1975 Honda CB550 Four Super Sport - Is it better than the CB750?
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- Опубліковано 5 лис 2022
- In this ride review video, I am riding and reviewing Honda's 1975 CB550 Four Super Sport. With clean styling, a 4-into-1 factory performance exhaust and great handling, the CB550 Super Sport was one of the first Japanese mid-sized sportbikes. Not quite as fast as it's more famous big brother CB750, the CB550 was a much better handling and well balanced machine. What's it like out on the road? Ride along with me and let's find out together!
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Have had mine for 37 years now. Bought it from a gentleman who came to South Africa from England, to assist with setting up a nuclear power station in Cape Town in the early '80's. Being from the UK, the speedo is calibrated in mph. The previous owner took it around the track on the Isle of Man. The bike now has just over 50000 miles on the clock. It will never be sold. Japanese engineering is unbeatable when it comes to motorcycles. Mine is completely original and the motor has never been opened. Problems in the time I've had it? 2 clutch cables, one accelerator cable, a blown sealed beam headlight and a worn ignition switch.
That's awesome Alan! It's also a testament to your maintenance of the machine. Cheers!
Great story, and I'm jealous. It seems like the 550 is the perfect compromise.
I had a 1973 CB500 four for 12 years and 60,000 miles. Out of the many bikes I have owned it was one of my favorites. In 1974 I did a 9300 mile trip around the US on it.
Very cool! Thanks for sharing the memories!
I like when they look like this. So many chopped up cafe racers for sale around me and they just look awful.
I've been slowly rebuilding my 550 for last 6 years. I hope this is the year it gets back on the road.
Wow, that sounds like quite the project! Good luck with the 550. Cheers!
Out of all the motorbikes I had, this model is the one that I wish I still had! 🤗
Right on, Keith!
I had a '76 bought used. Great bike and like you wish I still had. Could go anywhere on it. Out ran 2 Corvettes one night on Poplar Ave. in Memphis. They were racing between lights. I took off at 3rd light and when they came to the 4th I was waiting, lighting up a smoke.
@@oldblue7837 Right on! Thanks for sharing the memories!
Thanks Jon for a great video. My very 1st bike was a 76 CB 550F Super Sport , red in color with a 4 into 1 Kerker back in 1980. Loved it for a couple of years until I sold it to buy a 79 CB 900F. 40 years later I would love to have both of them back in my garage.
For sure! Thanks for sharing the memories!
Thank you for bringing back happy memories. I bought my blue 550f2 new in 1978 for £1,049. It was a lovely bike.
You're welcome, Adrian!
Best bike I ever had !
My first motorcycle was a cb400f super sport similar to this. Brings back some great memories.
Glad to hear it!
My 74 CB550 is so reliable, starts up every time
Right on!
the big bikes are the attention getters.but many forget the midsize bikes were better all round for daily riding in most situations.& where the manafacturers learned the refinements that would show up in the bigger bikes a few years later.nice review jon.
Thank you!
I had that same bike in the same color as my primary transportation in high school and beyond. Great bike, great memories!
So cool!
love the format of this review. a bit of a backstory, then the exhaust, then a ride! thanks
You're welcome!
Brings back so many memories. Had a orange one, half fearing, open exhaust pipe, and low clubman handles. Only competitors were 380 RD Yamaha and 650 Kawasaki. Maybe i was too young at 18 to own this bike.
That sounds super-cool! The orange one was my favorite! At 18 I was too young to own anything with performance on tap (didn't stop me though). Thanks for sharing the memories!
Oh how i miss my '71 CB350, But I REALLY miss my '75 550 four! What a great bike!
Right on Michael! The 550 are just about the perfect size for a daily driver.
Jon
That muffler is an aftermarket slip on by Kerker. They definitely had a great sound.
Yes the 550 is an excellent riding bike and the power to weight ratio is great too.
Right on Stu!
Gotta love those 70's UJMs. My first road bike was a brand spanking new 1978 Kawasaki 650 Custom. I've had CB750's, hard bags and trunk touring Kawasaki bikes, KZ1000"s and Harleys in the last 45 years. But old school UJMs are the essence of motorcycling.
I couldn't agree more, Harold. Cheers!
Nice review! I have one that exact color ready to be brought back to life!
Thanks Jeff! I'm jealous. 🙂
Really liking your channel Jon. Keep doing what your doing and watch the Subs grow.
Thanks Douglas for the encouragement!
Wow! This one is a beauty. Such a classic. I want one! 🙂
Thanks Jeff! It was really a pleasure to get to review this one.
Great video Jon!
Thanks Doc!
