Motorcycle Repair: Ignition switches, channel lock pliers, cb550f

Question
Hello
I have a 1976 Honda CB550E.  When I bought this bike the prievious owner had lost the keys and had seised to ride it for a couple years.  So i was wondering if it would be easier to just put in a toggle switch for a replacement.  Would this be easier to do or would i have to buy and replace the original.  then how do i get the old ignition switch off?  i cant seem to figure out how i comes off.

Answer
Kyle, if the switch isn't damaged, find the key number, either on the switch or on the seat lock or helmet lock and have a locksmith make one for you. On the frame mounted switches, the numbers are stamped on the outer edge of the switch, which makes it easy to match a key.

CB550E refers to the engine number and not the frame type. I have to assume that you may have a CB550F, not CB550K, because of the location of the switch. The standard K models had the switch on the left side of the frame, beneath the fuel tank, retained by a ring with slots that can be removed with a set of channel-lock pliers.

If you have a 550F and the ignition switch is up at the handlebars, the removal is somewhat more complicated. Easier to remove the headlight assembly so you can get to the two bolts that hold the switch to the bottom of the fork bridge. These bolts may be what are called "break-off" bolts, where the heads shear off during tightening, so it makes stealing the bike much harder (and makes replacing the switch in cases like this more difficult). Not all of them are like this and you won't know until you get into it.

Go to: http://www.powersportspro.com/partsfish/login.asp
to locate some illustrations of your bike, once you know the correct model.   http://100megsfree4.com/honda/
will show you all the model options for the 550s.

If the switch is damaged from sitting or people trying to put screwdrivers in them, the good news is that there are aftermarket copies of the switches on Ebay and through your local dealerships (EMGO catalog) that will bolt right on. They only come as a switch unit, not as a lock set with the seat lock and helmet lock parts, but they work fine and are very inexpensive.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Honda-Ignition-Switch-CB400-thru-900-New-Style_W0...  for the late type

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/HONDA-CB350-CB550F-CB750-NOS-IGN-SWITCH-PLUG-NEW_... for early types.

Bill Silver