Topic: Will's 1971 CB500 Build

[skyline223]

Hello to all!

New to the board here... and also new to the motorcycle owner's club.

A quick bit about myself.
I'm a 20 year old musician and active college student working here in Memphis, TN. I've been doing "the grind" on Beale St since I was 14 years old and have had a ton of fun doing it. In my spare time I have always been a nut of "anything that goes." I have been fortunate enough to have restored a 1956 Chevy Bel Air, a 1956 Chevy stepside pickup, and am currently restoring a 1957 Glasspar 16' fiberglass boat.... So as you can tell I'm a bit of a gearhead!

I have been wanting to give a shot at building a bike for a few years now. My uncle, who tragically passed away in 2004, was an avid vintage Honda motorcycle fan. So naturally I have been on the lookout for a CB series Honda to build in memory of him.

As I have said, this is my first motorcycle I have ever owned, and am super excited about getting moving on it! So on with the bike...

She is a CB500 Four built in July of 1971. The story from the previous owner is that he drove her daily to a local shop where he worked when one day he walked out to find the carbs, air box, side panels, and ignition switch ripped from the bike. He claims he doesn't have the money or determination to get replacement parts so he decided to sell her..... and that's the story - take it or leave it. 

I paid $500 for her as she sat (hoping I did alright there) and am now anxious to get her pieced back together. Once I get it back to running/driving form, I'll focus on some mild mods. Short term plans are to get her to a good driver state an enjoy it for a while. Long term plans will probably involve a full strip down and ground up rebuild.

I'm sure I will have plenty of questions as I move along... great to be on board here!

Bringing her home...

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Welcome, Will. It sucks that some savage stole parts off the bike. I remember someone stealing one of my side covers when I went to the IMS bike show about 6 years ago. It really sucks when it's a fellow vintage motorcyclist.

[Stev-o]

Welcome from Texas.  $500 seems like a fair price, so it did not come with carbs? Expect to pay approx $100 for a rack that will need to be cleaned/rebuilt.  The 500's are good bikes, I put one back on the road earlier this year. 

[calj737]

I'd suspect he sold the parts before someone stole them sitting on the street. Easier to steal the whole bike than take time to remove the carbs...

Any idea if the motor turns freely? Biggest problem with a motor sitting without carbs is the moisture infiltrating the intake exhaust. Rust and corrosion form up pretty quickly. Rings stick to cylinde walls, etc....

Spray some WD-40 directly into the spark plug holes (plugs out) and let it soak for a little bit. Then with bike in Neutral, try to kick it. If she does freely kick, you're in a much better place!

I think a member, Riverfever, might have a set of carbs you can buy when you get to that point.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I'd suspect he sold the parts before someone stole them sitting on the street. Easier to steal the whole bike than take time to remove the carbs...

An astute observation.  That said, some ass clown stole the catalytic converter off my pickup truck the weekend I was at the lake (last year).  Effing savages!

[2strokeTrush]

Iv got a set of perfect 500 carbs, with fresh gaskets and jet kits installed, my 500 project went to hell. Pm me man

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Iv got a set of perfect 500 carbs, with fresh gaskets and jet kits installed, my 500 project went to hell. Pm me man

MUCH better than buying an unknown on ebay or off Craigslist.

[Tews19]

That header looks sweet.

[calj737]

I'd suspect he sold the parts before someone stole them sitting on the street. Easier to steal the whole bike than take time to remove the carbs...

An astute observation.  That said, some ass clown stole the catalytic converter off my pickup truck the weekend I was at the lake (last year).  Effing savages!

That's for the salvage value of the platinum in the converter. Very common theft actually. They are worth about $400 in salvage.

[skyline223]

Thanks for the welcome and all of the input guys! Yeah odds that the story that parts were "stolen" being true probably aren't that great.. but I guess you gotta deal with what you got. For whatever reason it is that they are missing, I hope it isn't a reason that renders the project a disaster... time will tell. For now I know that the engine is free and shows signs of good compression.

I've ordered a set of side panels and a new ignition switch to get things going. I'll need to buy a new battery.. is there a preferred brand that you guys like to use? I know Optima pretty much rules the automotive world but am not sure what the trusted brands are for motorcycles.

One more question. Did all CB500s come with electric start or was this an option? Most videos I have seen of them they seem to have electric start but for some reason I just am not seeing how mine does... then again I have yet to hook up a good battery to it.

Iv got a set of perfect 500 carbs, with fresh gaskets and jet kits installed, my 500 project went to hell. Pm me man

Very cool... PM sent!

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Will,

You should have an electric start switch on the right side switchblock -- below the run-off-run switch.

Battery-wise, I would recommend either a gel battery or a lithium ion (Shorai, Alien Motion, Ballistic).  The lithium ion will provide lots of cranking power and hold its charge well -- and will weigh a minor faction of anything else.

