Topic: Hey All, from newbie with a 73 cb500

[wcoastpatt]

Finnaly back on a bike after 8 years. I found my 73 cb500 about 3 months ago, after a few trips to local bike bone yard I have a pretty smooth running bike. I have a few questions. How fast should this thing go? I had it up to 65mph today on 55 limit roads, but that seemed to be getting close to it's limits. The speedo has an orange mark at 70.
Also Should consider painting it? The original brown and black paint is not too bad, it has a few scratches. It looks like of the side covers was chewed on by a dog. Would the original paint have more value than a custom job? I posted some pictures in the Gallery.
How should I clean up the aluminum engine parts? I have tried some Mothers aluminum polish on the left hand crankcase cover. Is that annodized? I love the look of these old bikes.

[scunny]

greetings wcoastpatt, I have had 2 500's, don't be afraid to rev these bikes, they love it. sorry I can't remember the top speed, but it was near to just over 100 I think. as to paint, an original bike is generally worth more, depends on condition etc.

[csendker]

I have a '75 550 and with some patience, have scored a couple of decent tanks and side covers off e-buy.  The 500 tanks are a little shorter, I think, but I've seen them offered albeit not as often.  I am slowly cleaning & will be painting the spares, so I don't have to fool with the original stuff that came with the bike.  Mine isn't OEM paint, but it is matched and in good condition - except for the glued cracks in the sidecovers, but that's another story. And there's a couple of threads on cleaning aluminum, try some searches.  I recall it typically ends up with a lot of elbow grease no matter what you try.

[Gordon]

that seemed to be getting close to it's limits. The speedo has an orange mark at 70.

That orange mark is just to let you know that your bike has finally gotten up to a speed that it's happy with.  

[csendker]

http://sohc4.us/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=81&Itemid=61

105 mph per the technical specs.  My 550 will do 85 mph with no problem and plenty left on the throttle, but at that speed I am VERY nervous, so I don't know how fast it will really go.  Suffice to say faster than I need.  My redline is 9,500 RPM, the 500's probably around the same.

[Noel]

A reasonably fresh stock bike should top 100. Like the man said, don't be afraid to rev it. You have to, to really get anywhere.

Also Should consider painting it? The original brown and black paint is not too bad, it has a few scratches. It looks like of the side covers was chewed on by a dog. Would the original paint have more value than a custom job?

I wouldn't worry about the value unless it's an exceptionally clean bike, and it doesn't sound like it is. These things still haven't reached "collector status" -- unless it's got 20 miles on it -- so fresh paint will only add to the resale value, assuming it's properly done.

How should I clean up the aluminum engine parts? I have tried some Mothers aluminum polish on the left hand crankcase cover.

I'm probably the only guy on the planet who hasn't used Mother's. I do know that Simichrome on a power tool (I use a cloth wheel in a drill motor) polishes things up nicely, but only with some effort.

Is that annodized?

Most of the covers etc. were originally coated with some kind of laquer or somesuch. A spray-on coating that turns yellow with age. Really rough examples can be attacked with fine sandpaper (1500 or 2000, IME) and then polished. And of course the subject in general has been very thoroughly covered here. Just do a search and you'll find a wealth of info.

I love the look of these old bikes.

Amen brother! Welcome aboard.

[74cb750]

Welcome
polish? Why not just paint the whole thing with a rattle can of heat
resistent flat black?
 
peace,
michel