Topic: CB 500 Four (1972?) Full Restoration

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Mick,

The level of work here is producing a concourse restoration. Amazing job!

Are you building this purely as a showpiece or to ride it, too.

[MickB]

Thank you gentlemen for your comments and encouragement. It's still a fair way off. I don't think it's concourse, if it was that I'd be getting more professionals to do work, but I'm doing it on the cheap.

I'm pleased however after getting a pile of parts its staring to come together.
I'm a amateur at this, if you look closely you can see the paint was done by a plodder, however in the overall its not looking too bad.
Cb750 I'm going to ride it,

Ricv good luck with your 500,

Cal I had no idea about dimples on the bottom fork cap, but I knew about dimples on the bottom.

[MickB]

Thanks Cal, yes thanks I also referred to SohRon's "the Oracle" (only mention his name in hushed tones) build (many many times over the months) yesterday, but dimples I'll look closer. I also have been given the incorrect dust seal for the front wheel, so need a correct one.
The guards are/ have been at the chromers for months, they needed a lot of metal work and when they came back to him he was disgusted at the sloppy workmanship and sent them back.
They took off the wiring tunnel on the back guard to fix a dint and then re welded the tunnel back again, these will be the most expensive parts on the bike, it would have been cheaper to get replicas from David Silver, but too late now.
I'm told I should have them back in a few weeks, after this I'm happy to wait and not rush Ultimate Shine as he's done a fantastic job.

[MickB]

Does this look right?

[bryanj]

Looks like it has been undone previously then retightened and re staked

[MickB]

Thanks man

[MickB]

Got the barrels and head on after much difficulty getting the cam chain onto the cog.





Next finish with the selectors and clutch.

To hot to work 109 in the shade on Friday afternoon.

Saturday picked up the front axle and the 2 caliper bolt heads after chroming at Ultimate Shine, looks great. A mate turned up and helped me get the brake lines installed, I'd bought a new hard line from the calipers and that needed a bit of easing in to make it fit neatly into the join where the rubber grommet  goes in its little cradle.

[Bootsey]

Coming along nicely Mick!

[MickB]

Thanks mate

[MickB]

Question. What stops the speedo gear on the front wheel from turning. The book says the torque for the front axle nut is 33 - 40lbs. If you tighten it to that point the speedo gearbox locks up?

[bryanj]

If the speedo gearbox locke solid when the nut is tight something is put together wrong or the gearbox is knackered

[MickB]

Thanks Bryan but I fully reco'd the speedo gearbox it works perfectly.

 

It all fits perfectly, to me the wheel spins ok and the speedo cogs turn ok.

[MickB]

Thanks Cal, Basically the speedo box outer casing just locks onto the fork, as I have done. The two inner teeth lock onto the gearbox retainer.
The speedo cable is spinning perfectly.

The axle nut is really just nipped up and the whole thing is locked in place by the collars at the base of the forks as shown in the photo.

My original question was when the axle nut was tightened to the torque spec it locked the speedo gear up tight against the retainers on the wheel.

[MickB]

I think we're saying the same thing, but I'll put a video clip on to show what I mean.

[bryanj]

The steel part in the gearbox should touch the bearing inner so that the spindle, bearing inners and gearbox work as all one unit whilst the gears in the gearbox and the wheel hub etc spin round. If the gearbox outer is locking to the hub there is a problem, possibly with bearing spacers

[MickB]

I'll pull the wheel off again and make sure. Thanks Bryan

[MickB]

Selectors in place, looks ok, can someone confirm.

[MickB]

Clutch on and cover.





Neutral switch installed, is it correct? Looks ok to me.



All this in 105°F/ 41.5°C, sweating like a dog.

Ordered the seal and O ring for the tachometer drive, still available must be used in plenty of other Hondas.

[MickB]

Went to put the cam cover on only to find 2 threads are stripped, I'd never thought to check them before assembly, heli coil today.

Here's a quick look at the cover on and I thought I had to break up the silver with some black highlights.





Note the exhaust stud not been re- zinced, it stands out like the proverbials. I think I'll get it re-zinced if I can't find some chromed acorn nuts to cover its unsightly self.

[MickB]

Thanks Cal, I haven't forgotten the exhaust gaskets.

I hope tomorrow to have the engine in the frame nad footpegas and wirin g loom installed.

[MickB]

Heli coils in without having to remove the head, taped and covered everything and as the tap went in had the vacuum cleaner working and it worked beautifully (this tip is from Ivan the ace mechanic). Alternator in and inlet manifolds on.

 

Oil plugs with new O rings in after paint.





What spark plugs and plug caps do I need as there are different degrees available?

Should I put the Carbies on now or when the engine is in the frame?

Does anyone have a photo of how the steering lock goes on and the seat lock with a plunger?

[DH]

seat lock and plunger

[MickB]

Thanks DH

Big step, engine in after a mate came and helped this morning. Hooray!

[MickB]

You bet Cal, carbies on tomorrow I hope and then electrics. Except I can't find my oil stick or the seat hinge! I'll have to have a big clean up, which will cause much joy to my wife.

[MickB]

Cal which spark plug caps  for cylinders 1 - 4? should I get 102° or 120°? What's better or is it just aesthetics?