Author Topic: Are these Emgo ignition switches any good? CB500/550/750 (Read 12634 times)

Tugboat · « **on:** October 12, 2011, 06:26:00 AM »

Checked the ignition switch on the CB500 I'm rebuilding last night and it's bad and needs replacing. Are these repros any good?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Honda-Emgo-Ignition-Switch-CB500-CB550-CB750-/260862573833?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3cbc9efd09

Bodi · « **Reply #1 on:** October 12, 2011, 06:46:45 AM »

Frankly, no.
But they are better than a non-working OEM one.
What's "bad"? The originals can be reconditioned if not badly decomposed.
New OEM units are unobtainable as far as I know. If you can find a good one at a wrecker, possibly the switch assembly can be moved to your lock assembly so your key works, or a locksmith can rekey to your key.

KurtK · « **Reply #2 on:** October 12, 2011, 07:00:43 AM »

I have had one in my 500 for 2 years no problems.

IndyFour · « **Reply #3 on:** October 12, 2011, 07:18:00 AM »

I had one of the Emgo switches on my 550 for about 6 months before it died. It wasn't the electrics on mine that died, but rather the pins in the lock part. Luckily I kept the original one and after rebuilding it, it's back in operation. I know some people use the Emgo ones without issue, though. They definitely are not as good quality as the original stock ones.

MoMo · « **Reply #4 on:** October 12, 2011, 07:30:49 AM »

There have been several threads on this topic. I had one fail out of the box, another fail in my driveway(I was able to fix it with a cable tie and it is still in use) and two others without any problems...Larry

jneuf · « **Reply #5 on:** October 12, 2011, 07:41:36 AM »

I had one on my 550 that I recently sold. Probably had it on there a year or so before selling it, never had an issue.

fmctm1sw · « **Reply #6 on:** October 12, 2011, 07:52:20 AM »

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=82108.msg922981#msg922981

Duanob · « **Reply #7 on:** October 12, 2011, 07:53:43 AM »

They are cheap enough sounds like you should buy a 6-pack of them!

It's too bad someone else doesn't step up and produce a better quality one.

bryanj · « **Reply #8 on:** October 12, 2011, 08:41:55 AM »

Back in the 70's fitted dozens of them and never had one back

Goldbug · « **Reply #9 on:** October 12, 2011, 08:46:17 AM »

Quote from: Bodi on October 12, 2011, 06:46:45 AM

Frankly, no.

How many have you had?

Duke McDukiedook · « **Reply #10 on:** October 12, 2011, 08:48:04 AM »

Enough reports from people that used them to know they are undersized for use on a 750. Could be used on a 350 or smaller bike but just not robust enough for the 750.

Goldbug · « **Reply #11 on:** October 12, 2011, 08:55:05 AM »

One thing I've learned from the Internet is "enough reports" is pretty meaningless. Go to a site like Amazon, click on something as simple as a $20 coffee maker, you'll have 500 reviews saying it's fine and a handful of reviews saying anything from it was DOA to it burnt their house down.

I have two EMGO switches but I am a casual rider with two bikes so they probably don't see as much stress as a daily commuter owned by a die hard lifestyle biker.

754 · « **Reply #12 on:** October 12, 2011, 09:06:36 AM »

Dont try running a higher draw headlight without a relay.. dont know if it will add strain to the ign switch but it sure likes melting the 72 and down Hi-Lo-OFF switches..

CoachDoc · « **Reply #13 on:** October 12, 2011, 02:48:55 PM »

Try a thorough internet search for a NOS switch. I found one ~6 months ago. If one is to be found it will be found in a dealer most likely - Honda hasn't had them for years. Read HondaMan about the EMGO switches.... he knows what he's talking about.

Duke McDukiedook · « **Reply #14 on:** October 12, 2011, 02:49:52 PM »

Enough reports from THIS website with failures and a thumbs down from Hondaman.

