Author Topic: Getting desperate and want to know if this will work for my 76 550  (Read 2434 times)

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Offline Badger 5

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I found this left switch on ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=010&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3APIC&viewitem=&item=200106165269&rd=1

It's for a goldwing but has the same number of wires but a few are different colors.  I'm not a wiring wiz but I don't see why it won't work.  Will someone please enlighten me before I waste the money.  The color differences as far as I can get off wiring diagrams is t hat the GW has a Br/G and a B/W were the CB has a Br/R and a Br/B.   ??? ??? ???

Any thoughts?
76 CB550K
75 CB200T
68 CL160 (AHRMA R78)
07 Triumph Bonneville Black
75 XS650

Offline Jinxracing

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Re: Getting desperate and want to know if this will work for my 76 550
« Reply #1 on: May 07, 2007, 11:50:23 AM »
Yikes! That's a lot of money for a switch that's not even correct for your bike (assuming that you're into that sort of thing). BTW, it looks just like the left control switch from my neighbor's '78 CB550K, which he tells me he won't be using. If you're not concerned about "factory correct", is there any reason why you're not going with one of the cheaper used versions from a CB?
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Offline Badger 5

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Re: Getting desperate and want to know if this will work for my 76 550
« Reply #2 on: May 07, 2007, 11:53:20 AM »
Quote
is there any reason why you're not going with one of the cheaper used versions from a CB?

I can't find a good used one.  Also I had to buy a new right switch and it's so pretty and black that I would want to find a left to match. ;D

I'm having a wiring issues and the last thing I can think of is to replace the switch.
76 CB550K
75 CB200T
68 CL160 (AHRMA R78)
07 Triumph Bonneville Black
75 XS650

Offline Jinxracing

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Re: Getting desperate and want to know if this will work for my 76 550
« Reply #3 on: May 07, 2007, 11:57:32 AM »
Did you try pulling your switch apart and cleaning all of the contacts/checking the solder joints inside? They're fairly simple in there...it might just be dirty.
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Offline Badger 5

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Re: Getting desperate and want to know if this will work for my 76 550
« Reply #4 on: May 07, 2007, 12:00:45 PM »
I'm going to open it up again and see if I overlooked anything.  However, being that they are simple and the switches look identical with the same components, is there any reason why it won't work?
76 CB550K
75 CB200T
68 CL160 (AHRMA R78)
07 Triumph Bonneville Black
75 XS650

Offline babyfood1217

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Re: Getting desperate and want to know if this will work for my 76 550
« Reply #5 on: May 07, 2007, 12:14:28 PM »
There is no reason why swapping with a different switch wouldn't work, but Jinx and Badger got a point with the cleaning thing.  You would be amazed with the amount of crud that can make it's way into places unforeseen with these older bikes.  Besides, if you are dead set on replacing the switch, mention it on this board, I'm sure someone could scrounge something up a little cheaper than that.  For example, I can get my hands on that switch from a '77 750 if it would help.  Pretty sure you would have to paint it, but at the cost of "cheap" versus "really expensive", wheres the harm in a little rattle-can job?  Let me know,but good luck either way.

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Offline nickjtc

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Re: Getting desperate and want to know if this will work for my 76 550
« Reply #6 on: May 07, 2007, 12:25:32 PM »
Unless Honda changed the colours for the different switch wires, the wires from the switch should match those on your bike. I recently got a set of 1968 175 switches to put on my 1979 650 and the wire colours for each function had not changed over the years. If you go ahead and get this unit be absolutely sure you match the correct wire with the function it is meant to perform.
Nick J. Member #3247

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Offline Badger 5

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Re: Getting desperate and want to know if this will work for my 76 550
« Reply #7 on: May 07, 2007, 12:28:09 PM »
Quote
If you go ahead and get this unit be absolutely sure you match the correct wire with the function it is meant to perform

Thats another issue I've been having.  I can't find any wiring diagrams on the internet that I can clearly read.  I have the CB 550 diagram that is readable but the only GL1000 diagram I found looks like crap when I try to blow it up.
76 CB550K
75 CB200T
68 CL160 (AHRMA R78)
07 Triumph Bonneville Black
75 XS650

Offline WJL75

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Re: Getting desperate and want to know if this will work for my 76 550
« Reply #8 on: May 07, 2007, 12:34:35 PM »
It should work, but I bought a used switch for my 76 550k for about $40 on ebay.  New NOS ones i've seen for $118. But almost any from a cb should do.  If it's from a 550, all of the colors should match already.  

