Front Disc Brake Pads for Honda CB500K / CB550K / CB550F
Italian-made replacement front disc brake pads for the Honda CB500K (1971–1973), CB550K (1974–1978), and CB550F Super Sport (1975–1977). Same Tokico single-piston caliper family as the CB350G, CB360, and CB450/CB500T. Old pads harden, glaze over, and stop gripping; pads soaked by a leaky caliper seal crumble off their metal backing. Replace as a pair — one thicker, one thinner, Honda factory design.
Why You Need This
On a 50-year-old CB500K, CB550K, or CB550F, the original front brake pads have lost their grip. Friction material hardens with age and glazes from thermal cycling; pads that have been sitting in brake fluid from a leaky caliper piston seal crumble off their metal backing. A front brake delivers roughly 80% of your stopping power — pads that don't bite turn a routine stop into a longer one.
These are direct-fit Italian-made replacements with a semi-metallic compound carrying brass and bronze content. Same Tokico single-piston caliper Honda ran on the CB350G (1973), CB360 (1974–1976), CB450 K5–K7, CB500T, and four-cylinder CB350F/CB400F. These pads are also included in our front brake caliper rebuild kit if you're replacing the piston seal at the same time.
Specifications
| Spec | Detail |
|---|
| Replaces OEM Part Numbers | 45105-390-305, 45105-390-003, 45105-390-006, 45106-390-003, 45106-390-006, 45106-390-305 |
| Fits Models | CB500K (1971–1973), CB550K (1974–1978), CB550F Super Sport (1975–1977) |
| Origin | Italian-made |
| Compound | Semi-metallic with brass and bronze content |
| Sold As | Pair (one thick "Pad A" for piston side + one thin "Pad B" for opposite side) |
| Brake System | Single-disc hydraulic front brake with Tokico single-piston caliper (shared with CB350G, CB360, CB450 K5–K7, CB500T, CB350F, CB400F) |
| Wear Indicator | Red wear-limit groove in the friction surface — replace when worn to the line |
| Brake Fluid Spec | DOT 3 |
This is a CB500K / CB550K / CB550F page. The same pad fits other Honda models — see our bike-specific variants for CB350G, CB360, and CB450 K5–K7 / CB500T.
Model-Specific Notes
- CB500K (1971–1973): Three-year production run of the 500cc four-cylinder. Single front disc with Tokico caliper.
- CB550K (1974–1978): Replaced the CB500K in 1974 with the 550cc displacement bump. Same front caliper family — these pads fit all CB550K years.
- CB550F Super Sport (1975–1977): The cafe-racer variant with bikini fairing and different bars. Same front disc and caliper as the CB550K.
- CB750 owners: The CB750 uses a different front caliper architecture. These pads are not the correct fit for a CB750. Ask us for the CB750-specific recommendation.
Installation
Difficulty: Beginner to Intermediate. If you're replacing pads only, it's a bench-top job once the caliper is off the rotor. If you're rebuilding the caliper at the same time (piston seal, bleeder, banjo crush washers), plan to bleed the brake line after.
- Remove the caliper from the fork leg. Two bolts. Hang the caliper so it doesn't pull the brake hose.
- Remove the old pads. Honda's design uses a cotter pin / retaining clip. Note orientation: thicker Pad A goes on the piston side (inboard); thinner Pad B on the opposite side.
- Clean the rotor face. Scuff both sides of the rotor with 100-grit sandpaper to remove the glaze. Wipe down with brake cleaner. Inspect for deep grooves or scoring.
- Apply caliper grease ONLY to the back of each pad and the caliper housing recess. Keep grease completely off the friction surface and off the rotor. A light film on the outer diameter of the pad's metal backing helps the pad slide freely in the caliper.
- Install the new pads. Pad A on the piston side, Pad B on the opposite side. Reinstall the retaining pin / clip.
- Reinstall the caliper. If the brake fluid was low or the piston was pushed back into the caliper, the brake feel will be spongy until bled. Top up the master cylinder with DOT 3 brake fluid.
- Bed the new pads in. Find an empty road, get to about 30 mph, and apply moderate braking eight or ten times without coming to a complete stop. This transfers an even layer of pad material to the rotor and gives the final bite.
Never apply grease to the friction surface. Any contamination on the pad face reduces stopping power and can cause the front wheel to lock up unexpectedly.
Our Ultimate Guide to Rebuilding the Honda CB Hydraulic Front Brake System demonstrates this exact rebuild on a CB550. Pad replacement, caliper rebuild, master cylinder service, and line flush all covered. See Part 2 for bleeding the line after reassembly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this fit my CB750?
No. The CB750 uses a different front caliper than the CB500K/CB550K/CB550F — different piston size, different pad shape. These pads do not fit. Contact us and we'll point you to the correct CB750-specific pad.
Do CB550K and CB550F use the same pads?
Yes. The CB550K (standard) and CB550F Super Sport share the same Tokico single-piston front caliper with the same rotor and same pads. The only differences between the K and F are cosmetic (fairing, bars, seat, paint).
Why is one pad thicker than the other?
Honda's factory design. The thicker pad (Pad A) sits on the piston side of the caliper and takes the direct push from the piston; the thinner pad (Pad B) sits on the opposite side and is pushed into the rotor as the caliper floats. Swap them and the caliper won't close correctly on the rotor.
When do I know it's time to replace?
Honda molds a red groove across the friction surface of each pad. When the groove disappears into the pad material, it's worn to the service limit. Visually: if the pad is thinner than the backing plate it's mounted on, replace.
Should I replace anything else while I'm in there?
If your caliper is leaking fluid or the piston is sticky, the Front Brake Caliper Rebuild Kit includes new pads plus a piston seal, bleed screw, and crush washers — it's a full refresh. A cracked or deteriorated rubber brake hose is worth replacing at the same time — rubber hoses swell with age and give spongy brake feel.
What brake fluid should I use?
DOT 3 — the original factory fluid specification for this brake system. Do not mix DOT 3 with DOT 5 (silicone) — the two are not compatible and mixing them will damage the seals.
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Last updated: April 2026
