Topic: Advice for touring on a 71 500four

[Sjohnsone]

Hello all,

I've had my 71 500four for just under a year now and I'm contemplating taking a few weeks off this summer for a ride in the 3,000 mile range.

My first question is if this is even recommended in regards to the size of the engine, that would running it at 65+ mph for extended periods of time have any negative impact on a smaller engine like the 500.

The second question I have is what would be the recommended rundown on what I should have checked prior to going on a trip like that.  Does anyone know of any problems that arise on this year/model that tend to happen on longer trips?  I'm asking far in advance so in the event anything needs to be done on it I know what I need to save up for in the future.

I know it's a bit of a shotgun question but I know you guys are a knowledgeable group and I'd appreciate any advice or warnings you may send my way.  This will be my first time on a trip longer than one day.

Thanks for your time,

Seth

[dave500]

before a trip like that check everything, do a full service/tune etc and check everything again, even the things you dont check,these will hum all day at 60-65 and even higher speeds,youll be packing some tools and spares of course,this is where the bike can use oil so make sure you can get your favourite flavour or take some along.

[brooze72]

+1 Dave (he's the master)

I would say that mileage is no problem on the 500  it's a great engine, 65~70 all  day long if you want!  Be sure & do all maintenance service before departure.  If wear parts like tires, chain, sprockets, brakes are old or iffy, change em before you gotta "do it on ther road". Only known issues I'm aware of are with the gear box (some can be notchy shifters in 1st & second)  greatly helped by using the correct oil    Also check the clutch rod actuator, they're known to break, just found mine partially broken, but still works!

Enjoy the trip!!

[grasscutter]

There are lots of folks that have asked this question.  Do a search.  It"ll cover all you need.

[lone*X]

The attached thread was from a while back and has some good advice from a bunch of folks.  You might also want to look at the Adventure Rider Forum.  Lots of good stuff there as well.   


http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=92777.50

http://advrider.com/

[dave500]

thanks brooze,im not really the master, but any of the pre long ride checks will apply to anybike of your choice,let common sense and gut feeling be your guide as to what speeds you sit on etc,lube the chain often as you go.

[Sjohnsone]

Ah! thanks for the links and info guys.  Greatly appreciated.  I'm really looking forward to this. 

[Rgconner]

Remember, your oil service interval is 1500, filter is 3000.

So plan on a change midway, and start with a fresh quality filter.

Also, I check chain tension every fillup, and give it a squirt of lube.

tire pressure too.

Bring a small charger along, night riding can deplete the battery and and a quick charge can get you kick started.

Did that once at a Starbucks after leaving the headlight on at a gas stop.Removed the battery and plugged in. Got a coffee and the Times and charged for a hour... Enough to kick it.

[Danno]

the only thing I would recommend is take along a spare master link , spare set of points , bike tool kit, some fuel line, condensers, and a spare set of plugs if you like to cruise at high speeds

these things should always be kept on your bike just in case not only on cruises ,  it is always a smart idea to have a backup I even keep a small 12 volt air pump for tires in my bags

[Deltarider]

Remember, your oil service interval is 1500, filter is 3000.

On long holidays I always doubled the oilchange intervals, no problem. Remember the 650 in its maintenance schedule has doubled the interval for oil change and it's basically the same engine (it runs even hotter). From a very long experience I can assure you high speeds are no problem for a 500. I remember I once did the 1000 kms from the Italian-Swiss border home in a day, doing 140 km/h where I could. Engine was like reborn after it got rid of all its carbon. The old mechanic I once had (who owned a 500 himself) probably was right: most 500 and 550s are run at too low rpm.

[Kong]

I've done a number of long rides on a number of different bikes over the years, I am no stranger to the 1,000, 2,000, and 3,000 mile trip.  I'm not trying to be an #$%* here, but the best advice I could give you is to get a bigger bike.  500cc's just isn't enough.   But if you must, as suggested above tune it before you leave and don't bother carrying any spares of anything with you - what for?  You won't have the right thing and you won't have the tools you will need either.  Just rely on the fact that you can get parts for Hondas just about anywhere and don't worry about it anymore - besides that, as you will learn by about day 2 of your trip, you do not have enough room on the bike to carry the stuff you know you need, never mind the stuff you think you might need.   And about that carrying thing.  Just about anything you tie down to the bike on the first day will fall off of it by the end of the second day.  Take a couple of 2- or 3-day trips first if for no other reason than to learn how to pack it and what you really need to carry with you - Oh, and on your test trips make sure you get caught in the rain at least once.  Nothing changes how you pack your bike or what you take with you than one good deluge out on the road and then one good Thunder-banger while you're camped out later that night.

