1975 HONDA CB550 FOUR SUPER SPORT

GORGEOUS & RARE ORIGINAL SURVIVOR

STUNNING SUNRISE ORANGE & CHROME

CLASSIC VINTAGE INLINE-FOUR

ONLY 18,076 MILES – GOOD RESTORATION PROJECT

CLASSIC HONDA CB550 FOUR! BEAUTIFUL ORANGE FINISH! ORIGINAL COMPONENTS! EXCELLENT WINTER RESTORATION PROJECT!

Up for sale at Kaplan Cycles / New England Motorcycle Museum is this beautiful 1975 Honda CB550 Four, a highly desirable vintage Japanese four-cylinder motorcycle finished in a stunning orange color.

This classic Honda comes from Mike's private estate collection of 23 vintage motorcycles, which we recently acquired, including seven classic Hondas. This CB550 is one of the standout machines from the collection, retaining an impressive amount of its original equipment and showing just 18,076 miles on the odometer.

The Honda CB550 Four has developed a loyal following among collectors, restorers, and vintage motorcycle enthusiasts. With its smooth inline-four engine, classic 1970s styling, and more manageable size compared to its big brother, the CB750 Four, the CB550 represents one of Honda's most enjoyable and iconic vintage motorcycles.

This is an excellent opportunity to acquire an attractive, substantially original CB550 Four survivor that is ready for someone to bring it back to life!

ORIGINALITY & CONDITION

One of the most appealing features of this motorcycle is how complete and original it appears to be.

The bike retains many of its original factory components, including:

• Beautiful orange fuel tank (NOT 100% SURE IF PAINT IS ORIGINAL BUT IT LOOKS LIKE IT IS)

• Original front and rear turn signals

• Original handlebars and controls

• Original factory saddle

• Original side covers

• Period four-into-one exhaust system

• Original factory rear shocks

• Original switch housings and handlebar mounting hardware

• Original gauges and instrumentation

The motorcycle shows 18,076 miles, and the instrument faces appear crisp, clear, and well-preserved.

The handlebar switch housings are intact, and the mounting bolts and hardware are in good condition. The original shocks and turn signals also present nicely.

The fuel tank is particularly noteworthy, with an interior that appears exceptionally clean for a motorcycle of this vintage.

Based on our inspection, there are no obvious signs of major crash damage, and the motorcycle presents as a clean, substantially original survivor.

Finding a 50-plus-year-old Honda Four with this much original equipment still intact is becoming increasingly difficult. Many of these motorcycles were extensively modified, neglected, parted out, or ridden into the ground decades ago.

This one has survived and deserves to be preserved!

MECHANICAL CONDITION – PROJECT MOTORCYCLE

IMPORTANT: THIS MOTORCYCLE IS BEING SOLD AS-IS, AS A NON-RUNNING RESTORATION PROJECT.

The motorcycle has not been serviced or prepared for road use by our shop.

The following items are known to require attention:

• Carburetors will need to be inspected, cleaned, and likely rebuilt.

• Carburetor intake boots are missing and will need to be replaced.

• Ignition key is missing.

• Ignition lock/key assembly will need attention or replacement as necessary.

• The complete fuel system should be inspected and serviced.

• All normal recommissioning procedures should be completed before attempting to ride the motorcycle.

The previous owner had removed the carburetor boots, and we believe he may have intended to rebuild or service the carburetors before his passing. Unfortunately, that work was never completed.

Replacement ignition components, carburetor parts, and other service items are available through various vintage Honda parts suppliers.

The engine has not been represented as running, and no guarantees are made regarding its internal mechanical condition.

This is a restoration project, not a ready-to-ride motorcycle.

THE LEGENDARY HONDA CB550 FOUR

The Honda CB550 Four was one of the finest middleweight motorcycles of the 1970s.

Developed from the earlier CB500 Four, the CB550 offered additional displacement, improved performance, and the legendary smoothness of Honda's inline-four engine.

Factory Model Specifications:

• Year: 1975

• Manufacturer: Honda

• Model: CB550 Four

• Engine: 544cc air-cooled inline four-cylinder

• Configuration: Four-stroke, SOHC, eight-valve

• Carburetion: Four individual carburetors

• Transmission: 5-speed manual

• Starting System: Electric start and kickstarter

• Front Brake: Hydraulic disc

• Rear Brake: Mechanical drum

• Final Drive: Chain

• Odometer Reading: 18,076 miles

• Color: Orange

The CB550 delivered the signature sound, sophistication, and smooth power delivery of Honda's legendary Four series in a slightly smaller and more maneuverable package than the CB750.

