Honda-SOHC

SOHC.co.uk Forums => CB500/550 => Topic started by: Bro550F on April 29, 2021, 11:16:51 AM

Title: What's it worth
Post by: Bro550F on April 29, 2021, 11:16:51 AM
There's a CB550F, 1979 in good condition , not perfect a few not original parts, but mostly all there.

They're asking £5250, is that high, good or just ok??

Not been in this buying market so would like to get some ideas,
cheers
Title: Re: What's it worth
Post by: Johnny4428 on April 29, 2021, 02:06:31 PM
Hi, great to see another enthusiast to the forum. The knowledgeable people will soon be along to offer advice. I always say it depends on how much you want the bike and that’s probably what it’s worth to you. It would be helpful to post photos on forum to give the members a better idea.
Title: Re: What's it worth
Post by: Sesman on April 29, 2021, 05:26:15 PM
Wise words. I bought an example for £1.6k I’m carrying out a medium level of restoration. A bare Frame nut and bolt job using as much of the existing a possible with everything thoroughly cleaned and rattle canned where appropriate. I haven’t sent buckets of bolts for plating and yellow passivation. I’ll need a Menno paint job, new exhaust and re-chromed mudguards, chain guard and repaired head lamp ears not to mention an engine build with new gaskets and essential parts worth replacing when the engine is split. My engine is a genuine 17k example  in excellent mechanical, but poor cosmetic nick and won’t need rebores, bearings and the like. Just chains, dampers and seals/gaskets.

If i draw a line at £5.5k I’ll consider myself fortunate. Incidentally my budgeting and accounting skills/practices are described by others as being “positively anal”.

If it’s a sound example not needing any of the above, buy it and enjoy it. One just went on eBay for £3.6k. I’d describe it as being in very fair nick, but needed some investment. One on this forum was advertised at around £7k and sold rapidly.....probably on reputation and deservedly so.

If it’s a good un buy it and enjoy it. I wouldn’t recommend it as a short or medium term investment, but then you never know.....
Title: Re: What's it worth
Post by: Bro550F on April 30, 2021, 12:36:58 AM
Some images of the 550 I might be interested in.

Can any of you more knowledgeable guys/gals see what's not std. apart from mirrors.[attach=1][attach=2][attach=3][attach=5][attach=4]

Title: Re: What's it worth
Post by: andy120t on April 30, 2021, 08:23:23 AM
What is the clamp on the right hand bar for? Looks like some sort of aftermarket mount?
Title: Re: What's it worth
Post by: cooleronthecoast on April 30, 2021, 08:51:53 AM
I'm with Oddjob.  I'd buy it at that price if I was in the market for one.  I sold mine (same model and colour) last summer for similar money, but mine didn't have the standard exhaust.  If the exhaust system is in good nick that's worth a grand on its own.
Title: Re: What's it worth
Post by: Sesman on April 30, 2021, 08:58:13 AM
Naaa. Wouldn’t buy that one. But if you could put me in touch with the vendor I’d be grateful..... ;D ;D
Title: Re: What's it worth
Post by: Sesman on April 30, 2021, 09:07:54 AM
Bit confusing this one. Front end looks like a USA export (Japan export technically) converted to flat bars. Or did the uk models also have those indicator mounts and chrome chain guard and rear lamp bracket.

In any event it’s looks like a good un to me.

Title: Re: What's it worth
Post by: Sesman on April 30, 2021, 09:10:02 AM
Apologies, my eyes are playing ticks.....it’s a uk one?
Title: Re: What's it worth
Post by: Laverda Dave on April 30, 2021, 09:54:40 AM
Worth every penny with the original exhaust still present. Nice colour as well.
Title: Re: What's it worth
Post by: Bryanj on April 30, 2021, 11:25:48 AM
I thought they had vin plates from 77 Ken, i remember K3 had them
Title: Re: What's it worth
Post by: cooleronthecoast on April 30, 2021, 11:30:46 AM


No, looks like an import to me, has a VIN plate and UK didn’t get them at that time.



Mine had a Vin plate in the same place and it was deffo a UK bike.


[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: What's it worth
Post by: hairygit on April 30, 2021, 11:31:19 AM
Where are you seeing a vin plate odd-job, I can't see one looking on my phone? My 750F1 is a UK bike and had a vin plate on the right hand front downtube, registered Dec 75, so it could be a UK bike.

Sent from my POT-LX1 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: What's it worth
Post by: Sesman on April 30, 2021, 01:39:34 PM
Thought the yank models had the vin on the headstock. Or did they move around on different models and years?

