Removing 500 tank badges

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

I've done a search but failed to find the answer. U-tube shows this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdIWbR_MHVI

Is this a reliable method - I seem to remember reading something about using thin wire or fishing line?

[Laverdaroo]

Nylon fishing line Ted, I dont know if you need to warm the badges slightlywith a hair drier or similar, first, cheese wire them off with some reasonably good fishing line in a sawing motion.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Are they stuck on as well or is it just two badge  bushes that the lugs push fit into?

[K2-K6]

Use reference "3M VHB" Ted, that's if they are stuck on too.

That gives advice on removal by gentle heating etc to get them to detach.

VHB is very high bond and familiar to most in use on car number plate sticky patches as it develops a long lasting adherance when deployed. 

Can be bought in various thickness to re site them after paint.

[Bryanj]

From honda they have two pins pushed into expensive clips, if pins broken frequently stuck on

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Tank badges removed - will need new clips as they were well rusty.

Side panel badges removed but one lug broke of - still enough to locate in the hole but not enough for the clip.

So 9 out of 10 lugs okay two front tank badge lugs not vertical not too bad - next job will be drilling the new left side panel by somehow making a template from the old panel that had been subject to a repair.

If I drill out the tank cap rivetts/pins at the end can I get replacements anywhere?

[Oddjob]

Replacement rivets are still available Ted, there are also some that use a very small circlip to retain them, which I'm thinking may be better as peening the new rivets over can cause paint damage if you're not careful.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/114497386359?hash=item1aa8937777:g:-pAAAOSwOopfoVP8&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAAoIaAE2kRF%2B1qJnRwkMJOPskIRCDFeWGIHEJAbHij%2FTipNglDZDZaly2AjHaPmHoF4s1BAt0ztuz9C3mRCXIHLcMZ6iGvynIfq9iDdmHTi5mICruL0uzdXS0dxJu0lnE%2FAnxgsbkg5KQSpsANMjdUQju%2F2G1LZOsf8hGoyrV1fDtISWqBiMdB79ZSRpvRHwmC6XowsTawaATBxvquMm5lMhs%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR-T0pN_JYQ

I'm currently trying a new method of restoring my 500 tank badges and also a method of strengthening the side panels badges to reduce breakages, they always break at the bottom of the U in Four, it's a know weak point, you catch the badge with the polishing cloth and it breaks the badge. Early days yet on both mods but hopefully they'll work out well. I was also thinking of ways to replace those broken pins on the back of the side panel badges, if that works out I'll let you know.

The tank badges BTW appear to be made of alloy not hard ABS plastic but they are quite roughly cast with lots of small bits sticking off from the metal. They appear to be sprayed a very shiny gold or it could even be anodised then the letters are filled in with white paint and the spaces in between done in matt or satin black. 

[Seabeowner]

Hondaman sells long screws and an acorn nuts that you Loctite in place for the fuel cap.

[Pangloss]

Slightly off topic  BUT relevant for my LOST fuel cap pin...good idea

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Did they ever make the 500 with a locking cap like my 400 I like the idea of locking just to keep it safe from idiots?

[Oddjob]

As I said in my PM Ted, the latch locks NOT the cap.

BTW, did you know the petrol cap itself dismantles easily, so you could in theory get the cap rechromed for approx the same as a new cap BUT the chrome would be much better on the rechromed one.

[Bryanj]

The 400 locking latch fits the 500, which never was fitted from new but Honda stopped supplying the original catch and only the locking one after US nagging