Author Topic: cb500f I wanto to restore for wifey  (Read 874 times)

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Offline Gaylerj1

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cb500f I wanto to restore for wifey
« on: March 22, 2014, 04:07:10 AM »
Picked this and an 81 650 maxim for 100$ apiece. I think I'm in a position now to do this right. I want to get it as close to original as possible for her. She's never really ridden before except with me, but I plan on getting her into a MC safety course. I believe it's a 72' cb500 four. Now onto the pics so everyone can see what I have to work with.

Offline Sami1987

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Re: cb500f I wanto to restore for wifey
« Reply #1 on: March 22, 2014, 06:02:31 PM »
Welcome!! The gauges look like it
May be 1973 model. 73 had larger
Gauges that are turned up more
Than the 71/72.

Offline Gaylerj1

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Re: cb500f I wanto to restore for wifey
« Reply #2 on: March 24, 2014, 07:49:43 PM »
This bike hasn't ran in about 5 years. The tags on it are from 89'. It's been kept indoors, but I can tell from the goop on the bottom left side that whatever oil was in it leaked out of the shifter seal. From what I can see it's going to need tons of new parts, forks rebuilt, new tires, and the carbs are stiff. Gas tank seems okay, a little rust but I think it is useable. Wiring looks intact, and solenoid looks decent. The motor turns which is a good thing. I'm kind of new to restoring anything. I've done tons of bike work but not anything as ratty as this. I thought starting with the frame would be a good place to start after I get the motor off. Then just work on it a section at a time. If anyone has a guideline as to how I should go about this I'm all eyes.

Online calj737

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Re: cb500f I wanto to restore for wifey
« Reply #3 on: March 25, 2014, 05:36:50 AM »
Great looking bike. Download the manual if you don't have a good one handy.

Best trick for engine removal is to lay bike on its right side (padding beneath of course) and lift the frame off the motor. Easier to accomplish with carbs off, wiring disconnected and perhaps suspension removed.

You can check out SohRon's restoration thread. It is a modern version of exactly how these bikes should be assembled to factory specs. Whether you go that route or not, huge amount of tips and insight in there.

Tons of threads for restoration, repair, diagnosing of any system or component on that bike here. Use the search function at the top, next to your avatar for best results!

And post lots of pic!
'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 Gaylerj1

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Re: cb500f I wanto to restore for wifey
« Reply #4 on: March 25, 2014, 04:09:00 PM »
Thank you. Will do