Title: Re: What's it worth
Post by: sprinta on April 30, 2021, 05:05:43 PM
What is the clamp on the right hand bar for? Looks like some sort of aftermarket mount?

It's for a RAM arm to take a Sat Nav or phone cradle etc
Title: Re: What's it worth
Post by: Johnny4428 on April 30, 2021, 06:14:28 PM
My K3 has a vin plate in the same place. Uk bike and manufactured in 77.
Title: Re: What's it worth
Post by: Sesman on April 30, 2021, 07:36:45 PM
Has you bought it? American, English, European....they are all Japanese ‘exports’ . ‘Import’ is just a route to the current home.
Title: Re: What's it worth
Post by: cb550ninja on May 01, 2021, 01:25:05 PM
My same model, colour etc in 1979 had same front mudguard & plate. Buy it as it will only go one way.
Title: Re: What's it worth
Post by: Bro550F on May 10, 2021, 11:45:40 AM
Well, deed been done. I'll be picking it up later today.
What oil/filter are you using and where's best to get from. I assume it runs on normal unleaded or is V-Power better?
Cheers.
Title: Re: What's it worth
Post by: Nurse Julie on May 10, 2021, 12:10:21 PM
Well, deed been done. I'll be picking it up later today.
What oil/filter are you using and where's best to get from. I assume it runs on normal unleaded or is V-Power better?
Cheers.
Yes, normal unleaded but I may treat my bikes to 2 tanks a year of V-power or similar.
Title: Re: What's it worth
Post by: Bro550F on May 10, 2021, 12:26:19 PM
Well, deed been done. I'll be picking it up later today.
What oil/filter are you using and where's best to get from. I assume it runs on normal unleaded or is V-Power better?
Cheers.
Yes, normal unleaded but I may treat my bikes to 2 tanks a year of V-power or similar.
Cheers, what about oil?
Are OEM filters readily available still?
Title: Re: What's it worth
Post by: Nurse Julie on May 10, 2021, 12:31:09 PM
Well, deed been done. I'll be picking it up later today.
What oil/filter are you using and where's best to get from. I assume it runs on normal unleaded or is V-Power better?
Cheers.
Yes, normal unleaded but I may treat my bikes to 2 tanks a year of V-power or similar.
Cheers, what about oil?
Are OEM filters readily available still?
Oil is a very personal subject, you will get as many different answers as there are different brands / types etc available 😉😉😉 You won't go to far wrong with 10w/40 Mineral though. We use HiFlo HF401 oil filters on all our own CB SOHC/4's and on all customers CB SOHC/4 engines we restore.
Title: Re: What's it worth
Post by: Bryanj on May 10, 2021, 12:36:15 PM
Oe filters still readily available as are aftermarket, inside the oil filter housing onto the bolt first you fit a spring then a thin steel waser then the filter, the washer is frequently missing as it sticks to the rubber on the filter and gets thrown away with same it should be there but as the oil and filter is every 1500 miles(at least it is if i do it!) If it is missing order one for next time.
Oil is tescos diesel mineral oil or i can give you a link to a 20ltr drum on ebay.
Sump plug washers rarely get changed but should be.
Anything else?
Title: Re: What's it worth
Post by: Bro550F on May 10, 2021, 02:16:35 PM
Oe filters still readily available as are aftermarket, inside the oil filter housing onto the bolt first you fit a spring then a thin steel waser then the filter, the washer is frequently missing as it sticks to the rubber on the filter and gets thrown away with same it should be there but as the oil and filter is every 1500 miles(at least it is if i do it!) If it is missing order one for next time.
Oil is tescos diesel mineral oil or i can give you a link to a 20ltr drum on ebay.
Sump plug washers rarely get changed but should be.
Anything else?
Ah yes, memories come flooding back.....I remember the spring and washer behind the filter, I also recall on my original in '76 I changed the centre bolt for one with a 17mm head (think original was 14mm and made of cheese), not sure if this has been done yet as not picking bike up until later.
The link would be handy, cheers.
All for now, but I'm sure I'll have plenty more after I've sat down with the bike and had agood look around.
Title: Re: What's it worth
Post by: Bryanj on May 10, 2021, 05:21:08 PM
The oil i bought was item number 303176095119 but its gone up a lot since i bought it
Title: Re: What's it worth
Post by: Seabeowner on May 11, 2021, 09:28:25 AM
The oil filter head is actually only 12mm. Only go near it with a 6 sided socket and it's fine. 12 point sockets wreck any other heads made of monkey metal also.
SimplePortal 2.3.5 © 2008-2012, SimplePortal