Author Topic: A different approach to CB550 tach face "decals" (CB750 coming soon!)  (Read 10522 times)

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Offline SohRon

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Re: A different approach to CB550 tach face "decals" (CB750 coming soon!)
« Reply #25 on: August 19, 2011, 02:46:13 PM »
The redline on mine is actually higher than that, though... I think the redzone on mine starts at 9500

TrueSpin, the Red Zone for the '550 may work on your bike; check out the first post of this thread. The CB550 and CB750F gauges at least appear to be similar;  I'm just not familiar enough with the '750s to be sure.

I want to do mine too!

bjatwood, when they're available, you'll be among the first to know! And, to whet your appetite further, here's a shot of the prototype (ink jet on label paper):

« Last Edit: August 19, 2011, 03:02:04 PM by SohRon »
"He slipped back down the alley with some roly-poly little bat-faced girl..."

Assembling my '74 CB550: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=86697.0
Assembly of the Right-hand Switch (a rebuilder's guide):  http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=80532.0
Installing stock 4X4 exhaust: CB500-CB550 K: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=82323.0
CB550 Assembly Manual: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,151576.0.html

Offline bjatwood

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Re: A different approach to CB550 tach face "decals" (CB750 coming soon!)
« Reply #26 on: August 19, 2011, 06:31:38 PM »
Awesome! Can't wait  8)
Brian
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I believe that the Finest things are the most thoughtfully made, not the most expensive!
http://minibikers.proboards.com/

Offline TrueSpin

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Re: A different approach to CB550 tach face "decals" (CB750 coming soon!)
« Reply #27 on: August 19, 2011, 06:52:31 PM »
SohRon,

My redzone is shifted 1 notch higher than the 550, which means I'd end up with a funky gap.

While my gauge is nowhere as faded as some of those, having an easy option for a quick update would be very nice.

Offline graeme7

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Re: A different approach to CB550 tach face "decals" (CB750 coming soon!)
« Reply #28 on: August 20, 2011, 10:23:31 AM »
So thats not ment to be white then?  ;D

I'd love one for my '76 cb750F1.

Any probs sending to the UK?

My 'red' zone though is 8500 to 9300.

bollingball

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Re: A different approach to CB550 tach face "decals" (CB750 coming soon!)
« Reply #29 on: August 20, 2011, 01:23:40 PM »
Truspin Don't know about the F but 750 K8 stock is 8600 to 9600 and no red on the 140mph speedo. I have read where in 78 a lot of thing got sw. up just using up stock getting ready for the DOHC I guess.

Offline cameron

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Re: A different approach to CB550 tach face "decals" (CB750 coming soon!)
« Reply #30 on: August 20, 2011, 04:44:19 PM »
A SMALL PROBLEM

So, after getting out on the road yesterday.. I noticed a small hiccup.
I was admiring the beauty of the red-line... and I noticed I was consistently reading about 1200rpm.
From what I can tell, the washers + the screw head are too high, and my needle is hitting them.

I will pull the thing and see if that is true, but thinner washers might be in order :)
1976 CB550F

Offline TrueSpin

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Re: A different approach to CB550 tach face "decals" (CB750 coming soon!)
« Reply #31 on: August 20, 2011, 09:30:59 PM »
Redzone on the 750F (at least mine) is 9500 to 10500.
Here's a pic

Offline graeme7

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Re: A different approach to CB550 tach face "decals" (CB750 coming soon!)
« Reply #32 on: August 21, 2011, 10:55:36 AM »
What year is your F?

Offline Oddjob

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Re: A different approach to CB550 tach face "decals" (CB750 coming soon!)
« Reply #33 on: August 21, 2011, 03:56:06 PM »
A little off topic but I'd like to ask SohRon how he tried to remove the needles and why he had trouble removing them. Never having had to do the facia change myself I'm interested in what the problems are as I have a couple of speedos and tachs lying around with unfaded facias but buggered cases, it might be handy for me to grab a couple of faded but good clocks and change the facias over. My tacho is a brand new one and is of course perfect but it never hurts to have a few spares lying around.

Offline cameron

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Re: A different approach to CB550 tach face "decals" (CB750 coming soon!)
« Reply #34 on: August 22, 2011, 11:09:05 PM »
One last update.. I popped the washers of and just tightened the screw down nice and careful... the sticker didn't budge, and everything looks perfect.

