Topic: Cb500F What have I gotten myself into??

[2strokeTrush]

Watched the video,  but didn't tell us much. A couple of questions:

1. Did you find and reinstall the steel ball on the left end of the lifter rod? The lifter rod is the long piece that traverses the engine.

2. Engine oil is an important aspect of the clutch in these bikes. Have you drained and replaced the oil, and if so, what oil did you use? (Calm down everyone, not trying to start a popcorn rest!)

3. You indicate you ordered a new clutch cable, but is it installed?

4. Left side cover, the corkscrew. Did you re-grease when you installed it? There's a grease nipple beside it on the outer side that you can use in the future. Upon reassembly, grease it by hand and install. The slot in that corkscrew is used to adjust the travel of the lifter rod (moving left to right thru the engine). Imagine it not being adjusted fully and not "pushing" the plates apart far enough.

Thanks as always man, great info. 
1.  No steal bearing, must have gone with the wind, can these still be found?
2. Yep changed the oil and filter, used top quality Honda Oil.
3.  No clutch cable is still in the mail!
4. Havnt regressed it yet, but i did locate the nipple I plan to.  And does the lifter rod look usable? If not I can try to clean it, an if that doesn't prevail I would be more then happy to take that off your hands!

[2strokeTrush]

Look at the parts fiche and order that ball. It's required. I'd suggest removing the corkscrew and manually greasing it. The nipple is good for maintenance. If you overdo it while assembled and dry, the excess will gush into your cover. And guess what a mess that will make...

Take the lifter rod out again, clean it well, and run a wire wheel over it the end sections. If it comes up smooth and clean, then you're good. If not, PM me your address again. I'll post it off to you Monday.

Alright sounds good,  How exactly do you disassemble the corkscrew?

[Stev-o]

The ball is available here.....


http://www.partzilla.com/parts/detail/honda/HP-96211-10000.html

[wowbagger]

If you remove the screw on the outside of the cover, it releases the clamp piece that holds the lifter mechanism to the cover. Then you can just push the entire lifter mechanism out of the cover. One it's out the two halves of the lifter will just unscrew from each other with about a 3/4 turn. While in there regreasing, check the seal that's on the collar for any tears and replace if needed.

[2strokeTrush]

Alright guys, I know its been awhile, with school finals and really starting to get into the full time job scene I have been a little delayed.  Well the good news is that I finally got the new clutch cable, and ball bearing.  The bad news is that it didn't fix it!  Actually worse, now even with the clutch pulled in the bike moves under power.  Thinking maybe I have adjusted the cable incorrectly or something.  Either way I was forced to bring the bike under its own power back to my garage, Its about 2 miles, and the bike wouldn't get into 3rd gear no matter what I did.  The engine runs and sounds so good this really disappoints me!....So what could I be looking at here?  All new clutch replacement?  Can a transmission be replaced??  Tomorrow Im off and i will post a link to a video so you can see and hear the bike.  Not feeling to great about all this, I really wanted to be riding her this summer

[Stev-o]

Sounds like your clutch is improperly adjusted. Start with the clutch adjusted on the side cover, then work to the cable. Properly set up, the cable disengages the clutch and you still have free play in the lever before disengagement begins.

Search "clutch adjustment" for proper technique as it can be tricky to do the first time.

+1. Adjust clutch.  But search CB500 as the adjustment it just a little differant than the other CB's. I just did it on mine, pretty simple. 

Mine is pretty much done and I've been test riding it the last couple days...

[grcamna2]

Stev-o, Don't you mean 'Joy Riding' it    That's a Nice bike 

[Stev-o]

Stev-o, Don't you mean 'Joy Riding' it    That's a Nice bike 

No issues, so yes you are correct!  Wish the rain would stop and the roads dry up so I can go for a joyride...

[grcamna2]

We're presently having a 'perfect weather' Memorial Day weekend,we've had SO Much precips. these past Winter/Spring months. I hope yours drys a little soon.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Sounds like your clutch is improperly adjusted. Start with the clutch adjusted on the side cover, then work to the cable. Properly set up, the cable disengages the clutch and you still have free play in the lever before disengagement begins.

Search "clutch adjustment" for proper technique as it can be tricky to do the first time.

+1. Adjust clutch.  But search CB500 as the adjustment it just a little differant than the other CB's. I just did it on mine, pretty simple. 

Mine is pretty much done and I've been test riding it the last couple days...

