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Joined: Dec 26, 2007 Posts: 1283 Location: Scottsdale, Arizona
Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2012 8:49 am Post subject: Patience pays...
So I've got two bikes with rusty fork top bolts, and they both use the same part. A 500/four and a CL450. Been looking for new ones for a long time with no luck, and everything in the salvage yard is either just as rusty or buggered by Vise Grips, American sized wrenches, etc. Then I find this joker on Ebay Germany who has four new ones for $60 US each plus $15 shipping. I want 'em, but not badly enough to subject myself to that kind of abuse. He just keeps re-listing them, but no takers after at least 6 months, and he didn't respond to an offer I sent him. So I occasionally Google the Honda part number and got a hit yesterday - four new ones here in the US for $21 each. Really glad I exercised restraint.
I've also needed an ignition switch for the 500/four since I've owned it. Tommanos gave me an aftermarket one to use for the past year, but that causes me to carry two keys - one for the ignition, and the original for the seat and steering. What are the chances of finding a used switch with my original key code on it? Once again, random Googling for more than a year finally turned up one on Ebay. And it was from none other than our friend Mr. Monkeyclaw!
I know that like a lot of guys, I've paid unreasonable prices in the past for some things I needed, because I was too impatient to continue the search and wanted to finish the bike yesterday. Learning to slow down is paying dividends.
Joined: Feb 15, 2007 Posts: 1357 Location: LaPorte, Indiana, USA
Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2012 9:05 am Post subject:
Stu -
Didn't know you were looking for the top bolts.
They are indeed hard to find.
I was in the same situation when I needed top bolts for the (33mm) CB400T forks in use on my mutant 450 DOHC. Haven't been available for decades, the ones I ran into were big bucks, that goes against my grain too.
I discovered that early (non-air type) CX500 top bolts fit perfectly, and were still available from Honda for $6 each.
The interchangeability did not show up in any of the charts or reverse parts finders, so I guess it was just luck on my part, a $12 gamble, which is manageable. My guess is that they might work on 360 forks as well, but not sure - no 360's in my shop (thankfully).
What I suggest is that there may be some more modern (and available) part for 35 mm forks that would work.
Sadly, I've sold the original 450 forks, so I can't do any testing, but maybe someone else here can poke around and find a good substitute???
bill _________________ Bill Lane - CB200-CM200-CB450-C70M-CL350
"When your only tool is a hammer,
everything starts to look like a nail."
Joined: Oct 26, 2007 Posts: 1143 Location: Greensburg Pa
Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2012 10:30 am Post subject:
A lesson well learned...........how many times have I "needed" something, jumped on a "buy it now", only to see it come up on auction for half the price!
.............Paul _________________ �77 CB550f
�77 CB750a
�78 GL1000
�80 CB650c
�75 GL1000-finally finished
�79 KZ200
68 CB450K1-taking up all my time
Joined: Dec 26, 2007 Posts: 1283 Location: Scottsdale, Arizona
Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2012 5:10 pm Post subject:
05c50 wrote:
A lesson well learned...........how many times have I "needed" something, jumped on a "buy it now", only to see it come up on auction for half the price!
.............Paul
Yep. BTDT and got the T shirt. I finally wised up.
Bill...These top bolts are the ones that are threaded on the under side to attach the damper rods. The only vintage Hondas that used these to my knowledge were the CB500 and 450 DOHC. The 350 twins had the same style, but smaller diameter. Anyhow, I snapped 'em up quick at that price. It was less than the price showing on Honda's fiche - not available, of course.
Joined: Feb 15, 2007 Posts: 1357 Location: LaPorte, Indiana, USA
Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2012 6:26 pm Post subject:
Bikegeezer wrote:
05c50 wrote:
A lesson well learned...........how many times have I "needed" something, jumped on a "buy it now", only to see it come up on auction for half the price!
.............Paul
Yep. BTDT and got the T shirt. I finally wised up.
Bill...These top bolts are the ones that are threaded on the under side to attach the damper rods. The only vintage Hondas that used these to my knowledge were the CB500 and 450 DOHC. The 350 twins had the same style, but smaller diameter. Anyhow, I snapped 'em up quick at that price. It was less than the price showing on Honda's fiche - not available, of course.
Stu
OK. you mean 90123-323-010, used on later CB/CL450 and 500F.
But like I said, the CX500 top bolts fit my CB400T forks perfectly, and do not appear in any reverse parts finders or interchangeability lists as equivalent.
I'm not convinced there's not something else that will fit, myself.
I'll take this under advisement, someday I might get an answer......... _________________ Bill Lane - CB200-CM200-CB450-C70M-CL350
"When your only tool is a hammer,
everything starts to look like a nail."
Joined: Dec 26, 2007 Posts: 1283 Location: Scottsdale, Arizona
Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2012 11:39 am Post subject:
Well. I received them today, and they're flawless. The price on current Honda fiche is $21.56, and that's exactly what I paid. This guy is a real gentleman and very helpful. I highly recommend his site - www.hondarestoration.com
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