Author Topic: A Tale of Two Fenders and Three Tail Lights (and Now Four)  (Read 1375 times)

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Offline RAFster122s

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Re: A Tale of Two Fenders and Three Tail Lights (and Now Four)
« Reply #50 on: February 12, 2025, 09:42:18 PM »
Maybe the 5RC was used on prototype bikes, that could be what he was referring to...merely a guess on my part
So you find the 11RC to be your Goldilocks just right...

If you log into CMSNL and use the part number look up and lother bikes it was used on then you might, long shot, find a mount bracket that could be used on your 750.
If you modify an existing spare cb750 mount bracket to adjust to the mount holes on the 11RC taillamp you can have it powdercoated to be a bright silver that won't look terribly out of place for a chromed part. I have seen a few photos in threads posted on the forum of guys powdercoating pieces in bright silver trying to achieve a compatible silve with the chrome and they looked good.
Just need to find a powder coating company that will order in the powder if you don't buy it yourself to do test shots so you can find out if you like it. Presuming they do not have the powder on hand.
David- back in the desert SW!

Offline bryanj

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Re: A Tale of Two Fenders and Three Tail Lights (and Now Four)
« Reply #51 on: February 13, 2025, 01:22:47 AM »
The small light was definately fitted to the first 750 that came to UK but changed quicly, the middle size was used on a lot of Hondas which is probably why it was changed on the 750
Semi Geriatric ex-Honda mechanic and MOT tester (UK version of annual inspection). Garage full of "projects" mostly 500/4 from pre 73 (no road tax in UK).

Remember "Its always in the last place you look" COURSE IT IS YOU STOP LOOKIN THEN!

Offline kyle750

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Re: A Tale of Two Fenders and Three Tail Lights (and Now Four)
« Reply #52 on: February 13, 2025, 03:01:03 AM »
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_v5YV4UcC7o

And a photo of the other prototype in the USA
« Last Edit: February 13, 2025, 03:05:40 AM by kyle750 »

Offline kyle750

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Re: A Tale of Two Fenders and Three Tail Lights (and Now Four)
« Reply #53 on: February 13, 2025, 03:16:08 AM »
Honda original 1968 advertising photo for the Honda CB350 with 5RC tail light.  Later the CB350  changed to the 11RC and then to the jumbo 16RC tail light. 
« Last Edit: February 13, 2025, 03:17:39 AM by kyle750 »

Offline jonda500

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Re: A Tale of Two Fenders and Three Tail Lights (and Now Four)
« Reply #54 on: February 13, 2025, 04:18:51 AM »
https://www.ebay.com/itm/166184485558

Lots of hondas had that tail light including postie bikes back then. My cb450 had the same tail light as the early (small) cb500/750 one - but I came across an NOS earlier model cb450 lense (like that ct90 one but with the flats either side of the round part angled!) and so I grabbed the chrome part off an old postie bike and used that with the new lense - it fitted the holes exactly, but the cb450 also used a painted plack bracket not chrome.
John
Remember that an ignoramus is only someone who doesn't know something you just learned yesterday!

A starter clutch thread:
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,122084.0.html
1972 CB500K1 original 4 owner bike
1972 CB500K1 returned to complete/original condition
1975 CB550F built from parts - project thread:
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,149161.msg1711626.html#msg1711626
197? CB500/550 constructing from left over parts
1998 KTM 380 (two stroke) recent impulse buy, mmmm...

Offline newday777

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Re: A Tale of Two Fenders and Three Tail Lights
« Reply #55 on: February 13, 2025, 04:31:53 AM »
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  ;)
Because most of the pictures you find will be USA models and they came with the 11RC. You will need to search for the European 750s to see the 5RC.
Bryanj is from England so what is referring to are the early UK/European models, which had different lighting requirements from their individual governments.

And just so you know, most won't even know what you mean when you ask for those numbers. That isn't the parts numbers they are sold by. Those are just the manufacturer stamped numbers on the backing plate for reference.
« Last Edit: February 13, 2025, 04:52:17 AM by newday777 »
Stu
Honda Parts manager in the mid 1970s Nashua Honda
My current rides
1975 K5 Planet Blue my summer ride, it was a friend's bike I worked with at the Honda shop in 76, lots of fun to be on it again
1976 K6 Anteres Red rebuilding project, was originally my brother's that I set up from the crate, it'll breath again soon!
Project 750s, 2 K4, 2 K6, 1 K8
2008 GL1800 my daily ride and cross country runner

