Author Topic: RE: My $100 dollar CB500 - Thanks to everyone (Read 25703 times)

BillGodRules · « **Reply #50 on:** May 21, 2013, 06:02:01 AM »

If I did it would be yours. But sorry I do not.

chewbacca5000 · « **Reply #51 on:** May 21, 2013, 06:06:42 PM »

Quote from: BillGodRules on May 21, 2013, 06:02:01 AM

If I did it would be yours. But sorry I do not.

No worries it will get here soner or latter. Thanks anyway. How's your 500 going?

chewbacca5000 · « **Reply #52 on:** May 26, 2013, 07:28:56 PM »

So I finally gave up on waiting for my clutch gasket and made my own out of gasket maker. It wasn't really that hard to do just time consuming without the old gasket to use as a template. Took my old shocks apart with a home made spring compressor, sandblasted them, and powder coated them a nice silver. Thing were going good right up until I tried to mount a spare cb650 wheel to my cb500. You can interchange cb650 and cb750 wheels by switching the cush drive, but the cb500 / cb550 are all on there own.

You need the whole hub assembly. Made my own spanner tool with help from this thread http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=100188.0

So now it's what to do about my wheel. The one on there has a bad wheel bearing and lots of corrosion not sure it's worth messing with.

On the bright side the ignition system is in good working order and I did a quick test fire and that went ok.

Sorry no pics can't find my camera it's buried in motorcycle parts.

vma03 · « **Reply #53 on:** May 26, 2013, 11:36:15 PM »

Did you have any problems using a 550 motor with your 500?

I seem to be in the same situation. When I bought the bike, the frame said 72 CB500. However, when I started digging around, the motor said CB550E. Just curious if you ran into any compatibility problems?

I've almost got it started and once I get it started then I'll start a ground up restoration. My wiring is a little brittle and the only place that I found a new wiring harness is:

http://www.motorradteile-zubehoer.de/Wiring-harness-for-Honda

Maybe a little overkill for a budget build...

chewbacca5000 · « **Reply #54 on:** May 27, 2013, 05:42:46 AM »

Quote from: vma03 on May 26, 2013, 11:36:15 PM

Did you have any problems using a 550 motor with your 500?

I seem to be in the same situation. When I bought the bike, the frame said 72 CB500. However, when I started digging around, the motor said CB550E. Just curious if you ran into any compatibility problems?

I've almost got it started and once I get it started then I'll start a ground up restoration. My wiring is a little brittle and the only place that I found a new wiring harness is:

http://www.motorradteile-zubehoer.de/Wiring-harness-for-Honda

Maybe a little overkill for a budget build...

You should be ok on the motor. The problem I ran into is that the older electrical connectors of the 71 motor were not compatible with the newer connectors. Not sure when they made the change. If everything is currently plugged in and has a spot you should be ok.

As far as the wiring harness inspect and clean all connections. Also check for melted wires. These will need to be repaired. Green is your ground wire make sure you have a very good clean connection here. I did a quick check and things look normal.

Don't be surprised if your start button does not work either. I had to take the right hand control apart spray with electrical contact cleaner and blow out with compressed air several times. I got the start button to work by moving it side to side the rust in there acted as a lapping compound to clean the contact. More cleaner followed by compressed air did it.

Be very careful taking the controls apart and go very slow. Also check the headlight bucket make sure everything is nice and shinny. I got lucky here all was good. Only clean one connection at a time and put them back together.

chewbacca5000 · « **Reply #55 on:** May 27, 2013, 05:45:11 AM »

So after finally getting the cush drive off and pounding out one bearing I destroyed the other completely. The rim was so completely rusted it is probably for the best anyway. Got another on order. Hopefully I will get the tank cleaned and start here up soon.

chewbacca5000 · « **Reply #56 on:** June 08, 2013, 05:35:22 PM »

I know it's been a couple weeks since I have updated this thread, but I have some great progress to report. As I was having coffee this morning the shop called and said they had my rear shinko 712 mounted and ready to go.

Shortly after that my buddy showed up and we were getting ready to mount the tire and the rear brake was completely frozen. Got that unstuck and the brake shoe feel apart. Lucky for me the MC shop had some in stock.

Also the PO used a brake connection rod that was 2 inches too short spent 1 1/2 half hours trying to figure that out.

Finally got that squared away and got the exhaust on. Got some gas in her and she fired first try in since 1991!

Could not be happier. Still need a petcock that does not leak and carb 2 is soggy as well.

Here a a few pics. Cool thing was that this is a once owner bike even found the registration from 1973 under the seat.

chewbacca5000 · « **Reply #57 on:** June 08, 2013, 05:37:06 PM »

The seat that was chewed to death by mice and half rusted to piece. Going to try and save it somehow.

Tews19 · « **Reply #58 on:** June 08, 2013, 06:59:12 PM »

Great work! Now it may be hard to part with her!

chewbacca5000 · « **Reply #59 on:** June 08, 2013, 08:00:32 PM »

Quote from: Tews19 on June 08, 2013, 06:59:12 PM

Great work! Now it may be hard to part with her!

Not at all. It was the plan from day one. I will get some better pics soon the whole black and silver theme is coming alone nicely. Engine is solid no smoke or weird noises or anything.

Stev-o · « **Reply #60 on:** June 09, 2013, 07:40:27 AM »

Great news. I hate when the PO changes/screws something up and takes hours to figure it out.

chewbacca5000 · « **Reply #61 on:** June 09, 2013, 10:56:06 AM »

Quote from: Stev-o on June 09, 2013, 07:40:27 AM

Great news. I hate when the PO changes/screws something up and takes hours to figure it out.

