Handlebar grips for 550K

[beardylondon]

I'm after some new handlebar grips for my 1976 550K (US import), as the one on the bike are very soft and rubbery and twist easily, more so on left hand.  However the new ones below look like hard plastic? Were they originally like that?

https://www.davidsilverspares.co.uk/CB550K-1976-USA/part_70876/

https://www.davidsilverspares.co.uk/CB550K-1976-USA/part_70877/

I found an old thread saying non genuine aren't are long enough, an d I'd prefer genuine anyway, presume these are the best?

[Sesman]

I found that the pattern grips are about 15mm shorter than originals leaving an unsightly gap between the switchgear and grip. At least that’s what I discovered….perhaps I was unlucky.

Perhaps a member with original grips can advise on length allowing you to make enquiries?

[beardylondon]

Further checking, I might not have OEM anyway, this is what's on my bike now:



which is more like after market ones:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/275073680347?

[taysidedragon]

Beardy, have you used grip glue on your "twisty" grips? A squirt of hairspray before fitting will work too.

[beardylondon]

no, as I haven't bought new ones yet, these are pretty knackered

[Oddjob]

I'd say those were pattern grips, the styling is correct though, that's exactly how they look, it's just the moulding which is wrong, genuine ones are better quality.

[beardylondon]

thanks very much

[Oddjob]

The links btw are for 500 grips, those are not good grips IMO, without gloves they really hurt after just a few minutes riding. Even with gloves they are uncomfortable IMO.

Look for 550F grips, those are the same as you have already but better. By the time the 550K came out it would have been using 550F grips I reckon.

[beardylondon]

thanks, yes they look uncomfortable.

These are 550F, looks like what I have, genuine

https://www.davidsilverspares.co.uk/CB550F2-SUPER-SPORT-1977/part_62334/

Non gen

https://www.davidsilverspares.co.uk/CB550F2-SUPER-SPORT-1977/part_195010/

[Oddjob]

It appears from the CMS website that up to the 550K2 they were still using the 500 grips, the 550K3 (which is the only 550K to be sold in the UK) used the 550F grips.

My advice, buy the 550F grips, they look better, don't split as bad as the 500 grips due to the moulding of those ridges, and feel FAR more comfortable.

[beardylondon]

Thanks very much