Honda CB 550 Four

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Honda (motorcycle)
1976 Honda CB550SuperSport 01.jpg
CB 550 four-in-one
Manufacturer Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
Production period 1975 to 1979
class motorcycle
design type All-rounder , sports tourer
Motor data
Four-stroke engine , 4-cylinder SOHC , air-cooled
Displacement  (cm³) (539) 544
Power  (kW / PS ) 36.7 / 50 at 8,500 rpm
Torque  ( N m ) 43.1 at 7,500 rpm
transmission 5 courses
drive Chain
Brakes front 277 mm disc brake single-piston pivoting caliper

rear 180 mm drum brake

Wheelbase  (mm) 1405
Dimensions (L × W × H, mm): 2,160 × 735 × 1100
Seat height (cm) about 80
Empty weight  (kg) 206 (4-in-1) / 212 (4-in-4)
Previous model CB 500 Four
successor CB 650 Four

The CB 550 Four was a mid-range motorcycle from the Japanese company Honda . It was the successor to the popular Honda CB 500 Four and was offered in two versions, the Honda CB 550 F four-in-one (product code 390) from 1975–1978 with a 4-in-1 exhaust system and the Honda CB 550 K (product code 374) from 1977–1979 with 4-in-4 exhaust system.

technology

  • engine
    • Four-cylinder gasoline engine , air-cooled, installed transversely
    • Displacement: 544 cm³, bore: 58.5 mm, stroke: 50.6 mm, compression: 9: 1
    • Power: 37 kW (50 HP) at 8,500 min -1
    • Torque: 43.1 N · m at 7500 min -1
    • Regular gasoline, about 5.5 l / 100 km
    • Overhead camshaft (SOHC), two valves per cylinder operated via rocker arms
    • 4-in-1 exhaust system (F1 / F2) / 4-in-4 exhaust system (K3)
    • Kick starter and electric starter
    • 5 speed transmission
  • Braking system
    • Rear: Mechanically operated drum brake ∅ 180 mm
    • Front: Hydraulically operated disc brake ∅ 277 mm with single-piston swivel caliper
  • General
    • Front tires: 3.25 S-19, rear tires: 3.75 S-18
    • Tank volume: 16 l incl. 5 l reserve
    • Weight with a full tank about 225 kg, payload about 140 kg

Changes compared to the predecessor CB 500 Four

At 50 hp, the output was slightly higher than that of the previous model, the CB 500 Four (48 hp), and more torque was achieved at medium speeds. This was achieved through a larger displacement with a bore of 58.5 compared to 56 mm, while the crank drive and stroke remained unchanged.

Filtering and recirculation of the crankcase gases reduced the engine's emissions, and an additional small oil pump improved the lubrication of the main transmission shaft. In addition, the clutch was redesigned to prevent spinning that had occasionally occurred before. Changes to the gearshift improved the shiftability, a simpler and more effectively constructed telescopic fork optimized driving comfort. There were also small changes to chassis parts.

In contrast, design and equipment remained almost unchanged.

Similar in design to the CB 750 Four K7 , the CB 550 F is easier to handle than the larger model due to its weight of only 206 kg or 212 kg when ready to drive. The difference in performance of around 15 hp compared to the 250 kg heavy CB 750 F is hardly significant on winding country roads. The CB 550 Four-in-one (F1 / F2) with 4-in-1 system, built from 1975–1978 and slightly more modern than the original CB 500 F, had the additional designation Super Sport on the tank . Since the 4-in-1 version was not so well received by customers, the variant (K3) with the 4-in-4 exhaust system came onto the market in 1977 in order to match the old and popular look of the CB 500 F to tie in. It was sold much more frequently and was manufactured until 1979.

Weak points

A problem with the series was initially the 2nd and 3rd gear wheels . Honda then offered gears with reinforced claws, which were often converted. Mileage of 100,000 km and more without an overhaul of the engine is not uncommon for this series.

successor

The last versions with a drilled out engine (627 cm³) of the CB 500 Four were the Honda CB 650 (product code 426) from 1978-1979 with 63 or 50 hp and the model CB 650 SC (product code 460) made from 1981-1982 63 hp.

literature

  • Joachim Kuch: Type compass Honda motorcycles since 1970 , 1st edition, Motorbuch Verlag, Stuttgart 2000, ISBN 3-613-02061-0

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