Topic: Sidecover question...

[csendker]

I'm looking to get new rubber grommets for my rapidly deteriorating and really tough to get off side covers.  So I check the parts fiche and come up with:

Reference No.:       66 & 17
Part Description:     Grommet A/CLNR HSG & Grommet A
Part #'s:                83551-300-000 & 17247-303-000
# Required:            3 & 4
Cost Each:             $3.26 & $6.18
Total Cost:             $34.50

...which seems to be a lot for a couple of little rubber things.  And I thought there were 3 identical tabs on each cover, 6 total.  The fiche is telling me two types, seven total???  Did I misread something?  And I wonder if they will really sell me new side covers, especially at these prices (which aren't really that much higher than the cheepie repro's):

Flake Sunrise Orange:
Reference No.:       67 & 68
Part Description:     Cover, Right, G1C & Cover, Left, G1C
Part #'s:                83600-323-020KB & 83700-323-020KB
# Required:            1 & 1
Cost Each:             $39.08 & $30.81
Total Cost:             $69.89

or

Candy Jade Green:
Reference No.:       67 & 68
Part Description:     Cover, Right, R2CF & Cover, Left, R2CF
Part #'s:                83600-323-020LV & 83700-323-020LV
# Required:            1 & 1
Cost Each:             $42.33 & $47.31
Total Cost:             $89.64

It does start to get pricey when you toss in the side badges.

[hcritz]

Hey CS...
I'm looking to replace mine as well...before I break the covers....the rubber on mine looks Ok but sure they are harder than new ones. On mine there are two Oval ones and one round one...on each side....

[bryanj]

Yes the rubbers are expensive and yes the parts book is wrong (not unusual) you need 2 + 1 for each side. As to the sidecavers they are in the parts list BUT you wont get one unless you find one NOS somewhere as they havent made any for years

[VitaminCB550]

Where are you getting these sidecovers from? I have the exact same color.

[csendker]

They're listed here -->> http://www.crotchrocket.com/fiche_select.asp

And I assumed that I would get some sort of 'Not Available' nasty-gram if I tried to order.  It does seem to be to good to be true, but I'm still tempted to see what happens when you click the order button. 

As a side thought, does anyone actually have the Dennis Kirk or JC Whitney repro's?  Any pictures of what they look like? The ones shown for the '75 550 don't seem to match the originals - extra stuff on the bottom...

[eldar]

well I got aftermarket for my 750. They are a bit different and will probably require some trimming. But you can either ride with broken covers or get new covers you have to trim a bit and paint but will still look better. Otherwise you can keep patching what you have.

[lrutt]

I'll have to check. I think I had some 500/550 parts (including a good side cover) from my wifes old bike.

And an FYI, many years ago, I used a small amount of grease on my side cover 'rubbers' as I was afraid of breaking the covers as well. the grease keeps them soft I think as mine still are great 30 years later. Plus the covers come off and go on much easier, but I've never lost one.

[seaweb11]

Why would they give you colors like "Flake Sunrise Orange" to describe a grommet.
Those parts have to be side covers not the grommets.

[csendker]

Yes, the colors applied to the side covers, not the grommets.  I actually extracted them from the parts codes:

G1C & KB --> Flake Sunrise Orange

R2CF & LV --> Candy Jade Green

[seaweb11]

Here is what I have done in the past with silly little (You can't get them anymore pieces)
Watch Ebay for a guy obviously parting out your bike and send them an email looking for the crappy little piece you NEED.
A lot of times, they never considered putting it up for sale and you can get it for a song.

Works great unless of course you need or want a NEW part.

[DammitDan]

Yup.  I am very excited because I finally found a replacement black 1981 CB650 Custom RIGHT side cover.

It took me A YEAR, but I finally got one off Ebay!  And it only cost me $25 

It was pretty crazy though, I would email people asking if they had sidecovers and they would always say, "Yeah, but all's I've got is the left one...  You need that one?"  *sigh*