Author Topic: CB 500 Four (1972?) Full Restoration  (Read 141199 times)

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Offline Stev-o

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Re: CB 500 Four (1972?) Full Restoration
« Reply #1050 on: May 13, 2016, 07:27:15 AM »
Congrats Mick!  I'm nominating you for the BOTM.....
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: CB 500 Four (1972?) Full Restoration
« Reply #1051 on: May 13, 2016, 08:33:17 AM »


Fantastic, Mick.  The best part is you smiling at the end!
1975 CB550K1 "Blue" Stockish Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=135005.0)
1975 CB550F1 frame/CB650 engine hybrid "The Hot Mess" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,150220.0.html)
2008 Triumph Thruxton (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,190956.0.html)
2014 MV Agusta Brutale Dragster 800
2015 Yamaha FZ-09 (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,186861.0.html)

"There are some things nobody needs in this world, and a bright-red, hunch-back, warp-speed 900cc cafe racer is one of them — but I want one anyway, and on some days I actually believe I need one.... Being shot out of a cannon will always be better than being squeezed out of a tube. That is why God made fast motorcycles, Bubba." Hunter S. Thompson, Song of the Sausage Creature, Cycle World, March 1995.  (http://www.latexnet.org/~csmith/sausage.html and https://magazine.cycleworld.com/article/1995/3/1/song-of-the-sausage-creature)

Sold/Emeritus
1973 CB750K2 "Bionic Mongrel" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132734.0) - Sold
1977 CB750K7 "Nine Lives" Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=50490.0) - Sold
2005 RVT1000RR RC51-SP2 "El Diablo" - Sold
2016+ Triumph Thruxton 1200 R (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,170198.0.html) - Sold

Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: CB 500 Four (1972?) Full Restoration
« Reply #1052 on: May 13, 2016, 08:34:13 AM »
Congrats Mick!  I'm nominating you for the BOTM.....

Heck YES!
1975 CB550K1 "Blue" Stockish Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=135005.0)
1975 CB550F1 frame/CB650 engine hybrid "The Hot Mess" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,150220.0.html)
2008 Triumph Thruxton (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,190956.0.html)
2014 MV Agusta Brutale Dragster 800
2015 Yamaha FZ-09 (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,186861.0.html)

"There are some things nobody needs in this world, and a bright-red, hunch-back, warp-speed 900cc cafe racer is one of them — but I want one anyway, and on some days I actually believe I need one.... Being shot out of a cannon will always be better than being squeezed out of a tube. That is why God made fast motorcycles, Bubba." Hunter S. Thompson, Song of the Sausage Creature, Cycle World, March 1995.  (http://www.latexnet.org/~csmith/sausage.html and https://magazine.cycleworld.com/article/1995/3/1/song-of-the-sausage-creature)

Sold/Emeritus
1973 CB750K2 "Bionic Mongrel" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132734.0) - Sold
1977 CB750K7 "Nine Lives" Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=50490.0) - Sold
2005 RVT1000RR RC51-SP2 "El Diablo" - Sold
2016+ Triumph Thruxton 1200 R (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,170198.0.html) - Sold

Offline bryanj

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Re: CB 500 Four (1972?) Full Restoration
« Reply #1053 on: May 13, 2016, 11:27:33 AM »
Nice job from the traditional "box of bits" where you are told "it's all there mate"
Semi Geriatric ex-Honda mechanic and MOT tester (UK version of annual inspection). Garage full of "projects" mostly 500/4 from pre 73 (no road tax in UK).

Remember "Its always in the last place you look" COURSE IT IS YOU STOP LOOKIN THEN!

Offline MickB

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Re: CB 500 Four (1972?) Full Restoration
« Reply #1054 on: May 13, 2016, 02:18:50 PM »
Thanks guys, I'm chuffed for the nomination and that it runs well.
BJ the thing was "it wasn't all there"!

Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: CB 500 Four (1972?) Full Restoration
« Reply #1055 on: May 13, 2016, 04:58:53 PM »
Mick, here's the nomination thread:  http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,157274.0.html

Don't forget to go there and post that you "accept" the nomination!  Way to go! Great bike.
1975 CB550K1 "Blue" Stockish Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=135005.0)
1975 CB550F1 frame/CB650 engine hybrid "The Hot Mess" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,150220.0.html)
2008 Triumph Thruxton (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,190956.0.html)
2014 MV Agusta Brutale Dragster 800
2015 Yamaha FZ-09 (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,186861.0.html)

"There are some things nobody needs in this world, and a bright-red, hunch-back, warp-speed 900cc cafe racer is one of them — but I want one anyway, and on some days I actually believe I need one.... Being shot out of a cannon will always be better than being squeezed out of a tube. That is why God made fast motorcycles, Bubba." Hunter S. Thompson, Song of the Sausage Creature, Cycle World, March 1995.  (http://www.latexnet.org/~csmith/sausage.html and https://magazine.cycleworld.com/article/1995/3/1/song-of-the-sausage-creature)

Sold/Emeritus
1973 CB750K2 "Bionic Mongrel" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132734.0) - Sold
1977 CB750K7 "Nine Lives" Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=50490.0) - Sold
2005 RVT1000RR RC51-SP2 "El Diablo" - Sold
2016+ Triumph Thruxton 1200 R (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,170198.0.html) - Sold

Offline RAFster122s

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Re: CB 500 Four (1972?) Full Restoration
« Reply #1056 on: May 14, 2016, 01:44:58 AM »
Congrats on the journey Mick and creating a great bike from the bits and pieces.  Paint work is easily passable for professional results and far better than many are able to do I would say.
They have put your bike up against some stiff competition this month...might have been better to have a go next month...
They just keep making it harder to choose a bike this month!

David
« Last Edit: May 14, 2016, 02:17:14 AM by RAF122S »
David- back in the desert SW!

Offline Trad

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Re: CB 500 Four (1972?) Full Restoration
« Reply #1057 on: May 14, 2016, 01:46:26 AM »
It looks damn near perfect to me. Congrats.
74 CB550 Build: NOS-GUTTED-OEMplus-HOLDTRUE
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,130575.0.html

Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: CB 500 Four (1972?) Full Restoration
« Reply #1058 on: May 14, 2016, 08:09:30 AM »
David/RAF,
There is the little matter of needing Mick to accept the nomination before it's eligible for voting.  If not, he could always (in theory) be renominated the following month.
1975 CB550K1 "Blue" Stockish Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=135005.0)
1975 CB550F1 frame/CB650 engine hybrid "The Hot Mess" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,150220.0.html)
2008 Triumph Thruxton (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,190956.0.html)
2014 MV Agusta Brutale Dragster 800
2015 Yamaha FZ-09 (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,186861.0.html)

"There are some things nobody needs in this world, and a bright-red, hunch-back, warp-speed 900cc cafe racer is one of them — but I want one anyway, and on some days I actually believe I need one.... Being shot out of a cannon will always be better than being squeezed out of a tube. That is why God made fast motorcycles, Bubba." Hunter S. Thompson, Song of the Sausage Creature, Cycle World, March 1995.  (http://www.latexnet.org/~csmith/sausage.html and https://magazine.cycleworld.com/article/1995/3/1/song-of-the-sausage-creature)

Sold/Emeritus
1973 CB750K2 "Bionic Mongrel" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132734.0) - Sold
1977 CB750K7 "Nine Lives" Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=50490.0) - Sold
2005 RVT1000RR RC51-SP2 "El Diablo" - Sold
2016+ Triumph Thruxton 1200 R (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,170198.0.html) - Sold

Offline MickB

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CB 500 Four (1972?) Full Restoration
« Reply #1059 on: May 19, 2016, 03:46:51 AM »
Registered today - on the road finally.
However when I arrived to get a blue slip (full check of bike before rego is allowed, needed in Oz) there was an oil leak under the alternator case with 1 mile on the clock (I had issues with the oil passage plug and replaced it with a new one), the plug had an O ring that fit but not a genuine Honda O ring, but since coming home the leak seems to have stopped - maybe it's a settling in issue?

But - at 3,500 - 4,000 revs it's popping and won't rev past 4,000 revs! I've still to sync the carbies (I was keen to get it registered, sync could wait) and I'm using Daichi points and condensers - are they the problem?

