Author Topic: Cb500F What have I gotten myself into??  (Read 22414 times)

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Offline grcamna2

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Re: Cb500F What have I gotten myself into??
« Reply #75 on: April 29, 2014, 03:22:02 AM »
what w/ the past Winter,etc. it sure would be nice to see the ground dry up for at least a month.I want to hear what your bike sounds like on the road  ;D
We need to have a member here start a thread on 'building a homemade Dyno' so we can enjoy tuning while in the shop.  :)
75' CB400F/'bunch o' parts' & 81' CB125S modded to a 'CB200S'
  I love the small ones too !
Do your BEST...nobody can take that away from you.

Offline 2strokeTrush

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Re: Cb500F What have I gotten myself into??
« Reply #76 on: April 29, 2014, 06:31:34 PM »
Happy with her running, I went after Stella with a quick wipe down and a little polish.  Still lots to do, Going to replace the gauge lights with LED's, Fix the seat latch, take off some of the goofy 70's chopper style accessories, grease and clean the electric connections,  and replace the starter.  Cant wait till it stops raining so I can get out and ride her!  I can't even explain how much I hate that rear tire and rim, looking forward to getting rid of that!!  Feels huge though since I have been driving the 350 everywhere recently.  I bet thats what you 750 boys feel like all the time.
















Still a little greasy under there.


Figured out the electric issue was due to a corroded connection of the fuse.  Solders new one in to completely replace it.


Fresh air filter and battery.


In the pictures the tank looks pretty good, but its very sun faded and has gas stains.  Any way to polish or buff this until I get it repainted.  Remember I only paid 500$ for the bike, now I'm about 700$ in to it, so I like to think I'm still ahead, even though we have a ways to go on her!
« Last Edit: April 29, 2014, 06:46:09 PM by 2strokeTRush »
If You Aint First Your Last!!

 350F project-http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=133079.0

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Offline grcamna2

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Re: Cb500F What have I gotten myself into??
« Reply #77 on: April 29, 2014, 06:35:53 PM »
A Nice looking bike
75' CB400F/'bunch o' parts' & 81' CB125S modded to a 'CB200S'
  I love the small ones too !
Do your BEST...nobody can take that away from you.

Offline Stev-o

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Re: Cb500F What have I gotten myself into??
« Reply #78 on: April 29, 2014, 06:36:08 PM »
Glad to hear you found the issue.   Would like to see shrink wrap rather than electrical tape over the connection.
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline grcamna2

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Re: Cb500F What have I gotten myself into??
« Reply #79 on: April 29, 2014, 07:21:08 PM »
I'm going to save this and try that calj,thanks.
75' CB400F/'bunch o' parts' & 81' CB125S modded to a 'CB200S'
  I love the small ones too !
Do your BEST...nobody can take that away from you.

Offline Bankerdanny

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Re: Cb500F What have I gotten myself into??
« Reply #80 on: April 30, 2014, 04:30:11 PM »
I would say at $700 you are way ahead at this point.
"The problem with quotes on the Internet is that you never know if they're true" - Abraham Lincoln

Current: '76 CB750F. Previous:  '75 CB550F, 2007 Yamaha Vino 125 Scooter, '75 Harley FXE Superglide, '77 GL1000, '77 CB550k, '68 Suzuki K10 80, '68 Yamaha YR2, '69 BMW R69S, '71 Honda SL175, '02 Royal Enfield Bullet 500, '89 Yamaha FJ1200

Offline 2strokeTrush

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Re: Cb500F What have I gotten myself into??
« Reply #81 on: May 02, 2014, 06:38:37 PM »
Well like the title of the thread says, " What have I gotten myself into" !!!!  Finally had time to myself today due to high winds at work so I had about 3 hours of daylight left when I got home.  Bike has been ready since Monday and I'm just now getting to it.  Basically its been all I could think about all week.  Got home Fired her up, and that when all Hell Broke Loose!  Stay with me here, this is going to be a little long.