Prior bikes....
1972 Suzuki GT380 I had charge of it for a year in 1973 while my friend was deployed and learned to love street riding....
New CB450 K7 after my friend returned...
New CB750 K5 Planet Blue, demise by ex cousin in law at 9,000 miles...
New CB750 K6 Anteres Red, to replace the totaled K5, I sold this K6 at 45k in 1983, I had heavily modified it, many great memories on it and have missed it greatly.....
1983 GL1100A, 1999 GL1500 SE, 1999 GL1500A

Offline newday777

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Re: A Tale of Two Fenders and Three Tail Lights (and Now Four)
« Reply #56 on: February 13, 2025, 05:32:33 AM »
Here is the Honda brochure for the UK K1 .it shows the rounded corner taillight with the black taillight mount
Stu
Honda Parts manager in the mid 1970s Nashua Honda
My current rides
1975 K5 Planet Blue my summer ride, it was a friend's bike I worked with at the Honda shop in 76, lots of fun to be on it again
1976 K6 Anteres Red rebuilding project, was originally my brother's that I set up from the crate, it'll breath again soon!
Project 750s, 2 K4, 2 K6, 1 K8
2008 GL1800 my daily ride and cross country runner

Prior bikes....
1972 Suzuki GT380 I had charge of it for a year in 1973 while my friend was deployed and learned to love street riding....
New CB450 K7 after my friend returned...
New CB750 K5 Planet Blue, demise by ex cousin in law at 9,000 miles...
New CB750 K6 Anteres Red, to replace the totaled K5, I sold this K6 at 45k in 1983, I had heavily modified it, many great memories on it and have missed it greatly.....
1983 GL1100A, 1999 GL1500 SE, 1999 GL1500A

Offline kyle750

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Re: A Tale of Two Fenders and Three Tail Lights (and Now Four)
« Reply #57 on: February 13, 2025, 06:09:53 AM »
^ ^ ^ Thanks Mate ^ ^ ^  Beautiful photo and that tail light looks superb!

Offline newday777

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Re: A Tale of Two Fenders and Three Tail Lights (and Now Four)
« Reply #58 on: February 13, 2025, 06:30:41 AM »
^ ^ ^ Thanks Mate ^ ^ ^  Beautiful photo and that tail light looks superb!
Remember.... you have a JDM model so if you want it to be original, stick with the JDM taillight and bracket.
Stu
Honda Parts manager in the mid 1970s Nashua Honda
My current rides
1975 K5 Planet Blue my summer ride, it was a friend's bike I worked with at the Honda shop in 76, lots of fun to be on it again
1976 K6 Anteres Red rebuilding project, was originally my brother's that I set up from the crate, it'll breath again soon!
Project 750s, 2 K4, 2 K6, 1 K8
2008 GL1800 my daily ride and cross country runner

Prior bikes....
1972 Suzuki GT380 I had charge of it for a year in 1973 while my friend was deployed and learned to love street riding....
New CB450 K7 after my friend returned...
New CB750 K5 Planet Blue, demise by ex cousin in law at 9,000 miles...
New CB750 K6 Anteres Red, to replace the totaled K5, I sold this K6 at 45k in 1983, I had heavily modified it, many great memories on it and have missed it greatly.....
1983 GL1100A, 1999 GL1500 SE, 1999 GL1500A

Offline 69cb750

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Re: A Tale of Two Fenders and Three Tail Lights (and Now Four)
« Reply #59 on: February 13, 2025, 09:02:16 AM »
F-35 tail light used on K0 K1 for England
Four bolt bracket, large license plate, oval lens

F-36 tail light used on K2 for England
Four bolt bracket, large license plate, rectangular lens

F-37 tail light used on K0 K1 K2 for Germany, Netherlands
Four bolt bracket, large license plate, round lens

F-38 tail light for USA France Australia
K0 Two bolt bracket, small rectangular lens
K1 Three bolt bracket, small rectangular lens

F-39 tail light used on K2 for USA France Australia
K2 Four bolt bracket, large rectangular lens with four screws

JDM bikes same as usa (bikes I have seen)

Offline newday777

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Re: A Tale of Two Fenders and Three Tail Lights (and Now Four)
« Reply #60 on: February 13, 2025, 09:45:44 AM »
F-35 tail light used on K0 K1 for England
Four bolt bracket, large license plate, oval lens

F-36 tail light used on K2 for England
Four bolt bracket, large license plate, rectangular lens

F-37 tail light used on K0 K1 K2 for Germany, Netherlands
Four bolt bracket, large license plate, round lens

F-38 tail light for USA France Australia
K0 Two bolt bracket, small rectangular lens
K1 Three bolt bracket, small rectangular lens

F-39 tail light used on K2 for USA France Australia
K2 Four bolt bracket, large rectangular lens with four screws

