Topic: Help identify parts that are not stock on new bike

[samIam]

The bike is a 72 CB500 that I got not too long ago.  It looks like it was laid down and repaired at one point.  My mechanic and some people here say that the front end has been replaced with 550 or 750 parts.  I would just like to know what I'm dealing with when I get parts for it.  The speedo and tach are pretty far off.  Tach says 0 rpm when at low idle, speedo seems about 10mph off and my mechanic doesnt think the cables are dry.  Not sure what brand the exhaust is but its a pretty loud 4-2 setup.  Engine numbers match the original title.  Anybody see anything thats not original or something out of place?  Thanks again.

[Dimitri13]

The exhaust is not stock. The front fender does not have a forward support. The hose at the master cylinder is pointing the wrong way.

[camelman]

That seat cover is a crappy replacement and you are missing your rear turn signals. 

[TwoTired]

Front fender is from a 77 or 78 Cb550.
Instrument panel is from a 75-77 F model or 77-78K model.
If the gauges are really light green, they are from a 76 Honda.

If he speedometer reads 140 it is from a  750,  If the red line is marked 8500, it is a 750 gauge an has the wrong drive ratio for a 500.

Might be able to tell more if I knew the lower fork stanchion length.

Lowering blocks have been installed at the rear forks.  The shock angle increases swing arm bearing wear.

Right foot peg is roached in pic #1.

Fork ears are bent and from a 74-76 K or F model. (I think)  They have the gaitor engagement feature.

Rear turn sigs MIA.

#4 spark lead routing non-stock for the Cb500.

Seat is wtf?  Does it have a pan attachment?  You should recover it in pink leatherette to go with that stylin' lavender paint. 

Really crappy pictures to pick out the detail you are asking for.  But, the forward down tubes on the frame look bent in pic #5.

[scondon]

I'm not familiar with the 500's or 550's, but looking at the pics I can see a couple reasons why your mechanic might be questioning the front end.

1) Your warning light cluster is from a later model bike. Looks just like the one on the 75-78 model 750's (possibly 550's too, as I said I'm not familiar with them). The ignition switch sits in the half circle at the bottom of the cluster, but not the same switch type that you have mounted on the bar.

2) Your forks look to be raised at least an inch in the trees which would make one think that they are from a larger bike. If it were an entire front end switch I would guess at a 75-76 750F judging by the color of the clocks.

EDIT: Damn, TT! You know too much and type too fast. I'm gonna post this anyway

[BeSeeingYou]

From the look of the fender, caliper, and gauges/indicator it looks like the front end is off a 75/6 CB750F with the exception of the headlight bucket, fork ears, and turn signals.  Not sure what they are from. 

[samIam]

Alright, thanks.

I was able to get a nice 550 seat/lock set and rear blinkers for it.  For the speedo/tach setup, do I just get a 750 tach and speedo drive gear to make them accurate?  I'm not sure that I see the lowering blocks on the rear end, though.  I'll get some better pics up in a minute.

[samIam]

Sorry, I like taking pics.  If you want me to measure anything, you may have to put it in newby terms because I dont know what everything is called.  My mechanic reduilt the front brakes, straitened the handle bars, electrilysis the tank, synced the carbs, put the correct exhaust parts on and replaced some small parts like seat mounts and such. 

[TwoTired]

For the speedo/tach setup, do I just get a 750 tach and speedo drive gear to make them accurate? 

The speedo should work properly, AFAIK.  The Tach never will.  I used the same 76 CB750 gauges on a 74 CB550 for years.  I couldn't figure out why the engine would never make red line, until I learned the internal multiplier numbers had been rubbed off.  To make the tach work properly you'll need a 550 or 500 tach.

I'm not sure that I see the lowering blocks on the rear end, though.

At the rear of the swing arm, you'll see a big eye forward of where the shock is now mounted.  That is the normal shock mount position.  I suspect that at some point in the bike's life, an inseam challenged owner had the bike lowered by welding on another shock mount eye onto the swing arm.  That may also be why the the front forks are pushed up in the trees, as well, to lower the entire bike.  With the earlier fuzzy pictures I thought there was a lowering block, which was an available add on, to do the same thing without any welding.

Is that a rust hole in the front of the tank near the bottom?  I don't recommend feeding rusty flake gas to the carbs.

[Stev-o]

This is like one of those puzzles - "find 10 things different".  Even if it is a "bitsa" bike, still looks pretty nice. Green gauge faces don't seem to fade?  How's it run?

[Tews19]

is there electric tape wrapped over the for seal?

[samIam]

The speedo gauge seems off but it could be that I'm not used to riding yet.  I know the mileage counter is off.  I reset it and it says that Ive put 100 miles on it since I got it, I've put maybe 15/20 miles at the most.  Should I get a set of 500/550 gauges to verify?  Now that its back from the mechanic, it runs great.  It needs two stand pipes repaired or replaced and the tank leak repaired.  I'll have to ask the mechanic if he wants to coat the tank.  I've seen enough videos on it but, if he can do it with confidence, I'd pay him to do it.  Yes, it is electrical tape on the seals, if I take it off, the seals will fall apart.  There is also carpet under the fork ears to keep them from rattling.  TT, I didnt see that little rust spot until I posted the pic.  I just ran out there and looked, it seems to be just paint bubbling up.  He mentioned paint issue being related to how hot it got when he did the electrolysis, its bubbled in other places also.  Now that he has fixed it, it runs great, been riding it for the last couple days with no problems at all.  Before, I couldnt make it more then a mile without fuel problems related to the rusted tank(and my failed attempt to repair with vinegar).  He did all the stuff I didnt want to try to repair myself and risk my life on. 

[onepieceatatime]

The speedo gauge seems off but it could be that I'm not used to riding yet.  I know the mileage counter is off.  I reset it and it says that Ive put 100 miles on it since I got it, I've put maybe 15/20 miles at the most.  Should I get a set of 500/550 gauges to verify? 

I have a set in my garage. I'll take some pictures and maybe we can work something out.

[onepieceatatime]

Here they are.
There is a dent in the housing for the speedometer
The chrome back should polish out, and the red zone is faded. Otherwise they are in nice shape
.