1. First kick bike starts, sounds so mean I just wanted to go tear up some Maryland backroads,  Clutch in, Down to first, Clutch out.....Grinding.   Like the many other 500's of its day, My beauty seems to suffer from Transmission and Clutch Issues.  Got the bike to roll back to the shop freely, but no Neutral light.  Played and played, still no Neutral light, When I would let the clutch out the bike would bog and shake like she was stuck and trying to go in 4th or 5th gear, to which I assume she was. Got the bike rolling free, but no neutral light. Guessing false neutrals for sure.   Went and had a drink as I figured a long day and frustrating night I deserved it....Have to be at work at 4:30 tomorrow...... :(

2.  Come back a little more calm and fire her up,  By accident my foot slipped off the peg, hits the gear lever and somehow throws her back into what is actually Neutral and the light comes on......Clutch in, Down into first, Clutch out, Off We Go. Like nothing ever happened. Up through second, third, Fourth accelerating up to about 50mph and she slipped back into a false Neutral with no green light and limped back to the house.  Couldn't find the green light for the life of me, so I put her away for the night.....

3.  The thing is the bike fits me so much better then my 350F does and the engine runs and sounds so good, with the rest of the bike being solid I really don't want to believe this is the end for Stella.  Now if the Trans was blown, she wouldn't have gone through all those gears perfectly like she did, and pull up to 50mph with no issues.  Remember the bike has 48k Miles on it, and with no signs of having work done to it, could I be in need of a new clutch, but also just seeing signs of a typical 500 Trans with the false neutrals???  How hard is a clutch job? 

4.  I got a new starter from a member here, but after installation it still won't work, just kinda buzzes.  I am thinking something in the electric panel?  If I go direct across the solenoid it does the same thing, So I think its more then that.  Upon my disassembly of the side cover this is what I find inside,( Pictured Below )  picture half melted butter, thats what this crap was like.  Thinking this could have something to do with the clutch issues as well?  All in all it was a very disappointing night, Let me know what you guys think, and how much trouble I'm actually in.



If You Aint First Your Last!!

 350F project-http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=133079.0

500F Project-http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=135660.0

Offline dave500

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Re: Cb500F What have I gotten myself into??
« Reply #82 on: May 02, 2014, 09:02:43 PM »
looking bloody good man!clutch is easy on these,if the cable looks even a bit old and dodgy replace it,sometimes that's half the battle,pull apart that corkscrew mechanism and check it out,also pull the rod out they can be broken,once its fully hot and had another oil change the trans might get slicker,they can be a little stiff and need a positive technique,before you shift up preload the shifter a little and it might shift better,try slightly slower shifting perhaps?

Offline dave500

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Re: Cb500F What have I gotten myself into??
« Reply #83 on: May 03, 2014, 05:06:52 AM »
just to be clear that ball isn't on the rod per say,its not a part of it but a loose ball,its placed between the rod and inside the depth of the recess within the corkscrew,its often missing or over looked amounst all the old grease!be sure its present or not lost during cleaning!
« Last Edit: May 03, 2014, 05:09:18 AM by dave500 »

Offline dave500

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Re: Cb500F What have I gotten myself into??
« Reply #84 on: May 03, 2014, 05:23:32 AM »
too dirty for me to see?clean it up and ill have a look,these rod ends never wear out,they might snap but ive never seen a worn out one?this cranky corkscrew system was a Honda mainstay for years.

Offline 2strokeTrush

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Re: Cb500F What have I gotten myself into??
« Reply #85 on: May 03, 2014, 07:26:47 PM »
I plan to clean everything under the left side, and buy a new clutch cable.  Oil was just changed. The bike is not rideable but starts and sounds so good I don't want to try scrap the bike because of this. And I really love the bike.  Im pretty sure when I let the clutchmout the bike is really in 4th or 5th and stalls. Any other advice? Feeling really down about all this.
If You Aint First Your Last!!