Its relatively lightweight chassis and responsive engine made it popular with riders who wanted the performance and prestige of a four-cylinder motorcycle without the additional size and weight of a 750.

Today, these motorcycles are particularly popular with vintage Japanese motorcycle collectors, restoration enthusiasts, and cafe racer builders.

Although the CB550 platform has become popular for custom builds, finding a complete original-style survivor like this one makes preservation or a sympathetic restoration especially appealing.

PART OF A 23-MOTORCYCLE PRIVATE COLLECTION

This CB550 was acquired from Mike's estate as part of an impressive collection of 23 classic motorcycles, including seven Hondas.

Other motorcycles from this collection include:

• Honda CB750 Four

• Honda CB500 Twin

• Two Honda CB350 Twins

• Honda MR250 Elsinore

• Vintage Honda 50cc motorcycle

These motorcycles represent a fantastic cross-section of Honda's golden era.

We currently have approximately 260 motorcycles in inventory, with numerous additional collections arriving. Due to the volume of motorcycles awaiting service and restoration, we simply cannot restore every bike ourselves.

Rather than letting these classics sit in our restoration queue, we have decided to offer a number of them directly to collectors and enthusiasts in their current as-is condition.

This gives buyers the opportunity to purchase a classic motorcycle and complete the mechanical work or restoration themselves.

A FANTASTIC WINTER PROJECT!

If you've been looking for an authentic 1970s Honda four-cylinder motorcycle to restore, this CB550 deserves your consideration.

With its beautiful orange finish, original-style equipment, clean-appearing fuel tank, intact gauges, and complete overall presentation, this motorcycle offers an excellent starting point for a vintage Honda project.

Whether your goal is a factory-style restoration, a mechanically refreshed survivor, or a period-correct cafe racer, the CB550 Four is a wonderful platform.

PLEASE NOTE: This motorcycle is being sold strictly AS-IS, WHERE-IS, as a project motorcycle requiring mechanical service and inspection. It is not currently represented as running, roadworthy, or ready for immediate use. The odometer displays 18,076 miles.

Please review all photographs and the accompanying video carefully to evaluate its condition, originality, and restoration needs.

CONTACT KAPLAN CYCLES

Kaplan Cycles / New England Motorcycle Museum
Rockville, Connecticut

Call us directly at 860-454-7024 with any questions about this classic Honda CB550 Four.

We specialize in vintage, collectible, and enthusiast motorcycles, and we are constantly acquiring exceptional machines from private collections and estates across the country.

Don't miss your opportunity to own a piece of Honda's legendary four-cylinder history!

Thanks for watching, and God Bless America!

WHY SHOULD YOU BUY FROM KAPLAN? WHAT DO YOU GET?

“You are buying from the Kaplan Cycles Family. We are not just another big auction house. We are family-owned and operated and have been buying, servicing, and selling motorcycles since 1975. You will work directly with Ken Jr., Ken Sr., and/or one of the 30+ experts on our team. We provide museum-quality, white-glove concierge service from start to finish. Every motorcycle we sell is inspected, serviced, and supported by our team, and we stand behind it after the sale. You’re not on your own — we back what we build and what we sell.

With over 17,000 units sold and still 100% positive feedback, we are the best stress-free buying experience you can have. From the first call to delivery at your door, we will handle it all — because vintage motorcycles deserve support, and so do you.

With every bike we curate you get:
• museum-level inspection & preservation services
• every machine is professionally evaluated, serviced, & rotisserie detailed
• all critical systems are checked, adjusted, or renewed
• you get professional setup, tuning, and delivery prep
• done by the best experts in the industry — we ride and restore every day
• you get post-sale phone support
• you get white-glove, insured, always-enclosed shipping to your door anywhere in the country

You’re buying from Kaplan Cycles at the New England Motorcycle Museum, one of the largest vintage motorcycle collections in North America. Free museum tours and tickets are included with every bike sold. With every bike you purchase, a portion of the proceeds is used to support, continue, and improve the 501(c)(3) nonprofit New England Motorcycle Museum.

