Topic: Red/Black KO-K1 Kill Switch "Button Only" - Yamiya

[Ichiban 4]

Johnie..et al..

I'm still waiting on my wife (she's still completely swamped with her translation work) to ask her to Email Yamiya.

I noticed though..that no one has really spoken-up about either paying more..or ordering more buttons..since our last posts a few weeks ago.

I will still ask my wife to contact them..but my impression/assumption @ this time..is that there is neither the interest nor support from our end..to make an offer to Yamiya that will interest them.  I'm just fleshing this out here..so that no one gets disappointed..or into Jap bashing..if/when this button thing doesn't pan out okay?

Seems to me..that we could perhaps have someone here in the U.S. make custom buttons..if they were wanted badly enough.   I know from my past experience in owning/running a dental lab..that it would be relatively straight-forward to make those buttons (similar to making dental appliances).  I'm not interested in doing that myself nowadays BTW..but for a set-up charge of about $200-$300.00..I believe that I could find a dental lab that would make them.  The cost per button may then be around $20.00 each..after the set-up charge.  I'm simply adding this calculation..so that we are all realistic about what it costs to fab-up custom stuff like this.

Anyway..If anyone else has some bright ideas about getting more buttons..please feel free to offer your opinions/comments.  Thanks Awesome..for offering to translate to "Nihongo"/Japanese..but my impression @ least..is that we're considerably beyond needing a translator @ this point.

Cheers,

Al / Ichi

[mycb750k6]

I'll take ten. I know Johnie will. He's rich. You'll take some. I don't know if you're rich or not.  If nothing else I'll keep them or anodize and refurbish switches and make them brand new looking and sell them . I know what those would go for. They just haven't been properly marketed yet. People will by them. Besides, how can you say that's a proper restore with a funky ole switch and button on it.  You can't!

[Mr. Mac]

I'll need one too.

[Ichiban 4]

Guys..et al..

Just wanted to update you on my progress on contacting Yamiya about possibly supplying/fabbing-up kill switch buttons.

My wife is working on a Japanese translation..that she will probably FAX to Yamiya soon (Fax seems preferable..as Email to them tends to get less direct response). I gave her my English version to translate recently..with all of the concerns that had been expressed previously (wanting both red and black..being willing to pay around $20.00 each..if necessary..perhaps 5 to 10 buttons wanted per person..etc.).

Just want to reiterate though..that I can't rush my wife on this/her part..or she gets all flustered..then takes longer to get to it.

I'll keep you all posted on what we hear..here on this thread..okay?

Just wanted to mainly let you know..that we're still working on this.

Al / Ichi

[Johnie]

Thanks much for the update Al. I think if Yamiya agrees to do this and can finalize a price then we would know for sure how many each guy would want to buy. Me...I don't think I want $200 worth of buttons sitting around. But thanks for keeping us in the loop and we will get this done as your wife has time. No hurry...just whenever if fine.

[unitedguitar]

I just read through all of this and I think I know of a way to get what you need without having to deal with translating and shipping and all of that good stuff. Somebody could make their own by using a mold. If someone has an early K switch that they would be willing to make a mold out of then they could start producing them in black and red or whatever color someone wanted. Here are some links to a company that makes the materials for mold making. Might be worth a try.

This shows some basic molds that they made with their products.
http://www.alumilite.com/Applications/AutoRestoration.cfm

Here is a demonstration on how to get the color you want.
http://www.alumilite.com/ProdDetail.cfm?Category=Dyes%20-%20Fillers&Name=Alumilite%20Dye

It looks like you would have to make a two part silicone mold and then use the casting resins and dyes to make the parts.

[Delamare]

Hi guys!
My best friend lives in Japan and is married with a japanese girl who is fluent in english.
I can ask them if they want to contact Yamiya, and I am very optimistic about their answer, they will probably accept to contact them.
For that please make me a precise note , listing and desiderata.

[Ichiban 4]

Okay Folks..

My wife contacted Yamiya on the phone yesterday..and here's what she found out: They can only get the kill switch buttons..in either red or black..as integrated units with the rest of the switch assembly [I'm assuming that they either cannot..or do not wish to sell the buttons individually].  Price did not seem to be a significant consideration.

Due to Japanese linguistic etiquette..I could not push the situation beyond that.  They will sell the entire switch assemblies..but not the individual buttons.

They said that they would be happy to take orders for the entire switch assemblies..and can converse easily in English..if anyone wishes to place an order.  The person my wife talked with was Ms Oye.  Their business hours are 1:00 to 9:00 p.m. Mountain Time and they asked that you always use the original Honda parts number for the item that you are inquiring about and/or want.

So..as far as buying direct from Yamiya..that seems to be the situation.

I guess that if anyone really wants the buttons only bad enough..then some of the suggestions previously on this thread..about fabbing them up..may be the only other option.

Sorry that we couldn't get what was originally proposed/wanted..but now @ least..we know what Yamiya's position is on this.

Cheers,

Al / Ichi

[mycb750k6]

Thanks very much for your effort. We will find another way it seems.

[Johnie]

Yes, thanks Al and thank your wife for us. We thought it may go this way, but we had to give it a shot.
And thanks Delamare for the offer to help. Welcome to the board!!!

[Ichiban 4]

Yeah..Again..I'm sorry that Yamiya couldn't supply the buttons.  I'll relay you guy's thanks to my wife.  She'll appreciate that..I know.

