Author Topic: 1973 CB500 Restore, 1243 orig miles, So.Cal backyard find (Read 15648 times)

rtbmrgl · « **on:** July 17, 2013, 10:24:48 AM »

iron_worker · « **Reply #1 on:** July 17, 2013, 12:45:19 PM »

She's looking great.

Did that smoke ever clear up?

IW

rtbmrgl · « **Reply #2 on:** July 17, 2013, 05:57:33 PM »

Thanks, yes it did stop smoking, well mostly. After syncing the carbs most of the smoke subsided, but getting on the road and putting a few miles on it should help. I did put Marvel Mystery oil in the cylinders while I was working on it, hooked up the battery and spun the engine every once in awhile. Also I wasn't sure about the low miles but after taking counter shaft cover the screws had no signs of ever been removed, the counter shaft sprocket was like new. BTW it did help get ride of the mosquitoes in the neighborhood.

goldarrow · « **Reply #3 on:** July 17, 2013, 08:47:07 PM »

i love the first start with the smokes...awesome. all my bikes that i have rescued never made that much smokes though....

rtbmrgl · « **Reply #4 on:** July 18, 2013, 08:45:46 AM »

Hey Goldarrow, I'm glad I didn't have to do any engine work other the tune up stuff, bringing an engine back to life is much more challenging. I think its great that you and others are restoring these old bikes, Its like putting a bit of history back to life. GOOD WORK

rtbmrgl · « **Reply #5 on:** July 25, 2013, 12:17:59 PM »

Getting closer

rtbmrgl · « **Reply #6 on:** August 11, 2013, 04:53:16 PM »

Finish My 1973 CB500, runs great.

1973 Honda CB500 restore Finished

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #7 on:** August 11, 2013, 07:52:27 PM »

All I can say is "WOW!" Clean machine. Great job.

rtbmrgl · « **Reply #8 on:** August 11, 2013, 08:25:28 PM »

Thanks, I did find an oil leak on first test drive, Head gasket. I posted question in open forum

Bankerdanny · « **Reply #9 on:** August 11, 2013, 10:02:58 PM »

Similar story to the 550 I bought in 2011. 7,000 original miles, parked since around '82 (with gas in it). I bought it from the grandson of the 2md owner who bought it in '79.

This is what it looked like after nothing more than a bath and shine. At this point it was still wearing the tires it came with from the factory in '77.

rtbmrgl · « **Reply #10 on:** August 12, 2013, 07:50:15 AM »

Bankerdanny Wow your 550 is very nice, mine had more damage from sitting outside with a cover or not. The fenders and mufflers look good from a distance but up close there's dings and rust pitting. It did develop a oil leak from the head gasket,

so little bummed. Here,s a link to open forum-

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=125323.0;topicseen

toytuff · « **Reply #11 on:** August 12, 2013, 08:03:39 AM »

WOW! Very nice work!

Get's the

award.

tt

Bankerdanny · « **Reply #12 on:** August 12, 2013, 09:07:50 AM »

Sadly I made the very stupid decision to sell mine about 6 months after I bought it in order to pick up the '77 Goldwing I have now. I missed it so much I finally bought a couple project 550's that I am combining into 1 bike right now.

Tews19 · « **Reply #13 on:** August 12, 2013, 12:11:16 PM »

BOTM nomination!

rtbmrgl · « **Reply #14 on:** August 12, 2013, 05:21:16 PM »

The 1977 Gold Wing is a great bike, I had a '78 in the early 80's and loved it.

As far as the oil leak at the head gasket, it seems to be subsiding the more miles I put on the bike.

Maybe the MOTORCYCLE GOD is looking down upon me, ..... well its probably looking out after the bike not me.

Stev-o · « **Reply #15 on:** August 12, 2013, 07:21:36 PM »

Quote from: Tews19 on August 12, 2013, 12:11:16 PM

BOTM nomination!