Gosh I find everything about this motorcycle just stunning. I’m into the cruiser/ cafe racer looks and honestly I’d love for this bike to be my very first as I continue to get more experience into riding motorcycles! Such a beautiful piece of history🏍️🙌🏻
Right on, Paul! It's a classic beauty!
My dad has owned his since he bought it brand new, such a beautiful bike
Very cool!
Hey Jon , my 1st bike was a red 1976 CB 550F SS, in my very early 20s. Now 40 years later with a sorted past of other bikes, I just picked up a 1975 CB 550F SS, low mileage, Orange metallic, overall not in too bad of shape. Just gonna give it some well deserved love, bringing it back to original condition and adding a few more miles along the way. Thanks for the videos.
You're welcome! The orange is my favorite Honda color. So glad to hear you're rescuing it and riding it! Cheers!
My second bike was the F2 version of this. I wish I still had it.
So cool 😎! They are great bikes. Cheers!
I owned this very same bike and color. In 1978 at the age of 18 I took off on a solo two month inner circle tour of the USA.. From Ohio to Colorado, then to New Mexico and Arizona... across Texas and back up to Ohio! Took my tent, sleeping bag, hatchet and takedown bow and arrow... LOL Oh man those were the days/ Bike ran flawless and I only needed to lube the chain.
Awesome, it sounds like an epic adventure! Thanks for sharing the memories!
I guessed PA and then I saw the road sign! I spent some time riding there this last summer, I really liked riding in that state!
PA is a beautiful state to ride in.🙂
Had the same bike back in 1980, a 3 yr old 550 four supersport in the same colour, it didn't enjoy corners like my GT250, didn't want to stop if the front disc got wet, the rear drum steel lining cracked up, a design fault( saw a few in breakers with the same fault) would just crack a ton two up, 97mph solo. Loved the low end torque though, would pull from 25mph in 5th.
Loved the thing
So cool 😎! Thanks for sharing the memories, Geoff. Cheers!
I had a 74 CB550K and it was a great bike. I was living in the Northeast Georgia Mountains area and had wonderful times riding it on all those mountains roads. Used to ride all the roads leading to Deal's Gap in North Carolina. All those roads in the NE Georgia mountains , North Carolina and Tennessee area some of the best riding areas to ride that CB550 I had. Will say it will do over a 100mph with no problems.
Very cool, those are some fantastic roads for sure! The CB550 is my favorite Honda if that era.
Very nice Motorcycle. Wish i HAD one in 1975. MY ride then was a RD 350 2 stroke screamer Orange. But I LOVED That Wonderful Bike ALSO. Thanks again for the Ride AND Great INFO. Take care. 🏍 ENJOY 😎
Thanks Bruce! I would love to experience some of the two-stroke bikes. I've only ridden the RZ350 and didn't ride it long enough to get a good impression.
Always Fun to Catch a Ride ON Other Bikes Big and small and in between. Exsperince all THEY have offer us as live and learn TO Enjoy Them . Thanks again Jon for all OF the Rebuilds and Reviews you DO.
Jon My 75 550f is the same color w/48k miles and runs well.The stock muffler alway`s rusts out.
I welded a long Dunstall muffler to it which looks closer to the original.Rear shocks were hopeless
and replaced w/progressive as was the rear sprocket 37t and replaced w/what came stock on the standard k bikes 34t.Back in the day when it was a dailey driver an oil-cooler was added and a better seat which helped on 500 mile days sitting at 5500 rpm.simple lock nut and screw for valve adj and
another lock nut for the cam chain adjuster needed regular attention and of course the points.
Ended up using transistors to lighten the current load on the points as they alway`s pitted more
than i wanted to play with.Now its just a summer afternoon ride down memory lane that can be
started easily with one push by hand on the kickstarter...!
BTW...If the owner gets tired of break squeal try chamfering the leading edge of the pad, it worked
for me.
Right on Gilbert! Great suggestion about the brakes.
Nice cool bike, I have a cx500 1978 which I guess was the successor to the cb550 and I love riding that, I guess it was ahead of it's time (water cooled, shaft drive, tubeless tyres) and a love hate thing with it's styling, where as the cb550 still looks super cool today. Still the CX makes as much bhp as the cb550 and because I had a couple back in the late 70's and early 80's it's the bike I am most fond of, as it reminds me of my early days riding motorbikes.
Very cool! I've ridden/owned the Hawk 650 (with a descendant of the CX motor). The CX does have a cult following these days. Cheers!
Having owned both a 750 k2 and a 550 supersport I couldn't agree with you more. The 550 was a much better bike.👍
Right on!
Love it !
Right on!
I need to finish building mine. This one has me missing mine. Really enjoyed this. Thank you
You're welcome!