Is my timing off?
« Last Edit: May 19, 2016, 03:49:46 AM by MickB »

Offline calj737

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Re: CB 500 Four (1972?) Full Restoration
« Reply #1060 on: May 19, 2016, 04:11:13 AM »
Don't fret until you've synced the carbs. If the problem persists, you'll have to turn your attention to the points plate  :-[
'74 550 Build http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=126401.0
'73 500 Build http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132935.0

"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of it's victim may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated, but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." - C.S. Lewis

Offline MickB

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CB 500 Four (1972?) Full Restoration
« Reply #1061 on: May 19, 2016, 09:55:27 PM »
Sync'd carbies still breaking down at 4000 revs but only when ridden, on the centre stand I reved it to around 5,500 no probs. Next look at points and condensers which are Daiichi, maybe dodgy?!



Taken out with wifey on the back, she loves bikes.
« Last Edit: May 19, 2016, 09:59:57 PM by MickB »

Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: CB 500 Four (1972?) Full Restoration
« Reply #1062 on: May 19, 2016, 10:46:06 PM »
Taken out with wifey on the back, she loves bikes.

Awesome! That's a keeper!
1975 CB550K1 "Blue" Stockish Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=135005.0)
1975 CB550F1 frame/CB650 engine hybrid "The Hot Mess" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,150220.0.html)
2008 Triumph Thruxton (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,190956.0.html)
2014 MV Agusta Brutale Dragster 800
2015 Yamaha FZ-09 (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,186861.0.html)

"There are some things nobody needs in this world, and a bright-red, hunch-back, warp-speed 900cc cafe racer is one of them — but I want one anyway, and on some days I actually believe I need one.... Being shot out of a cannon will always be better than being squeezed out of a tube. That is why God made fast motorcycles, Bubba." Hunter S. Thompson, Song of the Sausage Creature, Cycle World, March 1995.  (http://www.latexnet.org/~csmith/sausage.html and https://magazine.cycleworld.com/article/1995/3/1/song-of-the-sausage-creature)

Sold/Emeritus
1973 CB750K2 "Bionic Mongrel" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132734.0) - Sold
1977 CB750K7 "Nine Lives" Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=50490.0) - Sold
2005 RVT1000RR RC51-SP2 "El Diablo" - Sold
2016+ Triumph Thruxton 1200 R (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,170198.0.html) - Sold

Offline calj737

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Re: CB 500 Four (1972?) Full Restoration
« Reply #1063 on: May 20, 2016, 03:10:50 AM »
Mick, with a timing light, are you reaching full advance with your Daichi setup?
'74 550 Build http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=126401.0
'73 500 Build http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132935.0

"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of it's victim may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated, but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." - C.S. Lewis

Offline MickB

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Re: CB 500 Four (1972?) Full Restoration
« Reply #1064 on: May 20, 2016, 05:54:24 AM »
Cal I haven't used a timing light as yet, tomorrow, and I think I'll have to watch a YouTube how to before I get into it.

Offline RAFster122s

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Re: CB 500 Four (1972?) Full Restoration
« Reply #1065 on: May 20, 2016, 04:32:28 PM »
Congrats on the registration...
The Daiichi made in China are pure crap and those in Japan are a crap shoot. A nice set of TEC points, condesor and plate will cure the issue if it is that causing it.

Some photos of it and recheck of ethe connections in the points and condensors wouldn't hurt.

Could be a condensor problem
David- back in the desert SW!

Offline MickB

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Re: CB 500 Four (1972?) Full Restoration
« Reply #1066 on: May 20, 2016, 07:45:17 PM »
Thanks RAF.

Oil plug is still leaking and I'm wondering if it's caused a short, the fuse has blown and I replaced. It and the new one blew as soon as I turned the ignition on! Mongrel.

Offline MickB

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Re: CB 500 Four (1972?) Full Restoration
« Reply #1067 on: May 20, 2016, 09:06:55 PM »
I'm seriously thinking of a new electronic ignition

Offline riverfever

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Re: CB 500 Four (1972?) Full Restoration
« Reply #1068 on: May 20, 2016, 09:13:37 PM »
Congratulations Mick! You did a lovely job on the resto. Paint looks fantastic. You should be very proud.
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=127186.0

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Offline bryanj

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Re: CB 500 Four (1972?) Full Restoration
« Reply #1069 on: May 20, 2016, 10:15:45 PM »
Nothing in the generator cover to blow fuse unless the centre coil has a short, never had a leak in that area so try a proper O ring BUT are you sure its not coming down from inside the sprocket cover from gearchange seal; pressure switch or oil pump cover?
Semi Geriatric ex-Honda mechanic and MOT tester (UK version of annual inspection). Garage full of "projects" mostly 500/4 from pre 73 (no road tax in UK).

