Topic: Top triple clamp D washers

[MCRider]

Wasn't sure if I needed one in the gap on the center clamp (just next to part #18). There's a gap of roughly the same size there as well.

No that center gap is clamping the steering stem. A spacer is not needed there. Thre is a washer under the head of the clamp bolt, but none in the gap itself. Different issue.

BTW: Never heard of a CB500 bridge breaking, though I wouldn't want to chance it. The CB750 bridges up to K2, would snap in a heartbeat without the spacer. And they are NLA from Honda. Though I know many are running around without them, on borrowed time. I think on the CB750  it stopped at K3, roughly = to 1973.

[Schnell]

Wasn't sure if I needed one in the gap on the center clamp (just next to part #18). There's a gap of roughly the same size there as well.

No that center gap is clamping the steering stem. A spacer is not needed there. Thre is a washer under the head of the clamp bolt, but none in the gap itself. Different issue.

BTW: Never heard of a CB500 bridge breaking, though I wouldn't want to chance it. The CB750 bridges up to K2, would snap in a heartbeat without the spacer. And they are NLA from Honda. Though I know many are running around without them, on borrowed time. I think on the CB750  it stopped at K3, roughly = to 1973.

Sorry, what stopped? The inclusion of the D washers?

[ekpent]

D washers were up up through 1976.

[MCRider]

D washers were up up through 1976.

Yeah, should have taken my own advice and looked at a fishy.

The Unicorn top bridge stopped at K3, but the D washers carried on.

I've never seen a K3+ bridge break, just the Unicorns. Wouldn't chance it though.

[david 750f]

Not sure about the 750K model but on the F's the top bridge has a different part number mid way through the 76 model year.

Another way to tell is by the pinch bolt size.

The old design uses an 8mm bolt, the non-washer top bridge uses a 7mm bolt.

[xsmooth69x]

I believe Hondaman's book says they are .090 thick.

i could say a lot of things about this but ill be a gentleman and let it go.

.090 is inches

i used millimeters



and i stated my deviation

i thought these bikes are metric why is everyone using inches.... confusing 

[xsmooth69x]

On a thread I posted looking where to buy some recently because these are unavailable now from the dealers,I was reminded that the thickness is very close to the washers that are used under the head nuts on the 750 engines.I compared and they are very close and can be ground and modded to work.
  Saw some for sale once on the web but looked for awhile and could not turn them up again. If you see some out there could you post a link please.

so what your saying i should go to the junk yard pick it clean of D washers polish them up and sell them on the forums?!?!?! i bet i can get like 50 pairs of them 

[MCRider]

On a thread I posted looking where to buy some recently because these are unavailable now from the dealers,I was reminded that the thickness is very close to the washers that are used under the head nuts on the 750 engines.I compared and they are very close and can be ground and modded to work.
  Saw some for sale once on the web but looked for awhile and could not turn them up again. If you see some out there could you post a link please.

so what your saying i should go to the junk yard pick it clean of D washers polish them up and sell them on the forums?!?!?! i bet i can get like 50 pairs of them 

Maybe. I doubt it.

Part of the problem are that many who don't have them, don't know they need them, till its too late.

AS to availability in salvage yards, yes if you can get a bunch together (I saw you have 2 pairs at least) you should scarf them up. Many salvage people don't understand their worth either, and often they end up in the dirt.

I've asked many times of people selling Unicorn top bridges on eBay where the spacers are and they say they've discarded them.

[MCRider]

Yes it will be tight enough. Plus you have clamping also taking place on the lower tree too. Without them the clamp will break and then you are in a very bad spot. Upper trees not broke are getting few and far between to find.

Top trees of the K3+ non unicorn variety are plentiful. (OP has a K5). Still I wouldn't leave them out.

[xsmooth69x]

10 acres of vintage motorcycles only. Upper section of the yard is only honda's



2 mint cb550 K&N filters and 3 brackets, 4 cb750 unicorn triple trees, exhausts, tanks etc those D washer arnt hard to find i already have a bag of them

i didnt know the D washers are actually that sought after 

[MCRider]

IF someone needs them, and know they need them, they are hard to come by. If you have a bag of them you should run a perpetual sale on eBay for $20 pair, buy it now.
4 unicorn bridges, really?

Part of your retirement plan?   

[xsmooth69x]

IF someone needs them, and know they need them, they are hard to come by. If you have a bag of them you should run a perpetual sale on eBay for $20 pair, buy it now.
4 unicorn bridges, really?

Part of your retirement plan?   

nope i sold those unicorn tops on ebay to reverse fund my CB550 build.

idk next time i go to the yard ill grab a handful of those D washers and throw them up on the forums. i always thought everyone would just like take a washer, metal file and a bench vice. i just have a bunch for convenience of not doing that.







so pretty

[MCRider]

They do polish up nice.

[xsmooth69x]

just took down the paint and said it was ready to paint. 30 min with the metal brush grinder attachment swings people to buy my triple tree at the same price as the other super over priced unicorns on fleabay

the one with the back background went to Norway