And I can't emphasize this enough, find ways to tie down stuff to your bike securely.  It is no fun to arrive at your campground only to discover that your sleeping bag shifted and has been rubbing on the back tire for the last 150 miles or that your tent is simply missing.

[lone*X]

I took a few decently long rides on my 550K1 in the 70's and early 80's before moving up in size and while the smaller bike has limitations it cans still get you down the road.  Just plan around the limitations.  One example.  Still to this day I don't pack a lot of clothing, two or three days at most.  Camp grounds and motels almost always have a laundromat for your convenience.   My 550 back then sported a windjammer and tall sissy bar as was the style.  My GI duffel bag packed full and lashed to the front of the sissy bar was a perfect backrest for taking some of the discomfort out 400 mile days.  Small popup tent, sleeping bag, and a bike cover was lashed to be the back of the sissy bar.  Never lost anything off the bike that I can remember either, possibly because I never trusted bungees.  I always used good lashing cord and square knots.

[bryanj]

Only thing I would say is chaeck the oil level EVERY time you fill the gas tank as they can develope a leak and/or use a bit

[chickenman_26]

Hello all,

I've had my 71 500four for just under a year now and I'm contemplating taking a few weeks off this summer for a ride in the 3,000 mile range. My first question is if this is even recommended in regards to the size of the engine, that would running it at 65+ mph for extended periods of time have any negative impact on a smaller engine like the 500.

No problem. I've been touring the US since '68 on bikes as small as a Yamaha 305, and I can tell you your 500 is more than adequate. Not as comfortable as a larger bike, but very doable, even cruising at 70 mph. You won't hurt the bike at higher speeds, but you'll beat yourself up more, and oil consumption will increase. You might find a small windscreen will increase your comfort level a lot.

The second question I have is what would be the recommended rundown on what I should have checked prior to going on a trip like that.  Does anyone know of any problems that arise on this year/model that tend to happen on longer trips?  I'm asking far in advance so in the event anything needs to be done on it I know what I need to save up for in the future.

Smart man to plan well in advance. But  it's not necessarily the length of the trip that matters. Anything that's a minor annoyance or needs attention now is just as likely to fail or give trouble 100 miles into the trip as after 1,000. Download this T-clock inspection worksheet and go over everything indicated that applies to your 500. http://www.bikerhiway.com/motorcycle-safety-info/images/tclock.pdf
With all that said, bear in mind this is a 40 year old bike, and you can't prep it for a trip like that as you would a much newer bike, because age and weather may have affected areas you wouldn't expect. Stuff can and does happen. As an example, I've ridden this '71 500 12,000 trouble free miles in the two years since I put it back on the road. As thoroughly as I went through the bike, I failed to notice corroded and frayed wires hiding under dirt on the back side of the electrical plate. Two weeks ago, I lost all charging output. Had that happened out on my upcoming 1200 mile trip through the desert in April, I'd have been inconvenienced, to say the least. Sweat the small details. It's not like you can get towed to the nearest Honda dealer for parts or repairs on a bike that's twice as old as most of the mechanics. Tire tools, compressor, and spare tube plus ability to do it yourself are Must Have on a trip like that. But if I felt like I needed to take half the tool box and 10 pounds of spare parts, I'd be taking a different bike. Not trying to scare you - just a reality check, especially because you said "have checked", telling me you might be depending on someone else to inspect and repair the bike prior to the trip. 

Stu

[andy750]

Great advice already and so I wont add anything new at this point but just to say stuff happens as Stu points out:

Here are a few examples all on my 1974 CB750

1. Here is my CB750s with some other SOHCs on the side of I-59. I got a rear tire puncture (see wheel off the bike) within 5 miles of same spot I got a front tire puncture 2 yrs previous.



2. Screw backed out under the shifter cover and prevented me from down or upshifting - this happened the first time in the middle of nowhere in Mexico. Took a moment to think about it, pulled the cover after it cooled down (it was a hot sunny day (100F) at the time) screwed it back in and was on my way.

3. Chain snaps on road to Georgia. Limped to the Georgia Welcome center using the masterlink to hold it tentatively together. Replacement chain found and on my way.

4. While riding some gnarly roads in the Mexican hinterlands the bike cuts out for no reason (well no obvious reason) - another hot day and stripped bike, checked connections, put everything back together and it all worked again. Never another problem after that. Stuff happens!

5. Speedo cable snaps while riding up a mountain pass.

6. Wake up one morning while camping at Devils Tower, WY and find I have a front tire puncture. Temps are at 32F brrr. No air pump with me and have to borrow one from a cyclist which gets me 10 miles down the road. Need to flag down a car to borrow an air pump to get me the final 10 miles to Sundance, WY where I can fix the puncture at a local Harley shop.

