Honda CBX550F

The Honda CBX550F is a four-stroke, in line four cylinder, sport tourer motorcycle produced from 1982 to 1986 by the Honda Motor Company. The CBX550F II is identical apart from the addition of a half-fairing.

Although the model was designated 550, the actual capacity was 572.5 cc. Honda developed a completely new, unusual design of engine to compete in the middleweight-sector with twin overhead camshafts acting on rockers, having screw-adjusters for clearance which actuated the sixteen valves (four per cylinder).

The engine featured a standard oil-cooler and a distinctive, unusual exhaust system, a first for Honda, with cross-over pipes directly in front of the engine linking cylinders one to four and a separate pair of pipes connecting cylinders two and three. The CV carburettors were of a new type using mixture-enriching internal fuel passages for cold-starts, with careful engineering of the inlet tracts to achieve smooth gasflow.

The machine was noted for its use of inboard ventilated disc brakes, the discs themselves being contained within a "drum" type enclosure. Front suspension was by oil-damped telescopic fork with air assistance and incorporating an anti-dive mechanism in the left fork leg. Rear suspension was by Honda's own "Pro-Link" rising rate system, which allows the suspension forces to vary in accordance with rear wheel movement. The machine was equipped with transistorised ignition and electrics were 12 volt.