Topic: CB500K restoration and re-styling. RED FRAME

[Lorbaez]

This is looking good. I like your choice of colors and design on the tank and covers. Keep it up! 

Thanks SohRon, I see your comments in other posts, and you are an inspiration for some of us. In fact, use the procedure to install the engine into the frame explained by you. Very simple, quick and safe for the paint.

[Lorbaez]

Thanks to SohRon (and some others), I intalled the engine into the frame in a simple, fast and safe way. I protected the frame with some bubble plastic but if you have some help it is not needed.

[Lorbaez]

I started riding in the 90’s, all my bikes have had disk brakes. In fact I never faced any problem with brakes, even with track motorcycles.  But I recognize that the first time I arrived to the corner with my new CB500K and I pushed front brake lever I was really afraid, nothing happened, speed was the same, fortunately rear brake works OK so I could enter into the corner. In this moment I decided that first improvement should be new and modern brakes. It’s nice to have a bike as original as possible but safety is the first for me.
Once I removed front caliper I saw the problem: Piston was seized due to oxidation. Maybe it is possible to use original brake system, let's work on it.

[Lorbaez]

If the original brakes do not satisfy me, then I will copy FunJimmy's front fork. I'm sure all you know the CB550 Cafe Interceptor.

But I found a simple way to do it: FunJimmy used a Yamaha front fork, this selection created some troubles to install steering bearing into the frame.  I will use a front fork from a Honda CBR600RR 03ym, the first RR has also a conventional fork, but diameter and general dimension of the steer tube are same as CB500K.
The only problem is that RR forks are 45mm diameter, probably visually to much for CB500K.

[Lorbaez]

CBR600RR ofset is 35mm and CB500K 45mm. This will increase trail. According my calculation new trail will be 123mm (if I use 19 inches wheel).

[Lorbaez]

In Spain all vehicles has to pass a periodical inspection. they check that the vehicle is according manufacturer's indication, If wheels diameter are not the same diameter as indicated into the technical card, the inspector reject them.
This is why I do not want ot use 18 inches wheel but If this trail is too much and i notice problem when cornering I will do it.

[Tews19]

Sweet! Can we see the forks mounted?

[Lorbaez]

Sweet! Can we see the forks mounted?

It is not installed. It is an alternative plan just if std brake does not satisfy me

[Tews19]

Sweet! Can we see the forks mounted?

It is not installed. It is an alternative plan just if std brake does not satisfy me

1
AHH got ya.. ANything with STD wouldn't satisfy me! I would stay clear of those STD's!

[wedoo2]

I've enjoyed your posts and the way you are approaching the the build.  You're getting close now.  In the original post, the pipes looked very nice; are you going to keep them?

[Lorbaez]

I've enjoyed your posts and the way you are approaching the the build.  You're getting close now.  In the original post, the pipes looked very nice; are you going to keep them?

Yes, I will use the same ones.

[Lorbaez]

This week I have received new sweets.

[Lorbaez]

I also chromed some parts. I made a mistake with some of them: I sandblasted them together with the frame, this caused a lot of troubles to chrome the parts. This is why battery stay and electics stay are not perfect.  The professional suggestion was: If you want to chrome, do not touch the parts and give them to me. I will polish and prepare them to get the better finish.
Beginners mistake from my side 

[Lorbaez]

more parts crhomed

[Lorbaez]

A picture of the bike with the swingarm and rear Marzocchii shocks

[Lorbaez]

and 2 pictures to encourage myself

[Lorbaez]

Here they are. The picture was done one week ago so seat cover was the old ones.

[Tews19]

Your bike is SICK!

[Lorbaez]

Your bike is SICK!

thanks man. Yours is also really well done.

[Mcwilliams570]

Looks great so far man..Keep it up.

Matt

[Lorbaez]

Looks great so far man..Keep it up.

Matt

Thanks, its hepful to receive positive comments.

[Lorbaez]

Carburetor installation:

To be honest it has been hardest to install carburetors battery and its air cleaner chamber than engine installation
First I installed carburetors but then there was no space between them and frame to install air cleaner chamber. Then I removed carburetors and made a big package (carburetor+air cleaner chamber) it was no possible to install. Then I removed inlet manifold and made a biggest subgroup ( manifold+insulators+carburators+air cleaner chamber) but no space between cylinder head and frame to install it.
Finally I removed rubber stacks from chamber and install parts in order:
1st: manifolds, left and right
2nd: insulators and clamps
3rd: Carburetors
4th: air cleaner
5th stacks and clamps
6th air filter box

[Lorbaez]

I have a doubt that I’m sure some of you will solve:
Some days ago while viewing pictures of my bike I noticed something strange: Rear fender is not concentric with rear wheel. Initially I assumed that is due to rear shocks but then I saw that rear blinkers are not fixed to the frame but to the rear fender.
Then checking the rear fender I saw that it is not original, it has two weld studs in the front. AS far as I know these studs are not original but I don’t if some other Honda model have them.
Can you confirm where this fender is part from?
Thanks in advance

[Lorbaez]

You can see that rear indicators are not in the right place

[liPPy]

Loving this build thread! Very thorough, methodical and with lovely clear pictures.

Oh, and that B&W tank with the red frame looks amazing!