Honda CB550
Rear 180mm drum brake
The Honda CB 550 Four was a middle-class motorcycle in the Japanese company Honda. It was the successor to the popular Honda CB 500 Four and was offered in two variants, the Honda CB 550 F four- in-one ( product code 390) from 1975 to 1978 with a 4- in-1 exhaust system and a Honda CB 550 K ( product code 374) from 1977 to 1979 with 4-in -4 exhaust system.
Technology
- Motor Four -cylinder gasoline engine, air-cooled, transverse in
- Displacement: 544 cc Bore: 58.5 mm Stroke: 50.6 mm Compression ratio: 9:1
- Power: 50 hp at 8,500 min-1
- Torque: 43.1 at 7,500 min-1
- Regular gasoline, about 5.5 l/100 km
- Overhead camshaft ( SOHC), operated two valves per cylinder via rocker arms
- 4-in -1 exhaust system ( F1/F2 ) / 4-in -4 exhaust system (K3 )
- Kickstarter and electric starter
- 5 -speed transmission
- Brake system Rear: Mechanical drum brake ∅ 180 mm
- Front: Hydraulic Disc Brake ∅ 277 mm with Einkolbenschwenksattel
- Suspension: Double cradle tubular steel frame
- Front fork, rear swing arm with spring legs
- Generally Front Tires: 3.25 S- 19 Rear Tires: 3.75 S-18
- Tank volume: 16 l incl 5 l reserve
- Weight about 250 kg ( ready to run ), payload about 140 kg
Changes compared to the previous CB 500 Four
The performance was slightly higher than the previous model CB500 Four ( 48 hp ), more torque was next reached in mid rpm with 50 hp. This was compared to 56 mm can be achieved by a larger displacement with a bore of 58.5, while the crank mechanism and stroke remained unchanged.
Filtering and recycling crankcase gases reduced the emissions of the engine, an additional small oil pump improved lubrication of the transmission main shaft. Furthermore, the clutch has been redesigned to remedy previously occasionally occurring by turning. Changes to the transmission circuit improved the ability to switch, a simple and effective designed telescopic fork optimized driving comfort. There were minor changes to suspension parts.
Design and equipment, however, remained almost unchanged.
In the design similar to the CB750 Four K7, the CB550 F mediated due to their weight of only 206 kg in running order 212 kg or better handling than the large model. The difference in performance of about 15 hp to around 250 kg CB750 F falls approximately on winding country roads negligible. The built from 1975-1978 and compared with the original CB500 F CB550 Four more modern -designed -in-one ( F1/F2 ) with 4- in-1 system on the tank had the additional title Super Sport. Since, 4- in-1 version not as well accepted by the customers, came from 1977, the variant (K3 ) with the 4-in -4 exhaust system on the market, to tie in with the old and more in demand look of the CB500 F. It was sold much more frequently and produced until 1979.
Weaknesses
A problem of the series were initially the gears of the 2nd and 3rd gear. Honda then offered to gears with reinforced claws, which were often converted. Mileage of 100,000 km or more without overhauling the engine are not uncommon for this series.
Successor
Recent versions with a bored engine ( 627 cc ) of CB500 Four was the Honda CB 650 ( product code 426 ) from 1978 to 1979 with 63 or 50 hp and the model made from 1981 to 1982 CB650 SC ( product code 460) with 63 hp.