[Tews19]

I have a set of 550K controls with uncut wires that function. If interested PM me. Also I'm pretty sure the ignition has the round plug in on you bike. I have one from a bike that you may have for free.

[skyline223]

Will,

You should have an electric start switch on the right side switchblock -- below the run-off-run switch.

Hmmmm... I'm no genius but looks like something's missing here... A guess in the air is that "L-H" is low beam - high beam? Is the starter switch supposed to be below that?

I have a set of 550K controls with uncut wires that function. If interested PM me. Also I'm pretty sure the ignition has the round plug in on you bike. I have one from a bike that you may have for free.

Looks like I may need to take you up on those.. if so I will PM you promptly.The ignition plug that is hanging does seem to have a square plug though.

That leads me to another question. From the CB500s I haves seen it looks like the ignition switch is just in front of the engine near the left side frame rail. Mine has what I guess is some switch relocation bracket up by the handlebars?? Is that aftermarket? If I can do away with it I think I will since it just clutters things up.

As a side note, I am overwhelmed with the generous offers from members of this forum. The hospitality is outstanding! As sort of a forum veteran, I find that usually you don't get that kind of hospitality until you have "paid your dues"... but thank you guys very much!

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

The hole on the switch lock pictured above is where the ignition button should be.

The relocation bracket on your top triple tree is aftermarket and can be removed.

[calj737]

Actually, some of the early 500s did have the ignition bracket up by the gauges. But the left frame rail location is much nicer. I have a bracket that youre welcome to, but you'll need to have the corresponding mount on the rail.

Yep, your right control is toasted. Grab the set offered and you'll be in good shape. Looks like you might need a right hand mirror and brake perch too 

[skyline223]

Thanks for the info guys. Here is my frame rail where the switch should be.. In addition to the switch itself, what all will I need to get it remounted in this location?

[calj737]

 Should just need my bracket and the ignition switch (round type, 4 wire) and then connect to your harness. Might want to remove your tank and look at the harness to determine if the connector already exists.

[skyline223]

Should just need my bracket and the ignition switch (round type, 4 wire) and then connect to your harness. Might want to remove your tank and look at the harness to determine if the connector already exists.

Alright tank off.. here's what we got.

PM heading you way on the bracket as well!

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Actually, some of the early 500s did have the ignition bracket up by the gauges. But the left frame rail location is much nicer. I have a bracket that youre welcome to, but you'll need to have the corresponding mount on the rail.

Yep, your right control is toasted. Grab the set offered and you'll be in good shape. Looks like you might need a right hand mirror and brake perch too 

I wasn't aware that any early 500s had the key switch up top near the gauges (you learn something new every day).  That said, this is definitely an aftermarket piece:


You just need a new ignition key switch and mounting bracket and you're good to go!

[calj737]

That abandoned 4 pin plug sitting all alone is the ignition connector. Any quality ignition switch, round type should come with the corresponding connector and female spade receptacles already. Clean the existing one well in advance, assemble with a tiny dab of dielectric grease, and away you go!

Here's the switch you need: http://cognitomoto.com/collections/electronics/products/honda-ignition-switch

[skyline223]

That abandoned 4 pin plug sitting all alone is the ignition connector. Any quality ignition switch, round type should come with the corresponding connector and female spade receptacles already. Clean the existing one well in advance, assemble with a tiny dab of dielectric grease, and away you go!

Here's the switch you need: http://cognitomoto.com/collections/electronics/products/honda-ignition-switch

Good deal!!! I ordered that exact one a few nights ago. Thank you!

[johnmmjr89]

I will be following this build while I work on my 71 cb500!

[Stev-o]

I like Scorpion batteries, they are sealed, no acid spills to worry about.

$59 shipped, just bought one for my 550...

http://www.batterystuff.com/powersports-batteries/sYT12C.html

[skyline223]

Got to work on the 500 today. We had some gorgeous weather here in Memphis so I could not help but spend just about all day on her.

I took off the 4 into 1 header and relieved it of it's crusty rustiness.... sanded it all down back to bare metal (that took some time) and painted with 1500 degree header paint. We will see how this holds up, but sure looks better for now.



The gas tank looked pretty good at first sight, but there was an isolated spot on the very top where I would guess some gasoline damaged the paint. So I went ahead and stripped it all back down to repaint... of course could not avoid finding some body filler...



Is it a cafe racer yet?? 

In the mean time I started just doing some fine detail work. I started the slow process of degreasing and detailing the engine. I am sanding and spot painting the exposed areas of the frame as I go along. You can see here I have most of this side painted.


My new ignition switch came in the mail today so I could not help but pop it on and turn the key.. exciting to see that all of the lights except for the tach are working!!




All for now...

[Stev-o]

Good day!   What is that car? 50's Ford??