Topic: A Tale of Two Fenders and Three Tail Lights (and Now Four)

[PeWe]

I had to check....



K2 European rear lamp. I have not seen the plate holder with reflex here on the left.

https://www.cmsnl.com/honda-cb750k2-four-european-direct-sales_model14369/partslist/F36.html




Yamiya has these parts. Classic Cycle City in eBay Germany too.

The red plastic lens changed. My K6 original looked a little different than the new it got.
The center round part with reflex was smaller.

[Oddjob]

I don't think you're on the right track here Kyle. AFAIK, the 16RC is the same size regardless of market, it still has the 4 screws, that means it's huge. Pictures don't reflect the actual size IMO. I think if you buy a UK 16RC light you'll find it's the same size as your existing one. I do remember seeing my first on a CB550K3 and thinking how out of proportion it was to the bike, the indicators looked the size of a frying pan. The 500 and 550F models used the much smaller 11RC light, that's what you need, if that means buying the bracket it hangs off as well then you should find that will fit your existing fender/mudguard no problem, so long as you get the 4 hole version, the USA seemed to get the 3 hole version instead for some reason.

[kyle750]

I don't think you're on the right track here Kyle. AFAIK, the 16RC is the same size regardless of market, it still has the 4 screws, that means it's huge. Pictures don't reflect the actual size IMO. I think if you buy a UK 16RC light you'll find it's the same size as your existing one. I do remember seeing my first on a CB550K3 and thinking how out of proportion it was to the bike, the indicators looked the size of a frying pan. The 500 and 550F models used the much smaller 11RC light, that's what you need, if that means buying the bracket it hangs off as well then you should find that will fit your existing fender/mudguard no problem, so long as you get the 4 hole version, the USA seemed to get the 3 hole version instead for some reason.

Thanks mate - I think you are right.  Not only am I chasing my own Tail but I am also barking up the wrong Tree 

[Stev-o]

There are times when searching for Honda CB750 parts that I feel like I am a Dog chasing its own Tail

The reason you feel this way is you dont have a "standard" CB750 and are not using the parts fiche to gain knowledge about parts, their numbers and a way to search for them.

For instance, here in the States with a U.S imported bike, we can look up any number of parts fiches, find the appropriate pant and it's Honda number and with that info, do a google search to source one [or if still available, purchase it off that website]

Here is one such fiche showing that the K1 tail light assembly is no longer available but the lens is...

https://www.cmsnl.com/honda-cb750k1-england_model14355/partslist/F33.html

[Oddjob]

DS sell a pattern tail light of the type you're looking for, https://www.davidsilverspares.co.uk/CB500K1-FOUR-1972/part_61747 it's not a great copy TBH, missing the shaping of the rear chrome part but TBH that makes keeping it clean and rust free easier.

Or the genuine version.

https://www.davidsilverspares.co.uk/CB500K1-FOUR-1972/part_61748

And there's this. They do list the bolt spacing holes for the rear light, which is nice. See if it differs from your present one.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/296772612129

[newday777]

  Not only am I chasing my own Tail but I am also barking up the wrong Tree 

You silly old hound dog, what ya barking up that tree for???

Like Steve says, check parts fiches and ask here before you hit the buy it now button to save some hassle.

Just so you know what to look for if you want to get a US market fender and taillight...
This is my K2(same as K0-K2 here in the USA) fender and original taillight,  two screws holding the lense in place and @95mm bolt spacing mounting the taillight to the bracket. A 2 bolts holding the bracket to the fender.

[newday777]

DS sell a pattern tail light of the type you're looking for, https://www.davidsilverspares.co.uk/CB500K1-FOUR-1972/part_61747 it's not a great copy TBH, missing the shaping of the rear chrome part but TBH that makes keeping it clean and rust free easier.

Or the genuine version.

https://www.davidsilverspares.co.uk/CB500K1-FOUR-1972/part_61748

And there's this. They do list the bolt spacing holes for the rear light, which is nice. See if it differs from your present one.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/296772612129

That is the later(K3-K6) taillight bracket with the 341 center numbers and 105mm bolt spacing taillight,  and,  4 bolts holding the bracket to the fender.

[Oddjob]

Suspected it might be which is why I suggested comparing bolt hole spacing, you’re the first to say the 11RC has 95mm spacing, which is handy to know.

[bryanj]

Newday, that bracket has 3 bolts to the fender

[newday777]

Newday, that bracket has 3 bolts to the fender

Ah yes so there is...my mistake

[kyle750]

I believe I may have solved the mystery of the tail light that is currently on the bike.  It is from a 1970 Yamaha R5

[Little_Phil]

This is the only pic I can find of the smaller light (2 screw) fitted to the US style mount on my 550F. I have since fitted a UK style mount that is painted black and a has a different mount for the registration no.