Remember "Its always in the last place you look" COURSE IT IS YOU STOP LOOKIN THEN!

Offline MickB

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Re: CB 500 Four (1972?) Full Restoration
« Reply #1070 on: May 20, 2016, 10:50:22 PM »
BJ it's definitely leaking from the oil passage plug (I've ordered an genuine Honda O ring $8.50 !!!), I don't believe there's any seals leaking from the oil pump, gear change or the final drive.

To the Brains Trusts here, what Electronic Ignition should I get (just got new coils from 4 into 1 - 3 Ohm I believe)?

Riverfever thanks for your comments.

BTW, how do I get my descriptor "Expert" changed to "Intermediate"
« Last Edit: May 20, 2016, 10:54:59 PM by MickB »

Offline calj737

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Re: CB 500 Four (1972?) Full Restoration
« Reply #1071 on: May 21, 2016, 02:44:31 AM »
First, you really wanted 5.0 Ohm coils, not 3.0  :-[ 3.0 Ohms do tax the charging system a bit, so you may find yourself with a weak battery unless your rides center mostly around ongoing and not stop-go.

Electronic ignitions are reasonably popular, Pamco makes a very well-received unit, Dyna offers a unit that some have had problems with due to failure, others use Honduran's Transistorized Ignition with great feedback. You might check Hondaman's website to see if its what you want and investigate his remedies for 3.0 Ohm coils. Any ignition will work with your coils...
'74 550 Build http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=126401.0
'73 500 Build http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132935.0

"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of it's victim may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated, but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." - C.S. Lewis

Offline RAFster122s

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Re: CB 500 Four (1972?) Full Restoration
« Reply #1072 on: May 21, 2016, 01:10:23 PM »
If you are using the 3.0 ohm coils HondaMan has a 1 ohm resistor pack that is very nice for not having as much drain on the system. It would help cure your battery drain issues... The stator on the 550 just doesn't put out tons of amps in charging unless as Cal said, you aren't in stop and go and you are above 5-6k for 90% of your ride.

If you want to put the 3 ohm coils on the 550 you could pick up the pair of coils from one of the 750 suppliers that sells them for under a $100 for the pair.  They are a nice twin outlet design like the stock Tec units and HondaMan recommends them for folks who need a replacement and don't want to spring for the 5 ohm Dyna or other units.

David




3 Ohm coil thread...
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=30938.msg318468#msg318468


HondaMan's Ignition compared to Dyna S, etc.  specs and analysis by HondaMan...
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=29545.0;topicseen


« Last Edit: May 21, 2016, 01:22:21 PM by RAF122S »
David- back in the desert SW!

Offline MickB

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Re: CB 500 Four (1972?) Full Restoration
« Reply #1073 on: May 22, 2016, 02:50:12 AM »
Thanks for the feedback, I'll try and find out what's causing the fuse to burn out first.

Offline calj737

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Re: CB 500 Four (1972?) Full Restoration
« Reply #1074 on: May 22, 2016, 04:18:36 AM »
Mick - I missed your "fuse blowing" comment. If the MAIN fuse blows as soon as you turn the key, you need to check the BLACK from your key switch and find out where its shorting to earth. (This is not a guarantee, but a likely cause). Common places are in the right side handlebar connections, and at the Regulator connections (left side panel) and lastly, the starter solenoid.

With a meter, and the key off, check for continuity to earth on BLACK. You should never find that to ring out. If this does not reveal the culprit, proceed checking BROWN and BROWN/WHITE. Because you stated the symptom occurs only when the key is activated, that tells me its within your switched 12v circuits which are the BLACK, BROWN and BRW/WHT from the key. And if the MAIN is blowing, then it should be BLACK as the culprit.
'74 550 Build http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=126401.0
'73 500 Build http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132935.0

"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of it's victim may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated, but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." - C.S. Lewis