Seconded! Great job. Makes me want a 500

rtbmrgl · « **Reply #16 on:** August 20, 2013, 01:31:10 PM »

Well ran the first full tank, runs great, got about 45mpg(but whos counting) I think I going to have to do some makin da seat mo com-fee.

dangerdan408 · « **Reply #17 on:** August 20, 2013, 11:46:04 PM »

First let me say...AMAZING job on the bike, that is something to be proud of. One quick question, who did the bodywork? That color is amazing.

rtbmrgl · « **Reply #18 on:** August 21, 2013, 10:28:28 AM »

Thanks, I did the frame, the gas tank was done by All Stars Autoworks, http://www.allstarsautoworks.biz/
The paint used was VMR Candy Bacchus Olive for the top coat and the base coat I used was similar to Light Blue Metallic Basecoat that VMR sells but with more metallic. The stripes are pin striped not the factory decal with clear on top.
I get a lot of compliments on the tank paint and I do like the color.

Don't get me wrong the paint is great, but its a double edge sword, if i painted myself it would not be as nice and I wouldn't have a problem putting a tank bag on, but with such a nice paint I afraid to scratch it. So i did next best thing, Tail Bag.
thanks again

dangerdan408 · « **Reply #19 on:** August 21, 2013, 08:34:05 PM »

Quote from: rtbmrgl on August 21, 2013, 10:28:28 AM

Thanks, I did the frame, the gas tank was done by All Stars Autoworks, http://www.allstarsautoworks.biz/
The paint used was VMR Candy Bacchus Olive for the top coat and the base coat I used was similar to Light Blue Metallic Basecoat that VMR sells but with more metallic. The stripes are pin striped not the factory decal with clear on top.
I get a lot of compliments on the tank paint and I do like the color.

Don't get me wrong the paint is great, but its a double edge sword, if i painted myself it would not be as nice and I wouldn't have a problem putting a tank bag on, but with such a nice paint I afraid to scratch it. So i did next best thing, Tail Bag.
thanks again

Thanks for the reply with the info, I totally understand about going overkill on the paint and being scared to use the bike readily...I had Marble's Motors do the paintwork for my K0 and now I'm going to be a nervous wreck all the times I'm out riding it. But for what it's worth, the bike is beautiful, and I will have to be on the lookout for a 500 or 550 four to build...I've heard they're very smooth and easy to get along with, exactly what I'm looking for.

rtbmrgl · « **Reply #20 on:** August 22, 2013, 06:14:48 PM »

Yeah its not going to stop me ridding,
Fell the fear and do it anyway!

rtbmrgl · « **Reply #21 on:** April 02, 2014, 06:12:38 PM »

Re-kindling my old post, I hope this is ok. ...I just finished my 750 project so now I'm goin back to my 500 that has developed an oil leak at the head gasket, see pic.
Is there any thing I should know before tackling.
Plan is to replace head gasket, o-rings and seals, and also valve stem seals. The bike has 2000 orig miles so don't plan on rings. I know there are pros and cons about replacing the base gasket, considering doing this.

seanbarney41 · « **Reply #22 on:** April 02, 2014, 06:55:51 PM »

Hi, my 550 has the exact same leak. I was thinking there is an oil passage o-ring right there that is prone to leaking but I have not properly researched this yet. Gonna need a head gasket to get to that o-ring anyway.

goldarrow · « **Reply #23 on:** April 02, 2014, 06:59:32 PM »

If leak is tolerable, I say keep riding

rtbmrgl · « **Reply #24 on:** April 02, 2014, 08:19:07 PM »

Quote from: seanbarney41 on April 02, 2014, 06:55:51 PM

Hi, my 550 has the exact same leak. I was thinking there is an oil passage o-ring right there that is prone to leaking but I have not properly researched this yet. Gonna need a head gasket to get to that o-ring anyway.

Quote from: goldarrow on April 02, 2014, 06:59:32 PM

If leak is tolerable, I say keep riding

thanks for getting back. We'll see how it is as I'm going on a long ride this Sunday. Normal I've been going back forth to work, its not too far away.
When I first restored the bike it hadn't been started since 1980, the oil leak was much greater and became less the more I rode the bike. Now it has settled to a slight seep, i think oil may have swelled up the dry gasket.
Yes I have also heard the o-ring may cause this leak.

Ill give a full report after the ride.

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Author Topic: 1973 CB500 Restore, 1243 orig miles, So.Cal backyard find (Read 15648 times)