Author Topic: Honda CB500 1975 restoration (Read 11129 times)

Mace · « **on:** October 12, 2012, 02:59:34 PM »

Greetings everyone. Ive been reading all the topics regarding cafe racer rebuilds, and have decided to take the plunge and keep myself busy with a bike this time (i normally work on classic cars). I have therefore gone and picked up a CB500 (not sure of which k version it is) from 1975, i managed to get it all for £550 with delivery. As far as i know it has been stationary for quite a while.

Im hoping for a simple design, cheap and original and have two ideas at hand:

As you can see there isnt much to the bike, and ive recently stripped pretty much everything off of it in order for a complete rebuild.

Home:

- So my first hurdle are the carbs, and after taking off the chamber sets i had a little moment of, "oh $%£&", as you can see i have my work cut out for me!

It doesnt take a genius to figure out this is quite a serious problem, and as im new to bike restorations any advice would be much appreciated!

As i work 24/7 shifts i will do my best to update (with pics) as best i can as the project progresses. I am aiming for a late summer finish.

All the best.

goldarrow · « **Reply #1 on:** October 12, 2012, 04:23:38 PM »

Welcome to sohc4.

Looks like you'll be on a hunt for another set of carbs. Good luck with the build.

Mace · « **Reply #2 on:** October 13, 2012, 07:22:59 AM »

So theres good news -

But also very bad news! This 40 jet snapped inside the thread, doesnt look like i will be salvaging this one then!

Anyone got any ideas as to whether it is best to go and get it from this side? Or via the the other?

- After 1 hours bath:

Greggo · « **Reply #3 on:** October 13, 2012, 07:36:48 AM »

Welcome to the fourum! I unfortunately also suggest you look for a new set of carbs. Yours just look too corroded to salvage. Once the jet towers start to crumble, they're toast. It shouldn't cost you more than $100 for a decent set on ebay.

KB02 · « **Reply #4 on:** October 13, 2012, 07:50:52 AM »

Quote from: Greggo on October 13, 2012, 07:36:48 AM

Welcome to the fourum! I unfortunately also suggest you look for a new set of carbs. Yours just look too corroded to salvage. Once the jet towers start to crumble, they're toast. It shouldn't cost you more than $100 for a decent set on ebay.

+1

New carbs are in order. I just did a quick ebay UK search (and I mean really quick) and I found this set:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Set-of-4-Kelhln-Carburetors-Possibly-for-Honda-CB500-/320997050250?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item4abcea478a
The description sounded a bit off, but it's worth a look, I guess.

Greggo · « **Reply #5 on:** October 13, 2012, 07:56:22 AM »

What main jets were in those carbs, mace?

Mace · « **Reply #6 on:** October 13, 2012, 08:56:30 AM »

Cheers for the advice guys, i will start to look for other ones!

Greggo the jets i took out were 40's. I haven't taken other parts off yet so i cant say for sure. Plus i don't know my way round these carbs that well, yet!

Stev-o · « **Reply #7 on:** October 13, 2012, 11:46:22 AM »

Welcome. You have already received good advice, I agree, new carbs are in order.

rb550four · « **Reply #8 on:** October 13, 2012, 06:23:40 PM »

Welcome. That looks like a nice project. Looks like an F to me, No K style tank , side cover mounts look F, carbs are of the F variety. Looks like you have an F model. Ebay carbs look like a good choice from the outside. Pics look good , we like pics.
Does the engine turn over?

Greggo · « **Reply #9 on:** October 13, 2012, 09:40:16 PM »

F's have loops for the passenger peg mounts, and this one has the 'ears'. That is a K tank as well

Definitely a K.

Mace · « **Reply #10 on:** October 14, 2012, 09:49:37 AM »

Glad to see ive started some debating, as i really have no clue what model it is!

After some great degree of muscle power, stress, shouting and jacking i managed to get the engine out. This next week i am going to be focusing on grinding off those annoying side pannel mounts on the frame. As always pictures will follow!

Just to highlight to everyone the dangers of corrosion on our precious carbs!

Also, quick question, is there any chance of using carbs from another model/ manufacturer on the bike? Has anyone else used others? Im thinking of modern ones due to their abundance!

KB02 · « **Reply #11 on:** October 14, 2012, 12:03:31 PM »

Can you get CR carbs to fit a 500?

rb550four · « **Reply #12 on:** October 14, 2012, 02:55:41 PM »

Greggo, no disrespect but there seems to be a little confusion here.K tank has a lid to get to the cap

F tank has no lid ,just a chrome gas cap

The 2 on the left is K ,top is 77, bottom is 76, the right is standard F

PD carbs K. Passenger peg with open loop K. F does not. definately F.

rb550four · « **Reply #13 on:** October 14, 2012, 03:03:03 PM »

You can use a rack of PD carbs from a K model ( like the last pic I posted here) but , you will need the K model intake manifolds and pucks because they are larger than the carbs that came on your bike. You will also need the correct Throttle cables from the K and possibly a choke control cable and bar set up .

