1976 Honda CB550F
Registration no. RFE 297R
Frame no. CB550F-1021064
Engine no. CB550E-1131949

Honda followed its sensational CB750 with a range of smaller fours, the first of which, the CB500, appeared in 1971. The newcomer was just as well specified as its larger brother, boasting an overhead-camshaft engine, five-speed gearbox, electric starter, and disc front brake. Upping the engine capacity, the CB550 offered the same blend of performance and civility when it first arrived in the USA in 1973. UK buyers had to wait another three years to sample it, by which time the model had been joined by the CB550F, with 4-into-1 exhaust and sportier styling. Bike magazine was unstinting in its praise of Honda's newly enlarged middleweight, stating: 'We believe the CB550 provides one of the finest balances between performance, economy and handling quality in today's motorcycling arena', virtues often claimed nowadays by protagonists of the successor 600cc class. Britain's best-selling motorcycling magazine went on to state that it considered the CB550 'one of the better bikes to emerge from Honda's design team in recent years'.

Acquired by the vendor in July 2014, this CB550F is described as in generally good condition and lovely to ride, with a very smooth engine. The machine is offered with V5C document, MoT to March 2017 and a bill for a major service (including new tyres) dated September 2011.