Editing Honda CB550F2

{{Motorcycle
|name             = Honda CB550F2
|photo=Honda-CB550F2.jpg
|aka              = CB 550 F2
|manufacturer     = Honda
|parent_company   =
|production       = 1978
|model_year       =
|predecessor      =
|successor        =
|class            =Standard
|engine           = Four stroke, transverse four cylinder, four stroke, SOHC, 2 valves per cylinder.
|bore_stroke      =
|compression      = 9.0:1
|top_speed        =
|power            =
|torque           =
|fuel_system      =
|ignition         = Battery, with points
|spark_plug       =
|battery          =
|transmission     = 5 Speed
|frame            = Double cradle tubular steal
|suspension       =Front: 35mm Telescopic [[hydraulic]] forks, <br>
Rear: Dual shocks, lateral adjustable preload
|brakes           =Front: Single 270mm disc <br>Rear: Drum
|front_tire       = {{tire|3.25-19}} 
|rear_tire   	  = {{tire|3.75-18}} 
|rake_trail       =
|wheelbase        = 1405 mm / 55.3 in
|length           =
|width            =
|height           =
|seat_height      = 805 mm / 31.7 in
|dry_weight       = 191 kg / 421 lbs
|wet_weight       = 206.0 kg / 454.2 lbs
|fuel_capacity    = 14 Liters / 3.7 US gal
|oil_capacity     =
|recommended_oil=Honda GN4 10W-40
|fuel_consumption =
|turning_radius   =
|related          =
|competition      =
}}



==Engine==
The engine was a Air cooled cooled Four stroke, transverse four cylinder, four stroke, SOHC, 2 valves per cylinder.. The engine featured a 9.0:1 [[compression ratio]].  

==Chassis==
It came with a 3.25-19 front [[tire]] and a 3.75-18 rear tire. Stopping was achieved via Single 270mm disc in the front and a Drum in the rear. The front suspension was a  35mm Telescopic hydraulic forks, while the rear was equipped with a Dual shocks, lateral adjustable preload. The CB550F2 was fitted with a 14 Liters / 3.7 US gal fuel tank. The bike weighed just 191 kg / 421 lbs. The wheelbase was 1405 mm / 55.3 in long.  
== Photos ==
[[File:Honda-CB550F2.jpg|600px|Honda CB550F2]]
[[File:Honda-CB-550F2_2.jpg|600px|Honda CB550F2]]
[[File:Honda-CB-550F2.jpg|600px|Honda CB550F2]]

== Overview ==
Honda
CB 550F2





















The Honda CB550 is a motorcycle manufactured by
Honda. It is considered the younger cousin to Honda's CB750 and was introduced
in 1974 as the CB550K0. Later iterations were produced through 1978 ending with
the K4. Furthermore, the CB550 was offered in a Super Sport, "F" model called,
simply, the Honda CB550F. Cosmetically, the CB550 looks much like its larger and
smaller cousins. Colors included Flake Sunrise Orange with Black, Boss Maroon
Metallic with Black, Freedom Green Metallic with Black, Candy Jade Green, and
Flake Sunrise Orange. Stock exhaust was a four-into-four style. Other options
included a two-into-two style and a four-into-one on the Honda CB550F.

Specifications for the CB550 were virtually unchanged over the model lines.

Reviews


Reviewers were overwhelmingly positive in regards to the CB550 during the 1970s.
However, in some aspects the CB550 is lacking; especially in terms of braking.
Despite the reviewer's suggestion, the CB550 is not a beginner's bike. Power
comes on suddenly and with lacking brakes, can make the CB550 unforgiving.
Furthermore, the handling, when compared to modern sport bikes, is unresponsive
with considerable head shake when riding aggressively through corners. However,
the CB550 still garners respect.

Maintenance
Maintenance on the CB550 is nearly identical to the Honda CB750 and can be
completed, mostly, with common hand tools. Some specialized tools, including
feeler gauges, a timing light, chain breaker and riveter, amongst others. Common
maintenance tasks include chain tensioning and cleaning/lubing, valve
adjustment, rear brake adjustment, oil and filter changes, etc.

