Topic: Tell me what you know about a 500t

[grumburg]

         Yeah, it could be a decent looking ride, with a little help. Myself, I'd get a set of 450 exhaust pipes and pickup on a pair of aftermarket mufflers. I know that JCWhitney's has some and Mike's XS
Parts (I know it's a place for Yamahas but, they have stuff that could be used on anything and I think it's actually mikesxs.com, but I'm not sure since I haven't been there in a while) I'm sure there are other places to check for parts. I totally agree on the seat thing and the side covers. After you take care of the seat thing and decide that you want some kind of covers, perhaps you could fab some up out of some aluminum or sheetmetal. The gas tank does look good, in my opinion too, but if you did decide on another, you could ebay the 500 tank and help support the bike. Those tanks don't show up on ebay too often and are usually priced higher than others. Good Luck with your project.

                                                       Later on, Bill

Bill: You read my mind! Looked on Mikes xs site last night and he has a 17" megaphone with a universal adapter and sliding mount for $46 each. Thanks.

[grumburg]

Well, I have struck out trying to find a SOHC4 for my winter project, I guess I will buy this 500T. Does anyone know a source for an exhaust system and can I eliminate that butt ugly crossover? 

about the crossover.  unless you can find someone that has done the mod and succeeded in not destroying the rideability of the bike... don't do it.

kawasaki ex500 twins use a crossover exhaust system.  one exhaust pulse from one cylinder helps to pull the next exhaust pulse from the other cylinder by utilizing the negative pressure in the crossover.  i recently rebuilt this bike for the gf and serious running problems put this bike out of commission until i found an un-butchered header system.

Guess I don't understand why to 500s had the crossover and the 450s didn't. They are both 180 degree parallel twins.. Must sweep the other cylinder during the odd overlap. Since the headpipes are in good shape and the exhaust is two piece, I have the option of replacing the mufflers only.

[bill440cars]

about the crossover.  unless you can find someone that has done the mod and succeeded in not destroying the rideability of the bike... don't do it.

kawasaki ex500 twins use a crossover exhaust system.  one exhaust pulse from one cylinder helps to pull the next exhaust pulse from the other cylinder by utilizing the negative pressure in the crossover.  i recently rebuilt this bike for the gf and serious running problems put this bike out of commission until i found an un-butchered header system.

Guess I don't understand why to 500s had the crossover and the 450s didn't. They are both 180 degree parallel twins.. Must sweep the other cylinder during the odd overlap. Since the headpipes are in good shape and the exhaust is two piece, I have the option of replacing the mufflers only.

     heffay & grumburg,
                                It is puzzling to me also why the 500 had the crossover (or balance tube), when NONE of the the 450s had them and there have been some folks use the 500 head on their 450s for road racing, and these bikes had no cross over. Maybe I'm wrong but, I don't see why you couldn't do without it. If there was enough  of a restriction in the exhaust system, I could see where it could help.

                                                           Later on, Bill

[CBGBs]

I don't think the crossover is necessary. It gives the motor more power in the lower to mid range without sacrificing much of anything at the top. Some bikes today may have them some don't. I don't think the 500 has any special design that would require it. I would keep them and just add some magaphones. But I would definatly add some pictures.

[crazypj]

You could just make a 'H' pipe to fill in the gap. It doesnt need to be the huge thing Honda fitted, that is also a resonance chamber to quiet exhaust.
In Britain there used to be an aftermarket 'H' pipe for the CB/CM 250/400,and also for CX500. Someone there should be able to get a pic of it to show you whats needed
PJ

[bryanj]

Only big problem with the 500T was the starter clutch going west and if it does REMOVE it before it destroys the alternator rotor.

Also needs a totlly different mind set on maintainance, the one that gave up on a dose of truck oil probably did so because the centrifugal oil filter gunged up, needs cleaning VERY regularly, not the oul as fleet 10w40 diesel oil is exactly the right spec but needs changing every 1500 miles

[grumburg]

Thanks guys. Have started tearing it down for major maintenance. Tank and carbs are dry and spotless. Swing arm had never been greased, almost froze. Only concern was lots of gas in the oil. Didn't smell it in the breather, so I hope it was never run that way. Maybe they just drained the tank through the engine! Many SOHC4 are interchangeable.

[bill440cars]

            Grumburg,
         
                    When you get the chance, browse through this and see what you think.

           http://home.earthlink.net/~toddhenningracing/

                                                        Later on, Bill

[Jay B]

If the performance was down compared to the 450, what changes were made? Carbs, cams, compression ratio? You'd think it would run a little stronger with the longer stroke.

I've come across a nice 500T for $500. Haven't heard it run, but kicking it over it seems to have lots of compression, gas tank absolutely clean, etc. Should run with little or no effort. Problem is, I've also found a '78 750K I want and can't do both. Decisions, decisions.......

[bill440cars]

       Like you said Jay,"Decisions, Decisions. I don't know what to tell you. I do know that there have been some who wanted the 750s and couldn't find them. Then again, the 500T is scarce and, I feel like it could be a good bike because of the ability to use a lot of 450 parts on it also. There ought to be a law against having to make such a decision. It's all up to you though. Others would tell you what they'd do, but they'd be expressing their feeling, not yours. All will say is, weigh it out, think about what you are after, what your goals are and how comfortable you'd be on either bike and try to narrow it down that way. LOL with what you decide Jay.

                                                          Later on, Bill   

[grumburg]

If the performance was down compared to the 450, what changes were made? Carbs, cams, compression ratio? You'd think it would run a little stronger with the longer stroke.

I've come across a nice 500T for $500. Haven't heard it run, but kicking it over it seems to have lots of compression, gas tank absolutely clean, etc. Should run with little or no effort. Problem is, I've also found a '78 750K I want and can't do both. Decisions, decisions.......

Did some research since I bought it. Compression was lowered from 9:1 to 8.5. Was Honda's 1st smog engine. Also, final drive was lowered slightly to lower cruising RPM. The SOHC4 spoiled riders on vibration. Everybody called them heavy, but spec sheet says 425# vs 430# for the K7. Since I tore it down, parts have not been a problem (except finding better mufflers). Just about everything else is 450K7. As for the timing, I have made some of my best bike purchases at the most unopertune times (this one included).

[bill440cars]

            Hey grumburg, What kind of mufflers are you wanting? Also, where have you looked? I'm looking at the Commando style, or the shorter, megaphones myself. What do you think? Now I don't remember the exact size of the 450 or 500Ts pipes but, that's what I've narrowed my choices down to, as far as style goes.


http://www.mikesxs.net/mikesxs-exhaust.php?category_id=5.1