Topic: 1974 CB550 Swingarm Question

[lucius cornfield]

Do all the '70s CB550's use the same Swingarm bushings? or are they different for the first couple of years?
 I'm asking because I need to replace them in my 1974 CB550 and when I've looked around online I notice some have a flange on the end and some don't.
Thanks

[Powderman]

71-73 did not have the flange, 74 on did. So Yes, all the 550's were the same, the flangeless was used on the 500. The same flanged bushing was used in just abut every Honda from then on for awhile. I have a spare set if you need them.

[dave500]

the first 550s were the same frame as the 500s,with the same open ended swing arm.

[lucius cornfield]

So... I need the Flanged bushing?

[Powderman]

the first 550s were the same frame as the 500s,with the same open ended swing arm.

What limited info I have shows the 500 and the 550 were available in 1974. The parts fiche shows both 74 models using the flanged bushing and the previous years 71-73 used the non flanged bushing. AFAIK all the 550's used the flanged bushing, so yes Lucius, your 74 550 needs the flanged one.

[SohRon]

There was only one model of CB550 in '74, the CB550K (the 500s were discontinued in the USA but were still available in Europe, etc). and it used the non-flanged bushing. The flanged bushing appeared on the CB550F in '75, and the "K" bikes went to the "F" swingarm in '77. Your '74 should have the non-flanged bushing, although I've heard of others installing the flanged type in a '74. I'd think it would make things too wide for the frame. but that's just speculation in my part...



This thread covers the swingarm in detail: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=86697.msg1037210#msg1037210

It shows the stock steel bushing; your bronze bush should look the same (except for being bronze. Duh).

[Powderman]

There was only one model of CB550 in '74, the CB550K (the 500s were discontinued in the USA but were still available in Europe, etc). and it used the non-flanged bushing. The flanged bushing appeared on the CB550F in '75, and the "K" bikes went to the "F" swingarm in '77. Your '74 should have the non-flanged bushing, although I've heard of others installing the flanged type in a '74. I'd think it would make things too wide for the frame. but that's just speculation in my part...



This thread covers the swingarm in detail: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=86697.msg1037210#msg1037210

It shows the stock steel bushing; your bronze bush should look the same (except for being bronze. Duh).

From what I see in the pic the non flanged has 2 washers of sorts. On my CB400f there is nothing between the flange and the steel dust cap. So the swing arm may not be too tight on a 550 with the flanged bushing and may even be looser as the flange is not as wide as both washers.

[SohRon]

So the swing arm may not be too tight on a 550 with the flanged bushing and may even be looser as the flange is not as wide as both washers.

Let's see your measurements. I believe the flange is actually thicker than the phenolic bearing, though (as I said) that's just speculation on my part as I've never had the two together to compare. Would be interested in finding out, though...

The second "washer" is actually a felt dust seal...

[Powderman]

So the swing arm may not be too tight on a 550 with the flanged bushing and may even be looser as the flange is not as wide as both washers.

Let's see your measurements. I believe the flange is actually thicker than the phenolic bearing, though (as I said) that's just speculation on my part as I've never had the two together to compare. Would be interested in finding out, though...

The second "washer" is actually a felt dust seal...

The flange is just under 2mm. Clearly you can see it is thinner than the black and white washers in your pic.

[SohRon]

Thanks for the measurement, PM! Wish I had a spare phenolic bearing to compare! One thing, though: the felt washer has nothing to do with flange thickness as it fits inside the swingarm and acts as a dust shield. It's the phenolic bearing that we're concerned with.

[lucius cornfield]

Thanks guys

[Powderman]

Thanks for the measurement, PM! Wish I had a spare phenolic bearing to compare! One thing, though: the felt washer has nothing to do with flange thickness as it fits inside the swingarm and acts as a dust shield. It's the phenolic bearing that we're concerned with.

Did you measure the lip of the phenolic bearing? can I assume it is the same thickness of the flange and that Honda changed the design to make one less part and that either set up will work in any of the bikes? That same flanged bushing is used in many different sized Honda bikes. Is bearing the correct term for the phenolic part, or is it a bushing?

[Bankerdanny]

If I recall correctly you can use the flanged bushing on bikes that didn't come with one originally (in fact I would consider it an upgrade). You just don't end up using all of the washers etc that were used on the non-flanged type.