For future reference regarding Yamiya though..I wanted to say that when we visited there last year..they seem like nice folks..but all business..which seems completely understandable to me.  They've got about 5 or 6 people working there..that have to make a living (and the Nagoya area rents/prices are not cheap!).  I'm just guessing that this single button thing to them seemed like more of a hassle..than anything they could make money on.

The flip side to this of course..is that they seem as passionate about working on and restoring these old SOHC 4's..primarily 750's..as most of us on this forum do.  So @ least when they supply something for these bikes..they seem to try to do a really good job @ it.

Be talking to you later..on other threads..I guess..

Al / Ichi

[nippon]

@Ichiban 4
a big THANKS! for contacting them.

nippon

[dave500]

if any aussies want the entire r/h switch motoretro     http://www.motoretro.com.au/index.html at northern NSW has about five NOS,i went down and picked up one today$80.its the type with the twin pointers on the red button


 

[AshimotoK0]

I have a close friend who runs a high quality plastic injection molding company near me in the UK. Shall I enquire about the cost of tooling it up? I would be prepared to use the black button off my K0 as a 'guinea pig'. i can easily get one of our CAD people to draw up the button. http://www.advanced-plastics.co.uk/

Also KOS sent me three newish primary drive rubbers. I am having these analysed with a view to manufacture as another friend runs a rubber molding company for producing here in Hull Automotive products (used to supply Jaguar and Rover). http://www.antivibe.co.uk/ I want to make sure I get  the correct compound though and do the necessary elevated temperature swell tests in oil.

Cheers

Ash

[736cc]

Here's a used top-half
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=79056.0

[Gaither]

I don't have a "dog in this hunt"

FWIW

Ashimoto is on the right track - except that getting 'em here from abroad may prove to be expensive.

Any competent plastic injection molding shop should be able to reproduce these knobs. The mold will be expensive. Also, they will need perfect (black and a red) knob/s to work from to produce perfect repro/s. If (and I assume they are) the knobs are identical - except for the color - you can get by with only one mold - since it will be low production. One at a time will increase production cost but a "gang mold" will cost a lot more.

The hard part is knowing FOR SURE how many of each color is required. Obviously, this is an important factor of learning final cost.

Also, who is gonna "stick their neck in the rope" to belly-up for the initial expense - both prior to and after actual production - and prior to any knobs are ACTUALLY sold. How will anyone know how many of either color will be DEPENDABLY sold?

So, there's some home work and some leg work to be done. It is sort of a "chicken or egg" project. Otherwise, it is a very doable project.

Who is willing to take charge, do the mfg and marketing research, and bear the initial expense to get 'em produced (and sold)?

[AshimotoK0]

Sorry - I have not visited this site for a while - as soon as I see my friend I will ask him to price the tooling. I may send him an old red button in the post to get an initial 'feel' for the tooling costs. My black K0 button is in good shape and I can take it to him to show him, if the tooling cost turns out to be reasonable.

Has anyone 'tooled up' yet to make instrument 'jewels'

Cheers and sorry again for the delay - we have had 1 foot of snow here!

AshD

[mycb750k6]

I've played a bit with making the "jewels". I bought a large selection of polycarbonate jewels used in the fashion industry off the internet. They come in a wide variety of sizes, colors, opacities and cuts. The back flat side has a silver reflective surface on it. My approach is to super glue the flat of the jewel to a bolt head. I think the jewels were 14mm but would have to check. Then chuck the bolt in a lathe and machine the edge of the jewel it until it's nice snug press fit into the gauge face - maybe 12mm - so you have a lip on the back of the jewel. Doing it this way makes the face of the jewel flush with the gauge plate face instead of recessed back like the stock ones. Then I pop it off the bolt, rub the jewel for a few seconds on a acetone wetted paper towel to remove the silver backing so the light shines through and then press it into the gauge. Don't even need glue. Sounds like a lot of work but it really only takes a few minutes and the selection of jewels available is huge. I've made amber, blue, red, green and clear in a variety of emerald cuts. How's that?

[Ichiban 4]

Guys..

Recently ran across this prototype CNC company..called Proto Labs.  They specialize in small..intricate parts for the medical-dental professions. According to their website..they will do CNC short-runs for 1 to 10 pieces..starting @ $95.00.  I'm assuming that means per run..not per piece.  They advertise that they have 30 different materials to choose from: ABS, Nylon, PC, Delrin, PEEK, Aluminum..et al.  Think that ABS or Nylon would work great for the kill switches.

Since I personally don't need a switch..I thought I'd just pass-on this info to the rest of you..perhaps still wanting to get switches.  Phone: (877) 479-3680

Here's their URL: http://protolabs.com/

Somehow..my gut told me (and from reading their ads) that they might be able to make these switches.  One of you would probably have to send them an example though..so they can scan it into their CNC program.

I'd be interested to know what they say..if one of you actually contacts them.

Cheers,

Ichi

[AshimotoK0]

Bid on one of these for a 350 twin but realized afterwards it is not Genuine Honda. I told the seller and he refunded me (the auction has since been ammended to clearly state repro). The seller was very good to deal with though.

However, It has a a black kill switch and someone out there must have the tooling for it. Don't know if the knob would fit 750 but it looks pretty much the same as the one on my '69 K0 750

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/HONDA-RIGHT-SWITCH-CONTROL-VINTAGE-CB-350-450-7-INCH-/360335515503?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item53e5ab9f6f

Cheers

Ash