Thank you for a great video. I still have my '75 Super Sport in flake sunrise orange. I purchased the bike new while in high school and put over 60,000 miles on her. She hasn't run in 30 years but I'm gearing up for a full frame off restoration in the next few years. By the way that's not the stock silencer on your bike. Thanks again.
I love the orange one! I think the muffler is a Kerker. Stock downpipes though.
I had the full Kerker exhaust system but my brother ended up throwing out the headers several years ago while cleaning out the shed. Thankfully Delkevic still makes a set. I bought a new CB1100 five years ago which is a time machine as far as air cooled Honda fours are concerned. And as great as it is I still have to bring back the CB550F.@@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538
@@gwilliamwallace Right on!
I've always said that the cb550 is the best Japanese bike of the era. Much better handling than the 750
It certainly was!
I drove a CB400F in 1977-78 but crashed it. Got another in 83 but didn't like it anymore as I had an 82 CB900F. Sold it. Now 41 years later got a 77 550 k since 400F's are too expensive.. Can't wait to see how I like it.. (Needs carb clean and stuff)
Right on! I've come close to owning several CB400Fs, but I've never ridden one. The CB550 is a better all-around motorcycle with more power everywhere and respectable handling. Let me know what you think of yours once it's running. Cheers!
Great content. Be nice to see a gl1000 on your channel
I would love to review one if I get the chance. Cheers!
I bought a 1976 CB550 in the '90s and rode it into 2010, great bike! I had enough of the ethylene fuel fouling the carbs and sold it to a friend. Just as non-ethylene became available. I wish I had it back. He still has it...
Sorry to hear that Jay! Maybe some day he'll sell it back...
was it a reliable bike all those years you had it? i’m thinking of upgrading from my ZZR250. wanted to get a classic daily rider for the summer
@@Spartansrule118 It was reliable but took some care. The bike never charged that well and I considered changing it over to solid state from the point and stator system. Make sure you have a great source of non-ethanol fuel. If you're not going to ride it for a while turn the gas supply off, run until it quits, and drain the carb bowls otherwise fouled carbs(4) and a cleanout/rebuild coming. It loves to be ridden in the 5 to 6K rpm range, very quick. You can ride it like a cruiser but it wants to be a sport bike.
The '75 CB550F Super Sport is capable of putting in some serious miles. Have completed three Iron Butt Association Saddle Sore 1000s, riding a 1000 miles in less than 24 hours, and a Saddle Sore 2000, riding 2000 miles in less than 48 hours on mine.
For those not acquainted with the IBA, you have to prove you rode the miles through receipts, photos, and sometimes other requirements depending on the ride.
You are truly hard-core, my friend!
I own a 1978 Honda 550 K. I love this bike, and I , too , favorite over the CB750.
Right on John!
Yes I agree 😀😎
so emooth..handsome color..and trust worthy honda build..
Right on!
Back in the day, Cycle Magazine did an upgrade feature on the CB550F. The title said it all…”The Gentleman’s Express”.
I’ve owned a CB750K and a final year CB750F3. The K did have twitchy handling even after steering head and swingarm bearing upgrades. The F is a paragon of stability In comparison. It’s still a hundred pounds heavier than a 550 and carries the weight higher though.
Right on!
Nice bike, the cb550 super sport biggest rival, was the z650 from Kawasaki, simular formula, great middle weight bike
My friend picked up a KZ650 recently. Maybe I'll get the chance to review it at some point.
My exact bike years back.. should have kept it!!
Right on Kurt!
Had the exact bike two except it had 4-4 exhaust. Sold it for $400 in 1994. Seen them going for $6000 +.
@Jon Doe Yeah, the classic prices have finally started to climb. Hopefully, the higher prices will inspire people to restore them.
That’s why I have 3 of them 😎😎😎😎
Right on!
Wow that looks like the one I owned for several years. Are you in the Rochester, NY area? Great bike and I wish I did not have to sell it but moved to TX and everything had to go. Still regret it to this day. Thanks for the video!
Right on! This one came from the MD area. It was fun getting to review it. Cheers!
I had one 40 years ago in exactly that colour here in the UK, ran it on Metzlers back then, what tyres are you running on? That sound and visual set up brought back so many great memories. I loved that bike.
Right on! I'm not sure what brand of tires were on the bike when I reviewed it. Cheers!
I REALLY wish I had kept mine.
Right on!
I bought a 550four from a man in 1981. The bike was in an accident, but with some welding and comon sense, I fixed it up pretty nice. I was 18 yrs old back then. The exhaust pipes were like snake curved, 4 in 1. I think the 550four was the only bike with such an exhaust system. You don’t see this often on youtube. Finally I found this video sir.! My question; is your exhaust system on the bike original like it was from the manufacturer.?
Thanks in advance for your answer.!
Greetings from the Dutch Caribbean.
