Topic: 550 gauge interchangability?

[csendker]

An earlier thread identified that I have the wrong gauges on my '75 550.  How interchangable are they (550 --> 550 more so than say 750 --> 550)?  Would I have to do anything if I replaced them with a set of '75 550's?  That is, assuming the ones I have now are geared properly (which I think they are).

Thanks.

[bryanj]

ALL 500/550 GAUGES will work happily you just need to use the right mounting bracket

[csendker]

So the speedometer drive thing in the front wheel should be OK?  I'm wondering about mine because it appears that I have a set from something in the 80's (top speed = 80 mph).  As for the mounting bracket, are the differences in the gauge body or mounting hole pattern or both?

[TwoTired]

The F model 550's and the 77-78 K models had a different warning light panel incorporated into the guage mounting bracket between the dials.
A bracket for a CB550K model 74-76 is correct for your bike.  I think the one for a 73 Cb500 is the same, too.

What makes you think the bracket you have is wrong for your bike?

Cheers,

[csendker]

I've seen the 'triangular' warning light cluster, while I have the 'bar-clamp' type.  But are most of the gauge bodies the same?  Can I use, say '78 gauges in my '75 bracket?

As for:

What makes you think the bracket you have is wrong for your bike?

 

Nothing really, except this warning:

...you just need to use the right mounting bracket

And as my set is obviously not from anything in the mid-70's, I wasn't sure what may be different.

[TwoTired]

There's a bracket to attach to the upper tree, the gauge cups, and the rubber isolators that the gauge is cradled by.

Since your guages aren't stock, I don't know what parts associated with your guages are stock or not, since I can't see them.

As bryanj said, the CB500/550 guages will all work with your bike.  My 78 Cb550 speedometer has the trip reset knob on the side instead of on the back.  So, the mounting cup has no hole like the earlier CB550s have.  So, not all parts interchange perfectly.  Anyway, the 78 guage will work in the older cups, but not the reverse.

Cheers,

[SteveD CB500F]

Wasn't it a 70's US thing where speedos stopped at 85mph? 

I remember the launch of the CBX.  The journos tried to bend the needles.

[TwoTired]

Wasn't it a 70's US thing where speedos stopped at 85mph? 

I remember the launch of the CBX.  The journos tried to bend the needles.

Late 70s and 80s there was a National speed limit of 55 mph to save gasoline (response to "energy crisis") and save lives.  In order to further discourage speeding the speedos got limited to 85.  The theory was that people were less likely to speed if they couldn't brag about how fast they'd been going.

Politicians think like that.  Really, they do!   
Even sadder is that they get re-elected.   

[csendker]

I don't remember when it was instituted, but I believe it was rescinded for cars in '83.  Bikes, of course, have always played by a different set of rules.

people were less likely to speed if they couldn't brag about how fast they'd been going.

...and I distinctly recall this gave birth to a new sport: attempted needle bending.

The journos tried to bend the needles.

I know I buried my dad's T-bird speedo a couple of times.

[clarkjh]

...and I distinctly recall this gave birth to a new sport: attempted needle bending.

The journos tried to bend the needles.

I know I buried my dad's T-bird speedo a couple of times.

Me to on a 79 Skylark