 350F project-http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=133079.0

500F Project-http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=135660.0

Offline grcamna2

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Re: Cb500F What have I gotten myself into??
« Reply #86 on: May 03, 2014, 07:31:58 PM »
I plan to clean everything under the left side, and buy a new clutch cable.  Oil was just changed. The bike is not rideable but starts and sounds so good I don't want to try scrap the bike because of this. And I really love the bike.  Im pretty sure when I let the clutchmout the bike is really in 4th or 5th and stalls. Any other advice? Feeling really down about all this.

Tyler,
I know now why you chose that title "What have I gotten myself into"   :o  We'll get you through this man  ;)
75' CB400F/'bunch o' parts' & 81' CB125S modded to a 'CB200S'
  I love the small ones too !
Do your BEST...nobody can take that away from you.

Offline thirsty 1

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Re: Cb500F What have I gotten myself into??
« Reply #87 on: May 03, 2014, 08:42:09 PM »
Looks fantastic! Keep going!!!!
73' CL125, 75' CB400F, 16' KTM 1190R, 05' KTM 525EXC

75' CB400F  -  http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=127295.0

My 79 CB750F for fun   ----   http://www.dotheton.com/forum/index.php?topic=19923.0

Offline dave500

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Re: Cb500F What have I gotten myself into??
« Reply #88 on: May 03, 2014, 11:50:45 PM »
rock the bike back and forth without using the clutch and tap the shifter down down down as you rock it till it stops selecting,then a little upward click should find neutral?

Offline 2strokeTrush

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Re: Cb500F What have I gotten myself into??
« Reply #89 on: May 04, 2014, 02:17:23 PM »
rock the bike back and forth without using the clutch and tap the shifter down down down as you rock it till it stops selecting,then a little upward click should find neutral?

     Mother of God your my savior!^^  Got her into Neutral using this method and like I thought the bike was stuck up in a high gear.  Started on the first kick again, and started off on a ride to diagnose a few things.  Actually got to ride her about 5miles to where I keep my 350f.  Throughout the ride I got her up to about 40mph in 2nd and on my way into 3rd she would pop out into a false Neutral.  I would kick back down into 2nd and go from there. 

     After trying a few times I was able to get her into 3rd by shifting on the very top hard part of my shoe.  The gears seem fine to me, so my assumption is clutch like you all have said.  Starting off from 1st is pretty hard having to slowly let out the clutch for a while, this points to clutch again.  Still need to clean the left cover area, and replace the clutch cable.  Riding the little 350f home was so much fun after being on the 500, such a fun light agile bike.

« Last Edit: May 04, 2014, 02:33:45 PM by 2strokeTRush »
If You Aint First Your Last!!

 350F project-http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=133079.0

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Offline grcamna2

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Re: Cb500F What have I gotten myself into??
« Reply #90 on: May 04, 2014, 02:41:51 PM »
Hi Tyler,
I hope you don't ride the CB500 anymore until you service that clutch/actuator and cable;it'll work out so don't give up on that solid Vintage CB500 Beauty  8)
75' CB400F/'bunch o' parts' & 81' CB125S modded to a 'CB200S'
  I love the small ones too !
Do your BEST...nobody can take that away from you.

Offline Stev-o

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Re: Cb500F What have I gotten myself into??
« Reply #91 on: May 04, 2014, 02:55:35 PM »
+1, don't ride it till you clean inside tha L crankcase cover and confirm you have all parts and are not damaged.  These guys just helped me with mine, it should look at least as clean as this...


'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline 2strokeTrush

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Re: Cb500F What have I gotten myself into??
« Reply #92 on: May 04, 2014, 03:30:27 PM »
Thanks guys, no worries I won't be riding her.  Stev-o what did you use to clean that up? Mine is s heavily caked with grease.

