My free Honda

[exeric]

I was walking our dogs this morning and I went by an abandoned house (victim of the housing bust in Florida). Obviously someone had been doing a lot of work on the property over the weekend but I immediately spotted a motorcycle in the carport. It was a mid 70s Honda 550-4, and there is the limit of my Honda knowledge. I left a note on the seat, and to my surprise, I got a phone call about 1 hour later. I told the man I was interested if he had a title. It turns out he was not the owner, but the cousin of the owner. He described the guy and I remembered him. My wife also remembered him with a shudder, and said she thought he looked like a child molester. Cutting to the chase; there is no title, and no keys, but I did get it for free. So, I would like to tap into the wisdom pool here and get some advice. . . . Even smartass advice

The following 3 pics show it’s current condition, but it is in surprising good condition considering how it was neglected. Does the engine number tell the year?

[Robert Luland]

Eric, The year of Mfg should be on the neck tag. Honda does not go by engine vin. Bob

[sirhrmechanic]

Cool score!!!

These are getting collectible... any of the early 4's. You can't beat the price. Get it titled in VT or some state where you can do it on a bill of sale if more than 25 years old.

Clean it up, recommission it and ride it. It's a cool machine! Looks to me like 90 percent of what it needs is elbow grease and small stuff. The other 10 percent won't be cheap (pipes, tank/paint, tires, etc.) but you don't have anything in it to start with. So have some fun making it a presentable machine!

Congrats! I think you scored a great machine with a lot of potential!

Cheers,

Sirhr

[pisten-bully]

I'm going to agree with Sirhr on this. We have a college across the river, and over there there are such things as "fraternity bikes", old Japanese bikes that someone bought a couple decades ago or more and no one even remembers who owns them. In the late nineties one of these bikes ended up at our house, a Suzuki triple, weathered and beat up but it ran like a watch. So I got some new tires for it, re-lined the front brake, replaced the broken lights, and put a good seat on it (Rice Paddy Cycles had all the parts) and one of my son's friends rode that bike to work for two summers, all it cost him was gas. Dunno what he did for plates, but it was a good, fun ride for someone who was trying to save $$$.

[len dowe]

Try this Eric.

http://www.ehow.com/how_5776052_deco...otorcycle.html

[panthersteve]

Try this Eric.

http://www.ehow.com/how_5776052_deco...otorcycle.html

The problem with this link is it is for VIN numbers from 1982 onwards, the CB550 in question here is a 1974 model. As was mentioned above the year should be on an id plate on the steering head of the frame.

However failing that this site http://www.sohc4.net/cb550/ will help a lot, particularly this page with engine and frame numbers http://www.sohc4.net/cb550-model-guide/

This is a good score as it is an example of the first series of this bike CB550 K0 produced in the first year of production, 1974.

Cheers
Steve

[fciron]

The 550-4 is often said to be the best handling of the early Honda four cylinder machines and all of the Honda Fours are becoming sought after. I would think it would be worth looking into a titling processes in your state or other options.

[exeric]

Thanks to everyone for educating this Honda neophyte. I've been wanting a 70s vintage Honda for awhile now as I've grown to appreciate the styling. Of course, the fact that this is a basket case makes it even more appealing to me. I'll keep you posted on the process.

[Rubone]

Of course, the fact that this is a basket case makes it even more appealing to me.

Basket Case? I think not Eric. It would probably run in 30 minutes work...

[Steve Swan]

http://www.sohc4.net/cb550-model-guide/

CB550K SERIAL NUMBERS

Model Model Year Starting Frame # Starting Engine #
CB550 K0 1974 CB550-1000001- CB550E-1000001-
CB550 K1 1975 CB550-1200005- CB550E-1029182-
CB550 K2 1976 CB550-1230001- CB550E-1067334-
CB550 K3 1977 CB550-2000007- CB550E-2000001-
CB550 K4 1978 CB550-2100001- CB550E-2100001-

CB550F SERIAL NUMBERS

CB550 F1 1975 CB550F-1000002- CB550E-110004-
CB550 F2 1976 CB550F-2000003- CB550E-1109887-
CB550 F3 1977 CB550F-210001- CB550E-1135380-

[sirhrmechanic]

Basket Case? I think not Eric. It would probably run in 30 minutes work...

Agree... and I had the same thought when Eric referred to it as a basket case.

Now if we want a picture of a basket case!



I still think Eric scored with this bike! Can't wait to see how it comes out.

Cheers,

Sirhr

[exeric]

I think I know what a basket case is.

[sirhrmechanic]

If it's a quiz... I will guess numbers 2 and 5 ;-)

Not that the others are easy... but at least they will roll without putting them in a shopping basket.

How about some after pictures? Because those are some spectacular looking projects, Eric! It's the rare individual who is brave and talented enough to take those on!

Thanks for posting and cheers,

Sirhr

[Robert Luland]

Eric, you know my ex-wife?

[c.o.]

Wow... ya gotta love a batch of bikes like that! How'd that Merkel come out?