Topic: headlamp ears and bowl?

[Gilby50]

 2 and a half years into my lockdown project and another problem. Bike is a 76 CB550f.    Problem - There is not enough space between the slim headlight shell I have and the ignition switch for it to fit (touching). I have been told that the headlight ears I have are probably from a CB500, not a 550f.    Are they different than those on a CB550f length wise (forward reach)?  Have I fitted the ears upside down? they currently are pointing slightly upwards with the big flange at the bottom and the smaller one at the top and look right to me.  Looking at it, reversing this may well drop the shell a bit and give enough clearance for the headlight shell to fit.  If I have the wrong ones, will the correct ones solve the problem though where I will find any - nobody knows. I am in the UK.     Any thoughts??    Thanks, Peter

[bryanj]

Try the uk forum, i do know the F and K ears are different and both different from 500.
Oddjob(Ken) on the UK forum knows what fits and is different and will be able to tell what you have from a pic

[Stev-o]

they currently are pointing slightly upwards...

I have a '76 550F and yes, the "fork ears" are pointing slightly up.

Here is the model guide, it may help...

http://www.sohc4.com/cb550/cb550/#cb550f

[Little_Phil]

I have an F and a 500. The 550F headlamp shell is smaller then the 500 as the wiring is not all crammed in the shell and goes to the box under the tank. So if anything the 500 headlamp brackets hold the bowl further out. But the actual point where the the bowl mounts on the 500 may be a cm higher, which may be the problem.
Post a pic.