Author Topic: Starter Switch, and button.. (Read 3210 times)

Dinola · « **on:** July 08, 2012, 07:14:53 PM »

My newly acquired '76 550k was missing the starter button. Upon investigation, i see what I think is only PART of the starter switch dislodged in the handlebar control. I don't see how it was mounted so I am thinking part of the switch itself is missing. The button in the picture was gotten on ebay and was listed as being for , like, every Honda BUT the 550, ha.

So my questions:
1) Am i missing part of the starter switch?
2) Is this button correct ?(there is a spring with it, not shown)
3) Why is there a black ground wire running to the center bar between the two flat, round contacts? This wire is not shown in any schematic. Shorting a round contact to it will blow a fuse. Bridging the two round contacts does engage the starter, cool. But what is the ground 'bar' for that is between them? Wondering what to do with that ground wire if I just wire a different switch on the bike to run the starter.
4) suggestions on how to proceed on this with a bike i just want as an occasional rider, not a full, accurate restoration?

thanks for your thoughts!

bollingball · « **Reply #1 on:** July 08, 2012, 07:59:45 PM »

Why do you think black is ground I thought blk. was sw 12+v and green is grd.

Ken

Dinola · « **Reply #2 on:** July 08, 2012, 08:41:29 PM »

there are three wires running to this switch, two that are found on the schematic and then this black wire that runs to ground. Its attached to the copper bar that is between the two circular contacts. Again, this ground wire is not shown on the schematic, so yeah,, this is odd. When i bridge the two contacts , the starter runs. i don't see the need for the ground wire at all, but there it sits.
Thanks for the check, I'm trying to get a grip on this. At the appropriate time I'll blame it on the Previous Owner but first i need to understand the best solution.

RFogelsong · « **Reply #3 on:** July 08, 2012, 09:43:00 PM »

In response to #4

If you just want to get it up and running asap, go out and get a cheap button you can strap to the handlebar just inside of where your right hand controls are and feed the necessary wire out the hole left where the starter button used to be to your new starter switch.

Don R · « **Reply #4 on:** July 09, 2012, 04:45:02 AM »

I think your 76 has the switch that turns the headlight off when you push the start button. BLACK is NOT ground on a 750.

bollingball · « **Reply #5 on:** July 09, 2012, 05:00:17 AM »

Quote from: Don R on July 09, 2012, 04:45:02 AM

I think your 76 has the switch that turns the headlight off when you push the start button. BLACK is NOT ground on a 750.

That is what I thought power starts off as red. Then when the key is turned on it changes to black and feeds the striped wires on the sub circuits.

Ken

Dinola · « **Reply #6 on:** July 09, 2012, 02:33:50 PM »

Thanks guys,I get a sense of where to go with this now. I appreciate the input!

TwoTired · « **Reply #7 on:** July 09, 2012, 03:16:40 PM »

You are missing almost ALL of the original switch.

Black is power and goes to that center bar. In the original switch, there is a rocking bar that pivots on that center bar. The bar has two contacts and is all metal. The button (not the one you've pictured) connects to a ball and spring that rides the rocking bar. At "rest" the bar connects center (black) to a Blk/red wire (from memory), which is head light fuse power. When the button is pushed, the rocking bar comes off the Blk/Red contacts and then connects Black to Yellow/red, which is starter solenoid power enable. The button has an additional spring to push it back to the "rest" position when released.

So, the switch routes power either to the headlight OR to the stater solenoid, which is handy, as it removes headlight load on the battery during electric start, and this helps the ignition make stronger spark at the plugs.

I have a back burner project to make new plastic parts for that switch. But, a still need a whole one to make the mold. The free/spare switch I have now is only half intact. No good for a complete mold.

Cheers,

Stev-o · « **Reply #8 on:** July 09, 2012, 03:37:15 PM »

My '76 550K does not have a headlight interrupter.

TwoTired · « **Reply #9 on:** July 09, 2012, 03:50:50 PM »

Quote from: Stev-o on July 09, 2012, 03:37:15 PM

My '76 550K does not have a headlight interrupter.

Yours has a lighting switch on the right hand control, correct?

