It’s home at last!

[Oddjob]

Thanks for the search tips guys! Who knew? Not me anyway, the painting of the badges don’t bother me that’s not a problem but the making of a new F is beyond my home skills! Anybody got a spare orange F?

Sorry Johnny but what's wrong with the original F in the badge?

[Johnny4428]

Unfortunately missing Ken!

[Oddjob]

Somewhere Johnny I have a few of them but my missus moved them and they have gone missing, if they turn up I'll let you know. I gave one of my spares to Roo to replace the red ones which were in his badges. I have the old one out of a copy badge, by copy I mean the ones DS sells, not genuine Honda but look like it, they aren't as orange as the original and they aren't backed with gold foil like the original.

[Johnny4428]

That would be great if you could find one but no stress if you can’t Ken. I thought about buying a DS one just to rob it of the F then that’s maybe ridiculous, why not just use the complete replacement instead? I’m confused about the lettering colour. My ones are gold but I haven’t seen any other gold ones and all the replacement pattern ones have white lettering which matches the lettering on the tank badges.

[Oddjob]

All the raised parts were chrome, the inside of the numbers were white and the rest was black. The F was orange like the 500. However, I seem to recall Roo trying to fit the 500 F into the 550 slot and it wouldn't go, or they did go but the 500 F is smaller than the 550 F. Plus for some reason the F in Roos badges were red not orange.

https://www.cmsnl.com/honda-cb550-k2-four-1976-usa_model464/emblem-side-cover_87124374000/

The copies that CMS are selling show orange Fs but that could be a trick of the light.

[Johnny4428]

Thanks Ken, I’ll have a go at refurbishing the one that has got the F and if I’m happy with it I’ll buy one replacement I think. 4 into 1 also advertise ones that look the right colour.

[Oddjob]

Just saw this in my watch list on Ebay Johnny, seems this may be the place that Roo bought his from, note the red F. Cheap though for 2 and IF you're having a red or orange bike they may suit it better.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/124014204600

[Johnny4428]

Looks like a good deal and they look descent but not sure about the red F! I’m thinking that my bike will be freedom green metallic so think I will stick with the orange if I can get them. Liked the idea of these and speed nuts with them.

[Johnny4428]

Pushed the boat out! Think it’s a bit shiny though! I’ll have to age it a bit.😜

[Oddjob]

This one is more like the original Johnny.

https://www.cmsnl.com/products/tool-bag_89101300010/

Funnily enough it's the same bag as what came with my 2009 CB1300, when I got the first one wrote off by a lovely blind lady I kept the toolkit and then bought another 1300 exactly the same which came with another tool kit. So that's the kit I'll be using on my 500, just swap a few tools around but basically the same toolkit.

[Johnny4428]

Think you’re right Ken although the original didn’t have the “Honda” embossed on the front. The new one I got was slightly shorter than original. Strange that the tool kits never changed much over a lot of years, but then again maybe a lot of the fittings probably never changed in size. If I’m ordering from CMS might just get one then can decide which to use.

[Oddjob]

Seen the middle number though Johnny, 300, so off a 750 four. Just looked and the original bag provided by Honda was embossed and is the same part number. Plus they are sort of padded so they don't rattle like the plastic bag and they are far more robust so last much longer, those plastic ones just rip for fun.

[Johnny4428]

I’m sure part of the problem is it is a strategic exercise to get all the tools in the bag. Not a lot of room spare, could easy over stretch that welded seam on the bag top.

[Johnny4428]

Made an annoying discovery when I changed the oil and filter in the bike at the weekend, seems the threads in the drain hole in the sump have been compromised. Probably some one tightening and tightening trying to get it tight instead of replacing the sealing washer.😡😡 Picture of a tapered bung thing in its place!

[Oddjob]

You need an oil pan Johnny? Fairly sure I've got a couple spare somewhere.

Can I suggest you fit a Stahlbus plug, you never need to remove it to drain the oil, so no chance of stripping the threads ever again. Plus, when you attach the drain pipe (no tools needed at all BTW) you can direct the oil away and into a container with no spills. Really great idea. Can't remember offhand what the thread size is but similar to this.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/301258545167?hash=item462468980f:g:ZWoAAOSwT7Jk5bFo&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA4HbcEUR8YHRsMTS0X2fb9XXVI35%2BkbFkBZOyu016hS9TmvAgvziKIkcuCx3EHeskxMMij2m%2Flci09%2BclpY6ymjE868yqG%2BZ6K%2BIP1IItlVERUAbO2jc2STWhGEK90BVAxTeNlZfbf%2FDY%2BC%2BfzCMjp4bYaWV40%2BoGfV6iZLh6iuvwY4yyp9wkRrC2WJfIJtNIgoWVKr0HPu46T8wgATMo%2BweE5VFT2lb1nHWEhnwUYzH4kXKkWAXCY3QW3%2ByApjUxSGx6Qiw6Bn2WiWY%2F6uU1U08U0d%2BNpzQqufkegiBoGOPj%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR9qU1PD5Yg