Topic: Honda CB550 Turn Signals - they are ridiculously long and stick out

[kyle750]

I now realize I bought the wrong CB550 rear grab rail.  Installs on the bike frame  but has later larger turn signal mounts.  The earlier smaller turn signals have earlier smaller mounts.

This is what I should have bought 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/306213102230

[Deltarider]

Kyle, to protect yourself against bad buys, before ordering check the appropiate parts list for your model. Yours is a CB550 by many referred to as CB550(K0) and the parts list is here: https://www.honda4fun.com/dwnload/Part-List/CB550/CB550-K0-K1-K2-Parts-List.pdf
You can also consult this page at the CMSNL website: https://www.cmsnl.com/honda-cb550-four-1975-cb550k0-usa_model465/partslist/

[bryanj]

It is not uncommon to make that error, most sellers dont even know that difference and unless you are a nit picking eagle eyed nerd at a concourse show nobody will notice

[Deltarider]

May be, but it's also a matter of taste ofcourse. Personally I wouldn't want to have those bigger indicators on my bike.

[bryanj]

So fit the smaller indicators! With a bit of mix n match of parts its easy to do

[kyle750]

I'm definitely a nerd alright but not a concourse nerd.  Mix n match works fine for me

[Deltarider]

I'm definitely a nerd alright but not a concourse nerd.  Mix n match works fine for me

Some are fanatic to have the bike as original as possible. I like to have very subtle changes to my taste. Have a look at this pic, if you will. Imagine Honda had put the front indicator stems at an angle to the headlamp. About the same angle the long arm of the mirrors make, but then in the opposite direction. Standard it is a bit tame. Just imagine... wouldn't those stems at an angle have made the headlamp look a lot better, meaner?
If any of you guys is handy in photoshopping... I'd love to see what the effect would be.

[pickleknuckles]

I'm definitely a nerd alright but not a concourse nerd.  Mix n match works fine for me

Some are fanatic to have the bike as original as possible. I like to have very subtle changes to my taste. Have a look at this pic, if you will. Imagine Honda had put the front indicator stems at an angle to the headlamp. About the same angle the long arm of the mirrors make, but then in the opposite direction. Standard it is a bit tame. Just imagine... wouldn't those stems at an angle have made the headlamp look a lot better, meaner?
If any of you guys is handy in photoshopping... I'd love to see what the effect would be.

As a product designer and a car/motorcycle enthusiast, that's always been how I approach modifications. Most would be hard-pressed to notice what I've done to my K4 750 to make it mine but it's extensive. I think the kids these days call it "OEM+"

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[jonda500]

I cut off and rethreaded the end of my right side mirror so when screwed into the master cyl it is the same height as the left one. Extending the left one a little would be a better way, but harder to do..
John

[pickleknuckles]

I cut off and rethreaded the end of my right side mirror so when screwed into the master cyl it is the same height as the left one. Extending the left one a little would be a better way, but harder to do..
John

That's awesome. I've thought about doing it. Might finally have to this weekend.

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[Mr.D]

Will be interested to see how this project turns out. Actually, even your original signals look better than the massive ones on my '77 CB550F! 

[Deltarider]

Will be interested to see how this project turns out. Actually, even your original signals look better than the massive ones on my '77 CB550F! 

The massive ones are the result of this. In the US folks expect something new every year. That's why they like to denominate, like I have a '75 CB550. So, where in Europe, a good and succesfull model can be continued for years, it's not enough in the US. People want to see something new, need that incentive, but what could Honda change on a bike which was already good? Well, offer more. Quantity is seen there as quality. So give them more, more plastic > bigger indicators and taillights.

[pickleknuckles]

Will be interested to see how this project turns out. Actually, even your original signals look better than the massive ones on my '77 CB550F! 

The massive ones are the result of this. In the US folks expect something new every year. That's why they like to denominate, like I have a '75 CB550. So, where in Europe, a good and succesfull model can be continued for years, it's not enough in the US. People want to see something new, need that incentive, but what could Honda change on a bike which was already good? Well, offer more. Quantity is seen there as quality. So give them more, more plastic > bigger indicators and taillights.

Yeah, but no. It was due to safety regulation changes. Look at bumpers on EUDM and JDM vehicles vs USDM vehicles of the same era. That nonsense wasn't done as styling updates to sell more new cars in the US. Given the technology of the time, larger lights were more visible and the further apart the signals were the easier it was to tell which side they were on.

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[kyle750]

Ebay listing for a CB500 grab bar rail. I was thinking about purchasing this rail to use with the smaller tail lights but . . . . wait.  Looking closer it looks like a later grab rail with earlier, smaller tail lights mounted - exactly the same problem I am encountering with the grab rail that I already purchased    Later rail larger oval cutout holes with earlier tail light mounting brackets that are smaller? 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/187400654075

[jonda500]

That's what it looks like to me too.
There are no less than 6 different variants plus the little grab handle/no grab bar rail that Australia and England got.

[kyle750]

There are no less than 6 different variants plus the little grab handle/no grab bar rail that Australia and England got.

Is this the CB500 little grab handle you are referring to?  Looks very similar to my CB750 grab handle.

[Little_Phil]

UK, European 500s had the small grab rail on the LHS and the turn signals were mounted on short rubber mounted brackets using the bolts that secure the rear fender.
https://www.cmsnl.com/en-gb/honda-cb500k1-four-england_model14660/partslist/F27.html

[bryanj]

Its the same part

[jonda500]

yep

[kyle750]

Amazing how many parts the CB550 and CB750 share    Here is my CB750 grab handle. Also notice the short stem rear tail lights on the CB750.  This short stem length is the exact same length I purchased  to replace the long stalks on my CB550. I'm waiting to consolidate the next shipment from the USA so it will be a while until they arrive. 

[bryanj]

Those are UK style blinker mounts

[kyle750]

Those are UK style blinker mounts

Another photo.  Bike is JDM.  Did JDM and UK use the same style blinker mounts?

[newday777]

Those are UK style blinker mounts

They were on the 69 and earlier bikes in the US too...
1965 CB450 was the beginning of this.

[bryanj]

Must have used same to start then fitted grab rail on later ones

[jonda500]

My '71 450 had different blinker mounts to those - they were rectangle where it bolts on rather than those house shaped ones, which is what my 400-4 had.
John