Topic: Cb500F What have I gotten myself into??

[2strokeTrush]

Well guys if you haven't seen my 350f thread Ill start by introducing myself.  My names Tyler, I live in Baltimore Maryland, Im 20 years old and a College Student studying Criminal Justice and just like you all I love motorcycles!  Had some dirt bikes through the years, but old Hondas have my heart! 

Well about 3 weeks from the finish of my 350f project, I was searching the local Craigslist ( In computer class ) and I see a add for this beauty that was only posted 45 minutes earlier.  I Emailed the guy right away and set up a day to drive up to Pa and pick her up.
He was only asking 550$ for the bike, saying it hadn't run in 2 years and had 46k on the bike. He didn't know much about it.  Loaded her up for 500$ with a title and bill of sale that day (Today)

Named her "Stella", Because she is indeed a thing of beauty.  She's a 1971.

The Good:
1. Bike is Complete, and got a Heck of a deal
2. Clean Title
3. Paint and Tank as well as seat are good.
4. Pipes are not original, but no holes and minimal wear and tear.
5. Electronics work
6. New NGK plugs and caps

The Bad:
1. Not running
2. Some over-flow gas spots down the side
3. Dirty tank
4. Front breaks not working. Lever pulls freely but no action
5. Throttle is very very hard to twist.
6. Needs shift lever, brake lever, starter.
7. Petcock is stuck up



















I have had TONS of help from you guys over on my 350f Thread, and I'm hoping to get some good help over here to.  On my other bike I had a year to study and get used to every inch of the bike.  I just picked up the 500F today and Im going to need some help as I don't really know anything about the bike.  If anyone has any tips or links that would help I would really appreciate it!  I was told the original owner had highway bars on her, and when he took them off so did the brake and shift levers. 
 
I need some pointers on:
1. That Rusty tank.  Rust seems loose and very fine.
2. Cleaning these carbs.
3. Fixing the hard throttle which is most likely just in need of new cables.
4. Dealing with the gas stain on the side.
5. Resetting the rear brake once I purchase a lever.

[grcamna2]

Tyler,
Stella has been neglected over the years,but I know you'll change that !
I know other members will help you with what the Best liquid to use to soak the carbs. and internal carb. parts in(I'd use 4 separate smaller containers and number them for each carb.),the fuel petcock & the inside of the tank.I know that the carb. rebuilds and softening up of the rubber parts and manifolds will be a Big chore but well worth it and give you a lot of gains.I've used a product called 'wood bleach' made by Savogran(you can buy it in a paint store)and it helped me to clean out all the rust in my tank.I had to heat it and leave it sit for up to 48 hours w/ a full tank(don't make the same mistake i made by letting all that rust rise up to the top and Into the gas cap and clog it..use something to seal the cap from that  )but it also might help to leave the petcock on to help un-gum that at the same time(or not..it's your call)or you can just clean it separately and use a rubber plug to seal the bottom outlet of the tank.You'll have to rebuild the petcock either way.

[Stev-o]

Congrats, nice project.   If your new triple doesn't come with the D washers, they can be made.
See Rons thread here.....


http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=72765.0

[calj737]

Tyler - PM me, I've got your brake lever.

Many members swear by "The Works" toilet bowl cleaner for purging the rust out of that tank. Simple Green makes an aluminum safe version, hard to find, but can be ordered, to use on the gast stains on the side cover.

Wet sanding and buffing that paint will restore it to a really beautiful shine. Clean the paint, use a clay bar to remove any impurities, then 1,000 grit wet sand gently, then 2,000 grit, then switch to a foam pad with some swirl remover. Wax after and it should be gorgeous.

Do it after you de-rust the tank!

[NobleHops]

Great find! Evaporust is supposedly paint safe. Remove the petcock, aluminum can do weird things with caustic chemicals.

I ordered a mess of different sized stoppers from these guys a while back, seem to use them all the time. Might help to seal the petcock openings.

http://www.widgetco.com/

Subscribed!

[Toxic]

That's a lot of bike for $550, congrats and have fun

[grcamna2]

He got 'THE DEAL' 

[wowbagger]

I've got an extra break lever, spring and rear break shaft. (Parts 10, 11 & 12 on the fiche) http://www.cmsnl.com/honda-cb500-500-four-k0-1971-usa_model459/partslist/F++15.html#results

PM me if you need them.

[EDIT]
I even found a photo:

[grcamna2]

Nice

[cmoses]

I used evaporust to clean my tank.  You can either fill it and soak it for a day... or do like I did and buy a gallon, empty it into the tank and rotater for a couple days.  Then rinse with water and fill with gas. For the carbs I used chem dip and lots of carb cleaner.

