difference between cb500 and 550?

[FENIX]

What is the difference between these bikes, besides the displacement and the years of production?

 

[TonUp]

A few things off the top of my head...the most major change that I recall is that the complicated through-the-engine clutch rod (like the ones that XXS650's have) was eliminated, and replaced by a much simpler external clutch lever on the right side of the engine, some different (improved) internal clutch parts, a few tweaks to the transmission, I think the oil system was modified a bit, too...

That's all I can recall from my CB550...

 

[crazypj]

550 had solid output shaft and a tiny oil pump dedicated to transmission (the small hose coming off oil pump pick up)
Clutch operation changed to internal pressure plate (as already mentioned)
There were some detail changes but pretty much everything is interchangable (although CB650 parts are modified and stronger in most cases)

 

[13thenewblack13]

Although I can't personally say, without speaking about the technical stuff, i've often heard the 550 is the way to go and that the 500 was a little bit uninspiring of a bike...

 

[Tim]

I enjoyed both my 500 and 550. Only differences I heard about were in the transmission - improved in the 550.

 

[FENIX]

cool thanks guys

 

[DrJ]

The 500 transmission tended to get sticky when hot, something about the gear teeth profile. The problem was fixed in the 550.

 

[bradj]

There is a lot of little stuff in the trans that set the two motors apart the 550 would be the way to go