But the washers were just a hair too thick!
1976 CB550F

Offline trebuchetxlt

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Re: A different approach to CB550 tach face "decals" (CB750 coming soon!)
« Reply #35 on: October 06, 2011, 12:51:22 PM »
Just wanted to add my comments on the red zone. I received a kit from Ron and fixed it to my very tired tacho, WOW what a difference. Ron's kit is a fantastic way to refinished a gauge with the minimum of effort and the maximum effect. Once again many thanks Ron.
1975 CB550K
2013 CB500F

Offline SohRon

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Re: A different approach to CB550 tach face "decals" (CB750 coming soon!)
« Reply #36 on: October 06, 2011, 04:51:00 PM »
Thanks to all for the comments and your use of the red zone stickers. Cameron. sorry about the washers. I must have accidently sent you the wrong set... glad it worked out for you; fortunately no one else has reported this problem.

PLEASE NOTE: The only Red Zone stickers available at the moment are the CB550 stickers. I will be releasing the CB750 Red Zone soon, and they're specially made to cover several different applications. Keep expecting them any day now...

Thanks again for trying the Red Zone decals.
"He slipped back down the alley with some roly-poly little bat-faced girl..."

Assembling my '74 CB550: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=86697.0
Assembly of the Right-hand Switch (a rebuilder's guide):  http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=80532.0
Installing stock 4X4 exhaust: CB500-CB550 K: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=82323.0
CB550 Assembly Manual: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,151576.0.html

Offline cameron

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Re: A different approach to CB550 tach face "decals" (CB750 coming soon!)
« Reply #37 on: October 06, 2011, 05:20:02 PM »
It was no problem for me, my man! Thank YOU for your ingenuity! It is like a brand new bike now. I wish you could see it at night, with my halo-LEDs in there... its awesome.
1976 CB550F

Offline Twohoots

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Re: A different approach to CB550 tach face "decals" (CB750 coming soon!)
« Reply #38 on: October 11, 2011, 02:32:52 PM »
Fantastic work Ron ,recent new CB550 rider in UK about to embark on a gauge opening exercise ,well I have found a paint can opener and itching to try it out.
Ideal opportunity to improve the Tacho even beyond cleaning the glass.
Have emailed you,and looking to spread your fame to the UK SOHC forum,hope you have plenty in stock  :)

Twohoots

This is my first post here having lurked for some time,strange way to introduce myself but hey ho

Offline Twohoots

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Re: A different approach to CB550 tach face "decals" (CB750 coming soon!)
« Reply #39 on: October 13, 2011, 12:54:38 PM »
Hi Ron
Sadly no reply to my pm yet.
Have sent another.
Interested to hear if you can post me a set of gauge decals to United Kingdom.
Cheers
Stuart

Offline SohRon

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Re: A different approach to CB550 tach face "decals" (CB750 coming soon!)
« Reply #40 on: October 15, 2011, 10:39:24 AM »
Twohoots - sorry abt the delay in reply; I'm on vacation and haven't had a chance to get online until now... I'm in Idaho right now and found this computer at the hotel we're staying in, so thought I'd check in.

Thanks for trying the Red Zone stickers and, yes, I think your idea is a good one. When I get back home next weekend I'll have to look into posting on the other site. I'm hoping when I get home that the '750 decals will be waiting on my doorstep!

Again, thanks for your encouragement!
"He slipped back down the alley with some roly-poly little bat-faced girl..."

Assembling my '74 CB550: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=86697.0
Assembly of the Right-hand Switch (a rebuilder's guide):  http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=80532.0
Installing stock 4X4 exhaust: CB500-CB550 K: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=82323.0
CB550 Assembly Manual: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,151576.0.html

Offline Twohoots

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Re: A different approach to CB550 tach face "decals" (CB750 coming soon!)
« Reply #41 on: December 01, 2011, 01:04:55 PM »
Hi Ron

Still waiting to hear from you,really interested in a red decal set for my CB550f, if you are able to post to an address in UK I can pay via pay pal.
Cheers Ron