  Stev-o.  The Patina Bike is looking superb!

[Stev-o]

Sounds like your clutch is improperly adjusted. Start with the clutch adjusted on the side cover, then work to the cable. Properly set up, the cable disengages the clutch and you still have free play in the lever before disengagement begins.

Search "clutch adjustment" for proper technique as it can be tricky to do the first time.

+1. Adjust clutch.  But search CB500 as the adjustment it just a little differant than the other CB's. I just did it on mine, pretty simple. 

Mine is pretty much done and I've been test riding it the last couple days...

  Stev-o.  The Patina Bike is looking superb!

Thanks CRF.  Ive enjoyed it this weekend, put close to 60 trouble free mikes on it. Not a whole lot, but considering it's rained the last 3 days, happy to have gotten that many in.
I posted a pic of mine to give 2stroke a jab to get working on his!

[2strokeTrush]

Sorry guys no video today, To make a long story short, Some Idiot at the boatyard where I work decided to attempt and trailer his 35foot tall sailboat out of the marina with his sails up, and took out 3 power lines and 4 other boats in the crash.  Well I am a sucker for double-time pay so I worked today.  Good news is I did get the electric starter working, but Its becoming harder and harder to start her, and she's backfiring and idling badly.  My assumption is carbs are clogged again 

[grcamna2]

That must also have been a heavy boat,was the Toyota a 4 wheel drive ? I knew of a boat repair guy who worked on boats who used what you described to do that for years but it was 4 wheel drive and he used '4 low'.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Astonishing that no license or certification is required to buy/own or operate a boat. Most I've seen are idiots and the story you described all too common.

Recently had a numb-nuts attempt to back a 32' center console into the water with a Toyota compact pick-up. About 9 hours later, they dredged his truck and boat out of the water (boat pulled truck and trailer in, weight of truck on bow sank boat). Can't imagine the surprise on his face?

Very amusing stuff for the rest of us...

Darwin Award nominee. What a moron.

[2strokeTrush]

Yep I have seen that happen twice!  Don't underestimate the little Toyotas though, My little 4x4 has gotten me through 175,000 worry free miles:)

[2strokeTrush]

Alright guys, Clutch is adjusted, but not even a little bit better.  My thoughts are find some spare parts at the salvage yard, maybe throw a new clutch in.  I figure after 48k its probably time anyway, and if that doesn't fix it, she's going to the Basement as next winters build.  I would really just like to ride this bike for the summer,  Still hoping that may happen.   

[grcamna2]

Hey stranger  ,tell us more about the clutch release and engage 'action'  Tyler, did you remove all the parts even the long pushrod? how did it look to you ?

[2strokeTrush]

Clutch is a little stiff, but engages and goes into 1st and 2nd just fine. After that its nothing but false neutrals and stuff high gears.  Everything was cleaned, greased and adjusted. 

[Stev-o]

Are you able to ride it?  Just trying to shift it sitting still is not a good way to test it. 

[2strokeTrush]

Are you able to ride it?  Just trying to shift it sitting still is not a good way to test it.

Nope its not ridable unless in 1st or 2nd.

[grcamna2]

Tyler,
How's the 350/4 doing ? 

[Stev-o]

Tyler,
How's the 350/4 doing ? 

Let's stock to the 500 right now.   

2 Stoke - Before you go out and buy clutch parts, do you know someone that can look at this for you?  If your able to shift a couple gears, that leads me to believe it's not a clutch issue.
But, you haven't given us enough info to determine anything.  You may have a Trans issue. 

[2strokeTrush]

Not to many in Baltimore good with these old bikes, besides the salvage yard, the bike will run fine through 1st and 2nd, beside throwing a false neutral every other time.  I have out 10 miles on the bike between 1st and 2nd.  When you attempt 3rd you get a false Neutral EVERY time.  Maybe a shifter rod?  OR is the trans Shot?  This is starting to look more and more like next winter project, even though all i wanted to do was ride this summer!!

Sad looking stable two beautiful bikes, the Cb500 from Hell, and The heavy clutch gasket on the 350F

[grcamna2]

Tyler,
What is the clutch gasket issue w/ the 350F ?

[Stev-o]

What is a shifter rod?   Rather than guess, I'd suggest you do a little research...

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=87857.0


http://www.westernhonda.com/fiche_section_detail.asp?section=2559651&category=Motorcycles&make=Honda&year=1972&fveh=132830