Topic: What's up with 500 clutch push rod?

[Bailgang]

While pulling apart a cb500 that's been setting under my bench I noticed the clutch push rod is 2 piece but everything I've read about the push rod claims it's supposed to be 1 piece so what gives? If mine is broken then it's the cleanest break I've ever seen. In the attached pic the shorter 2 9/16"  piece on the left is steel, the longer piece on the right is about 7 7/16" long and 6 5/8" of that is aluminum while the remaining 13/16" on the end that slides into the cup is steel. Is this factory or is this a broken push rod that was repaired by the PO? 

[DedHed]

Should be one piece....

http://www.bikebandit.com/houseofmotorcycles/1976-honda-cb500t/o/m9444#sch399645

I wouldn't think this should qualify for "If it ain't broke don't fix it" ....

Phil

[LesterPiglet]

That link is to a CB500T. So it won't be the same.

[TwoTired]

If the rod spins or the pieces spin at different speeds, the end will look machined.
  The rod is supposed to be one piece, from the break and wear machining, it is now shorter than the correct part.
There is post thread that discusses this, and it even has measurements to machine up a replacement.  I remember reading it.  But, I don't have a pointer for you.  May have been by forum member "number13".

Cheers,

[Bailgang]

It's from a 500 four and the 2 piece idea didn't really fly but I thought I better ask to make sure. Thanks for the input.

[Deltarider]

Actually the clutch lifter rod of the 500 Four underwent modification. Up to serial number 1018727 it shared the same rod (#22850-292-020) with various CB 450 models (the notorious Black Bomber). From serial number 1018728 it became #22850-323-000. That's the one in mine. It has survived 35 years of hard labour. Although I don't know the nature of the modification, I suggest to look for the latter.

[DavePhipps]

From the engine FAQ

"As of this writing, CB500 clutch push rods are pretty much impossible to find anywhere. They come up on Ebay every now and then but sell for $50+.  That's just stupid for something that may well break again...

So, between Shifter19 and Number13 (seeing a theme here?):

Measurements for a Honda OEM pushrod are:

10 1/8 inches or 257 mm long
3/8 inch in diameter or 9.5 mm

You can easily fashion a push rod from
3/8" steel rod found at any hardware store.
The shifter side end should be ground flat and square,
and the brake side end should be neatly rounded in a semi-sphere
to mate with the clutch basket. If you err, err on the side of a bit too
long since this will allow you to keep the lifter mechanism low and avoid cracking.
May also be a good idea to quench harden the ends. "

[Bailgang]

The engine itself is getting parted out on ebay, I was planning on throwing the push rod in with the clutch and cover but not if it was defective/broken which is why I wanted to make sure. I've got a good rep on ebay and want to keep it that way. I'm keeping the cyl head, valve cover and stator for spares for my 550 but everything else is going. It's been setting under my bench way too long.