Author Topic: I Fixed my CB550 Start Switch - For Real (Updated)  (Read 14352 times)

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Offline Smudgemo

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Re: I Fixed my CB550 Start Switch - For Real (Updated)
« Reply #25 on: April 28, 2017, 11:29:55 AM »
Someone should take point in other countries for a group order to save on shipping.  Wow.  The printer saw Hondaman's thread on shipping to Canada?

Anyhow, for the record, the copper contact fix is going strong so that might be a winner if anyone's contacts are a problem.  Again, don't clean the contacts unless you have to.  You can pull the parts out of the housing if you find trouble.  It's flexible.  Cleaning them was a mistake for me.
-Ryan

Thread - How to fix your starter button (for real): http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,163170.0.html

Offline Bankerdanny

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Re: I Fixed my CB550 Start Switch - For Real (Updated)
« Reply #26 on: April 28, 2017, 02:25:40 PM »
Mine was delivered to my sister's last weekend, but I haven't had a chance to get down and install it. I am babysitting my nephews next Saturday, so I plan to do it then. Need to get the bike back home now that Spring has sprung and Summer is just around the corner.
"The problem with quotes on the Internet is that you never know if they're true" - Abraham Lincoln

Current: '76 CB750F. Previous:  '75 CB550F, 2007 Yamaha Vino 125 Scooter, '75 Harley FXE Superglide, '77 GL1000, '77 CB550k, '68 Suzuki K10 80, '68 Yamaha YR2, '69 BMW R69S, '71 Honda SL175, '02 Royal Enfield Bullet 500, '89 Yamaha FJ1200

Offline Smudgemo

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Re: I Fixed my CB550 Start Switch - For Real (Updated)
« Reply #27 on: April 28, 2017, 06:49:45 PM »
Cool.  George is asking whether anyone has had success, so let me know how it goes for you guys. 
I bought a spare control on eBay for $16 shipped because it was so cheap and I wanted to try another fix.  I just need a bearing, but Ace has them.
-Ryan

Thread - How to fix your starter button (for real): http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,163170.0.html

Offline Smudgemo

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Re: I Fixed my CB550 Start Switch - For Real (Updated)
« Reply #28 on: May 21, 2017, 08:47:57 PM »
While surfing ebay, I happened upon a right control that was the same as the ones I've got, so I decided to buy it.  The only thing missing was the ball bearing and a screw to hold down the wires in the control.  The owner of my local Ace owns a couple year old Triumph and some other dirt sorts of bikes, so he was digging the Honda.  Even gave me the $.27 bearing for free.  Guy on a Harley pulls up to admire it and says if I drove it around San Francisco, I could name my price.  It's decent, but not that awesome.  Whatevs as my 10YO says.

Anyway, aside from the seller hiding the fact that this control was "modified" (a charitable description in my mind) to eliminate snaking wires through the bar, almost all of the components were there.  The critical ones, certainly.  And since I had a couple of ignition switch covers 3D printed, I decided to get three start switch housings printed.  One for this, one for George to keep and one for whatever might pop up.




Slide the board in at an angle:







Push up the front with a screwdriver or dowel or something, and push down the back.  Snaps right in place perfectly.  Some silicone paste on the rocker and make sure it sits in there properly.



Bit of silicone paste on the push button to keep the bearing in place while installing it, and put the spring in the back.  Put the button in place.





Little bit of paste on the sliding surfaces.  Set the plate in on one side, then the other.  A small screwdriver helps force the housing apart.





Slide it in and screw it down and you're done.







Continuity checks out and we're in business.  Three rebuilds and all worked properly.
-Ryan

Thread - How to fix your starter button (for real): http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,163170.0.html

Offline FIREBLADE74

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Re: I Fixed my CB550 Start Switch - For Real (Updated)
« Reply #29 on: May 26, 2017, 12:40:31 PM »
Just bought mine today!

Tired of the intermittent starting. its most likely corrosion but when I went to try to clean the contacts it literally fell apart as soon as I turned the screw.
06 CBR1000RR, 76 CB550

Offline Smudgemo

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Re: I Fixed my CB550 Start Switch - For Real (Updated)
« Reply #30 on: May 26, 2017, 12:50:19 PM »
I'm sure you'll be good to go, but be careful not to work over the contacts too much (if at all.)  Probably just as likely the guts were not making contact from distance as much as corrosion if the housing was disintegrating.  LMK how it works out for you.  Mine is 100%.
-Ryan

Thread - How to fix your starter button (for real): http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,163170.0.html

Offline FIREBLADE74

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Re: I Fixed my CB550 Start Switch - For Real (Updated)
« Reply #31 on: May 27, 2017, 06:05:32 PM »
^^ will do!
06 CBR1000RR, 76 CB550

Offline surfrider74

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Re: I Fixed my CB550 Start Switch - For Real (Updated)
« Reply #32 on: May 30, 2017, 06:56:41 PM »
I just ordered one for my 1974 cb550. I will let you know if it works for this year.  Cost for Canadian orders is 13.31 for part and 15 bucks shipping.
Hey Buzzbeer i have same bike and a developing issue-any news on how yours worked out?
1974 CB 550Four

Offline Bankerdanny

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Re: I Fixed my CB550 Start Switch - For Real (Updated)
« Reply #33 on: May 30, 2017, 08:37:17 PM »
I just ordered one for my 1974 cb550. I will let you know if it works for this year.  Cost for Canadian orders is 13.31 for part and 15 bucks shipping.
Hey Buzzbeer i have same bike and a developing issue-any news on how yours worked out?