Stuart

Offline jchilper

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Re: A different approach to CB550 tach face "decals" (CB750 coming soon!)
« Reply #42 on: November 27, 2013, 03:35:08 PM »
SohRon,
This may be opening an old thread but I plan to restore my 550 gauges this winter and wondering if you're still producing these stickers.
John H. #331
74 CB550
75 CB400F
76 CB750K6

Offline SohRon

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Re: A different approach to CB550 tach face "decals" (CB750 coming soon!)
« Reply #43 on: November 28, 2013, 07:56:00 AM »
I found it difficult to find a reliable printer that was accurate enough for the job and used the right materials. My original printer went out of business just after making the 750 decal samples, and subsequent attempts by two other print shops yielded unacceptable results. It got to be so disappointing that I eventually abandoned the project out of frustration. Who knows? I still think it was a good idea; maybe I'll have to consider giving it another try...

Anyway, I do have some 550 decals left and a small set of 750 samples that I had printed up by the original printer. I'd be happy to send out a set; just let me know what bike it's for and give me an address.


CB750 Red Zone decals





Another concern I had was whether the "70mph" sticker on the speedo would adhere correctly after time, it being just a sliver of material. After two years, it's now stuck on even stronger and is difficult to remove; the glue keeps getting stronger over time, so I guess that settles that. My original 550 stickers are stuck on to my test pieces pretty strongly, now, and can only be removed in patches. Unfortunately, this printer went out of business shortly after producing my samples...

If there's enough interest, I might give it another shot. Like I said, it's a good idea; I just need to find someone that can supply them.   :(
« Last Edit: November 28, 2013, 08:10:27 AM by SohRon »
"He slipped back down the alley with some roly-poly little bat-faced girl..."

Assembling my '74 CB550: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=86697.0
Assembly of the Right-hand Switch (a rebuilder's guide):  http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=80532.0
Installing stock 4X4 exhaust: CB500-CB550 K: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=82323.0
CB550 Assembly Manual: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,151576.0.html

Offline Lostboy Steve

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Re: A different approach to CB550 tach face "decals" (CB750 coming soon!)
« Reply #44 on: November 28, 2013, 10:08:35 AM »
This is very cool. Except my tach is green and my speedo has become a blueish color. What is he reason for the sliver at 70mph? very cool but mine doesnt have it (or has faded away).
1968 Honda Z50
1977 Honda CB550K
2018 Indian Scout

Offline SohRon

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Re: A different approach to CB550 tach face "decals" (CB750 coming soon!)
« Reply #45 on: November 28, 2013, 12:02:55 PM »
This is very cool. Except my tach is green and my speedo has become a blueish color. What is he reason for the sliver at 70mph? very cool but mine doesnt have it (or has faded away).

Hmmm... not really sure why it's there, but it seems to be present on quite a few of the 750 speedos - and some 550s. Might be that one of your clocks has been replaced?

It's in the kit, but not necessary to use!

"He slipped back down the alley with some roly-poly little bat-faced girl..."

Assembling my '74 CB550: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=86697.0
Assembly of the Right-hand Switch (a rebuilder's guide):  http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=80532.0
Installing stock 4X4 exhaust: CB500-CB550 K: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=82323.0
CB550 Assembly Manual: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,151576.0.html

Offline Bankerdanny

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Re: A different approach to CB550 tach face "decals" (CB750 coming soon!)
« Reply #46 on: November 28, 2013, 12:04:46 PM »
When these bikes were first made 70 mph was the most common highway speed limit.
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Current: '76 CB750F. Previous:  '75 CB550F, 2007 Yamaha Vino 125 Scooter, '75 Harley FXE Superglide, '77 GL1000, '77 CB550k, '68 Suzuki K10 80, '68 Yamaha YR2, '69 BMW R69S, '71 Honda SL175, '02 Royal Enfield Bullet 500, '89 Yamaha FJ1200

Offline RAFster122s

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Re: A different approach to CB550 tach face "decals" (CB750 coming soon!)
« Reply #47 on: December 02, 2013, 07:19:41 AM »
70 mph sliver/line:
That was likely the national speed limit when bike was built.
Blue green faces are from different generationn isn't that the face color for '77-'78 550 bikes.

Ron, I need a set for the 550. Will pm you my address...
David- back in the desert SW!