Honda-SOHC

SOHC.co.uk Forums => CB500/550 => Topic started by: Plammiman on December 21, 2023, 01:39:24 PM

Title: CB550F side cover rubber grommets
Post by: Plammiman on December 21, 2023, 01:39:24 PM
I purchased some replacement after market rubber grommets for the side covers on EBay. These are after market cheap version. The fit is poor and virtually impossible to press the covers through the grommets even with grease. Does anyone have any recommendations on purchasing ones that fit correctly.
Title: Re: CB550F side cover rubber grommets
Post by: Johnny4428 on December 21, 2023, 01:47:02 PM
I had the same problem on the K3 ended up fitting the old ones back in. Not sure about DS but CMS has the nos ones.
Title: Re: CB550F side cover rubber grommets
Post by: Oddjob on December 21, 2023, 02:11:10 PM
The K3 IIRC uses 2 different grommets, 2 of the same at the top and a slightly different one on the bottom lug, this is because the bottom lug is smaller and rounder than the upper lugs.

Which of these is the problem? I ordered a big bag of genuine ones off USA Ebay some while ago thinking they were the top ones and I think they were the bottom ones and of course my 500 doesn't use that type.
Title: Re: CB550F side cover rubber grommets
Post by: Johnwebley on December 21, 2023, 02:27:09 PM
I think Julie has some



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Title: Re: CB550F side cover rubber grommets
Post by: Oddjob on December 21, 2023, 02:39:05 PM
I think Julie has some



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But are they genuine or copies is the question. A lot of copies look ok but don't work when fitted, I would say if it's not in a sealed genuine Honda bag you're taking a risk of it either not fitting or falling apart are a short while with the possibility the panel gets lost when they do. I'm looking at seeing if I can drill the top lugs on the panel so I can fit an R clip through the hole so it can't fall off in transit or anyone can remove it without lifting the seat. Not tested the theory yet but it sounds doable.
Title: Re: CB550F side cover rubber grommets
Post by: peterengland on December 21, 2023, 04:59:36 PM
I had some like that but just carefully shaved off a bit inside the grommet and they fitted perfectly
Title: Re: CB550F side cover rubber grommets
Post by: Seabeowner on December 21, 2023, 07:35:18 PM
The grommets are the same AFAIK on all the 500/550s. 17247303000 and  83551300000. Except one of the large ones is turned through 90deg on the Fs and K3.
I had some cheap ones and used a soldering iron to melt a chamfer on them and trimmed them up. But on my best bikes I bought genuine.
Title: Re: CB550F side cover rubber grommets
Post by: Johnny4428 on December 21, 2023, 09:02:30 PM
The problem with the ones I had was they appeared to be a lot harder than the originals.
Title: Re: CB550F side cover rubber grommets
Post by: DomP on December 21, 2023, 09:31:43 PM
Interesting read as I need to replace mine that fell apart as soon is I got near them.

  I wonder if anyone with an F model could do me a favour and measure the spacings of the gromet tabs, or trace them? I'm uncertain whether I have a warped right side cover or if the tabs have been removed and welded back on in the wrong place (unlikely as there are no signs anywhere on the bike that it's been messed with.
Title: Re: CB550F side cover rubber grommets
Post by: Johnwebley on December 21, 2023, 09:35:35 PM
The problem with the ones I had was they appeared to be a lot harder than the originals.
Always worth warming them first


Soak in hot water

Make them malleable

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Title: Re: CB550F side cover rubber grommets
Post by: Johnny4428 on December 21, 2023, 10:30:59 PM
Never thought of that John but just was just wanting reassurance that I could remove the panels without breaking them once fitted.
Title: Re: CB550F side cover rubber grommets
Post by: Oddjob on December 22, 2023, 02:01:18 AM
TBH I thought the 500 used all the same type, they look the same TBH except I think the bottom one is slightly smaller, that's good news, means at least I'll get to use 2 of my new ones now.
Title: Re: CB550F side cover rubber grommets
Post by: Bryanj on December 22, 2023, 02:24:25 AM
I think they are even same as 750 Ken
Title: Re: CB550F side cover rubber grommets
Post by: Skoti on December 22, 2023, 07:33:48 AM
Panels on my F1 were a bit slack, some shrink wrap on the lugs cured that.
Title: Re: CB550F side cover rubber grommets
Post by: Johnny4428 on December 22, 2023, 08:28:15 AM
Panels on my F1 were a bit slack, some shrink wrap on the lugs cured that.
Nice one Skoti! Good tip.
Title: Re: CB550F side cover rubber grommets
Post by: Plammiman on December 22, 2023, 09:24:29 AM
Thanks for all the replies, it great to hear all the views and options. In this case going for original seems the best idea if you want to fit and remove the panel with the best chance of avoiding damage. Retention of the panel is also important as they get harder to find. I like the idea floated of a tether for the panel which should be easy to achieve. Thanks everyone 👍😁
Title: Re: CB550F side cover rubber grommets
Post by: Oddjob on December 22, 2023, 03:16:19 PM
I'll look and see what the rubbers I bought were, bottom or top. Might as well sell the spares.

Just found the grommets, I have 10 x 83551-300-000, all separately sealed in genuine Honda bags. Of course I'll need 2 for myself so that means I have 8 spare. I paid around £40 for the 10 including P&P from the states, which TBH was almost as much as the grommets cost to buy, plus VAT. So I'll sell them at £4 each plus £1 P&P for as many as you buy, so 2 would be £9. DS wants £5.69 each plus P&P so I reckon the price is competitive.

I won't be posting until the New Year however, got family commitments etc so if you want any just let me know and I'll save you some, first come first served as they say, with original thread starter having first refusal as without that we wouldn't be having this conversation.
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