Author Topic: Are these Emgo ignition switches any good? CB500/550/750  (Read 10803 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Tugboat

  • Puppet
  • Master
  • *****
  • Posts: 1,778
  • '75 CB750K + '67 CL90 + '71 CT90
    • PseudoMoto
Are these Emgo ignition switches any good? CB500/550/750
« 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
If it's worth doing, it's worth doing twice.

Offline Bodi

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 5,702
Re: Are these Emgo ignition switches any good? CB500/550/750
« 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.

Offline KurtK

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 60
Re: Are these Emgo ignition switches any good? CB500/550/750
« Reply #2 on: October 12, 2011, 07:00:43 AM »
I have had one in my 500 for 2 years no problems.

Offline IndyFour

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 601
Re: Are these Emgo ignition switches any good? CB500/550/750
« 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.
« Last Edit: October 12, 2011, 07:20:25 AM by IndyFour »
1974 CB550K
2000 VFR800FIY
__________________
Indianapolis, Indiana

Offline MoMo

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 8,275
  • Ride like you're invisible
Re: Are these Emgo ignition switches any good? CB500/550/750
« 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

Offline jneuf

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 522
Re: Are these Emgo ignition switches any good? CB500/550/750
« 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.
'75 CB400f

Offline fmctm1sw

  • Old Timer
  • ******
  • Posts: 3,042
Quote from: 754
Dude is that a tire ? or an O-ring..??

Quote from: inkscars
This is not a pod thread
This is not a #$%* on my vacuum gauges thread
This is a help or GTFO thread.

1973 CB350F
1973 CB350G
1975 CB550K
1983 GL650I
1973 CB750K3 (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=92888.0)
1984 Kawasaki KLT-250 (AKA 3 wheeler of death)
1994 Honda TRX300
1999 Honda TRX250

Offline Duanob

  • Bold Timer
  • Old Timer
  • ******
  • Posts: 4,013
  • Gotcha!
Re: Are these Emgo ignition switches any good? CB500/550/750
« 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.
"Just because you flush a boatload of money down the toilet, doesn't make the toilet worth more",  My Stepfather the Unknown Poet

1974 CB360T
1976 CB550K2 Resurrected
1976 CB550F2 Barn Find
1979 CX500 VG "HONDA-GUZZI"
2007 Moto Guzzi Breva 750ie
2015 BMW F700GS
Another 1976 CB550K Cafe?

  __o
_- \_<,
(*) /' (*)

Offline bryanj

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 14,127
  • CB500 Number 1000036
Re: Are these Emgo ignition switches any good? CB500/550/750
« Reply #8 on: October 12, 2011, 08:41:55 AM »
Back in the 70's fitted dozens of them and never had one back
Semi Geriatric ex-Honda mechanic and MOT tester (UK version of annual inspection). Garage full of "projects" mostly 500/4 from pre 73 (no road tax in UK).

Remember "Its always in the last place you look" COURSE IT IS YOU STOP LOOKIN THEN!

Offline Goldbug

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 316
Re: Are these Emgo ignition switches any good? CB500/550/750
« Reply #9 on: October 12, 2011, 08:46:17 AM »
Frankly, no.

How many have you had?

Offline Duke McDukiedook

  • Space Force 6 Star General
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 12,690
  • Wish? Did somebody say wish?
Re: Are these Emgo ignition switches any good? CB500/550/750
« 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.
"Well, Mr. Carpetbagger. We got somethin' in this territory called the Missouri boat ride."   Josey Wales

"It's Baltimore, gentlemen. The gods will not save you." Ervin Burrell

CB750 K3 crat | (2) 1986 VFR750F

Offline Goldbug

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 316
Re: Are these Emgo ignition switches any good? CB500/550/750
« 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.


Offline 754

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 29,058
Re: Are these Emgo ignition switches any good? CB500/550/750
« 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..
Maker of the WELDLESS 750 Frame Kit
dodogas99@gmail.com
Kelowna B.C.       Canada

My next bike will be a ..ANFOB.....