Great question Benny! The exhaust is a mix of original (the snaking headpipes) and aftermarket (muffler). Cheers!
@@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538 thank you so much for the information..! I was always wondering about the exhaust. Thanks again.!!
@@bennyrobles9194 You're welcome!
My favorite motorcycle of a time.
And truth tell is a better bike than the 750
Just my opinion
I share that opinion! And since the CB750s are getting expensive, these are a good value as well if you can find a nice one.
I am restoring and reassembling an abandoned '75 cb550f SS. I also have a '78 and '71. On those bikes, the lower engine support bolt that the rider foot pegs also attach to is threaded on both ends. This '75 parts bike seems to have a hex bolt head on the left side of that bolt - not threaded. I looked the part up on the CMS parts site and sure enough it shows the lower engine support bolt having a hex head on one side. Can you confirm on your cb550f?
This bike isn't mine. Maybe someone else can confirm?
I owned both at the same time. I could not daily daily the 750 but could the 550.
I agree that the CB550 is a great daily driver.
Both bikes are similar, 550 is lighter so it may handle just a bit better. But the 750 has more power and is more comfortable at highway speeds. I think 550 is better platform for customization because it doesn't have the external oil tank. Also I've seen guys use 550 swing arm on 750s to be able to go up a tire size. I prefer the power of the 750, but wish it didn't have the external oil reservoir.
Right on. The 550 is also much more accessible price wise than the 750 nowadays. I hadn't thought of the oil reservoir as a factor, but you bring up a good point. Cheers!
@@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538 I originally wanted a 550, but couldn't find one for few months and settled with a 750. I've grown to love it.
@jacobday4163 Very cool 😎. They are really going up in value right now. Cheers
Is this exhaust a true equal length header ?
I'm not sure.
How do they match up power wise ? Is it a huge difference
Given the less powerful one is 50lbs lighter
Neither bike is going to set the world on fire. Both have adequate power. But for me, the CB550 is a fun bike to ride quickly, especially in the corners. The power, handling, and brakes on the CB550 are well balanced. The CB750 can be ridden briskly up through the gears in a straight line, but it doesn't handle well. Just my opinion.Cheers!
@@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538 yeah I just test rode a 750 and it felt very heavy and wide and I rather have something a little more nimble but don't wanna lose on power if it's a huge difference
@@vickturorteez I think you would enjoy a good running CB550. Cheers!
So what makes it a "Super Sport" is the 4 into 1?
Basically, yes. It may also have some other minor changes like paint, lower handlebar (?), etc. I'll have to do some research to see if there were any engine performance upgrades as well. Cheers!
I had one exactly like that. Exhaust pipe rotted out. So I fabricated a Cherry Bomb to replace it.
Best motorcycle I've ever had.
I wish I still had it.
I had it up 120mph.
Very cool 😎, you're a brave individual!
There was also a CB350FOUR AND A CB450FOUR
Those are also neat bikes. I would love to review both the CB350 four and CB400F given the chance.
The only thing I remember about the CB550 is that it was heavy.
What are you comparing it to?
I had one same color the tail pipe is not stock
Right on! I was told it is a Kerker slip-on.
Compare it against the Suzuki 550?
That comparison will air in a few weeks. 🙂
CB 400/4 was nicer to ride than the 550 Iv had both , Iv had the CB750f2 sohc and that handled like a pogo stick .
I would love to try a CB400 at some point.
They were cool but that’s way after the 750 changed everything
No doubt the CB750 was one of the biggest gamechangers in motorcycle history. However, if you compare a 1975 CB750 (largely unchanged from the original) to the 1975 CB550, the CB750 really only has a slight straight-line performance edge and comes up quite short in the handling department. I would simply rather ride the CB550 since it is a better balanced package. Just a counterpoint. 🙂
I have owned both a 75/CB750K, and a 78 750 F. The F model has less rake, more trail, and a longer swing arm. It is much more stable at speed than the early K model, which could be downright wobbly at times. The 77 and 78 K models had these same frame modifications. All CB750’s are top heavy compared to the 550, as well as being significantly heavier overall, however the 750F is closer to that well balanced combination of handling and power that is the strength of the 550. The manners of all these 70’s Honda’s are greatly improved by installing tapered roller steering bearings, bronze swing arm bushings, and decent shocks and tires.
@@frugalterrier8124 Great mods for all the vintage bikes. I would add steel braided brake lines to that list as well.
Wtf I had a nice CB 550 was nothing compared to CB 750 keep your smaller brother you got it wrong big CB better
They are both nice bikes. But, I like riding in the corners, and the 550 has a distinct advantage over the 750 in that realm. If I want to go fast, I'll choose a bigger bike than the 750. Cheers!