Honda-SOHC
SOHC.co.uk Forums => CB500/550 => Topic started by: Neilw on September 02, 2026, 04:59:19 PM
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So I've managed to remove the Bearing Retainer with a nifty tool I got for a few quid on Amazon, it's adjustable and did the job beautifully.
The rubber dampers appeared to be in good condition, not damaged in any way, and when everything was cleaned up i refitted.
There is a small amount of movement from the Final Drive Flange that sits on top of the rubbers, probably a few mm either way and maybe a mm rocking up/down. How much movement should there be before i should replace the rubbers? The manual doesn't say anything - either Haynes or Honda.
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Should be no movement at all. That’s a 550 hub, different rubbers to the 500. Hard to find new these days. Is the movement with or without the bearing retainer fitted and tightened?
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Should be no movement at all. That’s a 550 hub, different rubbers to the 500. Hard to find new these days. Is the movement with or without the bearing retainer fitted and tightened?
It's without the bearing retainer fitted and tightened. Before I took it off, there was some movement, which led me to take it off, but after cleaning, the movement seemed a little less. Yes, its for the 550 and yes, I've found it difficult to find a supplier for a reasonable price.
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When you reassemble it make sure you use some MolyD grease on the sliding surface of the sprocket carrier. Have you checked that yet, no grease makes them go oval and that may be your problem. Look at the grooves in the surface, they should all look the same and feel the same.
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When you reassemble it make sure you use some MolyD grease on the sliding surface of the sprocket carrier. Have you checked that yet, no grease makes them go oval and that may be your problem. Look at the grooves in the surface, they should all look the same and feel the same.
3 of the grooves are the same depth and profile, the 4th is worn down, see pics.
I only intend doing a few 100 miles a year, i've also found a supplier, Honda Classics that has the rubbers for £38 for a set. What's best to do?
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Really bad and the grooves are almost gone. Yours isn’t fantastic but it may suffice. Remove the damper rubbers and fit the carrier with the retainer tightened. Check to see how much movement you get then. A new set of rubbers will help take up some of the movement so long as there isn’t a lot to start with.
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Really bad and the grooves are almost gone. Yours isn’t fantastic but it may suffice. Remove the damper rubbers and fit the carrier with the retainer tightened. Check to see how much movement you get then. A new set of rubbers will help take up some of the movement so long as there isn’t a lot to start with.
OK, I'll try that and see how i get on. I guess a second hand replacement in good condition may be difficult to find. there is one on Ebay https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/128050526747?_skw=cb550+rear+wheel+flange&itmmeta=01M1HKMSMVJQC1YMY99GX67WTG&hash=item1dd067fa1b:g:tY8AAeSwbS9qksm4&itmprp=enc%3AAQALAAAA8GfYFPkwiKCW4ZNSs2u11xD1DiVzOs6d%2FBfLWg1LVd4ahzecGPJXxq4JXqnwR%2B4xtoHFCMH%2BUl4jORMvn67kVnCYqdWNhG1GKB7pGtKS%2FGcfyZ6HMdYOYVCp5MSs5Qy7mtYlONBTWo151BlXfTbAjWx2iSmylFL%2FBbdSxwzEgyxJRdZVDMASydl6l1LfGheB2dI3LKK%2F5C3pS2mrkN8HZVLI1cvkKA7Z7NHSAQrJpkuuNNKdn7tkNiDXybwVjgFqmDgZugIFUCVkzllhMlSI9GExTnosxB8XmTZi9x8GyqWo0L4ouQwweRV2gIt0yxmbGA%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR-ya07OMaA (https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/128050526747?_skw=cb550+rear+wheel+flange&itmmeta=01M1HKMSMVJQC1YMY99GX67WTG&hash=item1dd067fa1b:g:tY8AAeSwbS9qksm4&itmprp=enc%3AAQALAAAA8GfYFPkwiKCW4ZNSs2u11xD1DiVzOs6d%2FBfLWg1LVd4ahzecGPJXxq4JXqnwR%2B4xtoHFCMH%2BUl4jORMvn67kVnCYqdWNhG1GKB7pGtKS%2FGcfyZ6HMdYOYVCp5MSs5Qy7mtYlONBTWo151BlXfTbAjWx2iSmylFL%2FBbdSxwzEgyxJRdZVDMASydl6l1LfGheB2dI3LKK%2F5C3pS2mrkN8HZVLI1cvkKA7Z7NHSAQrJpkuuNNKdn7tkNiDXybwVjgFqmDgZugIFUCVkzllhMlSI9GExTnosxB8XmTZi9x8GyqWo0L4ouQwweRV2gIt0yxmbGA%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR-ya07OMaA), but i cant tell the condition.
