CB550F2 1978 left switch

[alexdecker]

Hey all

I am trying to source a left switch for my handlebar. I can see there are lots of repros on eBay, also with the PA option in the horn button, as my current switch has. But on all of them, there have not been made a recess in the switch for the wires, when they come out of the switch. I guess this would make sense, if the wires has to run within the handlebar. But they don't on my model though, and as a result, I can't fit any of them on my bike.

Does anyone know a source for a proper left switch for a CB550F, or has anyone found some solution to this?

[Oddjob]

AFAIK Alex only the 550K3 had the wires running outside the bars, the F model had them running inside the bars.

What's wrong with the current switch?

[Trigger]

K3 are easy to spot as they have block connectors. The F1/F2 had bullet connectors. The left switch on a F2 is the same as a 400 four with PA switch. 

Link in Europe >>> https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/174181090102?hash=item288e008336:g:rREAAOSwW69e8RKS&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAAwBNwFTSqcK7ygXN6LepqXN6AK2ovxgTSYwVLf9rVcY3lQet2yWurn4SUn%2Bo7rZO4jpgB0aAzOM19o6PKT4W5vVQSJVpiX25%2FzM5uskMqwEwoRz2g3%2Bp5V5sjKkIh%2FA2HC0nlCLH8xio%2FET%2Fm478BXklKyidL%2FMQ1X6Lz%2FQqyuxQJE4MmfWGNP0PRUsL2UHWZPceikiSbBYABGMs3SivPgBGCMkDuNGIp0sB3im5MIOpLq19RNd5wHafvnZiXhx3IFw%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR4y0tvvYYQ

[alexdecker]

This is a picture of my old switch, with the recess in the lower part of the switch. I thought all the wires was supposed to run on the outside of the handlebar. But I guess the previous owner switched the handlebar (as it has no holes to insert wires) and made the recess himself

Ok, sourcing a new handlebar I guess…

[Bryanj]

Yes, thats a home made cuttout, the real ones have a raised rib around the cutout

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Like this one.PXL_20230131_115418278 by Macabe Thiele, on Flickr

[Oddjob]

This is a picture of my old switch, with the recess in the lower part of the switch. I thought all the wires was supposed to run on the outside of the handlebar. But I guess the previous owner switched the handlebar (as it has no holes to insert wires) and made the recess himself

Ok, sourcing a new handlebar I guess…

Pics like that make me mad, not at you Alex, but at others who have butchered that switchgear in the past. And Honda to some extent. First off, wrong screws, ones even a cheese head screw for christs sake. The screw under the indicator rod is critical as well, too short and it pulls the thread out of the casting, too long and the indicator rod won't move as the screw protrudes through the case. Next, Honda cut that out of the mould and got it wrong, look at the back edge where the pieces meet, all the damage there, that's done when they cut it out of the mould and it should never have passed QI. The front part is even worse, doesn't even meet the lower casting, that could be Honda or it could be the hamfisted moron who cut the hole in the switch in the first place. I've just had to rectify 7 of those handlebar switches castings before they went for ceramic coating, and that damage isn't that odd, look at any switchgear you own and you'll see hacksaw marks right across the joining surface, casting blemishes, wrongly imprinted letters. Makes my blood boil because it was all avoidable with a little care.

You're missing the clutch sensor switch as well Alex, hole behind the cable adjuster screw hole. Stops the starter motor from spinning up whilst the engines in gear.

Finding correct bars isn't that easy Alex, I believe DS sells them with the holes cut out for the 550, maybe CMS uses the same supplier. Ask before buying though. Try and source an original Honda switch not a copy, copies are ok for what they are but original is better made. If you have to buy a copy swap out the internals and wiring if that switch is still ok to use.

Rant over.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

I bought my handle bars from Bertum4572  - they have the holes for the wiring but not much else.
I'm happy with them for the price https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/303327670144

[andy120t]

In support of those ‘ham-fisted morons’ … let’s not forget that in a world of rapidly developing middle-weight sports bikes (GPz, GPX,CBR,FZ,FZR, …can’t think of a Yamaha one until the far later R6, but you get my drift?), the CB550 was just an old £100 hack, so why would anyone spend money on a new switch or correct handlebar when you could just modify/bodge/hack a hole to get the thing working ! (…not that I’ve ever done anything remotely similar on an old bike ..).🙂

[Oddjob]

There's bodging it and then there's cowboy bodging. For the cost of a screw why not just do the job right in the first place.

[Johnny4428]

Here’s a classic cowboy bodge!

[Oddjob]

FFS, that's the worst I've ever seen. He or she, should be shot for doing that.

For those interested. The new Hondas these days use black screws instead of the BZP ones fitted in the 70s. They are still JIS but all black, which look better IMO as they blend in with the switch. They also comes equipped with a captive spring washer so no more losing that when you remove the screw.

The 550 uses 4 x 25mm ones and one 32mm one. Part numbers are 93892-0502507 and 93892-0503207. If you look at the part number you can clearly see how Honda made that part number up. 93892 is for the location, eg switchgear, 05, screw diameter, 025, screw length, 07 colour of screw. So if your switchgear uses different lengths than those just substitute the 025 part for whatever length you need, a quick search online will tell you if Honda ever made them in that length.

They cost approx £1.34 each. Not a great deal to pay for a proper job.

[Laverdaroo]

  :oI dunno, I think thats a visual bonnanza! I think it shows off the chrome and foam grips a treat

[Johnny4428]

I’m sure that was the reason this switch was butchered. So that it could be moved further up the handlebars to accommodate that bloody hideous grips. Well I hope they enjoyed the grips cause the rest looked like the rear end of a horse.😡😡

[Laverdaroo]

Ha haa, bless yer, you’ll have it sorted no doubt John


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