It's All part of the ADVENTURE...

73 836cc.. Green, had it for 3 decades!!
Lost quite a few CB 750's along the way

Offline CoachDoc

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 615
  • 1974 CB550, 2005 GL1800, 1997 Valkyrie Standard
Re: Are these Emgo ignition switches any good? CB500/550/750
« 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.

Offline Duke McDukiedook

  • Space Force 6 Star General
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 12,690
  • Wish? Did somebody say wish?
Re: Are these Emgo ignition switches any good? CB500/550/750
« Reply #14 on: October 12, 2011, 02:49:52 PM »
Enough reports from THIS website with failures and a thumbs down from Hondaman.
"Well, Mr. Carpetbagger. We got somethin' in this territory called the Missouri boat ride."   Josey Wales

"It's Baltimore, gentlemen. The gods will not save you." Ervin Burrell

CB750 K3 crat | (2) 1986 VFR750F

Offline Goldbug

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 316
Re: Are these Emgo ignition switches any good? CB500/550/750
« 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.

Offline Eydugstr

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 549
Re: Are these Emgo ignition switches any good? CB500/550/750
« Reply #16 on: October 13, 2011, 01:52:52 PM »

Offline andy750

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 7,943
Re: Are these Emgo ignition switches any good? CB500/550/750
« 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.



Current bikes
1. CB750K4: Long distance bike, 17 countries and counting...2001 - Trans-USA-Mexico, 2003 - European Tour, 2004 - SOHC Easy Rider Trip , 2008 - Adirondack Tour 2-up , 2013 - Tail of the Dragon Tour , 2017: 836 kit install and bottom end rebuild. And rebirth: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,173213.msg2029836.html#msg2029836
2. CB750/810cc K2  - road racer with JMR worked head 71 hp
3. Yamaha Tenere T700 2022

Where did you go on your bike today? - http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=45183.2350

Offline DavePhipps

  • Expert
  • ****
  • Posts: 1,150
  • Reading the entire Hi-Perf forum
    • Hillside Technology
Re: Are these Emgo ignition switches any good? CB500/550/750
« 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.
Bikes:
90 FZR600 RA
74 CB550k
78 GL1000
72 CB500K

Offline Goldbug

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 316
Re: Are these Emgo ignition switches any good? CB500/550/750
« Reply #19 on: October 13, 2011, 02:58:23 PM »
#$%*. I hope you killed her.

Offline DavePhipps

  • Expert
  • ****
  • Posts: 1,150
  • Reading the entire Hi-Perf forum
    • Hillside Technology
Re: Are these Emgo ignition switches any good? CB500/550/750
« 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.
Bikes:
90 FZR600 RA
74 CB550k
78 GL1000
72 CB500K

Offline Tews19

  • I am no
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 6,465
Re: Are these Emgo ignition switches any good? CB500/550/750
« Reply #21 on: October 13, 2011, 06:32:31 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
1969 Honda CB750... Basket case
1970 Honda CB750 survivor.

Offline Kevin D

  • Old Timer
  • ******
  • Posts: 2,899
  • SE Michigan
Re: Are these Emgo ignition switches any good? CB500/550/750
« 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.
71 CB750 K1
104,000 miles
Original Owner
———past———
70 SL100/125/150
70 Candy BlueGreen CB 750 K0
————————————————-
Former Honda parts kid/counter kid/do all
—————————————————————-
Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you’re right
Genius is 99% perspiration, 1% inspiration

Offline Artf0rm

  • Enthusiast
  • **
  • Posts: 201
Re: Are these Emgo ignition switches any good? CB500/550/750
« Reply #23 on: October 13, 2011, 08:04:22 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?

Offline DavePhipps

  • Expert
  • ****
  • Posts: 1,150
  • Reading the entire Hi-Perf forum
    • Hillside Technology
Re: Are these Emgo ignition switches any good? CB500/550/750
« 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.
Bikes:
90 FZR600 RA
74 CB550k
78 GL1000
72 CB500K