Overall, if common maintenance is performed regularly at the proper intervals
with quality parts, the CB550 is very reliable and has been reported to be good
for 100,000+ miles.

CB550 F model
The CB550F was the largest factory boring of the smaller block, air-cooled, 4
cylinder, single over-head cam motorcycles made by Honda during the mid- to late
1970s. The block of the CB550 was similar in appearance to, but considerably
smaller than, the heavier casting of the CB750. These motorcycles had two stock
gauge and exhaust configurations.



The early models had a single gauge cluster
and four individual exhaust tubes, each with its own muffling elements. The
"Super Sport" model, featured a dual gauge cluster (with a separate speedometer
and tachometer) and a stock 4-into-1 header. This configuration is shown in the
adjacent photograph, repainted from the original "Candy Apple Blue" to yellow. A
factory "Candy Apple Red" was also available. CB550s shared a similar emblem to
the other "Fours" made by Honda: the triangular side covers had the
upward-rounded displacement (550, in this case) with the word "Four"
superimposed.

As for the performance, the CB550F was over geared and could not reach
yellow-line in 5th gear with the stock sprocket arrangements. With the stock
gearing, the CB550F Super Sport was capable of reaching speeds in excess of 105
mph (169 km/h) with a 200 lb (91 kg) rider, while remaining well below 9200 rpm
yellow line limit on the gauges. Valve floatation lid any desire on the part
of the rider to extend the revolutions to red line, which was 11,000 rpm.



The
light weight of the motorcycle limited the appeal of the CB550 for longer
distance rides, and though it was barely adequate for touring, it was superb for
intermediate distance urban and freeway riding. A common modification was to add
several teeth on the rear drive sprocket to make the motorcycle considerably
quicker off the starting line and reduce some of the wear on the clutch. This
was done at the price of some fuel economy and slightly higher levels of
vibration.



The single disk on the front was unbored and was prone to slipping in
wet conditions until the disk was hot enough to evaporate off the water
accumulation. Considerable care had to be exercised when riding in wet
conditions due to a highly non-linear "grab" when the water film was squeezed
dry. This posed a risk for loss of control under wet conditions for riders
unfamiliar with this behavior.



While there were both right-side and left-side
caliper brackets on the stock forks, aftermarket modification of the front disk
to a dual, bored-disk configuration was required for optimum all-weather,
performance braking. Later, factory models of the small-block "Fours" included
the slotted disk modification as a stock configuration.





{|  class="wikitable"
|- 
!Make Model
|Honda CB 550F2
|- 
!Year
|1978
|- 
!Engine Type
|Four stroke, transverse four cylinder, four stroke, SOHC, 2 valves per cylinder.
|- 
!Displacement
|544 cc / 33.1 cu-in
|- 
!Bore X Stroke
|58.5 x 50.6 mm
|- 
!Cooling System
|Air cooled
|- 
!Compression
|9.0:1
|- 
!Induction
|4x Keihin, Ø 22 mm carburetors
|- 
!Ignition
|Battery, with points
|- 
!Starting
|Electric & kick
|- 
!Max Power
|50 hp / 36.5 kW @ 8500 rpm
|- 
!Max Torque
|43.1 Nm / 31.8 lb-ft @ 7400 rpm
|- 
!Transmission
|5 Speed
|- 
!Final Drive
|Chain
|- 
!Frame
|Double cradle tubular steal
|- 
!Front Suspension
|35mm Telescopic hydraulic forks,
|- 
!Rear Suspension
|Dual shocks, lateral adjustable preload
|- 
!Front Brakes
|Single 270mm disc
|- 
!Rear Brakes
|Drum
|- 
!Front Tire
|3.25-19
|- 
!Rear Tire
|3.75-18
|- 
!Rake
|64°
|- 
!Trail
|105 mm / 4.1 ub
|- 
!Wheelbase
|1405 mm / 55.3 in
|- 
!Seat Height
|805 mm / 31.7 in
|- 
!Dry Weight
|191 kg / 421 lbs
|- 
!Wet Weight
|206.0 kg / 454.2 lbs
|- 
!Fuel Capacity
|14 Liters / 3.7 US gal

|}

[[Category:Honda motorcycles]]