Rubber repairs and electricity.

[Athame57]

I have scoured the planet to find the original rubber mounts for the starter solenoid ( see file) because they properly enclose the thing and tuck it away upright unlike the aftermarket one I have now that leaves it open to the elements. I had to settle for a top cover with a hole in it and I used a puncture repair patch to deal with that, but I've been advised one can't just use any rubber for a location like that....correct or incorrect?

[Oddjob]

Why did Honda leave some much of the wires showing, all mine seem to be the same.

Not 100% sure but I think I found some in red, which I thought more appropriate as they are live.

[Athame57]

Why did Honda leave some much of the wires showing, all mine seem to be the same.
Not 100% sure but I think I found some in red, which I thought more appropriate as they are live.

eerr...sorry Oddjob, I'm not sure I know what you mean? It is the after market holder that is the problem, it allows no cover and puts the solenoid where you don't want it. I'm concerned one needs a certain grade of rubber for the job it is doing and I've used a cycle puncture repair patch to cover a hole, I'm hoping that is ok? ie not going to melt, blow up, burst into flames?   

[Oddjob]

Ahh I see, sorry thought you were after the cable covers not the rubber mounts for the actual solenoid.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

I have scoured the planet to find the original rubber mounts for the starter solenoid ( see file) because they properly enclose the thing and tuck it away upright unlike the aftermarket one I have now that leaves it open to the elements. I had to settle for a top cover with a hole in it and I used a puncture repair patch to deal with that, but I've been advised one can't just use any rubber for a location like that....correct or incorrect?

I would be surprised if the solenoid & flasher unit suspension holders are anything special in terms of rubber specification they are out of direct sunlight so uV degradation is minimal. Draw back with the enclosed type is they do hold water whereas one with an open end can dry out.

Problem I found with my 400 was that there seem to be two distinct mounting types for the solenoid, one where the the mounting slots are 90 degrees to the axis of the solenoid and aftermarket ones where the mounting slots are parallel. (might be the other way round)

I have noticed that with some newer electronic  flasher units  manufacturers use a more rigid plastic on the flasher body with just a small rubber section fitted to mount them to the bike plate. I have a two wire electronic flasher unit on my 500 that is a square design, it fits like the original. It was inexpensive at £4.25 needing just a little bit of modification to the mounting slot with a hot screwdriver tip.

I tried & failed to find just the rubber suspension mount for a solenoid with the correct orientation, luckily mine were in serviceable condition so I just revive them cosmetically using Autoglym Bumper & Trim  Gel. The Gel is clear, it somehow restores grey black trims to black an alternative might be silicone grease.

I did find this but no idea if the diameter would be right for a 400 & 500.

https://www.wemoto.com/bikes/honda/cb_500_four_k1/72/picture/starter_solenoid___relay_rubber_mount

[Athame57]

Hi Ted
Thanks for this. As you can see from my first post I have found the parts I was looking for now. I was advised years ago to get them on this forum to get a cover, so there's a spot of chagrin about them holding water, my bike lives outside under a cover!    I'm not sure there's anything I can do about that.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Hi Ted
Thanks for this. As you can see from my first post I have found the parts I was looking for now. I was advised years ago to get them on this forum to get a cover, so there's a spot of chagrin about them holding water, my bike lives outside under a cover!    I'm not sure there's anything I can do about that.

Out of interest for future reference where did you obtain your rubber from not many places seem to sell just the rubber mounting?

[Athame57]

Same place as I've discovered other bits that are commercially extinct, from Steve at https://www.400fourbits.co.uk/   

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Same place as I've discovered other bits that are commercially extinct, from Steve at https://www.400fourbits.co.uk/   

Ah yes Steve he sold me some new steel ball bearings of the right size that fit on the triangular plate in the clutch mechanism. They seem almost impossible to find anywhere even the diameter seems to be hard to put a figure on.