Ignition Points & Timing Plate Allen Head Bolt Kit | Honda CB350F / CB400F / CB500K / CB550
The factory mounting screws on the ignition point plate aren't Phillips — they're JIS, and every Phillips screwdriver on earth strips them on the first try. After 40 years of well-intentioned owners rounding out those screw heads, most CB550 point plates are held in by screws that can't be removed with anything short of a drill. This kit replaces every screw on the point plate with stainless allen bolts so the next tune-up is a wrench job, not a swear-and-sweat job.
Why You Need This
Honda used JIS (Japanese Industrial Standard) cross-head screws across the CB350F, CB400F, CB500K, and CB550 ignition systems. JIS screws look almost identical to Phillips, but the drive angles are different — a Phillips screwdriver will cam out and strip a JIS head almost every time. By now, most of these bikes have arrived in a riderless state with point plate screws that are already stripped from previous attempts.
Once you convert to allen bolts, point adjustment becomes a genuinely fast job. You pop the point cover, run a 5mm allen key through each bolt, make your adjustment, and close up. That matters because CMC's recommended tune-up interval is every 1,500 miles — a job you want to do with an allen key, not a screw extractor.
Specifications
| Spec | Detail |
|---|
| Replaces OEM Part Numbers | 93500-06012-0A, 94101-06800 |
| Fits Models | CB350F (1972–1974), CB400F (1975–1977), CB500K (1971–1973), CB550K (1974–1978), CB550F (1975–1977) |
| Material | Stainless steel allen bolts |
| Sold As | Complete kit (all screws for points, condensers, shift plate, and base plate) |
What's NOT included: Screws and washers only. This kit does not include the point plate, the contact points, or the condensers themselves — just the fasteners. If you're doing a full tune-up, order this alongside our Ignition Point Set and Ignition Condensers, or grab the all-in-one Ignition Rebuild Kit.
What's in the Kit
- Stainless allen bolts for both contact point mounting locations (1-4 and 2-3 points)
- Stainless allen bolts for both condenser mounting locations
- Stainless allen bolts for the shift plate
- Stainless allen bolts for the base plate
- Matching washers for each bolt location
Installation
Difficulty: Beginner
Tools needed: JIS #2 screwdriver (for removing the old factory screws without stripping them further) and a 5mm allen key for installing the new bolts.
- Remove the point cover on the left side of the engine at the crankshaft.
- Start with the screws that are in the best shape. Use a proper JIS #2 screwdriver (not a Phillips) and firm downward pressure. If a screw is already stripped, you'll need to drill it out or use a screw extractor before continuing.
- Remove one factory screw at a time and replace it with the matching allen bolt + washer from the kit.
- Repeat for all mounting locations — points, condensers, shift plate, base plate.
- Once every screw is an allen bolt, future tune-ups are a 5mm allen key job.
Pro tip: If you encounter a stuck or stripped factory screw, apply a little penetrating oil, let it soak, then use an impact driver (manual or electric) with a JIS bit to shock the screw loose. Drilling should be a last resort because you risk damaging the threads in the aluminum plate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's wrong with the factory Phillips screws?
They're not Phillips — they're JIS (Japanese Industrial Standard), which is a subtly different cross-head pattern. A Phillips screwdriver has a slightly different drive angle than a JIS screw, so it cams out under load and strips the head. Most vintage Honda owners don't realize this and ruin the heads on their first tune-up attempt. The allen-bolt conversion permanently solves the problem.
Do I need to buy a JIS screwdriver just to remove the old screws?
Ideally yes, but you can get away with a very well-fitted Phillips #2 if the screws haven't been touched. The moment you feel the driver slip or click, STOP — that's the screw starting to cam out. If you don't want to buy a dedicated JIS set, use your Phillips #2 with firm downward pressure and accept that you may need to drill out one or two stuck screws. Once you're converted to allen bolts, you never need a JIS screwdriver again for this job.
Does this fit all CB550 years?
Yes, this kit fits the four-cylinder CB500K (1971–1973), CB550K (1974–1978), and CB550F (1975–1977). It also fits the four-cylinder CB350F (1972–1974) and CB400F (1975–1977) — the smaller-displacement four-cylinder siblings.
Does this include the points and condensers?
No. This is a hardware kit only — just the stainless allen bolts and washers to replace the factory mounting screws. For the points themselves, see our Ignition Point Set. For the condensers, see our Ignition Condensers. If you want everything in one box, grab the Ignition Rebuild Kit which bundles all three.
Can I just use any stainless allen bolts from the hardware store?
Technically yes, if you know the exact thread pitch, length, and head diameter for each location — there are at least four different bolts on a typical point plate and the head diameter matters because some of them sit under the point arm. Our kit saves you the trip to the hardware store with a pile of wrong-sized bolts and gets you all the right pieces at once. Threads are matched to the factory OEM specs (93500-06012-0A and 94101-06800).
You Might Also Need
For the full tune-up procedure, see our How to set the ignition timing on the Honda CB500K / CB550 knowledge base article.
Last updated: April 2026
