Topic: 550K Rear Spacer/Axle Problem

[Dr. Frankenstein]

I'm putting new tires on my 1974 550/4, but the axle doesn't want to go all the way through. After finding out the bike had the wrong rear wheel/tire on it (for a 350 Four) when I got it, I was able to get a 550 wheel and axle from another bike builder who specializes in old Hondas. As you can see in the pics though, the axle won't go thru the spacer enough to allow me to put on the nut on the other side.

Come to find out, the 550 has TWO different spacers, a long and a short one - and I apparently have the long one, which according to SohRon's post on his 1974 CB550K0 "CB550 Assembly Manual" here in the forum and I quote: "One thing to note about the spacer. There are two types for the CB550: the longer spacer is used on the earlier "smooth" brake plates, like mine, while the shorter one was installed with the "reinforced" plate (inset) that became standard for the "K" models in '77, IIRC. This brake plate has a longer "nose" due to an extended internal axle bearing, so it requires a shorter spacer. These plates are not interchangeable, so the right plate with the correct hub (and spacer) is required"

As you can see in the pics, I have the 'smooth' hub assembly and the longer of the two spacers, but the axle doesn't appear long enough to go through the hub; but according to him, the shorter spacer was only used on the '77 model - so either I'm doing something wrong with the installation, I have the wrong spacer, wrong hub, and/or the wrong axle - - anybody have any guidance here?  And how long is the '74 550K axle?

[denward17]

Can't help with proper axle for you, but here is pictures of my '76 550.

[bryanj]

If you did not have to "spread" the swing arm its the wrong axle, if you did its the wrong spacer.

I can add that the brake plates DO NOT interchange between hubs and years, in UK where we only had the 550 F model and K3 model the change seemed to be between the "open end" swing arm as in your pic and the "closed end" swing arm

[Dr. Frankenstein]

So I must have the wrong spacer then, b/c I DID have to spread the swingarm a bit to get the spacer in - but if so, why does SohRon's post mention that the longer spacer (which is what I have) was used on the earlier 550's (and indeed seems to be the one he's using on his 1974 CB550K0), and the shorter spacers were used beginning in 1977?

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=151576.0

You have to scroll down a bit to find the section on the rear wheel.

It occurs to me I may have a 'later' 550 wheel rather than an early one...Does anybody have a 'short' spacer laying around they aren't using...? Or do you know if there are any other rear spacers that would work? I see a lot of spacers on eBay for the 1983 CB550, and some others...would a CB750 spacer work?

[Deltarider]

COLLAR 42313-323-010 was on:
  CB500(K0)
  CB500K1
  CB500K2
  CB550(K0)
  CB550K1
  CB550K2
COLLAR 42313-390-000 was on:
  CB550F
  CB550F1
COLLAR 42313--292-000 was on:
  CB550F2
COLLAR 42313-404-000 was on:
  CB500K3
  CB550K3
  CB550K4

[jonda500]

Did the spacers come with the replacement wheel and axle? if no maybe you have an early 550F wheel and axle?
John

[Dr. Frankenstein]

Yes, the replacement wheel did - the long spacer - but it has caused some colorful consternation in the garage. I have one of the shorter ones coming, so we'll see how that goes. I have a feeling this was a 'bitsa' bike that the PO just didn't know what to do with - y'know, a bitsa this, a bitsa that - and left me to pick up the slack. It was advertised as a '1983 Honda', but I could clearly see it was an early 550/Four (1973 on the ID plate) so I snatched it up. (sigh) - old bike are always like this. I'll see how the shorter spacer works, it should be okay - I hope. 

[Deltarider]

COLLAR 42313-323-010 was on:
  CB500(K0)
  CB500K1
  CB500K2
  CB550(K0)
  CB550K1
  CB550K2
COLLAR 42313-390-000 was on:
  CB550F
  CB550F1
COLLAR 42313--292-000 was on:
  CB550F2
COLLAR 42313-404-000 was on:
  CB500K3
  CB550K3
  CB550K4

Next time I'll measure mine (CB500K2) and will post its dimension. I invite other members to do the same 'cause this collar thing reappears and reappears.