Anyway, the picture posted is of the style I discussed. This style should be an original RH control pod for an F model, or a K model of 76-78 vintage. (Or even a 750 control pod)

Edit: After checking the shop manual, the 76 CB550K should also have the headlight interrupter starter switch indicating the OP has the correct control pod.

Stev-o · « **Reply #10 on:** July 09, 2012, 04:15:42 PM »

Quote from: TwoTired on July 09, 2012, 03:50:50 PM

Quote from: Stev-o on July 09, 2012, 03:37:15 PM
My '76 550K does not have a headlight interrupter.

Yours has a lighting switch on the right hand control, correct?

No, it does not. Has the stock controls as far as I know.

SohRon · « **Reply #11 on:** July 09, 2012, 04:18:05 PM »

That's the wrong switch for a '76; s/b kill & start only; here's the switch TT was refering to

EDIT: Just saw that is was the correct switch, but exploded!
This thread might be helpful: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=80532.0

Two Tired: I have a switch I can send you if you're interested, and I don't care if it's sacrificed if it's for a good cause! It would be great to have a way to fix those post-'76 switches! Let me know if you want it.

TwoTired · « **Reply #12 on:** July 09, 2012, 04:27:41 PM »

Quote from: Stev-o on July 09, 2012, 04:15:42 PM

Quote from: TwoTired on July 09, 2012, 03:50:50 PM
Quote from: Stev-o on July 09, 2012, 03:37:15 PM
My '76 550K does not have a headlight interrupter.

Yours has a lighting switch on the right hand control, correct?

No, it does not. Has the stock controls as far as I know.

So, I hit the books and checked the shop manual wire diagram. Pg 172 Chapter 17.
If you look at the Wire diagram of a 76 CB550K2 in the shop manual, it shows the switch type being discussed here with the headlight interrupter.

I don't know what is going on with your bike. But, it appears it is non-standard, or you are mistaken about the headlight not interrupting. Have you checked this thoroughly?

The Cb550K2 model is the only model I have never owned of the 550s.

Cheers,

Stev-o · « **Reply #13 on:** July 09, 2012, 04:49:22 PM »

My bike def does not have headlight interrupt, and quite possible not original, I have only owned it a year.

Manufacture date of 3/76, a 1976 model per the VIN tag.

Spanner 1 · « **Reply #14 on:** July 09, 2012, 05:37:05 PM »

Steve-o.... are you sure your headlight doesn't go out while holding the start button ??

Stev-o · « **Reply #15 on:** July 09, 2012, 06:09:54 PM »

Quote from: Spanner 1 on July 09, 2012, 05:37:05 PM

Steve-o.... are you sure your headlight doesn't go out while holding the start button ??

Positive, tried it today. Stuck my hand in the beam and cranked....never went out.

skamagedon · « **Reply #16 on:** July 09, 2012, 10:30:03 PM »

green is ground, black is hot, the other is hlight. the switch at rest contacts black to something and black or brown w stripe to hlight. push switch contacts black to yellow red

skamagedon · « **Reply #17 on:** July 09, 2012, 10:33:52 PM »

unless you have the on off switch....

IMG_20120710_003200.jpg by Skamagedon1, on Flickr

Spanner 1 · « **Reply #18 on:** July 09, 2012, 11:21:03 PM »

Steve-0.... if your sure that both r/h and l/h controls are stock and correct for your bike, then the problem of the headlight not shutting-off is in the actual start button. Basically they disintegrate and allow the sliding contact to stay connected to the h/l while also connecting the starter. Had that on my 750A when I got it.
I would not take it apart tho' unless you have a replacement at hand as it will be in many broken, brittle,pieces

... that's my , not pretty take on it

OR there is a slim chance that the h/l wire by-passes the start button by the Blue-red being connected to Black in the bucket !

Stev-o · « **Reply #19 on:** July 10, 2012, 06:17:30 PM »

No, not certain if they are stock. I stated earlier, I've only had the bike a year.

Dinola · « **Reply #20 on:** July 10, 2012, 07:25:16 PM »

Here's a big thanks to Two Tired for setting me down the right path on resolving this problem - straight info, clearly explained.
Hey.. thanks all, its really appreciated, i'm well on the road to getting on the road!

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Author Topic: Starter Switch, and button.. (Read 3210 times)

bollingball

bollingball