Is this what it is supposed to feel like?

Well one more note.
You can't compare new apples & old oranges.

But for real I think I have your problem solved.
Ditch the little saddle bags they are causing air flow issues and slowing you down. ;)

Just ride it and enjoy it.
Like jet said we are in the older generation and grew up riding the bikes that we are now using for builds.
We kind of know what to expect from them.
Funny thing is I had a time between bikes and didn't ride much and the first time I got on a modern bike it about pulled my arms out of socket.
 
Parachute Bags? I would ditch the Ton pipe and get some stockers on that thing, the more I look at the pic above the more I like the all stock motif with suttle performance enhancements... Also I have a set of badges for a small fee.

RD :eek:
 
Something isn't right with your clutch if you can't take off from the line in a blaze of glory.

Search 'cb550 manual' on the site and you'll find links I put up years ago to a good quality PDF version of the Honda Service Manual for the 500/550. I owned a 1973 CB500 and a 1976 CB550. They'll take off nicely and zip along at 100MPH.
 
Definitely. They aren't exactly wheelie machines, but there should be plenty of rocket ship in a twist of the wrist on them. Did you or the mechanic do any clutch work (springs plates) ? Also clutch cable tension could be keeping it soft starting. A telltale way to notice would be if you give it all the throttle and the motor revs but the power output feels like it's not transferring to the rear wheel until it gradually speeds up.
 
cklamer said:
Well one more note.
You can't compare new apples & old oranges.

But for real I think I have your problem solved.
Ditch the little saddle bags they are causing air flow issues and slowing you down. ;)

Just ride it and enjoy it.
Like jet said we are in the older generation and grew up riding the bikes that we are now using for builds.
We kind of know what to expect from them.
Funny thing is I had a time between bikes and didn't ride much and the first time I got on a modern bike it about pulled my arms out of socket.

Haha I have since ditched the saddlebags.

I was originally going to put a set of stock pipes for it, but I could never find a set that was in good enough shape, for a good enough price.

I haven't done any clutch work on the bike, so I bet they are getting a bit worn. The bike has 18k on it so I have definitely considered that.
 
And don't be running fancy synthetic oil in it - wet clutch don't forget.
 
Seriously man, even after riding the SV650, the CB shouldn't be THAT underwhelming. I think there's still some tuning issues going on. I'm not trying to call out your mechanic, but without a good baseline there's no way to know what's going on with the bike unless you have someone in the know. Those bikes are no slouches in comparison to others from the same time. It should definitely be a "woohoo" not a "meh", especially at your size. I think it's time to dig in and diagnose some more. Old bikes take love to maintain at their peak. They aren't set it and forget it bikes, but they pay you back with satisfaction. There are lots of user adjustable mechanics that can fight against eachother if they aren't tuned to work in harmony. I grin more riding my 40 year old bikes than my modern BMW. And I have several vintage BMWs to compare. They're just different. Don't give up.
 
Kanticoy said:
Seriously man, even after riding the SV650, the CB shouldn't be THAT underwhelming. I think there's still some tuning issues going on. I'm not trying to call out your mechanic, but without a good baseline there's no way to know what's going on with the bike unless you have someone in the know. Those bikes are no slouches in comparison to others from the same time. It should definitely be a "woohoo" not a "meh", especially at your size. I think it's time to dig in and diagnose some more. Old bikes take love to maintain at their peak. They aren't set it and forget it bikes, but they pay you back with satisfaction. There are lots of user adjustable mechanics that can fight against eachother if they aren't tuned to work in harmony. I grin more riding my 40 year old bikes than my modern BMW. And I have several vintage BMWs to compare. They're just different. Don't give up.

Kanticoy I think what would really benefit me would be to ride another Cb550 that was in tip top shape. I have no baseline to measure this bike against since it wasn't rideable when I got it. I know for a fact the bike will need an engine rebuild eventually. The compression is on the low end of service limit and I bet it'll need new clutch plates and springs, but I was hoping to get some enjoyment out of it before dropping another $500 into it. I've put so much into it already, I want to be more sure about how much I like it before I drop more money into it.

The SV puts much more of a smile on my face than the CB does. Its already a fifteen year old bike so its definitely not a new bike, but is obviously much more advanced than the CB.
 
Maybe old bikes just isnt your thing.. i get super happy feels everytime i ride my old 6hp 50's 2stroke!
 
hmenzies said:
Haha I have since ditched the saddlebags.

I was originally going to put a set of stock pipes for it, but I could never find a set that was in good enough shape, for a good enough price.

I haven't done any clutch work on the bike, so I bet they are getting a bit worn. The bike has 18k on it so I have definitely considered that.

If you ditch that pipe... Let me know. I may have a buyer for ya.
 
hmenzies said:
Kanticoy I think what would really benefit me would be to ride another Cb550 that was in tip top shape. I have no baseline to measure this bike against since it wasn't rideable when I got it. I know for a fact the bike will need an engine rebuild eventually. The compression is on the low end of service limit and I bet it'll need new clutch plates and springs, but I was hoping to get some enjoyment out of it before dropping another $500 into it. I've put so much into it already, I want to be more sure about how much I like it before I drop more money into it.

The SV puts much more of a smile on my face than the CB does. Its already a fifteen year old bike so its definitely not a new bike, but is obviously much more advanced than the CB.

Good points. We can't tell out here in interweb land if your bike is running as well as it could/should or if it's flat and in need of an upgrade/overhaul. I suspect that a rebuilt motor with a decent cam and higher compression would run much stronger. It will still never be a modern bike but could be a lot more fun.

If the motor is low on compression, then even a rebuild to stock condition might be a significant improvement. A test run on a good 550 would be a good place to start.
 
VonYinzer said:
If you ditch that pipe... Let me know. I may have a buyer for ya.

I'd only ditch the pipe if I could find a suitable replacement exhaust in good shape.

teazer said:
Good points. We can't tell out here in interweb land if your bike is running as well as it could/should or if it's flat and in need of an upgrade/overhaul. I suspect that a rebuilt motor with a decent cam and higher compression would run much stronger. It will still never be a modern bike but could be a lot more fun.

If the motor is low on compression, then even a rebuild to stock condition might be a significant improvement. A test run on a good 550 would be a good place to start.

Yeah a lot of it goes on feel and ya'll can't feel the bike. I bet it would run a bit smoother, but I have reached my limit on money and time I can spend on it right now, so its a little frustrating. A test run on a good 550 would be my best bet in terms of measuring my bikes performance.
 
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