JDM bikes same as usa (bikes I have seen)
Pictures?? Where'd you get these numbers to reference??
Stu
Honda Parts manager in the mid 1970s Nashua Honda
My current rides
1975 K5 Planet Blue my summer ride, it was a friend's bike I worked with at the Honda shop in 76, lots of fun to be on it again
1976 K6 Anteres Red rebuilding project, was originally my brother's that I set up from the crate, it'll breath again soon!
Project 750s, 2 K4, 2 K6, 1 K8
2008 GL1800 my daily ride and cross country runner

Prior bikes....
1972 Suzuki GT380 I had charge of it for a year in 1973 while my friend was deployed and learned to love street riding....
New CB450 K7 after my friend returned...
New CB750 K5 Planet Blue, demise by ex cousin in law at 9,000 miles...
New CB750 K6 Anteres Red, to replace the totaled K5, I sold this K6 at 45k in 1983, I had heavily modified it, many great memories on it and have missed it greatly.....
1983 GL1100A, 1999 GL1500 SE, 1999 GL1500A

Offline 69cb750

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Re: A Tale of Two Fenders and Three Tail Lights (and Now Four)
« Reply #61 on: February 13, 2025, 10:30:03 AM »
Quote
Where did you get these numbers?
CB750 CB750K1 CB750K2 parts catalog


Offline kyle750

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Re: A Tale of Two Fenders and Three Tail Lights (and Now Four)
« Reply #62 on: February 13, 2025, 03:51:38 PM »
Dog Will Hunt

There are 100's of black mounting brackets with the narrow tail light mounting holes for sale on Ebay with a few at only $7 in surprisingly very good condition.  The CB350 was made in large numbers so there are also plenty for sale with the RC11 tail light.    Unfortunately all are painted black and none are available in chrome? 

Here are photos of a very early 1968 CB350 black mounting bracket with a very good condition RC5 Oval Tail Light.  Same 4 hole pattern and will bolt right on the newly arrived rear fender. Yes No or Maybe???   
« Last Edit: February 13, 2025, 04:19:15 PM by kyle750 »

Offline kyle750

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Re: A Tale of Two Fenders and Three Tail Lights (and Now Four)
« Reply #63 on: February 13, 2025, 06:42:11 PM »
Small Details  ;D

Offline jonda500

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Re: A Tale of Two Fenders and Three Tail Lights (and Now Four)
« Reply #64 on: February 13, 2025, 09:42:18 PM »
That tail light is same as early cb450  with the slanted face - you could ask the seller to measure the distance between the forward and aft mounting holes? If it fits you could get it chromed!
John
Remember that an ignoramus is only someone who doesn't know something you just learned yesterday!

A starter clutch thread:
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,122084.0.html
1972 CB500K1 original 4 owner bike
1972 CB500K1 returned to complete/original condition
1975 CB550F built from parts - project thread:
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,149161.msg1711626.html#msg1711626
197? CB500/550 constructing from left over parts
1998 KTM 380 (two stroke) recent impulse buy, mmmm...

Offline kyle750

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Re: A Tale of Two Fenders and Three Tail Lights (and Now Four)
« Reply #65 on: February 15, 2025, 06:05:25 AM »
I just checked and the seller is out of stock.  In Thailand the registration has to be visible on the bike so it can easily be seen by the police so there are a wide variety of plastic containers to display the registration.  In the USA the vehicle registration is normally carried in the glove compartment of a car or in a bike under the seat. 

https://www.facebook.com/commerce/listing/1662071418056431

Very well made with a threaded screw down top with a rubber gasket.  I am quessing it is water proof so the registration paper does not get wet in the rain or washing the bike.
« Last Edit: February 15, 2025, 06:11:15 AM by kyle750 »

Offline kyle750

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Re: A Tale of Two Fenders and Three Tail Lights (and Now Four)
« Reply #66 on: February 18, 2025, 12:02:34 AM »
Old dented and rusty fender unbolted in 10 minutes. New fender looks so much better  :)  I am drilling  new mounting holes in the back housing plate of the earlier smaller  RC11 tail light and then attaching to the mounting bracket and then install on the new fender. 

I have a long way to go but seeing a small transformation is a big boost.  Whenever I have a big project I try not to think about everything that needs to get done - just too overwhelming.  I like to break everything down into small manageable pieces so small victories can be achieved.     
« Last Edit: February 18, 2025, 12:29:54 AM by kyle750 »

Offline Stev-o

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Re: A Tale of Two Fenders and Three Tail Lights (and Now Four)
« Reply #67 on: February 18, 2025, 07:04:54 AM »
In the USA the vehicle registration is normally carried in the glove compartment of a car or in a bike under the seat. 

In Texas, registration paperwork only needs to be carried in commercial vehicles.
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........