Topic: CB550 OEM Gauge Compatability?

[GreaseMonkey]

I'm looking to swap the stock tachometer on my 1977 CB550F with a smaller OEM Honda one.

I'm not a fan of cheap aftermarket tachs, I find the OEM ones very clear and useable under hard riding.

Which bikes have smaller gauges that are compatabile with the stock 550 tachometer cable and ratio?

My plan is to centre the tachomter on top of the triple and use some type of smaller digital speedo for tracking fueling and maintenance mileage.

[Kevnz]

500 has smaller tach and I think 350\4 and 350 twin use the same ratio also. Twin has fittings for warning lights, high beam, oil ? Maybe 450 or any of the smaller bikes ( 175 etc)  also the same.

[GreaseMonkey]

I would really appreciate an oil pressure warning light in the tach as I plan to ride the piss out of my bike. If they are compatible that would be a big plus. Will dig deeeper!

I found an old post claiming only 71 and 72 CB500s had the smaller 2.75" tach vs the larger 3.5" tach my bike has.

In the same thread it seems CB350/CB400/CB500/CB550 share the same 20:3 ratio.

Can anyone confirm?

[bryanj]

None of the smaller gauges have oil light, from memory only neutral and flash, main beam was in headlamp and the bikes fitted with these gauges ran roller cranks so lower oil pressure

[GreaseMonkey]

Well it is just a switch triggered light right? I can still wire the oil pressure switch to them and maybe change the bulb colour out? That is, if there are any that are compatible with the stock cable and ratio.

[bryanj]

Ive had s few 500 from us with the twin tacho on so wrks

[GreaseMonkey]

Bump,

Any more "concrete" data?

So far I'm leaning towards the early 500-F tachometer. I believe these are 2.75" in diameter, though I'm not sure at what circumference point that measurement is taken. It does helps that the redline is in a similar position to the 550.

[Kevnz]

First one is a 500 tach, 2nd from a 350 twin. Same redline, but fittings for warning lights, high beam and indicator. Mounting studs the same. I used the 350 one on my 500 for 10 years, put a nice one on to sell the bike; both read the same. Marcel sells new faces for them if you want them to look nice.

[grcamna2]

The bottom pic on Kevnz's last post,the CB350 twin tach has the redline at 9200rpm(which means it has the later midrange camshaft:not that the engine isn't still capable to rev to 10,500rpm)and those tach's came standard on the CB350K4-K5/G.

[Kevnz]

New faceplate from Marcel, good service, good product.