Author Topic: Cb500F What have I gotten myself into??  (Read 21880 times)

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Offline Stev-o

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Re: Cb500F What have I gotten myself into??
« Reply #125 on: May 26, 2014, 06:37:25 PM »
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!
'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 #126 on: May 26, 2014, 07:42:48 PM »
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  :(
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 calj737

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Re: Cb500F What have I gotten myself into??
« Reply #127 on: May 27, 2014, 05:21:19 AM »
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...
'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 grcamna2

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Re: Cb500F What have I gotten myself into??
« Reply #128 on: May 27, 2014, 05:58:30 AM »
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'.
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 SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: Cb500F What have I gotten myself into??
« Reply #129 on: May 27, 2014, 07:22:18 AM »
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.
1975 CB550K1 "Blue" Stockish Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=135005.0)
1975 CB550F1 frame/CB650 engine hybrid "The Hot Mess" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,150220.0.html)
2008 Triumph Thruxton (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,190956.0.html)
2014 MV Agusta Brutale Dragster 800
2015 Yamaha FZ-09 (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,186861.0.html)

"There are some things nobody needs in this world, and a bright-red, hunch-back, warp-speed 900cc cafe racer is one of them — but I want one anyway, and on some days I actually believe I need one.... Being shot out of a cannon will always be better than being squeezed out of a tube. That is why God made fast motorcycles, Bubba." Hunter S. Thompson, Song of the Sausage Creature, Cycle World, March 1995.  (http://www.latexnet.org/~csmith/sausage.html and https://magazine.cycleworld.com/article/1995/3/1/song-of-the-sausage-creature)

Sold/Emeritus
1973 CB750K2 "Bionic Mongrel" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132734.0) - Sold
1977 CB750K7 "Nine Lives" Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=50490.0) - Sold
2005 RVT1000RR RC51-SP2 "El Diablo" - Sold
2016+ Triumph Thruxton 1200 R (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,170198.0.html) - Sold

Offline 2strokeTrush

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Re: Cb500F What have I gotten myself into??
« Reply #130 on: May 27, 2014, 08:55:57 PM »
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:)

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 calj737

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Re: Cb500F What have I gotten myself into??
« Reply #131 on: May 28, 2014, 02:12:39 AM »
Oh, they're fine little trucks. But when hooked to +14,000 pounds on a wet, sloped piece of concrete, regrettably, physics is going to prevail  ;) I don't recall his being 4x4, but not certain though.
'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 2strokeTrush

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Re: Cb500F What have I gotten myself into??
« Reply #132 on: June 03, 2014, 03:37:31 PM »
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.   :( :(
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 #133 on: June 03, 2014, 06:16:38 PM »
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 ?
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 #134 on: June 03, 2014, 06:28:50 PM »
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. 
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 #135 on: June 03, 2014, 06:49:02 PM »
Are you able to ride it?  Just trying to shift it sitting still is not a good way to test it. 
'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 #136 on: June 04, 2014, 03:37:04 PM »
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.
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 #137 on: June 04, 2014, 04:30:02 PM »
Tyler,
How's the 350/4 doing ?  :)
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 #138 on: June 04, 2014, 06:10:08 PM »
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. 
'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 #139 on: June 10, 2014, 07:21:57 PM »
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

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 #140 on: June 10, 2014, 07:31:01 PM »
Tyler,
What is the clutch gasket issue w/ the 350F ?
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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'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 #142 on: June 11, 2014, 08:42:51 PM »
Tyler,
What is the clutch gasket issue w/ the 350F ?

She's just leaking from the gasket, must not have gotten a good seat on the seal.

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

By shifter rod I meant the mechanism that engages the shift, I have being doing tons of reading on here and guys referred to them as that or the like.  Only issue is none can get to the bottom and find a fix....

Does anyone know what it means to have the transmission undercut?  A member referred to that as being a fix.
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 calj737

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Re: Cb500F What have I gotten myself into??
« Reply #143 on: June 12, 2014, 05:48:20 AM »
Under-cutting gears is not a fix, it's a modification. Finding, and repairing the cause is the only fix.

Consider, they didn't come that way, so they must work. True, 500s have some known issues with transmission failures, but, it stemmed more from improper operation against a poorly engineered part. There should be numerous threads on here to help you identify with decent certainty, what is actually wrong and how to fix it. Regrettably, that may entail pulling the motor and splitting the cases. Perhaps, if that is the necessary remedy, you can source a replacement 500 or 550 engine and install it, while yours is either repaired over the winter or sold to the salvage yard to offset the replacement?

A 550 motor will essentially pop in with very little changes at all.
'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 Stev-o

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Re: Cb500F What have I gotten myself into??
« Reply #144 on: June 12, 2014, 05:52:31 AM »
+1.  Drop a 550 in it!
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline wowbagger

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Re: Cb500F What have I gotten myself into??
« Reply #145 on: June 12, 2014, 06:33:58 AM »
If you're going so far as replacing the motor then drop a 650 into it  ;D

Offline grcamna2

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Re: Cb500F What have I gotten myself into??
« Reply #146 on: June 12, 2014, 09:35:15 AM »
Tyler,
Ride the 350F for the Summer and repair the CB500 later..but it's really up to you.
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 #147 on: June 12, 2014, 04:16:40 PM »
If you're going so far as replacing the motor then drop a 650 into it  ;D

I bet with a few mods, a 750 could be made to fit!
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: Cb500F What have I gotten myself into??
« Reply #148 on: June 12, 2014, 05:02:33 PM »
If you're going so far as replacing the motor then drop a 650 into it  ;D

I bet with a few mods, a 750 could be made to fit!

Well, maybe more than a few -- widening and bolstering the frame.  I've been a little bummed about the lack of grunt in my stock 550 motor.  I was checking out Paulage's 718 CB650 motor dropped into a 550 frame.  Tempting!
1975 CB550K1 "Blue" Stockish Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=135005.0)
1975 CB550F1 frame/CB650 engine hybrid "The Hot Mess" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,150220.0.html)
2008 Triumph Thruxton (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,190956.0.html)
2014 MV Agusta Brutale Dragster 800
2015 Yamaha FZ-09 (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,186861.0.html)

"There are some things nobody needs in this world, and a bright-red, hunch-back, warp-speed 900cc cafe racer is one of them — but I want one anyway, and on some days I actually believe I need one.... Being shot out of a cannon will always be better than being squeezed out of a tube. That is why God made fast motorcycles, Bubba." Hunter S. Thompson, Song of the Sausage Creature, Cycle World, March 1995.  (http://www.latexnet.org/~csmith/sausage.html and https://magazine.cycleworld.com/article/1995/3/1/song-of-the-sausage-creature)

Sold/Emeritus
1973 CB750K2 "Bionic Mongrel" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132734.0) - Sold
1977 CB750K7 "Nine Lives" Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=50490.0) - Sold
2005 RVT1000RR RC51-SP2 "El Diablo" - Sold
2016+ Triumph Thruxton 1200 R (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,170198.0.html) - Sold

Offline 2strokeTrush

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Re: Cb500F What have I gotten myself into??
« Reply #149 on: June 12, 2014, 08:32:26 PM »
Guys really think a 550 motor is worth it?  Anyone know what mods have to be done to make it fit??  and do you need 550 carbs as well?
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