[Stev-o]

Hey 2Stroke....I may have a shifter lever to donate to your build, it's off a 550 but pretty sure they are the same.

[wowbagger]

So, not to hijack the thread but what is supposed to cover the end of the kick arm joint? Mine is the same way where you can see right into the rusty internals but there doesn't seem to be any threads or anything for a cap to fit into.

[wowbagger]

Nevermind, I answered my own question. It appears that there is supposed to be a black plastic cap on there. Looks like yet another piece of Honda made unobtainium.

Part number 283-053-10000, part #4 on the fiche:

http://www.cmsnl.com/honda-cb500-500-four-k0-1971-usa_model459/partslist/F++37.html#results

[2strokeTrush]

Thanks for all the input and feedback guys.  Just got off work and I'm going to throw my 350f tank on and see if we can get any magic to happen.

[NobleHops]

Nevermind, I answered my own question. It appears that there is supposed to be a black plastic cap on there. Looks like yet another piece of Honda made unobtainium.

Part number 283-053-10000, part #4 on the fiche:

http://www.cmsnl.com/honda-cb500-500-four-k0-1971-usa_model459/partslist/F++37.html#results

You might be surprised at what you find at your nearest Home Depot or Lowes that might fit in there pretty well. Pull off the lever and bring it with, check the drawers in the cabinet hardware section. /hijack

[grcamna2]

Thanks for all the input and feedback guys.  Just got off work and I'm going to throw my 350f tank on and see if we can get any magic to happen.

Shoot some oil(1 oz. ea.)into each spark plug hole & check the plugs before you attempt to fire it up.I'd at least clean out the carbs. before I tried,you'll have more success that way. 

[2strokeTrush]

She Runs Guys!!  She doesn't purr or idle but she runs on all four and sounds pretty freakin mean doing it!  Both fuel lines were disconnected and wouldn't fit my 350f tank, but I used a big dropper and forced some gas in the lines and with some engine starter we kicked over!  Just a little smoke once at first, but besides that all was good.  Really exciting!  At least for me it was!

Took a few more pictures-





Love having the top cover, my 350f doesn't have it.


Literally has to be the ugliest rear tire!  I love the Avon Road Riders I have on the 350f so I'm thinking of going that route.


Unfortunately the seat lock and latch are broken.  Looks like the Mechanism works fine, but there is no hook to hold the seat down.


Believe the hook used to be here.  Hope these are still available somewhere!


Also threw some gas in the tank and shook it up and dumped it out.  Did this 3 times and TONS of crap came out!  Not sure if you can tell in the picture, but check out the difference from the first pic of the tank. Progress

[thirsty 1]

You got it!! Excellent! SCOOOOOORE!

[grcamna2]

That looks like a custom chopper type rim w/ a big fat 16" tire..,if it was me I'd go back to the stock 18" rear rim and tire.

[NobleHops]

Awesome! You scored man, great for you.

That rear tire looks kinda like a car tire some dudes run on their bikes.

Happy day!

P.S. Now change that oil and filter!

[2strokeTrush]

You got it!! Excellent! SCOOOOOORE!

Awesome! You scored man, great for you.

That rear tire looks kinda like a car tire some dudes run on their bikes.

Happy day!

P.S. Now change that oil and filter!

Thanks guys, I Appreciate it!  And yes ill get around to all that soon enough!

[2strokeTrush]

That looks like a custom chopper type rim w/ a big fat 16" tire..,if it was me I'd go back to the stock 18" rear rim and tire.

Yeah I kinda hate it.  Could I run a Avon on that rim still? I would hate to put up more cash just because of the rim.

[grcamna2]

That rim will only work w/ an MT90 x 16" type of Fat tire.I think one of the members here will sell you a decent used stock 18" rim(I think it could be a 1.85 x 18") w/ the correct spokes and then we'll teach you how to mount and 'true' that wheel after that.
No Sweat  I would use the 18" because it'll make the bike handle better.

[Stev-o]

That looks like a custom chopper type rim w/ a big fat 16" tire..,if it was me I'd go back to the stock 18" rear rim and tire.

Yeah I kinda hate it.  Could I run a Avon on that rim still?

You could but I wouldnt. Best route to go is buy a used rim/hub on here or ebay.
Or trade....if you can find a sucker...ha! The 18" rim will improve handling, 'nuff said.

[grcamna2]

Yeah,if you can sell the rear wheel to a 'chopper guy' who's doing a 70's retro build,someone who's looking for that rim for his CB500/550.
I could imagine it wouldn't be too hard to buy a used stock CB500/550 rear wheel from someone here or(ebay), local CL.