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Author Topic: Bought my first CB, a 73' 500 four  (Read 3042 times)

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Offline drj434343

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Bought my first CB, a 73' 500 four
« on: August 10, 2012, 11:20:02 AM »
OK, after a month of searching, I ran across a really nice 73 CB500 four yesterday and jumped on it.  10K original miles, original owner (80 years old).  Always stored in a heated shop under a cover, this thing looks like it just came off the show room floor.  Except for a few little blemishes, chrome, paint, and seat are original and look new.  Both tires are original rubber.  It really is amazing, really runs well, started right up cold.  He used to ride it on weekends, and in the last few years rode it to the mailbox and back (he's on several acres).

Three non stock items I see.  Exhaust was replaced with a chrome 4 to 1 that looks perfect.  Also, the handlebars were changed pretty early on to some kind of S-curve set that come back further, and allow the rider to lean back a little more.  Looks like something you'd see in "Easy Rider".  Finally, the original master cylinder for the front brake started to leak at some point, and the owner replaced it with a Yamaha unit he had around, which fit perfectly.  Looks like a good job, except for the label.  I'm fine with the exhaust, but would like to find and install stock bars asap.

Owner is also a bush pilot and mechanic, and did all the maintenance himself over the years.  Best I can tell, it got regular oil changes, spark plugs, cam chain adjusts, and valve adjustments.  He was a dream seller; clear memory, seemed trustworthy, and loved the bike for 39 years.

I bought it for $2000.  Another potential buyer showed up as I was loading it up in the trailer and offered me $2500 right there for it.

So, besides new tires, what other tasks should I be considering?  If this were a car, I would be thinking about stage 0 stuff like plugs, wires, timing adjust, cam chain adjust, brake flush, new pads, etc.  Is there a standardized check list for these bikes you guys like to work with?

How about recommendations for good motorcycle tire brands?

Cheers,
Jason
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Offline LesterPiglet

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Re: Bought my first CB, a 73' 500 four
« Reply #1 on: August 10, 2012, 11:23:35 AM »
A picture would be lovely. :)
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'Then' and 'than' are completely different words and have completely different meanings. Same with 'of' and 'have'. Set and sit. There, their and they're. Draw and drawer. Could care less/couldn't care less. Bought/brought FFS.


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Offline drj434343

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Re: Bought my first CB, a 73' 500 four
« Reply #2 on: August 10, 2012, 11:27:10 AM »
Pictures coming.  His were small in the ad, and its still in the trailer all covered up.  I'm building a ramp to get it off this afternoon.
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Offline flybox1

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Re: Bought my first CB, a 73' 500 four
« Reply #3 on: August 10, 2012, 11:28:02 AM »
nice find.  gotta jump on them when they show up.
download the shop manual from this site, and start with a good cleaning with simple green and work your way through the 3000 mile maintenance procedures.

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=87489.0

pictures of newly acquired bikes should be required  ;)
« Last Edit: August 10, 2012, 11:29:57 AM by flybox1 »
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'78 750K (F3 engine) PD42b's, Modified airbox w/K&N  filter, 40/110 jets, 1 needle shim, IMS@ 1 turn out. Kerker + Cone 18" QuietCore

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Offline HondaMan

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Re: Bought my first CB, a 73' 500 four
« Reply #4 on: August 10, 2012, 12:04:39 PM »
Checklist:
1. Check the resistance and condition of the sparkplug caps. OEM ones are 7500 ohms, replace above 8500 ohms or if 500 ohms different from each other on one of the coils. Use 5000 ohm versions to replace them.
2. With ethanol fuels, I suggest ND sparkplugs. Use the X22ES-U type for the 500, unless touring: then use X24ES-U.
3. Don't be tempted to use [high-detergent] 10w40 oils, despite the printing on the dipstick: that was a MINIMUM, not a recommendation. Use 20w40 or 20w50, preferably a [low-detergent] mineral-based type like Castrol 4T or Bel-Ray.
4. Replace the condensors: they have died from age.
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See SOHC4shop@gmail.com for info about the gadgets I make for these bikes.

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Offline FuZZie

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Re: Bought my first CB, a 73' 500 four
« Reply #5 on: August 10, 2012, 01:32:28 PM »
Nice score, I'd like to see the pic's too! 
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Offline drj434343

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Re: Bought my first CB, a 73' 500 four
« Reply #6 on: August 10, 2012, 01:58:33 PM »
OK, managed to get her off the trailer on a home made ramp without falling over.  First hurdle passed.  Got her started up and went around the block a few times before putting her in my garage.  Second hurdle passed.

Pictures are attached.

A few things I noticed.  The handlebars are awful.  My knuckles are pointed almost strait sideways when I ride.  Time to start scouring eBay for a stock set pronto.

Second, the throttle roll is VERY stiff.  No return at all, and even rolling on is tough.  It will stay in position if I take my hand off the bar.  What's the first thing to look at in order to free up this motion?  I was smart enough to make sure the cruise control screw under the handle was unscrewed.  I've experienced cable actuated parking brakes get rust in that cable and seize up.  Is that kind of thing common on these bikes?