Hi Tyler,
I hope you don't ride the CB500 anymore until you service that clutch/actuator and cable;it'll work out so don't give up on that solid Vintage CB500 Beauty  8)

+1, don't ride it till you clean inside tha L crankcase cover and confirm you have all parts and are not damaged.  These guys just helped me with mine, it should look at least as clean as this...
If You Aint First Your Last!!

 350F project-http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=133079.0

500F Project-http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=135660.0

Offline Stev-o

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Re: Cb500F What have I gotten myself into??
« Reply #93 on: May 04, 2014, 04:20:32 PM »
I used Gunk Foamy Engine Cleaner.

BTW - the neutral light does not light up for false neutrals.
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline 2strokeTrush

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Re: Cb500F What have I gotten myself into??
« Reply #94 on: May 04, 2014, 04:34:01 PM »
I used Gunk Foamy Engine Cleaner.

BTW - the neutral light does not light up for false neutrals.

Thanks I will pick some up.  Yep I knew about the light and false neutrals, confused me at first though:)
If You Aint First Your Last!!

 350F project-http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=133079.0

500F Project-http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=135660.0

Offline dave500

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Re: Cb500F What have I gotten myself into??
« Reply #95 on: May 04, 2014, 10:03:06 PM »
if it starts popping out of third when applying a few times itll be damaging the fork in side and rounding the engagement dogs worse each time,flushing the oil might help,the 550 had a more solid design for the shifter mechanism.

Offline 2strokeTrush

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Re: Cb500F What have I gotten myself into??
« Reply #96 on: May 04, 2014, 11:14:11 PM »
if it starts popping out of third when applying a few times itll be damaging the fork in side and rounding the engagement dogs worse each time,flushing the oil might help,the 550 had a more solid design for the shifter mechanism.

Is there a way to see what parts are worn and need replacing? My local salvage yard has 4 500s that i know of sitting around i could rob some parts off
If You Aint First Your Last!!

 350F project-http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=133079.0

500F Project-http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=135660.0

Offline dave500

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Re: Cb500F What have I gotten myself into??
« Reply #97 on: May 05, 2014, 12:11:15 AM »
the actual shift drum is located better in the 550s,on the 500s it can move sideways a little as you shift,this is half the problem,combined with a worn or bent fork and worn dogs on the meshing gears itll jump out badly all the time,yours might be ok once its been run properly and you get the hang of it,you couldn't even find neutral before,some transmissions need a little skill,sort of preload each up shift so its more positive,make sure the foot lever isn't loose on its shaft

Offline 2strokeTrush

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Re: Cb500F What have I gotten myself into??
« Reply #98 on: May 10, 2014, 05:12:31 PM »
Alright guys, used my first saturday off in quite a while to attempt to make some headway on the clutch issue.  Cleaned the inside of the cover to a near polish inside making sure no grease was left around the corkscrew piece and movable spring.  I ordered a new clutch cable as well.  Maybe the clearer pictures will be able to tell something more then before.....Watch the youtube link first 8)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjVFn0G-ztI&feature=youtu.be

















And because nobody ever complains about more pictures ;D.........















Okay one more.......
If You Aint First Your Last!!

 350F project-http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=133079.0

500F Project-http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=135660.0

Offline wowbagger

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Re: Cb500F What have I gotten myself into??
« Reply #99 on: May 10, 2014, 06:03:10 PM »
Yeah, that steel ball needs to be inside the corkscrew and the push rod butts up against it. Also, measure the push rod. It should be a full 10 1/8 inches. Any shorter and it has worn down and can cause shifting issues. Lastly, (and maybe I missed this part) disassemble the corkscrew and make sure that the top edges are not cracked on the clutch lifter. Looking at the cable arm, I doubt it's an issue for you but it's worth inspecting while it's apart. Here's the fiche:

The steel ball is part #18:
http://www.cmsnl.com/honda-cb500-500-four-k0-1971-usa_model459/partslist/E++11.html#results