Hi i’m Sara and in 2003 raced a CB500f in Belgium.
It all began with a free CB550K with a lot of oil leaks. Cured the oil leaks (some oilseals and gaskets) and drove the bike to work every day (motorcycle shop)
Then my brother sended me a CB750K1 from the States as a gift (original non restored, thanks Bro) So the 550 got little use and i lend to a friend who crashed it big time (thank you Joeri). Insurance paid 1000€ and i kept the wreck.
I bought a frame, forks, crankcases of a 550 and four buckets full of engine parts of three different bikes (500/550/650) for 250€. Rebuilding it back to original was not an option. But there where enough parts for a racer.
Front forks got WP springs and the rear a pair of Koni’s. Double discs at the front and a drilled drum for the rear. 18 inch alloy rim’s and a pair of Avon tyres. Frame lightened and reinforced.Tomaselli clip-ons. A top fairing and a tank/seat combination. Some homemade rearsets and the frame was ready.
Now for the engine, there where no trick pistons then, so we made our own
The cilinderhead got flowed and received R/D springs and titanium retainers. A camshaft of a 650 gave 1mm more lift. Cam followers got lightened. And a set of CB750 carbs and some 4-1 exhausts of unknown origin. CB500F cylinders and our trick pistons finish the top.
The crankshaft, conrods and pistons got balanced, the flywheel stays home, no need for that
A primary transmission from a 650 and a mix of gears from the three bikes (500/550/650) Thank you Mr.Honda for the perfect fit
Electronic ignition and a stronger clutch was fitted. The crankcases used where those of a 550. The 500 crankcases where missing the clutch cover and the sprocketcover and nowhere to find second hand.
Tested the bike in Croix, France and had some issues with the gearbox and the frontfork. The gearbox was easily fixed but the fork needed a stabilizer. Luckily Telefix still existed
Then came the race in Chimay. Qualifying went well, but the Saturday race was a DNF, forgot to charge the battery
Sunday race was much better, i finished in a 20Th place, second Honda and First Belgian Honda.
A month later, Jehonville. Narrow track and to much barbed wire for my liking. Weather is fine. Qualified second to last in the fast Group ( because the track was so narrow they split up the classes) Everybody in front of me where way to fast for me, so i needed a rocketstart. Got away fourth, was fifth in the lefthander, sixth in the righthander and eight in the following one. On the straight i kept my position and by the church someone passed me on the inside. I chased after him, past the cemetery, and at the lefthander after start/finish i tried to pass him on the outside. Ran out of tarmac and in to the grass. Kept the bike, but my foot got caught in some orange netting and i was pulled of the bike and landed on the track, lights out. The bike crossed the track and got t-boned by a Ducati. Destroyed beyond repair.
Took seven weeks to recover of my injuries. Bought a frame, Paioli forks, Bitubo shocks, a fairing etc… But i never had the time nor the will to rebuild the bike.
Until now. I started to rebuild the engine, got the crankcases welded. Inlettracks are being flowed.
Will keep you informed.
Sara
PS: in 2003 i was a man