Third, when in neutral and clutch out, the transmission makes a noticeable whirring noise.  Something turning no doubt, but is moderate noise like this normal on these bikes?  Seems to shift and ride just fine, without a whine at speed.

The bike is extremely smooth, worlds different than the 1 cyl I learned on.  Smoother idle then both my 4 cyl Volvos.  She's a really big bike though, noticeably heavier than what I learned on.  I'm going to have to be careful with that.  Seems like a good fit otherwise, except that my hands are down by my knees because of those bars...
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Offline drj434343

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Re: Bought my first CB, a 73' 500 four
« Reply #7 on: August 10, 2012, 01:59:04 PM »
More pictures.
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1974 CT90 K5

Offline dave500

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Re: Bought my first CB, a 73' 500 four
« Reply #8 on: August 10, 2012, 02:05:47 PM »
great score,if your swapping the bars youll most likely need new throttle cables anyway but yours might just be dry or routed wrongly?the throttle spring on these was heavy and you simply swap it out for a lighter one,also check under the throttle between the cables that the throttle lock screw isnt wound in,it can be used to lock a fast cold idle as you gear up before a ride so you dont have to fiddle with the carbs idle screw.
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Offline flybox1

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Re: Bought my first CB, a 73' 500 four
« Reply #9 on: August 10, 2012, 02:07:03 PM »
effing gorgeous. great find.
love that color.
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'78 750K (F3 engine) PD42b's, Modified airbox w/K&N  filter, 40/110 jets, 1 needle shim, IMS@ 1 turn out. Kerker + Cone 18" QuietCore

Past Bikes
1974 550K0 (stock), 1973 CB350F (stock), 1983 Yamaha XS400K (POS)
77/78 cool 2 member #3
"Knowledge without mileage equals bullsh!t" - Henry Rollins

"This is my CB. There are many like it, but this one is mine…"

72500john

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Re: Bought my first CB, a 73' 500 four
« Reply #10 on: August 10, 2012, 03:30:16 PM »
very nice find! do the 3000 mile tune up items as flybox suggested first. carb sync which is part of that or fresh oil will most likely get rid of the noise in the clutch. mine does it a little until warmed up.
your throttle cables  are probably just dry. if you are replacing the bars get new ones anyway. motion pro has some good ones.
enjoy your bike! ;)
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Offline harisuluv

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Re: Bought my first CB, a 73' 500 four
« Reply #11 on: August 10, 2012, 04:15:07 PM »
Yeah that thing looks pristine in the pictures.  Handlebars are an easy fix :)
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Offline dave500

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Re: Bought my first CB, a 73' 500 four
« Reply #12 on: August 10, 2012, 04:23:06 PM »
check the age on those tyres aswell,even though the tread might look good and deep,it would be a shame to have even a minor spill on that bike.
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Offline jackseattle

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Re: Bought my first CB, a 73' 500 four
« Reply #13 on: August 10, 2012, 04:42:53 PM »
Very nice.  The bars are an easy fix so long as are drilled for routing the electric wires from the left and right hand controls. 
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Offline FuZZie

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Re: Bought my first CB, a 73' 500 four
« Reply #14 on: August 10, 2012, 05:31:45 PM »
Very nice, I think that's a much better buy!
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Offline bender01

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Re: Bought my first CB, a 73' 500 four
« Reply #15 on: August 10, 2012, 08:22:30 PM »
Thats a nice one! I love my 550! Its a great handling bike. I think you did well on the price from the pics.
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I think I'll be busy going for a ride.

Good luck!
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Offline +eb0

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Re: Bought my first CB, a 73' 500 four
« Reply #16 on: August 10, 2012, 08:53:37 PM »
Looks great, nice find!!

+eb0
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Offline Chachi

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Re: Bought my first CB, a 73' 500 four
« Reply #17 on: August 10, 2012, 10:45:56 PM »
Stock bars aren't too hard to find. Check the for sale listings here or post in the wanted section. Use the part number to look around online 53100-323-100, ebay etc. My 500 came with similar bars as yours.
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Offline LesterPiglet

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Re: Bought my first CB, a 73' 500 four
« Reply #18 on: August 11, 2012, 12:49:41 AM »
Wow nice.
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'Then' and 'than' are completely different words and have completely different meanings. Same with 'of' and 'have'. Set and sit. There, their and they're. Draw and drawer. Could care less/couldn't care less. Bought/brought FFS.


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Offline cgswss

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Re: Bought my first CB, a 73' 500 four
« Reply #19 on: August 11, 2012, 03:54:32 AM »
Cool Beans dude!  !st on the list HAS to be tires.  I don't think it matters a whole lot as you aren't going to be racing or spending long hours on the road in a downpore, just NEW and the original size.  I'd pull the cables at the top and tape little home made funnels around the top.  hang the cqbles from something and fill the home made funnels with oil and just let it set over night.  All of the cables have got to be dry.  I would also way over oil the chain and let it sit over night- then wipe it clean before you ride.  While it looks fantastic, I would still replace the fuel lines and put an inline fuel filter on it.  Of course do an oil change.  Give it a hand wash and get some wax on it. 

Enjoy- great looking bike.
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