What kind of issues are you having?  Narrow down what works, and what doesn't one thing at a time?  Check horn, signals and lights seperately.  Clean the contacts in the headlight bucket and check the fuses too.  If you don't have awiring diagram, I can post some, but if you do a search, they should show up.

wjl75

1976 CB550K Cafe

Offline ProTeal55

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Re: Getting desperate and want to know if this will work for my 76 550
« Reply #9 on: May 07, 2007, 12:36:51 PM »
Why not just go to Home-Depot and buy some switches and put them in your headlite bucket ?
I mean what do you need, one for the starter, a 3-pole toggle for turn signals - one toggle for a kill switch, maybe a push button for the horn, etc ?
Joe a.k.a ProTeal55 a.k.a JoeyCocks a.k.a Maker of Friends

Offline Jinxracing

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Re: Getting desperate and want to know if this will work for my 76 550
« Reply #10 on: May 07, 2007, 12:44:13 PM »
Why not just go to Home-Depot and buy some switches and put them in your headlite bucket ?

Yeah, and while you're at it you may as well go full-bore and just paint, "John Deere" on the side.  ;D ;D ;D
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Offline FunJimmy

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Re: Getting desperate and want to know if this will work for my 76 550
« Reply #11 on: May 07, 2007, 01:40:28 PM »
Badger

I replaced my CB550F signal switch with this nice little unit. The wiring harness is long enough to reach the terminal block under your tank (with low bars) and the wires already have bullet connectors that plug directly into the CB harness. Interestingly the color codes are just about exactly the same as the Honda’s too.

Link for picture:  http://www.kandstech.com/pimages/12-0055.html

Available from: http://www.fourstrokesonly.com/ProductList.html

Or you can buy now on Ebay. Ebay item number 140113875703

I am in no way benefiting from your decision to purchase this switch unit.

Cheers
FunJimmy
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Offline TwoTired

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Re: Getting desperate and want to know if this will work for my 76 550
« Reply #12 on: May 07, 2007, 05:58:55 PM »
It looks like, electrically speaking, the one in the Ebay link will work.  You need 11 wires.  It has 11 wires.  The 371 product code designates gold wing.  It's uniqueness is probably the length of wires, which may be longer or shorter than your needs. (probably longer, don't gold wings have longer bars?)  Do the gold wings have thicker bars? 7/8 or one inch?

I can't tell from the picture whether the gold wing wires are meant to route inside the bars or outside the bars, or,what your intentions are for wire routing.  Some of those controlls already have the notch in them to run them outside.  It would seem a shame to file a notch in brand new controls to run the wires externally, though you could drill holes in your present bars if they don't have them already.

The 77 Cb550 K3 controls have a block connector instead of the bullet connectors you require.  It's possible to put bullet connectors on instead, if the wires will still reach to your connection point.  I don't know if you have a F model or a K model 550.

Cheers,
Lloyd... (SOHC4 #11 Original Mail List)
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Offline 333

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Re: Getting desperate and want to know if this will work for my 76 550
« Reply #13 on: May 07, 2007, 06:08:25 PM »
Hondaparts-direct.com lists the part for a 550K at $93.00 and $58.00 for a 550F
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Offline Badger 5

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Re: Getting desperate and want to know if this will work for my 76 550
« Reply #14 on: May 07, 2007, 07:32:00 PM »
Quote
Hondaparts-direct.com lists the part for a 550K at $93.00 and $58.00 for a 550F

Every place I look has it listed and then when I order it they call me and tell me it's discontinued. >:(
76 CB550K
75 CB200T
68 CL160 (AHRMA R78)
07 Triumph Bonneville Black
75 XS650

Offline Badger 5

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Re: Getting desperate and want to know if this will work for my 76 550
« Reply #15 on: May 07, 2007, 07:43:51 PM »
it's a 76 550K
76 CB550K
75 CB200T
68 CL160 (AHRMA R78)
07 Triumph Bonneville Black
75 XS650