Scott S · « **Reply #14 on:** October 14, 2012, 03:10:25 PM »

Quote from: rb550four on October 14, 2012, 02:55:41 PM

Greggo, no disrespect but there seems to be a little confusion here.K tank has a lid to get to the cap

F tank has no lid ,just a chrome gas cap

The 2 on the left is K ,top is 77, bottom is 76, the right is standard F

PD carbs K. Passenger peg with open loop K. F does not. definately F.

Umm, I have to disagree with most of what you said. All of the '77-78 bikes had a gas cap lid, both the K and F models. The later K models also had the loop passenger peg mounts. The PD series carbs are also '77-78.
The brown side cover is for a K, the lower, green, triangular one is a F. The other green one came on the '71-76 K models.

The O.P. is frm the U.K. They got even different models. If his is indeed a '76 AND a CB500, then I'd have to call it a K model.

Stev-o · « **Reply #15 on:** October 14, 2012, 03:16:32 PM »

+1 - agree with Scott, my '76 550K tank does not have a "lid".

rb550four · « **Reply #16 on:** October 14, 2012, 03:49:26 PM »

My apologies if I am incorrect, I didn't recognize the 550 four F SS , as for some reason I don't own one. and according to the web photos it came with both closed and open loop for passenger pegs.
It seems that 75 F had a chrome tank lid and the 76 F ss had the door over the lid and open loop. Very confusing, Turns out I was the one confused I guess, my apologies.

Stev-o · « **Reply #17 on:** October 14, 2012, 04:00:24 PM »

rb - sorry, but none of the 550F's came with the chrome gas cap (I have a '75).

Look here...

http://www.sohc4.net/index.php/cb550/cb550-model-guide/

rb550four · « **Reply #18 on:** October 14, 2012, 04:11:16 PM »

Like I said , my apologies , I guess I could be more F#@%$ed up than I thought.

Mace · « **Reply #19 on:** October 15, 2012, 02:45:08 AM »

Cheers for the debating guys, as i literally have no idea which model it is!

So today ive focused on grinding off those annoying little side panel mounts, and after annoying the neighbors for a while ive managed to get there in one piece.

All a man needs in his life. Flat head, massive hammer, angle grinder and a hacksaw.

I admit this looks like ive cut straight through the frame at a right angle, i can assure you i havent!

Top stuff

However as always i have bad news:

I was wondering why they were stiff!

Quote from: rb550four on October 14, 2012, 03:03:03 PM

You can use a rack of PD carbs from a K model ( like the last pic I posted here) but , you will need the K model intake manifolds and pucks because they are larger than the carbs that came on your bike. You will also need the correct Throttle cables from the K and possibly a choke control cable and bar set up .

Cheers for that info, i have no doubt that i may end up using these. Will the manifolds from a k fit my 500 four? Or even a set of 550k carbs?

Greggo · « **Reply #20 on:** October 15, 2012, 08:57:48 AM »

There are lots of carbs out there that will fit. If you're going to go with pods, I've read the earlier 627B, or 022A carbs are easier to tune with those.

Mace · « **Reply #21 on:** August 02, 2016, 06:09:18 AM »

So I admit that ive not been best at keeping people updated with progress on my build $:-\$

Having bought a new house, moved into a new area, starting a new job and getting engaged, sadly the build got shelved for a while. But this summer I got back into it after I persuaded my dad to buy this:

http://www.kottmotorcycles.com/builds/2015/7/10/-grey-and-maroon

Needless to say, he is no longer a Beemer snob!

______

So a few pics of where I am at:

The only items remaining from the original bike are the frame, front forks and the front and rear wheel hubs.

Everything, and i mean everything else got binned (carbs, wiring, wheels etc)

I have lovely brand new rims/ spokes/ tyres, headlight (to be painted), rear shocks, mini gauges, front brake caliper , clip ons, and i even picked up a used tank from a 500 twin. The front forks have progressive springs installed in them and they are damn stiff now!

Im even debating on how I want the speedo mounted, i've settled on this position;

Thoughts?

Once I have the rolling frame sorted (just finishing up some painting on the brake disc and rear axle), I am going to be doing my very own ultrasonic cleaning of a new set of carbs I bought from a CB550. Theyre already in pretty good condition, only a few minor residues of fuel in those hard to reach places.

An old picture on my new carb cleaning progress.

Manky disc!

Brake disc covered and ready for some primer!

More to follow over the next few weeks (ive got a week off work now

)

riverfever · « **Reply #22 on:** August 02, 2016, 09:47:33 AM »

What brand of clip on bars are those Mace? Things look really clean in those last pictures!

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #23 on:** August 02, 2016, 11:48:56 AM »

Look like Tomaselli's

Mace · « **Reply #24 on:** August 02, 2016, 03:42:45 PM »

The clip on handlebars I found on eBay for a decent price.
Here is the link :

http://r.ebay.com/b7jfkI

News:

Author Topic: Honda CB500 1975 restoration (Read 11129 times)