Topic: Vintage CB750 handlebar switches

[srbakker]

I just got an email from www.vintagecb750.com that they are stocking handlebar switches for a pretty wide variety if cb750s.  Anyone know if these are OEM or repro, and if repro, are they any good?  I gotta say, despite repainting and rebuilding my own switches, I'm pretty tempted by this...

http://www.vintagecb750.com/products/86/new-items

[Prospect]

I'm pretty sure those are repo. Too inexpensive to be oem. Plus I dont think he sells any oem stuff. If they're of equal quality as the repo ignition switches floating around then I'd stay away. Incorrect gauge wire is being used and can cause melting.

[Retro Rocket]

Dumb question, where's the high beam switch on those switches..?

[Gordon]

Dumb question, where's the high beam switch on those switches..?

The bottom half of the left-hand switch housing. 

[Stev-o]

They are def not OEM, but look to be pretty decent. Worth a shot at that price. 

[70CB750]

I remember reading (HM book??) that you should use those switches with relays. They are not built to handle much amperage.

[srbakker]

Hmm.  Sorta kills the price and convenience advantage if I have to build in relays and find a place to put them.

[Retro Rocket]

Dumb question, where's the high beam switch on those switches..?

The bottom half of the left-hand switch housing.

Thanks Gordon, we got the high beam switch on the right hand control here... 

[HondaMan]

I just got an email from www.vintagecb750.com that they are stocking handlebar switches for a pretty wide variety if cb750s.  Anyone know if these are OEM or repro, and if repro, are they any good?  I gotta say, despite repainting and rebuilding my own switches, I'm pretty tempted by this...

http://www.vintagecb750.com/products/86/new-items

The first 2 switches on the site will drop right in to the K3/4/5/6 bikes. The third switch will fit the F0-F3 and K7/8 bikes.
The only wires that, if undersized, would be of issue would be in the right-hand switch, the START button might need a Relay Kit to prevent switch heating if halogen headlight is used. If stock headlight (Stanley or sealed-beam type) is used, no problems should crop up.

The K0-K2 bikes (like those built for AUS and UK until 1976, US until 1973 early) have an OFF/LO/HI on the right side, and no HI/LO on the left side. This early wiring is different from the switches on this site, but they can be adapted if required. PM me for details if you need them.

[Gordon]

Dumb question, where's the high beam switch on those switches..?

The bottom half of the left-hand switch housing.

Thanks Gordon, we got the high beam switch on the right hand control here...

Makes sense.  I guess since it's a motorcycle and they couldn't mess things up by putting the driver's seat on the wrong side they just screwed around with what they could.

[Retro Rocket]

Dumb question, where's the high beam switch on those switches..?

The bottom half of the left-hand switch housing.

Thanks Gordon, we got the high beam switch on the right hand control here...

Makes sense.  I guess since it's a motorcycle and they couldn't mess things up by putting the driver's seat on the wrong side they just screwed around with what they could.

They just added another step to the on off switch... Same as the Japanese bikes...

[RSchaefer]

If you read Randy's (http://www.rcycle.com/HondaCB750GaugeRestoration.html) blog on his CB750K resto he purchased switch controls supposedly directly from Honda and they were obviously out-sourced and he said the kill switch ended up being purple rather then red for what its worth.  Based on the pictures from the Vintage site they do look red however.

[srbakker]

I wish someone produced just the kill switch.  Mine is pretty beat.

[mrbreeze]

I just got an email from www.vintagecb750.com that they are stocking handlebar switches for a pretty wide variety if cb750s.  Anyone know if these are OEM or repro, and if repro, are they any good?  I gotta say, despite repainting and rebuilding my own switches, I'm pretty tempted by this...

http://www.vintagecb750.com/products/86/new-items

The first 2 switches on the site will drop right in to the K3/4/5/6 bikes. The third switch will fit the F0-F3 and K7/8 bikes.
The only wires that, if undersized, would be of issue would be in the right-hand switch, the START button might need a Relay Kit to prevent switch heating if halogen headlight is used. If stock headlight (Stanly or sealed-beam type) is used, no problems should crop up.

The K0-K2 bikes (like those built for AUS and UK until 1976, US until 1973 early) have an OFF/LO/HI on the right side, and no HI/LO on the left side. This early wiring is different from the switches on this site, but they can be adapted if required. PM me for details if you need them.

So I have a left hand control without the hi lo switch. Is this only for K0 thru K2 and maybe the early 73's or did they add the hi lo for all 73's?

[HondaMan]

I just got an email from www.vintagecb750.com that they are stocking handlebar switches for a pretty wide variety if cb750s.  Anyone know if these are OEM or repro, and if repro, are they any good?  I gotta say, despite repainting and rebuilding my own switches, I'm pretty tempted by this...

http://www.vintagecb750.com/products/86/new-items

The first 2 switches on the site will drop right in to the K3/4/5/6 bikes. The third switch will fit the F0-F3 and K7/8 bikes.
The only wires that, if undersized, would be of issue would be in the right-hand switch, the START button might need a Relay Kit to prevent switch heating if halogen headlight is used. If stock headlight (Stanly or sealed-beam type) is used, no problems should crop up.

The K0-K2 bikes (like those built for AUS and UK until 1976, US until 1973 early) have an OFF/LO/HI on the right side, and no HI/LO on the left side. This early wiring is different from the switches on this site, but they can be adapted if required. PM me for details if you need them.

So I have a left hand control without the hi lo switch. Is this only for K0 thru K2 and maybe the early 73's or did they add the hi lo for all 73's?

The K0-K2 had the OFF-LO-HI on the right side. The K3-K5 had the ON-OFF on the right (until partway through the K5, then it became like F0, see below) and the LO-HI on the left.

The F0/late K5 had no ON-OFF capability (I have also seen some K4 this way) on the right side, just the START button that turns off the headlight while electric starting. The Lo-Hi is on the left on these bikes, too.

[mrbreeze]

Oh boy!!! I think I'm confused now. Without talking about the headlight on/off switch......when did the hi lo switch appear on the left control? I have an old style with just the horn and turn sigs and a guy wants to buy it if it will work on his 72.
My bike is a 75 and I'm running Yami XS650 controls but my stock 75 had the headlight on/off on the right and hi lo on the left. I also know they changed after my year to where the headlite is always on. This is because of the law saying we had to run headlites during the daytime.
 So I need to know when the hi lo appeared on the left control. Thanks Mark.