Topic: 1972 CB500 Starting Procedure?

[03rangerxlt]

Aight guys, this is actually kind of embarassing to ask, but what is the starting procedure for my a bike; a 1972 CB500?

I ask because I've never owned a motorcycle before, and I've only been on one once, a long time ago.  I'm signed up for a basic rider's course in two weeks, but I'm hoping to have this thing started before then.  Don't worry, I'm not going to go out and get myself killed before I take that course if I get this thing started.

I need to know about the choke, the switch positions, etc..

Thank you! (ducks heads and waits for the flames)

[Greggo]

My '71 CB500 starting procedure:

Petcock On
Full Choke
Red Kill Switch In 'RUN' Position
Key Switched To 'ON' Position
Steady 1/8th Throttle While I Crank It With Starter
Open The Choke When It Starts

Once it's running, you'll need to hold the throttle open enough to keep the bike running.  Once it's warm, you can set your idle speed.

[bollingball]

+1 Greggo And make sure it is not in gear or you have the clutch pulled in. Has this bike ran lately or had a 3k tuneup?

Ken

[03rangerxlt]

The motor hasn't run in a while.  It was rebuilt and stored for awhile.

[bollingball]

Hopefully it was stored right. Was it ran after the rebuild? I think the better question to ask is have you ever ran it? If not how long have you owned it? Need to know more history of the bike.

Ken

[03rangerxlt]

It was rebuilt a year and a half ago, and then I bought it and stored it.  It was lightly oiled inside, and I plugged up the intake and exhaust.  I had it sitting under the workbench for the past year and a half.

I kicked over the starter today, and the motor sounds great.  It sounds like it has great compression and it wants to go!  I just need to add spark and fuel!

[CB500_k2]

My procedure based on guidance from my bike mechanic brother:

         1. Petcock on
         2. Choke on full
         3. Kill switch OFF
         4. Throttle open full
         5. Run starter for about 5 seconds
         6. Kill switch ON
         7. Throttle about 1/4 open
         8. Run starter - should start up promptly
         9. Engine should run with a bit of throttle - open choke as engine warms

[03rangerxlt]

Sounds good!  The choke is the lever on the "driver" side of the bike, no?  Which position is open, which is closed?

[Stev-o]

You may want to get a new battery, it is important for good spark. If your battery is two plus years old, most likely won't last long if it is good. You can try charging it if you have a charger [don't use an automotive charger].

My bikes won't start if given throttle before running.
[Except K8 which has accelerator pump. Yours does not]

[CB500_k2]

The choke is on when the lever is up.  For me this has always been a bit counter intuitive as I imagine the choke butterfly to be in the same plane as the lever.  It's not.

[Ausmithe]

In reference to the choke position. It should start off parallel to the ground, then you'll move it down as the bike warms up. That's about 30 seconds to a minute on mine, which is the same year and model.

[TwoTired]

My '71 CB500 starting procedure:

Petcock On
Full Choke
Red Kill Switch In 'RUN' Position
Key Switched To 'ON' Position
Steady 1/8th Throttle While I Crank It With Starter
Open The Choke When It Starts

Once it's running, you'll need to hold the throttle open enough to keep the bike running.  Once it's warm, you can set your idle speed.

This above is a good procedure to work with, when the carbs are working properly.

Twisting the throttle does nothing by itself as the there is no accelerator pump linked to it.  However, opening the throttle will allow extra fuel to pass through the slide needle jet.  If the choke plates are operating as they should, this is not usually needed and can lead to flooding (too much fuel).

If you suspect flooding, then take the choke OFF and hold the throttle wide open while cranking, this should clear the chambers in about two crank revolutions and allow you to start the procedure over again.


The choke lever is stamped with instruction.
Lever down is off= choke open.  Lever Up is choke on, butterflies closed.

Cheers,

[dave500]

your throttle might have a thumbscrew underneath between the two cables?,you can lock the throttle at a fast idle with this.

[Dimitri13]

your throttle might have a thumbscrew underneath between the two cables?,you can lock the throttle at a fast idle with this.

This is what I do. I just give the thumb screw a few turns before I start it up. While I"m putting my gear on it'll be warming up. I'll usually have to turn down the idle by the time I'm done. Then I take off. There's a few lights and stop signs to get to the main road from my house, so I'll use those to adjust the idle more. By the time I get to the main road, it'll be warmed up and idle will be on point. So I guess my starting procedure is:

1. Disconnect battery tender
2. Turn on petcock (VERY important)
3. Ensure the killswitch is in the on position (also very important)
4. Wait a few seconds for bowls to fill up
5. Turn up the idle
6. Start bike. May take a little twisting of the throttle. I don't use the choke
7. Put on gear
8. Adjust idle
9. Check mirrors and adjust if necessary (one of mine is kinda sloppy and droops from the vibration)