Author Topic: That pesky/elusive 550 petcock (Read 10682 times)

jamesbekman · « **on:** July 14, 2014, 12:53:32 PM »

Hey Everyone,

Im looking for that rare petcock that was only around for a few years off a honda cb550. The nut size is 19 or 20 mm

http://www.hondaofriverhead.com/fiche_section_detail.asp

Does anyone have another source besides the $100 one on ebay yet?

Any work arounds to get something else to work other than oem on the tank?

Or does one know the thread size on the tank?

One of my CB500's came with this CB550 tank along with comstar wheels and its now the only good tank I have left to use for a project.

Scott S · « **Reply #1 on:** July 15, 2014, 04:48:06 AM »

Unfortunately, you're stuck with the ~$100 one. I believe there's a CB750 petcock that has the right size bung but is only single outlet. By the time you get a Tee, extra fuel line, etc., you're only saving about ten bucks, though.

DavePhipps · « **Reply #2 on:** July 15, 2014, 08:57:43 AM »

what years had that petcock?

FlatShoalsRoad · « **Reply #3 on:** July 15, 2014, 09:18:55 AM »

My 1974 K0 uses part # 16950-300-020 and it fits only the '74 CB550, plus the '69-74 CB750 and the '71-73 CB500. Is this what you're looking for?

Sent from my HTC6500LVW using Tapatalk

Scott S · « **Reply #4 on:** July 15, 2014, 09:55:40 AM »

Nope, wrong one. The '76 was a one year only.

DavePhipps · « **Reply #5 on:** July 15, 2014, 09:11:51 PM »

Is it the single or dual outlet petcock, and what thread size is it?

riverfever · « **Reply #6 on:** July 15, 2014, 10:26:52 PM »

Here's mine.

I managed to rebuild it and it's working well (although I still don't know if reserve works. I thought when I was looking for o-rings that I saw some parts for this at David Silver Spares but I can't recall now. I ended up just finding o-rings at ACE that worked just fine.

Duanob · « **Reply #7 on:** July 16, 2014, 11:20:17 AM »

Your reserve works if youo put it on reserve and gas flows out. The only difference between reserve and main is where the gas flows through the filter tube inside the tank. The top of the filter tube determines when the reserve starts. I've always thought honda should've lowered it a bit. I run out of the main at 80 -100 miles @ 2.5 gallons.

TwoTired · « **Reply #8 on:** July 16, 2014, 11:51:42 AM »

This model valve was used on 75 and 76 CB550 F and Ks.

There is a rubber, slotted, D washer that seals between the stand pipe/sock plastic part and the valve metal body. Without that, the reserve standpipe will be bypassed, essentially eliminating or at least mitigating the reserve function, since it will feed from the bottom of the tank in both on and reserve positions.

Sorry to hear they are $100, though. Sometimes a cheap bike has hidden costs.

riverfever · « **Reply #9 on:** July 16, 2014, 12:37:08 PM »

Yep...that's the issue with mine.

tkarahalios · « **Reply #10 on:** July 16, 2014, 12:42:55 PM »

I have a 1975 CB550K with this petcock and was looking to change it to one that has a removable bowl that I have seen on other later Honda models. Does any body know if the threads would match so that this is possible?

goldarrow · « **Reply #11 on:** July 16, 2014, 12:47:10 PM »

Quote from: tkarahalios on July 16, 2014, 12:42:55 PM

I have a 1975 CB550K with this petcock and was looking to change it to one that has a removable bowl that I have seen on other later Honda models. Does any body know if the threads would match so that this is possible?

unless you have issues with your petcock, don't fix it if it don't break???

TwoTired · « **Reply #12 on:** July 16, 2014, 02:04:20 PM »

Quote from: tkarahalios on July 16, 2014, 12:42:55 PM

I have a 1975 CB550K with this petcock and was looking to change it to one that has a removable bowl that I have seen on other later Honda models. Does any body know if the threads would match so that this is possible?

The earlier removable bowl type has a flat boss attached to the tank bottom and two screw holes that attach the early style valve body to the tank with an ovaled Oring. The later models have a pipe or tank bung welded and poking out the bottom of the tank.

Retrofitting the old style valve body to a newer style tank would require some competent tank fabrication skills. Anything's possible, I suppose. But, it will take more than $100 of your time, I suspect. Then again, people spend lots of money on their hobbies...

Scott S · « **Reply #13 on:** July 16, 2014, 05:34:54 PM »

Quote from: tkarahalios on July 16, 2014, 12:42:55 PM

I have a 1975 CB550K with this petcock and was looking to change it to one that has a removable bowl that I have seen on other later Honda models. Does any body know if the threads would match so that this is possible?

They mount completely differently. Not interchangeable.

wowbagger · « **Reply #14 on:** July 17, 2014, 03:05:08 AM »

I have two separate CB500s (a 1971 and a 1972) and was unlucky enough to have the tank on both of them swapped for a 1975/6 CB550 tank with this petcock. I was able to make some new washers to rebuild one (it was leaking out the front below the switch). The other is going to need to be replaced since the plastic cone has worn out and the petcock constantly drips.

jamesbekman · « **Reply #15 on:** July 17, 2014, 06:23:05 AM »

Ya I over tightened mine and snapped it...

