550F do I have?
Post by: deltarider 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
Title: Re: Which CB550F do I have?
Post by: garyb163 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.
Title: Re: Which CB550F do I have?
Post by: deltarider on February 11, 2018, 06:59:43 PM
Electrical wiring is probably outside.
Title: Re: Which CB550F do I have?
Post by: garyb163 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?
Title: Re: Which CB550F do I have?
Post by: jon stead 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.
Title: Re: Which CB550F do I have?
Post by: Trigger 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*****  ;)
Title: Re: Which CB550F do I have?
Post by: garyb163 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?
Title: Re: Which CB550F do I have?
Post by: Trigger 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  ;)

Title: Re: Which CB550F do I have?
Post by: Trigger 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  ;)
Title: Re: Which CB550F do I have?
Post by: garyb163 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.
Title: Re: Which CB550F do I have?
Post by: Seabeowner 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.
Title: Re: Which CB550F do I have?
Post by: garyb163 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??
Title: Re: Which CB550F do I have?
Post by: deltarider on February 12, 2018, 07:42:14 AM
The Parts List tells yours is the F2 model for UK. Why not remember your frame- and enginenumber and see for your self what is original and what not.
http://www.honda4fun.com/pdf_parts_list/pdf_spac550/CB550F2/CB550F2_1.pdf
http://www.honda4fun.com/pdf_parts_list/pdf_spac550/CB550F2/CB550F2_2.pdf
http://www.honda4fun.com/pdf_parts_list/pdf_spac550/CB550F2/CB550F2_3.pdf
http://www.honda4fun.com/pdf_parts_list/pdf_spac550/CB550F2/CB550F2_4.pdf
Title: Re: Which CB550F do I have?
Post by: AshimotoK0 on February 12, 2018, 08:08:41 AM
The Parts List tells yours is the F2 model for UK. Why not remember your frame- and enginenumber and see for your self what is original and what not.
http://www.honda4fun.com/pdf_parts_list/pdf_spac550/CB550F2/CB550F2_1.pdf
http://www.honda4fun.com/pdf_parts_list/pdf_spac550/CB550F2/CB550F2_2.pdf
http://www.honda4fun.com/pdf_parts_list/pdf_spac550/CB550F2/CB550F2_3.pdf
http://www.honda4fun.com/pdf_parts_list/pdf_spac550/CB550F2/CB550F2_4.pdf

Those parts list and K3 are already on dropbox here as high quality single scans ..Oddjob loaned me them to scan

https://www.dropbox.com/s/h7tm19y5fy27vvd/CB550F2_PartsBook.pdf?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/fk9l07zhkoxqhvk/CB550K3%20Parts%20Book.pdf?dl=0
Title: Re: Which CB550F do I have?
Post by: deltarider on February 12, 2018, 12:54:20 PM
Excellent! The only problem is that I seem not able to enlarge it. Is that typical for Dropbox? Are you aware that that K3 parts list only covers the 'A' (US) model?
Title: Re: Which CB550F do I have?
Post by: deltarider on February 13, 2018, 08:22:04 AM
If you look you'll see that NON UK parts are not listed, check indicator page and you'll see loads of them. If it was an American book that wouldn't be there.

I can enlarge them, bring mouse pointer to bottom of page and there is a + and - signs there
Oddjob, it's just that once I have selected full screen, I seem not able to enlarge anymore. Is there a trick maybe, because I really love the higher resolution of the file.
The K3-4 parts list differs from the one I have as it doesn't depict the 'area code' differences. Also there's - but correct me if I'm wrong - no list of engine- and framenumbers in the first few pages but of the US model.
Title: Re: Which CB550F do I have?
Post by: Seabeowner on February 13, 2018, 09:26:18 AM
Gary, I think the F1 came with engine with generator cover with a removable (held by three pins) logo "Honda" plate. On the F2 the "Honda" is machined directly on the cover and the three screws that hold the field coil are visible.
But: 1 That could be changed.  2. I could be wrong.
Title: Re: Which CB550F do I have?
Post by: Seabeowner on February 13, 2018, 02:43:34 PM
Oddjob my guess was because my US F1 has the press on plate. looking CMS show it for England too.
https://www.cmsnl.com/honda-cb550f1-super-sport-550-four-1976-england_model17113/partslist/E08.html#results
Think it's just 550F2, K3 and 78K that have the later design. Plus of course the later Euro 500s (K3 type)
Title: Re: Which CB550F do I have?
Post by: deltarider on February 14, 2018, 07:53:56 AM
Try this Delta, choose direct download at top right of screen. Open the download and select fit to screen in bottom left, if you press this twice it gets pretty large.

AFAIK Seabeowner they all had the 3 screws arrangement, only the 500 had the press on Honda logo plate.
Got it now, Oddjob. Thanks a lot!
SimplePortal 2.3.5 © 2008-2012, SimplePortal