[kyle750]

^ ^ ^ Exactly ^ ^ ^  what I am looking for.  Thank you for the photo!

I have been looking at tail light mounting brackets and most for sale are the same as what I have with wider mounting holes and jumbo size 16RC tail lights. Your setup is exactly what I am looking for. Later mounting bracket and earlier smaller 11RC tail light.   

[kyle750]

I've seen a few photos of the smaller 11RC tail light attached to the later wider mounting hole  brackets and in both cases it looks like they just drilled new holes to the back housing plate and attached with locking nuts to the other side. You can see where the oval shaped mount of the bracket slightly extends over the flat edge of the tail light backing plate.  Barely noticeable and not distracting at all.   The new 11RC JDM Tail Light with yellow lenses in the sides ordered from Yamiya should be arriving soon.  I will drill new holes and install.

The Hunt is Over!

[jonda500]

The mystery continues - this is the only pic I can find of my 400-4 taillight. One of the first things I changed when I got it back in '85 was that great big tail light that it came with - I don't recall having to modify anything to make the small one fit, but now I am thinking maybe I removed the metal collars from the rubbers or something to make it fit?
John

[Oddjob]

I fitted the tail light off an Rd400 as I wanted 2 bulbs in case one blew. Of course you don’t know it’s blown when your riding until the police pull you over, so I fitted a twin bulb system to avoid just that. It did fit the 95mm holes with a little persuasion.

[grcamna2]

I always liked the original small(2 hold-down screw lens)taillight better,compared to the later Huge K2+ taillights.

[PeWe]

This is the only pic I can find of the smaller light (2 screw) fitted to the US style mount on my 550F. I have since fitted a UK style mount that is painted black and a has a different mount for the registration no.

Good looking alternative for that fender
Rear visibility had high prio on US highways I suppose.  Wide with many big vehicles.

A german shop with both new and used parts. Some tricky to find parts.

https://www.cb-four.com/cgi-bin/shop/__CB-750-Four-K0toK7+F1+F2/Instruments---Light-/_07.05.html

[grcamna2]

This is the only pic I can find of the smaller light (2 screw) fitted to the US style mount on my 550F. I have since fitted a UK style mount that is painted black and a has a different mount for the registration no.

Good looking alternative for that fender
Rear visibility had high prio on US highways I suppose.  Wide with many big vehicles.

A german shop with both new and used parts. Some tricky to find parts.

https://www.cb-four.com/cgi-bin/shop/__CB-750-Four-K0toK7+F1+F2/Instruments---Light-/_07.05.html

I like the style/small Euro CB550 turn signals.
How does their Repro quality look to you ?

[kyle750]

While searching for mounting brackets I did find one setup very similar to what is currently on my bike.  Photos are from a CB750 in the UK.  I am fairly certain this is the same mounting bracket as mine and comes from a pre 1970 CB350 or CL350.  All of these mounting brackets are painted black (except mine which was chrome) and  have narrow width hole spacing and accept the earlier, smaller 11RC tail light.  This setup was unusual as it came with an even earlier 5RC pill/lozenge shaped tailight. 

Very minimalist, very 1960s, super cool 

Late Edit:  I think the black mounting bracket looks fantastic on this bike as it has a black tank and black side covers.  As my bike is a very bright candy gold the mounting bracket would look better in bright chrome.

[bryanj]

Very early 750 had that light and uk always had the 4 bolt black bracket which fits same holes as the 4 hole chrome us bracket

[kyle750]

Curious which tailight CB owners like better. 11RC on the left or 5RC on the right (actually an aftermarket copy of the 5RC).  Both tail lights use the same narrow width mounting holes.

My personal opinion is the 16RC is too big, the 5RC is too small, and the 11RC is just right.

[grcamna2]

Curious which tailight CB owners like better. 11RC on the left or 5RC on the right (actually an aftermarket copy of the 5RC).  Both tail lights use the same narrow width mounting holes.

My personal opinion is the 16RC is too big, the 5RC is too small, and the 11RC is just right.

The 5RC on the right looks to have a reflector built into the center of it;does that impede the brightness of the bulb behind it?
I like the style of that 5RC,even though it's small.

[kyle750]

I like the style of that 5RC,even though it's small.

Great looking tail light like a tiered wedding cake 

[kyle750]

Very early 750 had that light

I looked at lots of early CB750 K0 sandcast photos and could not find the 5RC tail light on any bikes.  They all had 11RC tail lights.

Are you just pulling my tail