Yeah it was probably why this bike got parked in the first place. Wasn't too bad I am a swing arm champion now! Can drop that puppy in a few minutes now.

Fix the gas pissing problem as well. Had the selector in wrong for the petcock, and there was a dimple in the float tang. Thanks to another thread I knew what to look for.

Got it so it idles half way decent. Off to figure out the clutch cable stuff now. Wish me luck.

chewbacca5000 · « **Reply #62 on:** June 09, 2013, 04:44:32 PM »

First thank's to Dave for posting how to get the cb500 clutch working. Loosen lock nut turn big screw till it stops and back it off a smidgen. I was using the cb750 snug 1/2 turn back off with bad results.

I learned from another post that the front rotor is smaller on a cb500 than a cb750. The diameter is much, much smaller. The front wheel and rim work, but you got to remember to change the rotor.

At least I am headed in the right direction now. Think I will drop the tire in the morning and bolt up work on the front brake.

chewbacca5000 · « **Reply #63 on:** June 10, 2013, 08:21:54 PM »

Dropped the tire off and put the new Shinko 712 on today. It cost more to dispose of the old tire and install the new than the cost of the tire. I really got to get this tire stuff mastered. Wouldn't be so bad if 25 year old tires were not as hard as steel.

Any it looks decent and works. Got the front brake done too. Master cylinder was bad so I switched it out for one that works. If you have an ultrasonic cleaner it does wonders to get all the old junk out and restore function.

Tomorrow is lights and seat. More pics to come.

jerry h · « **Reply #64 on:** June 11, 2013, 09:41:35 AM »

Nice - waiting for the next installment

chewbacca5000 · « **Reply #65 on:** June 11, 2013, 05:14:47 PM »

Quote from: jerry h on June 11, 2013, 09:41:35 AM

Nice - waiting for the next installment

Here you go! Does not get any better than this. I just want this bike to put out, but she has made me work for it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdpTYSPL3wk

Stev-o · « **Reply #66 on:** June 11, 2013, 06:57:51 PM »

Wow....fired right up. Great job....

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #67 on:** June 11, 2013, 07:43:26 PM »

Good stuff Chewy....

RAFster122s · « **Reply #68 on:** June 11, 2013, 07:50:25 PM »

Cool, glad it was painless. Wink

chewbacca5000 · « **Reply #69 on:** June 11, 2013, 08:07:59 PM »

Quote from: RAFster122S on June 11, 2013, 07:50:25 PM

Cool, glad it was painless. Wink

Thanks guys! Feels really good to know my buddy will be up and running soon. Just got to fix the seat and finish the repairs on the fairing and the bike should be good to go. It looks pretty mean the whole black and silver. Harbor Frieght sell this great Rustoleum armor exhaust paint. The satin looks like it is ceramic coated. Very nice finish.

Hopefully it will stop raining so I can do a shake down run soon.

chewbacca5000 · « **Reply #70 on:** June 16, 2013, 05:38:03 AM »

So I took here out for the first spin yesterday and I don't know about you, but I feel more like a test pilot than a rider on the very first run. No matter what something always needs adjusting.

So I start out and the shifting is tough and heavy felt like the shifter was going to go through my foot at first. Latter that day went out on the blvd and got here up to 60, but that was about it. Latter I found out the cables were getting hung up.

Still having a problem with the RPM returning to normal once I stop. It just likes to stay at 3,000 or more for a good long while before returning to normal. Ordered some cables and will see if that makes a difference.

Second run of the day after getting the cables more adjusted was able to get full throttle and get normal speeds. Totally different than the cb750 this cb500 is right a home around 6000 RPM.

zoombyu · « **Reply #71 on:** June 19, 2013, 10:35:33 AM »

I have the same problem with the idle after stopping. if I'm cruising and pull the clutch in and stop it does that but if I downshift and brake it pull the rpms down and it sits at 1k-1.2k like it should. So i would like to know how to get that fixed as well.

Stev-o · « **Reply #72 on:** June 19, 2013, 05:26:30 PM »

Being a test pilot is fun!

wowbagger · « **Reply #73 on:** June 20, 2013, 04:23:46 PM »

Quote from: zoombyu on June 19, 2013, 10:35:33 AM

I have the same problem with the idle after stopping. if I'm cruising and pull the clutch in and stop it does that but if I downshift and brake it pull the rpms down and it sits at 1k-1.2k like it should. So i would like to know how to get that fixed as well.

+1 same with my '71 CB500. I'd love to know how you fix it.

chewbacca5000 · « **Reply #74 on:** June 21, 2013, 09:02:35 PM »

Quote from: wowbagger on June 20, 2013, 04:23:46 PM

Quote from: zoombyu on June 19, 2013, 10:35:33 AM
I have the same problem with the idle after stopping. if I'm cruising and pull the clutch in and stop it does that but if I downshift and brake it pull the rpms down and it sits at 1k-1.2k like it should. So i would like to know how to get that fixed as well.

+1 same with my '71 CB500. I'd love to know how you fix it.

I don't have if fully resolved, but my plan of attack is to start with new motion pro throttle cables. The crusty 20 year old ones just aren't that great.

I think the cable is to blame because I unhooked the cables and the bike idle would go right to around 1,700 or so. My tach is pretty lousy as well could be a +-300 rpm.

Also the drilled air screws are pre set and non adjustable. Filling these in with solder or jb weld should allow the bike to idle around 1,100.

My advance is not the greatest either and has a slight wobble with affects tune as well. Maybe my advance bolt got bent?

So a few things to fine tune yet.

The extra parts will be for sale soon so keep an eye out for that.

News:

Author Topic: RE: My $100 dollar CB500 - Thanks to everyone (Read 25703 times)