Topic: Grab Rail Interchangeability 500-550-750 ?

[whitjonw]

In need of a rear grab rail for my '74 CB750. I would like to know if I can use one from a CB500 or CB550 ? Not worried about correctness, just want a functional rear grab rail.


TIA

[b1jackson]

Not to hijack but if anyone knows similar compatibility for a 75 750 SuperSport, I too am looking and am OK with just functionality.

[Nayl]

AFAIK, the SOHC F models are compatible with each other, 75-78, but not with the K models.  They have a distinctly different grabrail because of the tail section.

[That 70s Bike]

http://www.hondaparts-direct.com/oempartfinder.htm#/Honda/CB750K4A_MOTORCYCLE,_JPN,_VIN%23_CB750-2300001/REAR_FENDER/CB750K4-JPN-A/2Y143413AF14341320A
You can compare part #'s for models/years here.
I know all the CB blinkers got bigger after '74, so I think the rear signal tabs on the grab bars are slightly different.

[whitjonw]

http://www.hondaparts-direct.com/oempartfinder.htm#/Honda/CB750K4A_MOTORCYCLE,_JPN,_VIN%23_CB750-2300001/REAR_FENDER/CB750K4-JPN-A/2Y143413AF14341320A
You can compare part #'s for models/years here.
I know all the CB blinkers got bigger after '74, so I think the rear signal tabs on the grab bars are slightly different.

Thanks for the help and the link, I'll add it to my list of suppliers. I had been comparing part numbers on some other sites already and beyond part numbers, no mention of fitment outside of the respective models. Hopefully someone here has some first hand knowledge of actually fitting say a 500 grab rail to a 750.

[That 70s Bike]

the link is an actual Honda Dealership that sells the mail order parts cheaper but charges shipping. Before they restructured their shipping rates it was a much better deal than the free shipping (if picked up at the local Honda dealer).

[ekpent]

 Depends if you want to run stock turn signals. For the 750 K model 72-74 are the same with the stock blinkers and 75-76 are compatible with each other that uses a larger signal mount. If turn signals are not an issue any 72-76 will all fit the mounting points.

[whitjonw]

Depends if you want to run stock turn signals. For the 750 K model 72-74 are the same with the stock blinkers and 75-76 are compatible with each other that uses a larger signal mount. If turn signals are not an issue any 72-76 will all fit the mounting points.

Just to clarify, you are saying that and '72-'76 grab rail (rear bumper) from a 500-550 will mount directly to a 750 of the same years ? Not running turn signals so no worries there. Thanks for the info.

[ekpent]

 No I did not mention anything about 500/550's.  Any grab bar from a 72-76 K model 750 will fit on on your 74 if you do not care about running stock turn signals.

[whitjonw]

I really appreciate your help and that is good to know about the 750's but my original question at the start of this thread is to find out if a grab rail from a 500 or 550 will bolt up and work no problem ? I do not care about turn signals/mounts.


Thanks

[seanbarney41]

I feel like I have swapped between 550 and 750 but I am not sure.   They are at least visually very similar.  Might be some bending and flexing involved...ohhh and 550f has a more angular shape to it.

[jonda500]

Can't comment about the grab rail, but I have a 750 rear mudguard on my 550F - bolted straight on, looks identical and fits perfect.
John

[whitjonw]

I feel like I have swapped between 550 and 750 but I am not sure.   They are at least visually very similar.  Might be some bending and flexing involved...ohhh and 550f has a more angular shape to it.

Yep, they definitely look very......very similar !

[whitjonw]

For anyone who may be interested, I ended up buying a grab rail from a '73 CB500. It bolted up to my '74 CB750 perfectly, so I must conclude they are the same. Who knows the difference if any and why Honda would have changed the part number if there was no change or difference but that mystery is solved !

[ekpent]

  Good to know and thanks for getting back with your conclusion !!  There are so many dead end threads on the internet with no real answers. That will be very helpful for a future part hunter.

[DH]

If its useful for anyone who doesn't have/can't access an earlier version, the '75-'76 bar, (designed for use with larger signals), can be used with the smaller version signals and their assoc. hardware. Not politically correct but, If you're not looking for it, its hard to notice. The smaller signal bases, for the most part, fill up the larger mounting holes of the newer bar. Same with 74-76 550 k. Only difference is mounting tabs and holes are larger, otherwise dimensionally the same for those years. I never knew 550k and 750k bars would interchange tho. Anyone know of more similarities and differences between the two? The 550 part is a different
number than the 750k.
 

[whitjonw]

  Good to know and thanks for getting back with your conclusion !!  There are so many dead end threads on the internet with no real answers. That will be very helpful for a future part hunter.

You are welcome ! Yeah, I can't stand that and have run into that so many times, it's really mind boggling. That is one of the main reasons I follow up in a case like this. So many people have already been there done that but they can't be bothered to follow up or share their finding(s) or info. 

[danyo]

I'm still not sure if above statement regarding rear grab bars is correct. My k5 did not have any and I couldn't find correct one for long time, so I used one from 550 (same year). I've had problems with mounting it. That little nipple (spacer) between rear fender looked to short and without forcing it I couldn't get bolt started on both sides together. I could start only one side, then the other wouldn't go. I really wanted correct k5 to see if there will be difference. I got one from ebay (not cheap) and it bolted right away with no problems at all. I didn't measure those spacers but they looked for me longer on 750.

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[whitjonw]

That little nipple (spacer) between rear fender looked to short and without forcing it I couldn't get bolt started on both sides together. I could start only one side, then the other wouldn't go. I really wanted correct k5 to see if there will be difference.

Not sure exactly what you are referring to when referencing "nipple" and or "spacer" but have an idea. Could you post a pic with an arrow drawn to the nipple /spacer in question ? I do know, that mine fit fine....fortunately.

[danyo]

That's the part I'm referring to. I do not have the 550 rear grab bar at that moment to compare but I should be able to make pictures when I'll be on my storage.

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[jonda500]

If the collars(nipples/spacers) were shorter on the 550 grab rail(I don't believe they are) you could simply add a washer each side between the frame and the collar.
John

When fitting the grab rail to my 550F, the second bolt was very hard to get started...