You don’t just win an auction — YOU are creating & helping to preserve motorcycle history, and you become part of our family, a Kaplan Cycles client for life.

We do not take new clients off the street.
We do not service bikes purchased elsewhere.
We only take new exclusive clients who purchase a motorcycle from us.

You get a guided purchase experience with, and from, the experts who care about the bike as much as you do. If there’s a problem, you don’t get ghosted. You call us — you will have our cell phone numbers — we will answer your call on weekends, and we will help make it right.

Auction platforms = listing only. No support. No accountability.

Kaplan Cycles = we stand behind what we sell.

You are buying museum-curated provenance. That means:
• expert evaluation
• documented condition
• professional presentation
• long-term preservation mindset

You’re not just buying a motorcycle — you’re buying a curated piece of motorcycling history.

From the #1 family in this business — Kaplan Cycles & the New England Motorcycle Museum.

Sincerely,

Ken Kaplan Sr.
12/28/2025”

AUCTION TERMS:

All motorcycles & vehicles are sold as-is where-is.

Kaplan Cycles guarantees all motorcycles are as-described. Please read the entire description and watch the entire video before bidding.

A non-refundable deposit is due immediately on purchase. PayPal or Credit Card is accepted for the deposit.

Cash (In-Person), Card (+3% fee), or Wire Transfer are our only accepted forms of final payment.

Full payment must be made within 7 days of auction close.

Your motorcycle must be picked up within 30 days of auction close. 

Exceptions are made only for international buyers OR buyers who have ALREADY made transport arrangements with a third party.

If a motorcycle is purchased and left here for longer than 30 days without written permission from Kaplan Cycles it will be resold. In the case of a re-sale, the owner will be entitled to a refund less storage fees ($25/ day beginning 30 days from auction close) ONLY if the motorcycle was paid in full on-time within the auction terms.

We always describe our motorcycles as accurately as possible.

You are purchasing a classic motorcycle. Even in cases where a bike may be in good running/ operating condition, new problems & idiosyncrasies can arise over-time from sitting or regular use.

If you have an issue with the motorcycle you’ve received, contact us within 24 hours of delivery and before leaving feedback so that we can address your concerns.

It is important you have at least a basic mechanical knowledge before purchasing and operating a classic motorcycle.

Due to our backlog, we cannot perform any additional service work or modifications on your motorcycle after the sale (ie; adding a light kit, different tires, etc.)

We respond quickly between the hours of 9am and 5pm EST, Monday - Friday

For our fastest service please call Ken Kaplan Jr directly at 860-471-0192

We will not charge out-of-state buyers sales tax.
Out of state residents will pay sales tax with their DMV. 

We are not a registering dealership. You will receive only the documents required to register your vehicle in your state.

In our listings, title status is always listed directly below the main description.

In some cases we will sell motorcycles without title or registration. In these cases we guarantee all motorcycles sold are free and clear. We will always provide a route to obtaining title. Generally in these cases, the motorcycle will be sold at a discount to accommodate expenses involved.

Documents are mailed via USPS priority mail with a tracking number. Please allow up to 14 days after payment in full for your documents to be processed and mailed.

Keys will be shipped with the motorcycle.

Warranty:

All Motorcycles sold "as is, where is" and Kaplan Cycles does not warranty any motorcycle sold. No express warranty and/or implied warranty are made by Kaplan Cycles. No statements by us give an implied warranty.

SHIPPING:

SEND US YOUR ZIP FOR A SHIPPING QUOTE!
WE WILL MAKE ALL ARRANGEMENTS!

We have the best shipping contacts in the nation who will provide the FASTEST transport times, have a perfect track record, and are always insured and ENCLOSED! All motorcycles are shipped WHOLE (roll-on, roll-off). We do not offer a pallet or crate service.

International shipping specialist contacts are available! They will assist in ground freight, customs clearance, and ocean freight to your country. International buyers will be required to work directly with our third party shipping contacts.

We strongly recommend you insure your motorcycle at the time of purchase.

PICKUP:

We require a 24 hour notice prior to pick-up. Please call us at 860-454-7024 during office hours Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm EST.

We will provide ramps, a dock for loading, and assistance to load for free.