Worked like a charm on my '75 550F
"The problem with quotes on the Internet is that you never know if they're true" - Abraham Lincoln

Current: '76 CB750F. Previous:  '75 CB550F, 2007 Yamaha Vino 125 Scooter, '75 Harley FXE Superglide, '77 GL1000, '77 CB550k, '68 Suzuki K10 80, '68 Yamaha YR2, '69 BMW R69S, '71 Honda SL175, '02 Royal Enfield Bullet 500, '89 Yamaha FJ1200

Offline FIREBLADE74

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Re: I Fixed my CB550 Start Switch - For Real (Updated)
« Reply #34 on: June 03, 2017, 03:11:15 PM »
Works but can't seem to get it seated back in the housing. The button does not protrude and when it does it's stuck. Outside the housing it works like a charm.

Any thoughts?
06 CBR1000RR, 76 CB550

Offline Smudgemo

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Re: I Fixed my CB550 Start Switch - For Real (Updated)
« Reply #35 on: June 03, 2017, 03:41:15 PM »
I've done three and they all seem to seat just fine.  Is the tab that the screw goes through to hold it in place flat against the housing?  Sounds like there is something keeping it from moving into proper position. 
I think I slid mine in at an angle so the button went through the opening, then seated the back side.  Any bits and pieces of the old housing still in there?
-Ryan

Thread - How to fix your starter button (for real): http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,163170.0.html

Offline FIREBLADE74

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Re: I Fixed my CB550 Start Switch - For Real (Updated)
« Reply #36 on: June 03, 2017, 04:36:18 PM »
Everything is seated but it appears that the button hole is holding the button on one side. I'm widening the hole slightly, it seems to be working as I'm widening a little at a time
06 CBR1000RR, 76 CB550

Offline FIREBLADE74

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Re: I Fixed my CB550 Start Switch - For Real (Updated)
« Reply #37 on: June 03, 2017, 05:14:44 PM »
Ok, this is as far as it'll go to work, any further the button binds!

06 CBR1000RR, 76 CB550

Offline Smudgemo

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Re: I Fixed my CB550 Start Switch - For Real (Updated)
« Reply #38 on: June 03, 2017, 07:01:52 PM »
It doesn't look like it's able to move forward where it should be, and that is probably keeping it from settling all they way down in the bottom clam shell.  Something is binding.

And the yellow line is no longer connected to the board.  It's not going to work unless you solder that back on.
-Ryan

Thread - How to fix your starter button (for real): http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,163170.0.html

Offline FIREBLADE74

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Re: I Fixed my CB550 Start Switch - For Real (Updated)
« Reply #39 on: June 03, 2017, 07:34:21 PM »
Smudge, exactly!! Something is off, but I'm fine with the way it is, it's so tight I doubt it'll move. The yellow line is a casualty of trying to get this thing to seat properly, lol.

One thing I noticed was that the slots for the tabs were not cut correctly, they were too small to accommodate the male ends! That may explain the excessive force I used causing my yellow wire to rip from the solder.

06 CBR1000RR, 76 CB550

Offline Smudgemo

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Re: I Fixed my CB550 Start Switch - For Real (Updated)
« Reply #40 on: June 04, 2017, 08:51:01 AM »
One thing I noticed was that the slots for the tabs were not cut correctly, they were too small to accommodate the male ends! That may explain the excessive force I used causing my yellow wire to rip from the solder.

If you feel the print was bad, ask them for a replacement.  They claim the work is guaranteed, and it's the first anyone said anything about the housing being less than perfect.  I'd be curious what they would do.

Maybe the board's male tabs are fatter than they once were due to something damaging them?  None of the ones I did were new, but they were in good enough shape that they fit properly.  Be careful with the iron when you reattach the wire so you don't damage the board.  A pencil type works better than a 100 watt gun.
-Ryan

Thread - How to fix your starter button (for real): http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,163170.0.html

Offline FIREBLADE74

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Re: I Fixed my CB550 Start Switch - For Real (Updated)
« Reply #41 on: June 04, 2017, 09:25:59 AM »
No biggie, I just want my starter to work especially for cold starts, I can kick once its warmed up.

I'm thinking that all control housings are not the same from Honda. Even though they seem to be casted.  Comparing the 3D part against the original piece it seems that the original piece is just a touch shorter with the slots for the plate under the button bigger to accommodate the button moving freely once pushed in to position.

