Topic: CB500 Airbox help please

[Jules083]

I have a CB 500 with some no-name pod filters, and I'm having a hard time getting the jetting right. I learned over the summer working on my girlfriend's bike (250 Ninja) that airboxes have magic or something in them. That particular bike would not run right no matter what I did to the carbs, until I realised that there was supposed to be an airbox lid on it. Bought the lid, put stock jets back in, bike ran perfect.

Anyways, I need an entire assembly. I looked on e-bay and found these.

I'm not allowed to post links. They are just advertised as a left side and a right side, and don't seem to have the complete assembly. Listed as
74 HONDA CB500T DOHC LEFT AIR BOX ASSY
74 HONDA CB500T DOHC RIGHT AIR BOX ASSY

Are these what I need? The bike is a 1973 and is missing everything to do with an airbox. I've never actually seen an airbox in person, but from the pictures on e-bay it seems like there's a lot more parts that I need. If anyone can point me in the right direction, or has some parts to sell me, I'd appreciate it.

While I'm here I'm planning on ordering a new exhaust, I'm thinking about this one.

Couldn't post that link either. It's titled Honda CB500 CB550 4-1 Chrome MAC Exhaust System 72-78, It's just a chrome plated 4 into 1 selling for $319.95

Any good? I just want something quiet to replace the rusty 4 into 2's that I have now, they are way too loud. NOS would be preferred but that's out of my budget.

Thank you.

[Lavis500]

While I have no parts to sell you, I can fulfill your other request.

The parts you are looking at are for a later model - the CB500 Twin.  Rather than the twin box setup that you saw, our bikes use one large common box with boots going to the individual carburetors.  Most parts purchasing websites will have all of the diagrams necessary to properly identify what you need.  For example, here is a link to cyclepartswarehouse.com's diagram for the airbox: http://www.cyclepartswarehouse.com/fiche_section_detail.asp?section=122915&category=MOTORCYCLES&make=HONDA&year=1973&fveh=2937

As for the exhaust, I myself haven't used a Mac setup, but from what I've read it is a common, clean, and inexpensive replacement for the stock setup that requires little if any adjustments.  Plenty of people seem to be running them.

Welcome to the club!  Read through as many threads as you can find and you'll find an infinite well of knowledge!

[Jules083]

Thanks. It's looking like these parts are going to be a bit harder to find than I thought. There's only one airbox on ebay for my bike now, everything else is for the 500T. This one looks like it's more trouble than what it's worth, I guess I'll wait for another one to pop up. Or is this as good as I'm going to get? Thanks again.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/AIR-BOX-PARTS-4-CARBURATORS-CARBS-CARB-TAKEN-OFF-CB500-4-HONDA-CB-500-05-1972-/120833920434?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item1c22434db2

[Scott S]

 You would definitely need new boots with that one. They're available from David Silver Spares. It's also missing some random nuts and bolts, but you could figure out how to mount it to the frame with stuff from the hardware store.

 Print out that diagram and familiarize yourself with all the parts. Keep an eye on the classified ads here. They pop up from time to time. Search your local Craigslist, too. Look for someone that's parting a bike.

[Tugboat]

I've got the 4 airbox-to-carb boots in decent shape if you want 'em.. $20 w/ shipping. PM me if yr interested. Good luck!

[Jules083]

I've got the 4 airbox-to-carb boots in decent shape if you want 'em.. $20 w/ shipping. PM me if yr interested. Good luck!

So the boots from him and the e-bay airbox should be everything, minus the filter itself and some random bolts, right? Thanks.

Tugboat, sending a PM now.

[TwoTired]

You need the tool tray too, as it also serves as the filter box top, along with a rubber seal part.

[Tugboat]

There's also some hardware missing from that ebay item.. check out the parts fische to see what I'm talking about.

#'s 11+28+26/24+29+20 for the back "box" mount, 25+29+21+17 for the lower front, 25+29+22/23+28+29 for the top front... Those pieces hold the plenum and the box together as a unit, and hold the unit to the frame.

http://www.xtremeusa.com/fiche_section_detail.asp?section=122915&category=MOTORCYCLES&make=HONDA&year=1973&fveh=2937

[Jules083]

There's also some hardware missing from that ebay item.. check out the parts fische to see what I'm talking about.

#'s 11+28+26/24+29+20 for the back "box" mount, 25+29+21+17 for the lower front, 25+29+22/23+28+29 for the top front... Those pieces hold the plenum and the box together as a unit, and hold the unit to the frame.

http://www.xtremeusa.com/fiche_section_detail.asp?section=122915&category=MOTORCYCLES&make=HONDA&year=1973&fveh=2937

I can make something work as far as hardware is concerned, as soon as I get the airbox in front of me.

Wish I'd have realised I need the tool tray also. Back to surfing ebay. I wish people would just leave working bikes alone instead of throwing away perfectly good parts. 

[seanbarney41]

There's also some hardware missing from that ebay item.. check out the parts fische to see what I'm talking about.

#'s 11+28+26/24+29+20 for the back "box" mount, 25+29+21+17 for the lower front, 25+29+22/23+28+29 for the top front... Those pieces hold the plenum and the box together as a unit, and hold the unit to the frame.

http://www.xtremeusa.com/fiche_section_detail.asp?section=122915&category=MOTORCYCLES&make=HONDA&year=1973&fveh=2937

I can make something work as far as hardware is concerned, as soon as I get the airbox in front of me.

Wish I'd have realised I need the tool tray also. Back to surfing ebay. I wish people would just leave working bikes alone instead of throwing away perfectly good parts. 

careful, that hardware is kinda tricky, it's more than just nuts and bolts, and it's very important that the filter box seals to the airbox to the carbs...

[Jules083]

careful, that hardware is kinda tricky, it's more than just nuts and bolts, and it's very important that the filter box seals to the airbox to the carbs...

I'll keep that in mind, thanks. I'd imagine that it's nothing a bit of well placed sealant won't take care of. If something looks too technical I'll post a wanted ad here or get back on ebay. I've made harder stuff for cars before, I think I'll be alright.

This bike is destined to be a clean rider, not a museum piece. I want it to look right but I'm not going to lose sleep if it's not perfect, as long as it runs good. I'm hoping to do some touring on it this summer, if I restore it too well I won't want to ride it that far. 

[Retro Rocket]

Hi Jules, start a post in the parts wanted section, you are likely to pick up everything you need right here on this site.

[TwoTired]

I can make something work as far as hardware is concerned, as soon as I get the airbox in front of me.

Wish I'd have realised I need the tool tray also. Back to surfing ebay. I wish people would just leave working bikes alone instead of throwing away perfectly good parts. 

I happen to agree.
Note that the two angle mounts have captive nuts that make reassembly much nicer.  Further, don't eliminate the metal spacers/bushings that not only locate the plastic parts, but save them from being squished/extruded/flattened by the clamp pressure of the assembly bolts.

Cheers,

[Tugboat]

^+1

[Lavis500]

In case you find it harder to obtain the top piece:

Tool tray/Airbox top:  http://www.ebay.com/itm/1973-HONDA-CB500-CB-500-FOUR-AIR-INTAKE-BOX-COVER-TOOL-TRAY-H3-/220910166877?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item336f45a35d

[Jules083]

Hey, sorry to dig up an old thread but I finally got the bike put back together. The air filter was on backorder through Honda. Anyways, put the stock jets back in, put the air box back to stock, bike runs perfect.

Thanks for all of the help.