The Ferrari F40 of Bikes | 1979 Honda CB550 Cafe Racer Ride & Review

Arguably one of the best sounding bikes we've ever had the honour of hearing, check out this fully custom 1979 Honda CB550 Cafe Racer.
Thanks to the owner, Nate, for letting us review his bike: @nate_swart
Welcome to First Throttle, where we give a first impression on all kinds of bikes. Old, new, fast, slow, anything on two wheels goes.
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Produced by: @migaeldannhauser
Should you have a bike for us to review, please feel free to get in contact.
South African motorbike channels you should check out:
Through The Eyes Of This Guy
Soul of Machine
Advsouthafrica
ADNick
Dark Rider

[@joelstatosky1817]

I'm thinking of getting a cb750 as my first bike. I am a big fan of classics

[@sieve5]

I've got a cafe'd out 550 like the presenter here. I recommend getting riser bars. Clip ons on a cafe are miserable.

[@reggiechin230]

Nice job with that CB550. Yep, it sounds amazing!

[@r8pt3r]

Nice vid! I've got a 78 CB550, and the brakes do the squak as well - I think it's just part of the "charm" now as I can't get rid of that damn squeak haha. With the fuel gauge I'm not too worried cos you can just chuck it on reserve once you run out and I get 40 kms or so out of that. Love the sound of the open headers shame I can't do the same down here in Australia, I'd get pulled over and fined within 5 minutes.

[@DiscoveringBikesSA]

Fortunately for us petrol heads, you can almost get away with anything in SA 😂

[@The9meister]

Nice bike, I found a good muffler can still sound good, gives the motor a bit of back pressure, and more performance, it is all the fun of motorcycle customising.

[@rogerramjet8964]

Enjoyable and fun,good times.

[@budgethooligan3929]

It sounds so similar to my '83 GPz550. More crisp but less throaty I'd say. Cafe Racers have an interesting look nowadays vs their British origins and because of that I've always preferred streetfighter builds but I've always wondered how those cafe-style seats and bars feel.

[@pranayudha4688]

great bike!

[@JethroBronner]

What? There are Hipsters in Cape Town?!

[@DiscoveringBikesSA]

Rumour has it 👀

[@marco88herholdt]

Awesome vid mate. What is your camera / mic setup when on the bike?

[@scoochinweasel]

Rad vid. Think I heard you come past from my porch lol

[@DiscoveringBikesSA]

It's a hard one to miss! 😂

[@rustytanks]

Cost me R18000 for my 550, and R5000 for the Cafe racer parts and goods, R23000 for a bike like that is small change, the seat is hard, but the Cafe is not a tourer, it's a show/breakfast run bike, Cafe Racers = Less is more

[@Flu_Tang_Clan]

Makes me want to be back in SA.

[@michielcoetzer2924]

Sometime you should review my 1984 Honda XR500RE after shes done

[@DiscoveringBikesSA]

We will definitely be keen to! Send us an email to get in touch! [e-mail]

[@jamesmarlow333]

Is it street legal? I mean register it for a tag

[@ericrouse6458]

They stop making a 550 in 1978 .Dude it's not even possible .I build only CB550 F1/F2 SS or 550 FOUR K 74-78 I am Sure of it I have had 6 I have 3 currently..74K,76K,76F2 SS.

[@G130XRE]

Bike looks stunning, but I had to stop listening when you said braided brake hoses increase brake pressure 🤦‍♂️

[@Jaysqualityparts]

Technically a 78 hold over.

[@nãomedigafrivolidade]

a rd would be a f40 and not a cb

[@roonewby8112]

What adeath trap! Form over function! It didnt come with twin original brakesm thats a mod and sounds like it was done badly if they rub like that and they sound and perform that badly. Its nothing to do with technology its been modded eally badly. Might look ok but thats a death trap

[@antoniosamuels6157]

What are you rambling on about. As if the brakes can't be fixed plus it's still plenty sorted enough to have fun with. You sound like the most fun person at the party

[@benjaminchapman1387]

Awesome bike, but man this guy is annoying! Should have just taken riding footage and done a voice over with a script. Doing this moto-vlog style is just bad.