I was meeting some friends for a ride last month. I was on my CB550 and stopped at Bojangle's for a biscuit. A fellow came up to me and struck up a conversation about the bike and mentioned that he has a '73 CB500. He parked it in 1983 when his daughter was born.
I took his name and number and kind of forgot about it.
Fast forward about 6 weeks. I have a friend that learned to ride last year. She's been bombing around on a clapped out CB175. She's a quick learner, a really good rider and loves to wrench. I thought about the CB500, so I called the guy.
After playing phone tag for a bit, I met him to look at it.
It's been in a shed, but not a very good one. It's complete, with 4-2 exhaust. It ran and ran great when he parked it......in 1983. He bought it in 1975 and has a title.....somewhere....
The engine is stuck. Could be fatal, could be easy. The carbs actually move, but who knows what the jet holders, etc., look like.
I tried to open the gas cap and the top of the gas tank pops like a beer can. Odd, because the sides and bottom are solid. Shame, because it looks like the paint would clean up.
This bike would need a LOT of attention. We have time and I have PILES of spare parts for this bike. Other than tires/rubber, the big ticket items would be carb rebuild and a tank. And that's
IF we can get the engine unstuck.
Here's the kicker: He was practically BEGGING me to make an offer. He knows he screwed up by letting it sit and freely admits he'll never do anything with it.
I think I can get it for $50-75. Maybe offer him $100 if he'll help with DMV paperwork to get the title (which he mentioned already, without me prodding).
IF we can get the engine loose, and IF the carbs are salvageable, I have everything minus a good tank to make this bike a runner. If not, I can part it out and quadruple my money.
BUT....BUT..... I just sold two bikes and a project. I'm trying really hard to simplify. I think it would be fun to help a friend (and she's ALL about wrenching and sharing in the costs. The thought of her building her own bike is a dream for her). There wouldn't really be a time frame on it. I have spares and garage space.
Am I stupid for even considering it?
(excuse the poor cell phone pic. It was hard to get a good shot of it)
