Tdowning
New Member
Hello all,
First time on here, but I've been a fan of the cafe scene for as long as I can remember. My dilemma here is a choice between a CB550 and a CB350. Theres a 1976 550 that runs great, the only problem they mentioned are the gauges being broken, he wants 750 obo for it. There is another 550 (1975) a little farther away they say runs well and comes with an extra motor and parts, 950 obo. The only CB350 in my price range and area is one claimed to have run five years ago until a problem with the carbs put it in the garage. Engine isn't seized but who knows if the problem is just with the carb, 500 bucks. I've read the 550 weighs 100 pounds more than the 350 and actually doesn't go any faster. In the cafe tradition I'd like my bike to be as light and agile as possibly, I intend to use it for a lot of city riding and the occasional trip up north, I'd avoid highways as much as possible, the scenic routes are always better anyways!
So I'm asking for your advice, your guidance, stories, past experiences, ect. I'm slightly mechanically inclined, I can handle carbs but anything beyond that is foreign to me as far as four strokes go. Which is why that non running 350 worries me, if something else is wrong with it I would need the help of someone more experienced or *gasp* take it into a shop which I don't have the money for. Can you get a CB550 a lot lighter than its stock weight on the cheap? How is parts availability? I know the 350 would be pretty easy to get parts for but what about the 550? By the way I'm in Saginaw Michigan, anyone near by who would be willing to lend a hand if I find myself in need? Also, I've been riding hopped up light vintage mopeds, would the transition from a 120 pound bike to a 400 pound bike be a big wake up call? Any advice would be appreciated, thanks for reading guys!
-Tyler
First time on here, but I've been a fan of the cafe scene for as long as I can remember. My dilemma here is a choice between a CB550 and a CB350. Theres a 1976 550 that runs great, the only problem they mentioned are the gauges being broken, he wants 750 obo for it. There is another 550 (1975) a little farther away they say runs well and comes with an extra motor and parts, 950 obo. The only CB350 in my price range and area is one claimed to have run five years ago until a problem with the carbs put it in the garage. Engine isn't seized but who knows if the problem is just with the carb, 500 bucks. I've read the 550 weighs 100 pounds more than the 350 and actually doesn't go any faster. In the cafe tradition I'd like my bike to be as light and agile as possibly, I intend to use it for a lot of city riding and the occasional trip up north, I'd avoid highways as much as possible, the scenic routes are always better anyways!
So I'm asking for your advice, your guidance, stories, past experiences, ect. I'm slightly mechanically inclined, I can handle carbs but anything beyond that is foreign to me as far as four strokes go. Which is why that non running 350 worries me, if something else is wrong with it I would need the help of someone more experienced or *gasp* take it into a shop which I don't have the money for. Can you get a CB550 a lot lighter than its stock weight on the cheap? How is parts availability? I know the 350 would be pretty easy to get parts for but what about the 550? By the way I'm in Saginaw Michigan, anyone near by who would be willing to lend a hand if I find myself in need? Also, I've been riding hopped up light vintage mopeds, would the transition from a 120 pound bike to a 400 pound bike be a big wake up call? Any advice would be appreciated, thanks for reading guys!
-Tyler