Do I contact shapeways? The part is all dirty now. They may not except it.
06 CBR1000RR, 76 CB550

Offline Smudgemo

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Re: I Fixed my CB550 Start Switch - For Real (Updated)
« Reply #42 on: June 04, 2017, 09:59:17 AM »
Do I contact shapeways? The part is all dirty now. They may not except it.

Yes, it's their guarantee.  But they are only going to warrant that they printed it per the file, so if you think your housing is somehow different, it won't really be their fault.  We could try to measure and recreate your switch housing if you want to send it to me.  Alternatively, you could whittle it with a file since it's only plastic, but something doesn't seem right.  The hold-down tab looks like it's making contact, but something is preventing the whole assembly from moving forward.  It should sit flush with the lower shell.  If not, you probably won't be able to close the two pieces over the handlebar.  There is that protrusion (fin) on the top that touches the handlebar and probably keeps the housing from moving around.
-Ryan

Thread - How to fix your starter button (for real): http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,163170.0.html

Offline FIREBLADE74

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Re: I Fixed my CB550 Start Switch - For Real (Updated)
« Reply #43 on: June 04, 2017, 08:05:52 PM »
The tab is making contact but when you push it forward the button binds. Also it is extremely hard getting it to move forward.

I contacted shapeways so we'll see.
06 CBR1000RR, 76 CB550

Offline Bankerdanny

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Re: I Fixed my CB550 Start Switch - For Real (Updated)
« Reply #44 on: June 05, 2017, 07:59:40 AM »
I had a similar problem with getting mine to seat properly. It just took some fiddling, but eventually I got it in there properly and the button moves like it should.
"The problem with quotes on the Internet is that you never know if they're true" - Abraham Lincoln

Current: '76 CB750F. Previous:  '75 CB550F, 2007 Yamaha Vino 125 Scooter, '75 Harley FXE Superglide, '77 GL1000, '77 CB550k, '68 Suzuki K10 80, '68 Yamaha YR2, '69 BMW R69S, '71 Honda SL175, '02 Royal Enfield Bullet 500, '89 Yamaha FJ1200

Offline Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er

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Re: I Fixed my CB550 Start Switch - For Real (Updated)
« Reply #45 on: June 05, 2017, 09:06:50 AM »
Ok, this is as far as it'll go to work, any further the button binds!

Isn't it supposed to be held in place with a screw in that screw hole?
As of today 3/13/2012 my original owner 75 CB750F has made it through 3 wives, er EX-wives. Free at last.  ;-)

Offline Bankerdanny

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Re: I Fixed my CB550 Start Switch - For Real (Updated)
« Reply #46 on: June 05, 2017, 09:31:00 AM »
Yes, but you need to have the assembly properly seated before you screw it down.

There is a rib that creates a pocket the assembly sits in and provides support for the housing when the button is pressed. I had to use a small thin screwdriver to get my housing to pop into the pocket correctly.
"The problem with quotes on the Internet is that you never know if they're true" - Abraham Lincoln

Current: '76 CB750F. Previous:  '75 CB550F, 2007 Yamaha Vino 125 Scooter, '75 Harley FXE Superglide, '77 GL1000, '77 CB550k, '68 Suzuki K10 80, '68 Yamaha YR2, '69 BMW R69S, '71 Honda SL175, '02 Royal Enfield Bullet 500, '89 Yamaha FJ1200

Offline Smudgemo

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Re: I Fixed my CB550 Start Switch - For Real (Updated)
« Reply #47 on: July 09, 2017, 08:09:44 AM »
Well, since I'm not giving photobucket just for third-party photo hosting, I figure I can just upload photos of the switch fix and do a quick recap.  You can probably gather this from the text above, but you need to have all of the switch parts from the original.  The bottom plate, the plastic push button, two springs, one ball bearing, the rocker contact piece and the contacts permanently wired in the bike's harness.  The plastic switch housing replacement can be purchased here: http://shpws.me/NkB8 .  Unhook the throttle cables, open the clam shell, remove the old plastic bits, pop the wired board into the new plastic housing.  Turn it over, drop the rocker in place (contact to contact.)  A bit of silicone paste will help hold the ball and shorter spring in place while you put them into position.  Pop the bottom plate in place (a small screwdriver helps) and install the repaired switch.  Close the control housing and hook up your throttle cables, and you're done.  Should be less than an hour of work total. 
-Ryan

Thread - How to fix your starter button (for real): http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,163170.0.html

Offline Smudgemo

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Re: I Fixed my CB550 Start Switch - For Real (Updated)
« Reply #48 on: July 09, 2017, 08:11:39 AM »
Or if you want the video version:



My 10YO did the editing, so no judging of spelling or professionalism..
« Last Edit: August 12, 2017, 11:03:13 AM by Smudgemo »
-Ryan

Thread - How to fix your starter button (for real): http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,163170.0.html

Offline evinrude7

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Re: I Fixed my CB550 Start Switch - For Real (Updated)
« Reply #49 on: July 09, 2017, 08:20:53 AM »
Or if you want the video version:

 
My 10YO did the editing, so no judging of spelling or professionalism..

great job. 
cb750 k6 - ugly