Goldbug · « **Reply #15 on:** October 13, 2011, 12:41:42 PM »

At $20 a pop and 2 minute install, I think I'll stick with the EMGOs rather than jump through hoops to find a working OEM one or rebuild mine.

Forest. Trees.

Eydugstr · « **Reply #16 on:** October 13, 2011, 01:52:52 PM »

Tugboat -

Take a look at this link - http://sohc4shop.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=23&products_id=49

Doug

andy750 · « **Reply #17 on:** October 13, 2011, 02:15:33 PM »

I got an CB750 OEM switch (+steering lock, seat lock and key for all 3 pieces) from the Honda dealer last year. Had 3 EMGO switches fail on me over the years. Never again. Plenty of info from previous posts on the same question. Hondman has a good write up why they fail.

DavePhipps · « **Reply #18 on:** October 13, 2011, 02:57:19 PM »

I had an emgo switch on a daily rider for over 3 years with no issues.
Actually no issues after that except the ex GF destroyed my bike in a fit of rage.
The switch still worked though.
It's amazing the amount of damage a ticked off ex can do with a sledgehammer.

Goldbug · « **Reply #19 on:** October 13, 2011, 02:58:23 PM »

#$%*. I hope you killed her.

DavePhipps · « **Reply #20 on:** October 13, 2011, 03:06:11 PM »

Nope didn't do that.
I will say that she will never bother my family again for the rest of he life. She has life with no parole.

Tews19 · « **Reply #21 on:** October 13, 2011, 06:32:31 PM »

Quote from: DavePhipps on October 13, 2011, 02:57:19 PM

I had an emgo switch on a daily rider for over 3 years with no issues.
Actually no issues after that except the ex GF destroyed my bike in a fit of rage.
The switch still worked though.
It's amazing the amount of damage a ticked off ex can do with a sledgehammer.

Sledge hammer?

? Can this be made into its own thread of crazy women or people who have harmed our bikes stories???PLEASE

Kevin D · « **Reply #22 on:** October 13, 2011, 07:50:25 PM »

EMGO switch 9 years no problem, 55/60w headlight always on.
OEM switch worn out, pins fell out of lock.

Artf0rm · « **Reply #23 on:** October 13, 2011, 08:04:22 PM »

Quote from: DavePhipps on October 13, 2011, 03:06:11 PM

Nope didn't do that.
I will say that she will never bother my family again for the rest of he life. She has life with no parole.

jesus... I'm curious how you make a woman that angry?

DavePhipps · « **Reply #24 on:** October 13, 2011, 08:23:47 PM »

We had children together and I got custody. She then destroyed my 78 cb550, 76 cb500, and my 85 gs550.
Needless to say we parted ways.
Years later she and two of her friends commited a double murder during a robbery.
She'll never see freedom again.

Tews19 · « **Reply #25 on:** October 13, 2011, 08:39:02 PM »

Quote from: DavePhipps on October 13, 2011, 08:23:47 PM

We had children together and I got custody. She then destroyed my 78 cb550, 76 cb500, and my 85 gs550.
Needless to say we parted ways.
Years later she and two of her friends commited a double murder during a robbery.
She'll never see freedom again.

Whoa, you serious ?

VTCBike750 · « **Reply #26 on:** October 13, 2011, 08:39:47 PM »

Sorry to here about your bikes.

Emgo switch on my 750 melted the insulation after 3 months.

DavePhipps · « **Reply #27 on:** October 13, 2011, 09:19:29 PM »

Quote from: Tews19 on October 13, 2011, 08:39:02 PM

Quote from: DavePhipps on October 13, 2011, 08:23:47 PM
We had children together and I got custody. She then destroyed my 78 cb550, 76 cb500, and my 85 gs550.
Needless to say we parted ways.
Years later she and two of her friends commited a double murder during a robbery.
She'll never see freedom again.

Whoa, you serious ?