Just a few examples that stuff does indeed happen. Even if these trips had been done with a modern bike a different set of problems may have arisen such as failed rectifier (VFR), failed fuel pump (and FI bike), failed spline on a drive shaft (e.g. BMWs) etc etc...and punctures can happen to anyone.

Just go for it - every long distance road trip is an adventure.

cheers
Andy

 

[Bankerdanny]

Travel away. MJStone has a 500 with the full Vetter kit: fairing, bags and trunk. He had no problems at all holding highway speeds when I rode with him on the relay rally. I did 1400 miles on my 550 with a small windshield and he did around 2,000 on his 500.

70mph gets you no where close to redline, so you should be able to run that speed easily for as long as you want. Just make sure that your oil level is right. The only limiting factor on long distance is likely to be the seat. My 550 had the stock seat (being tall I removed the center strap) and numb butt was a problem sometimes. My '77 GoldWing has an aftermarrket King/Queen. It's ugly, but the extra support on a long trip is worth it.

If I ever decided to do a long trip on a SOHC4 I might well buy a K/Q to fit just for the trip, then go back to the stock seat for daily use around town.

[Bankerdanny]

My 550 last July heading to Kalamazoo, MI to hook up with the Michigan guys for their leg of the Rally.

[Bankerdanny]

Oh, and invest in good quality grips and a cramp buster or (even better I think with the distance you are talking about) a throttle lock. Constant buzz of the engine at highway speeds can be murder on your hands.

I put the Randakk's "Amazing Grips" on my bike before the trip and was very very happy with them.

[Danno]

Danny next time your up this way holler at me kalamazoo is only 18 miles from my shop

[BeSeeingYou]

I would add a few things not mentioned like a spare clutch cable coiled up inside the headlight, fuses and a few lengths of 14 ga. wire and crimps.  If your budget allows you can always stay in hotel/motels each night and save the weight and bulk of camping gear. 

[dave500]

it sounds good but id be flat out getting half a coiled up clutch cable in my head light,its just as easy to lay a spare clutch cable along side the existing one in situ,use zip ties at points to keep it secure.

[chickenman_26]

...its just as easy to lay a spare clutch cable along side the existing one in situ,use zip ties at points to keep it secure.

It's even easier to just install the new cable and not have to worry about it for the next ten years. Just saying...   

Stu

[dave500]

i knew someone was going to post that!enduro rider stuff though.

[orange550]

I did a 1500 mile trip on my 550 this past summer. Was great fun. I packed very light and took my time. Mostly stayed off the big highways. My buddy has an old rundown farmhouse that he inherited from an aunt. It's way "up north" and I camped in the back yard. Listened to the coyotes all night. There was something a bit cool and nostalgic about touring on a smaller bike.

p.s. - During the trip, I had an oil pressure light come on. I pulled into a nature stop and pulled up this forum on my phone. Saw that it's almost always a bad sensor and not a pressure issue. Got advice to run the bike for a few moments and then pull off a few tappet covers. Everything was well oiled. Double checked the tappets a few more times on the way home for peace of mind. Amazing that I could problem solve so quickly using all this info here. Thanks!

[Deltarider]

Compliments, orange550, I'm used to pack my 500 like you do, be it that my rolbag on the luggagecarrier is smaller and I have a small pack over the tank. My sidebags hang a bit higher to clear the original 4 in 4. Heavy things like tools I carry in the tankpack. Light stuf like towel, sleepingbag, underwear, etc can be in a small backpack on... your back. Why not? Caution: no solid stuf here, so the backpack can provide some comfort in case of an unexpected landing. If you still need more luggageroom you can consider a similar small backpack on your chest. Airflow is not an issue, since you in person are already there. The way I distribute my luggage over the bike, I never felt handling was affected. On the contrary, it always felt more stable. You could even pack your toolrol (tools are heavy) under the carbs, but I've no experience with this (I just remember I've promised to post some pics.). Remember those small filmrolcontainers before we went digital? I have some taped on the inside of frametubes. One of them is filled with garagesoap to wash your hands after you've been busy with your chain. The tape they're attached with is an essential too for long rides. 
BTW, I've seen some horrendous pics in this forum of bikes packed with a pile of luggage. They must handle like a pig.
On a gentleman's express one likes to ride like a gentleman. Therefore: I never ride two-up (I just don't like it) and I never carry cookery stuff (there is no personel anyway so what's the point of bringing it?)
Are there any of you that have experience in carrying a pop-up tent like Quecha? I would love to have such a tent with me, but it would probably catch to much sidewind.