Author Topic: 500/4 project beginner in Aus  (Read 829 times)

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Offline 500Four

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500/4 project beginner in Aus
« on: May 09, 2014, 07:17:11 PM »
Hi all,

I've dropped by as a reader/lurker over the years, and now the time has come for me to join.

I have my Dad's 1971 Honda CB500/4 basket case - he had a bad accident in 1975 on it, then it sat outside for 35 years before I finally convinced him to let me have it.  There's very little that can be salvaged off it, but Dad did collect a lot of replacement bits in the mid-late 70's to mid-80's when he still had hopes of one day fixing it up. :)
I also have a 1972 500/4 frame, a 73 motor, and a plethora of parts - and I'm starting to put them all back together.

Since Dad used to race his bike, there are a few things different on his bike than what I find written in the parts manuals/lists; I'm hoping to replicate his bike as closely as possible, so as I get further along in the project, I'm hoping some wise heads on here will be able to help me when I get stuck.

Cheers,
Kerri
Victoria, Australia

Offline calj737

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Re: 500/4 project beginner in Aus
« Reply #1 on: May 09, 2014, 07:29:07 PM »
Welcome. Great start to resurrect family history. Some very helpful "lads" down your way: Dave500, Terry, Retro, MickB for a few.

I'm sure you'll find plenty of help and advice. Even some extra parts if you need.
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Offline Retro Rocket

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Re: 500/4 project beginner in Aus
« Reply #2 on: May 09, 2014, 07:41:35 PM »
Gday Kerri and welcome to the madness... 8)
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Offline kghost

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Re: 500/4 project beginner in Aus
« Reply #3 on: May 09, 2014, 08:35:40 PM »
Welcome from the Gold Coast.

Calj737...you do realize that Mick, Dave and myself live in a whole different state? Long way to Victoria...

Stranger in a strange land

Offline 500Four

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Re: 500/4 project beginner in Aus
« Reply #4 on: May 09, 2014, 09:56:25 PM »
Thankyou for the welcome :D
kghost, my OH & I are driving up to Gladstone, then Fraser Island (then home) in a few weeks time... :P

When I lived in the US, it took a bit to convince my friends & work colleagues that Australia is actually a big place!

Offline kghost

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Re: 500/4 project beginner in Aus
« Reply #5 on: May 09, 2014, 10:35:05 PM »
Its about 1780 kms (1,100 miles) from Brisbane to Melbourne....
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Offline Retro Rocket

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Re: 500/4 project beginner in Aus
« Reply #6 on: May 09, 2014, 11:32:35 PM »
Welcome from the Gold Coast.

Calj737...you do realize that Mick, Dave and myself live in a whole different state? Long way to Victoria...

 Australia is as big as the Continental USA and very close to the whole of Europe as well ... ;D
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Offline hotdog

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Re: 500/4 project beginner in Aus
« Reply #7 on: May 10, 2014, 01:15:38 AM »
Thankyou for the welcome :D
kghost, my OH & I are driving up to Gladstone, then Fraser Island (then home) in a few weeks time... :P

When I lived in the US, it took a bit to convince my friends & work colleagues that Australia is actually a big place!

Whats in Gladstone that your looking at..???...lived in that area my whole life until 4 years ago - Now in Dysart southwest of Mackay.
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Offline kghost

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Re: 500/4 project beginner in Aus
« Reply #8 on: May 10, 2014, 01:29:28 AM »
About 44,000 kms squared is the difference......
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Offline trueblue

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Re: 500/4 project beginner in Aus
« Reply #9 on: May 10, 2014, 03:20:19 AM »
Thankyou for the welcome :D
kghost, my OH & I are driving up to Gladstone, then Fraser Island (then home) in a few weeks time... :P

When I lived in the US, it took a bit to convince my friends & work colleagues that Australia is actually a big place!
Welcome to the site, I'm in Maryborough, I only have to ride about 30km to see Fraser Island ;D.  Weather has been nice around here the last few weeks other than an occasional shower of rain.  ;D
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Offline 500Four

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Re: 500/4 project beginner in Aus
« Reply #10 on: May 10, 2014, 03:30:36 AM »
Its about 1780 kms (1,100 miles) from Brisbane to Melbourne....

And I'm actually about halfway between Adelaide & Melbourne :P
Still only about 1800 kms though :)

Thankyou for the welcome :D
kghost, my OH & I are driving up to Gladstone, then Fraser Island (then home) in a few weeks time... :P

When I lived in the US, it took a bit to convince my friends & work colleagues that Australia is actually a big place!

Whats in Gladstone that your looking at..???...lived in that area my whole life until 4 years ago - Now in Dysart southwest of Mackay.

My OH's best mate lives on Boyne Island; we are going for a visit, and hopefully go fishing!
;)

Offline calj737

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Re: 500/4 project beginner in Aus
« Reply #11 on: May 10, 2014, 04:21:06 AM »
Welcome from the Gold Coast.

Calj737...you do realize that Mick, Dave and myself live in a whole different state? Long way to Victoria...

Of those members who post their states, yes I do realize the distances involved. But I did reference "down your way" as a general association to the 'Down Under'. I didn't promise daily rides and tea for Pete's sake...

I know Oz is a huge place, and I have a general understanding of the location of most states. Except for the state of mind Dave500 is in most days.  :)
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"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: 500/4 project beginner in Aus
« Reply #12 on: May 10, 2014, 08:04:09 PM »
Welcome.  I'm working on a 500 now too.
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Offline 500Four

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Re: 500/4 project beginner in Aus
« Reply #13 on: May 24, 2014, 02:44:44 AM »
Thankyou for the welcome, everyone :)

If the weather had been kind, the concrete slab for the new shed would have been poured already...
I can't really do much until the shed is built, so no photos or project progress reports until then.

It looks like the finned tappet covers are going to release their grip on the old man's old motor, so hopefully that makes one less thing to find to replicate it :)

Offline SBR-CB400F

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Re: 500/4 project beginner in Aus
« Reply #14 on: June 04, 2014, 06:27:40 AM »
Hi and Welcome Kerri,
What type of racing was your Dad involved in?
1975 cb400f, 14.435 @ 89.01MPH at Willowbank Street Series 28 March 2015
1976 cb400f Nostalgia Drag Bike.
1.871 @ the 60'
8.632 @ 78.44 mph over the 1/8.
13.822 @ 91.91 mph over the 1/4
1977 cb750f2 Resto Project
1973 cb750k4 Chopper project
1971 cb750k1 Restoration Project
1975 cb750f1 Drag bike
1.549 @ 60'
4.425 @ 330'
6.895 @ 98.05MPH  1/8 mile
10.993 @ 116.76MPH  1/4 mile