Quite serious. As you might guess her life went downhill after our seperation
http://thegazette.com/tag/kenneth-sean-kelly/

Back to the switch question.
I wonder why the ones on the 550 lasted so long but the ones on the 750s die fast

cb350twin · « **Reply #28 on:** October 14, 2011, 01:15:12 AM »

Quote

New OEM units are unobtainable as far as I know. If you can find a good one at a wrecker, possibly the switch assembly can be moved to your lock assembly so your key works, or a locksmith can rekey to your key.

There still available for 750s (the later square harness type) as a steering/seat lock ignition set. for $92-$122

part number #35010-374-671

I think I might get a emgo only to see if its my problem before getting a NOS or hunting for a same code or seat/steering Ign combo here on the forum. Or last resort new.

bochnak · « **Reply #29 on:** September 11, 2013, 05:50:19 AM »

Does anyone know how much amperage this switch can handle?

lucky · « **Reply #30 on:** September 11, 2013, 11:29:31 AM »

I bought one and it worked perfect for the two years I owned the bike.

lucky · « **Reply #31 on:** September 11, 2013, 11:30:52 AM »

I bought one and it worked perfect for the two years I owned the bike.

Don't hang a big bunch of keys on it to swing around and pound around in the wind.
That is what ruins many ignition locks.

Just one key.

sixthwisconsin · « **Reply #32 on:** September 11, 2013, 04:25:30 PM »

I have had an EMIGO key switch on my 550 for 3 years and no problems. That said, I got stranded on the side of the road a month ago and the FIRST thing I thought of was the Emigo ignition switch. It turned out to be an original turn signal switch failure but the Emigo is questionable. Doesn't Hondaman make a Keyswitch Saver Relay Kit?

Why yes, yes he does...
http://sohc4shop.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=23&products_id=49
On my 750 build, I would love to find an original but if I go with a repro, I will install the Hondaman kit.

tlbranth · « **Reply #33 on:** September 12, 2013, 09:08:59 AM »

I wouldn't buy anything (knowingly) that had the word Emgo anywhere near it.

VTCBike750 · « **Reply #34 on:** September 20, 2013, 01:06:02 PM »

Quote from: tlbranth on September 12, 2013, 09:08:59 AM

I wouldn't buy anything (knowingly) that had the word Emgo anywhere near it.

+1

Geeto67 · « **Reply #35 on:** September 20, 2013, 01:44:18 PM »

Know what EMGO stands for? EM-GO in the trash.

I've had many bikes over the years that came to me with emgo ignitions locks. Some failed, some didn't. The weirdest failure is on my 1978 750F where the bottom fell out of it. I zip tied it back together and it's been that way for 3 years - still working but held together with zip ties. If someone really wanted to steal that bike they could just cut the zip ties and manually turn the switch once the plastic piece fell out. They would also have to cut the cable lock and at this point move the non-running 3500lb car that is blocking it in storage.

Deltarider · « **Reply #36 on:** September 20, 2013, 01:58:08 PM »

You could order from this German mailorder company for motorcycleparts, but I don't know what make they are. Do you recognise them as Emgo's or are these different?
http://www.polo-motorrad.de/en/zundschloss-4-anschlusse-rund-honda-cb-250-750-k6.html?___from_store=de
http://www.polo-motorrad.de/en/zundschloss-honda-4er-stecker-eckig.html?___from_store=de

Deltarider · « **Reply #37 on:** September 21, 2013, 07:58:49 AM »

Quote

Do you recognise them as Emgo's or are these different?

Well... ?

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #38 on:** September 21, 2013, 04:06:22 PM »

Apart from NOS, the only ones I have ever seen were EMGO, at the price in your link I would say the are Emgo. There a lots of Smaller Honda {175, 250, 350} Ignitions for sale on ebay, they are the same barrel as the 500, 550, 750 with slightly smaller wiring, same plug and all. You can have trouble with the smaller diameter wire burning out but that can be fixed with a relay to take load of the switch and you'll never have a problem again.. I have bought a couple and the diameter or gauge of the wiring is the only difference..

News:

Author Topic: Are these Emgo ignition switches any good? CB500/550/750 (Read 12634 times)