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Problem is Hondas were so damed reliable that nobody ever took the retainer out so it never got re greased!!
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For the price I would buy that. Dirt cheap for what it is.
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that ebay listing is mine! glad its going to a good home. I have a retainer as well if required.
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I stuck the retainer in the box, if you dont need it pass it on or chuck it.
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I stuck the retainer in the box, if you dont need it pass it on or chuck it.
Thank you.
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that ebay listing is mine! glad its going to a good home. I have a retainer as well if required.
Seems to be a much better fit, no wobble, although some minor rotational movement, which i guess is rubber-related. It's a few mm, so do I need to replace the rubbers, or will I get away with the existing ones?
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What is the general condition of the rubbers, are they still soft enough to do the job or have they gone hard or do they look cracked or perished?
Is the few mm movement slack with no resistance or is there some resistance?
It's a judgement issue that you will have a gut instinct for.
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What is the general condition of the rubbers, are they still soft enough to do the job or have they gone hard or do they look cracked or perished?
Is the few mm movement slack with no resistance or is there some resistance?
It's a judgement issue that you will have a gut instinct for.
They are in good condition, not particularly hard and no cracks. I'm inclined to try it like is and see what it's like to ride. I guess i'll notice slip or a clonking noise if the rubbers are worn.
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Not a big job to change them later
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You can make your own with pleaded pieces of bicycle inner tube.
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Please don’t make them from inner tube rubber😳. I think he meant ‘shim’ them with cutdown inner tube. TBH, the dampers are exactly what they claim to be and any loss of condition will simply result in a harsher ride and more drive chain snatch. Personally I’d take the hit and replace them, but if desperate shim them. Removing the slack might still not result in a satisfactory solution if the dampers have gone hard.
I’m inclined to agree with Ted. Suck it and see. If the ride is tolerable go with it, if not you can replace them at a later date. I replaced mine and the difference in ride experience was very noticeable.
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Please don’t make them from inner tube rubber😳. I think he meant ‘shim’ them with cutdown inner tube. TBH, the dampers are exactly what they claim to be and any loss of condition will simply result in a harsher ride and more drive chain snatch. Personally I’d take the hit and replace them, but if desperate shim them. Removing the slack might still not result in a satisfactory solution if the dampers have gone hard.
I’m inclined to agree with Ted. Suck it and see. If the ride is tolerable go with it, if not you can replace them at a later date. I replaced mine and the difference in ride experience was very noticeable.
I found some reasonably priced ones in Germany, so as you say i might just bite the bullet, as i already have the wheel off and need to put new rubber on it anyway. What's another £35 to an ever-growing bill :-)
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I’d have said replace them. For gods sake don’t forget to grease the sliding mechanism. Easy done in your haste to get everything back together. Ideally the sprocket carrier should be quite hard to get back into place, some silicon or rubber grease helps to slide it back into place. It should have minimal movement if it’s done right. Less than 1mm I’d say. That’s forward and back not left to right.
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Definitely replace them unless it means severe financial hardship 😳. Honestly, it’s worth the expense. Do it right, do it once. Easier to write than accept, and yes, it gets expensive…. Ask me how I know.
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Definitely replace them unless it means severe financial hardship 😳. Honestly, it’s worth the expense. Do it right, do it once. Easier to write than accept, and yes, it gets expensive…. Ask me how I know.
Done, purchase made.
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I have to replace the clutch rubbers in my 2018 Yamaha Tracer because it has gone all snatchy and lumpy at low revs, it’s sort of comforting in a world gone mad with technology and AI that we still rely on bits of rubber for a comfortable ride 😂.
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I have to replace the clutch rubbers in my 2018 Yamaha Tracer because it has gone all snatchy and lumpy at low revs, it’s sort of comforting in a world gone mad with technology and AI that we still rely on bits of rubber for a comfortable ride 😂.
;D