Topic: CB 500 Four (1972?) Full Restoration

[MickB]

Now I don't want any of you to start crying and get the tissues out, but the forum members are great, I wouldn't have got this far without the help from members with advise and selling/ swapping or just giving me parts I needed to complete this 500.

With blokes like Mcwilliam570, Dave500 and Calj737 who've sent stuff I've needed, what can I say - but thank you and all the other members in trying to help me along with advise and encouragement.

Stop crying you're a grown man!

[MickB]

Cal come to Sydney for more. Mick (I'm no fairy)

[dave500]

if you want good most cam chains will be fine so long as its not wing/wahh happy horse brand?,"DID"  will be about the best?ive run david silvers aftermarket ones fine,like cheap drive chains most of the cheap ones are as good or better than back in the day?so long as its not laughing horse wing chahh or some other #$%*?

[Bootsey]

I recently bought a 550 endless cam chain from David Silvers, it was listed as aftermarket with no info of the brand, and what arrived was a DID chain, if that's of any help.

[dave500]

same chain 500/550,"DID"= over kill.

[MickB]

Bout to get tyres, what should I get 18" rear & 19" front.

Any suggestions appreciated.

[MickB]

Head and barrels back from "Linishing", both surfaces perfectly flat, they did a great job.





Valve seals in



Valves in, oiled the stems prior to insertion. Learnt the hard way keep a finger on the valve seals as you push the valves through, one popped off and I lost the spring, luckily I had an old seal and used it's spring.

All inner and outer seats in place correctly, springs all within spec.



Couldn't finish the job as I don't have a valve spring compressor tool, so I'm stuck for a while - anyone got an easy way without a compressor?

Ordered a cam chain today not in stock in Australia, so a 2 - 3 week wait.

[Stev-o]

Bout to get tyres, what should I get 18" rear & 19" front.

Yes, 3.25-19 F and 4.00-18 R were the original inch size or 90/90-19 F and 110/90-18 is the metric equivalent.

Avon, Bridgestone and a Dunlop and all good tires. 

[MickB]

Thanks Stevo

[dave500]

looking good but whats with the wrong numbering on the head?get a cheap valve spring compressor and do some thing like this to it so it fits,i turned the spring cap part upside down and made up a piece to fit the cap.

[MickB]

Dave, I thought I was wrong with the numbers, it was more for me when I did the valve lapping, at least when I put the valves with the corresponding numbers I would get the correct valve in the right hole.

Thanks for the tip re valve compressor.

[MickB]

Not much done today, cleaned up the Airbox and filter housing (was given them by McWilliams- thanks mate)

[dave500]

great photo of a complete unit!stick it on the pods thread?

you got the mesh cover for the oblong intake hole?

[MickB]

Dave which Pods thread and where?

Yes I've got the mesh, but it's very rusty. I figured on renewing it.

[dave500]

THE PODS THREAD!click the link and enter if you dare?
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=20869.600#lastPost

[MickB]

No work on the 500 for the next 2 weeks, away on holidays.

Good news is I'm going for a ride down the Great Ocean Rd.

One of the best bike riding roads in the world, ocean and cliff on the left mountains on the right. Check it out!

[Stev-o]

WOW....looks awesome. What bike you riding?

[Tews19]

Point break?

[MickB]

Don't laugh Stevo but a my daughter's 250 Honda. I'm on a learners licence and in Australia it restricts you to 250 and under. She's on her Triunph 600 Street Triple!

It'll still be a blast, (Geelong - Lorne - Forrest - Geelong) then return up through the mountains via Forrest (check it out on Google Earth)

[Stev-o]

Don't laugh Stevo but a my daughter's 250 Honda. I'm on a learners licence and in Australia it restricts you to 250 and under. She's on her Triunph 600 Street Triple!

It'll still be a blast, (Geelong - Lorne - Forrest - Geelong) then return up through the mountains via Forrest (check it out on Google Earth)

Trying not to laugh!  I'm sure it will be a blast, and special to ride with your daughter.   I'd want the Triple, though.

[MickB]

When you're a father it doesn't matter if your kids have something better than you. In fact you're pleased it's that way. Until you have kids you can't fully appreciate that you prefer them to have the better thing and you're satisfied to see them have it.

After riding again after 35+ years I'm quite happy to take it easy on the 250, although I'm still getting the urge to fang it as in the old days, I still reckon I'll beat the 600 to Lorne.

[dave500]

haven't you heard of the "lams" approved over 250cc bikes for learners?
http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/licensing/tests/motorcycleridertrainingscheme/motorcyclesnoviceriders.html

[dave500]

even the 550 is lams approved.

[MickB]

Thanks Dave, and yes I've heard of Lams approved, I believe the 500 will be ok to ride according to Lams.

The reason I bought and are restoring the 500 is because I rode a mates 500 in '72, it was such a blast, light handled and revved its head off.

I've ridden Commandos, BSA Rocket 3, Triumphs had a '74 Bonnie 750 also a Trident, Hondas had a '72 750, and many others but I remember the 500 as the most fun to throw around and it went like the clappers. 

[MoMo]

Thanks Dave, and yes I've heard of Lams approved, I believe the 500 will be ok to ride according to Lams.

The reason I bought and are restoring the 500 is because I rode a mates 500 in '72, it was such a blast, light handled and revved its head off.

I've ridden Commandos, BSA Rocket 3, Triumphs had a '74 Bonnie 750 also a Trident, Hondas had a '72 750, and many others but I remember the 500 as the most fun to throw around and it went like the clappers. 

I give up, what is a clapper?