STUUPID.. I should have cleaned the threads a little more than I did. That was one of the first things I did with that bike... lol.

DavePhipps · « **Reply #16 on:** July 17, 2014, 07:05:49 AM »

WOW! I just spent the last few days researching this and I have to say this is one annoying petcock. I know that there are dual threaded adapters out there so if you find the right thread size you might be able to easily switch to another petcock. Pingel makes a few of them.

riverfever · « **Reply #17 on:** July 17, 2014, 07:13:38 AM »

Yeah it is a pain. I looked at replacing mine but once I considered the added height of adapters, I just didn't like where it looked like the fuel lines would sit.

jamesbekman · « **Reply #18 on:** July 17, 2014, 09:50:29 AM »

Yea I agree about the pingle adapter. This petcocks price is right, would do the trick. http://www.ebay.com/itm/HONDA-CB77-CB350-CL350-CB360-CB450-CL450-CB550K-DUAL-OUTLET-PETCOCK-/111298155183?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item19e9e312af&vxp=mtr Would just have to figure out the threaded adaptor piece. I just keep on getting frustrated in my internet searches when looking for a threaded nut with two different thread sizes on it. Ive been to a hardware store and just been stared at too in the past when i explained it to them....

There is also another honda petcock

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Honda-New-750-Fuel-Petcock-Valve-CB-175-250-360-500-750-CB750A-550-16950-393-015-/321085837314?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4ac2351002&vxp=mtr

Can someone read the description and maybe shed a little light on the subject? Im not sure if they have their years right.

Then there is a full pingle setup which is more money than the stock one

http://www.ebay.com/itm/HONDA-GB500-CB550F-VF700-VF750-V45-CB750-CB900-CBX-CB1100F-20MM-PINGEL-PETCOCK-/371098263773?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item56672e20dd&vxp=mtr

Same thing with a discrepancy with the model years.

Then there is this.... http://www.ebay.com/itm/1977-Honda-CB550K-CB550F-Petcock-Fuel-Valve-/171307847098?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item27e2be4dba&vxp=mtr

States the nut is 22mm and the thread/pitch is 16mm 1.5mm I do not have my old petcock to reference.

Then there is Honda part# 16950-341-671

Which at the dealership looks like it costs $90. I can get it at cost....

There is also links from ebay here http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/321304211512?lpid=82

Scott S · « **Reply #19 on:** July 17, 2014, 02:30:15 PM »

None of those will work except for maybe the last one. I found a CB750 petcock that was the right thread/mount but, as stated earlier, it's single outlet.

Buy that one for $70, add another $8-10 for a fuel Tee, and you're within $10-15 of getting the correct, HONDA petcock for your bike.

I researched this forever when I had this problem. Unless things have changed in the last year or two, you have no other options.

Parkwood60 · « **Reply #20 on:** July 22, 2014, 09:37:09 PM »

If I'm not mistaken, this cheap one on ebay fits. I have a CB750F tank that uses the same size as some CB550 tanks. My only issues with this one is 1) the outlet is to the side, while Honda had the outlet to the rear 2) the outlet is smaller than a stock CB750, but with a short length of smaller hose to the larger diameter T I made it work. I just don't think it flows as much as the motor might want if I was to run WOT for more than a few moments.

There is a 16mm threaded one and a 18mm thread. Not sure which one I used, and they don't seem to be able to say for certain either.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/291123136587?_trksid=p2060778.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

JBCB500 · « **Reply #21 on:** March 23, 2017, 07:14:19 PM »

Are there any advances on this front now? I just bought a tank for my 500 off another member and the tank that arrived must be off a 550. I need a twin outlet petcock that threads to the tanks (not screws in like my current 500 petcock). I don't see any online that suit???

JBCB500 · « **Reply #22 on:** March 24, 2017, 07:56:16 AM »

Here's what I'm looking at.

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #23 on:** March 24, 2017, 08:52:16 AM »

Quote from: Scott S on July 17, 2014, 02:30:15 PM

None of those will work except for maybe the last one. I found a CB750 petcock that was the right thread/mount but, as stated earlier, it's single outlet.

Buy that one for $70, add another $8-10 for a fuel Tee, and you're within $10-15 of getting the correct, HONDA petcock for your bike.

I researched this forever when I had this problem. Unless things have changed in the last year or two, you have no other options.

Correct-a-mundo.

ALSO -- Buy cheap Chinese knock-offs at your peril.

Pay for the more expensive OEM part and then you won't have to worry about it.

Scott S · « **Reply #24 on:** March 24, 2017, 09:09:24 AM »

Quote from: JBCB500 on March 24, 2017, 07:56:16 AM

Here's what I'm looking at.

Genuine Honda one year only petcock is about your only choice. Unless that black tank is a '77-78 tank. Last I checked, they were about $100.

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Author Topic: That pesky/elusive 550 petcock (Read 10682 times)