Topic: Honda cb 500k3 four 1978 gearshift drum.

[kranta]

so, does honda cb 500k3 have same like gearshift drum like honda cb 500 k2-k1? or does honda cb 500k3 have same like gearshift drum like in honda cb 550? And does honda cb 550 have shift drum guide screw? sorry about bad english. Is it like this http://www.cmsnl.com/honda-cb500k3-four-european-direct-sales_model14676/partslist/E16.html .

[Deltarider]

Kranta, you can check at p. 31 and 32 of the Parts List http://www.honda4fun.com/pdf_parts_list/pdf_spac500-550/CB500-550_K3-K4.pdf  for comparison of the 500K3 and the 550K3.
Mine, a CB500K2 (ED) is, although modified from earlier models, different from yours.
It's always better to consult a Parts List than a schematic somewhere on the internet so that you have an overview.

[kranta]

so, actualy honda cb 500 k3 have same like transmission and gearshift drum like in honda cb 550 k3-k4?

[dave500]

the 500 had two types,one a ball located under a bolt later replaced by a collar,the 550 has a different set up entirely with no locating bolt on the case, its held by a bearing and retaining plate under the clutch cover,the 500s can suffer from the drum moving sideways.

[kranta]

ok, thanks, but does honda cb 500 k3 have same like gearshift forks like in honda cb 550s? is it like in that picture?

[dave500]

on the 500s all three shift forks are hung on the drum,on 550s only one is on the drum the other two have their own shaft,that picture is 550,the 500 and 550 cases are different.

[Deltarider]

on the 500s all three shift forks are hung on the drum,on 550s only one is on the drum the other two have their own shaft,that picture is 550,the 500 and 550 cases are different.

Dave, have you looked up p 31 and 32 of the Parts List? http://www.honda4fun.com/pdf_parts_list/pdf_spac500-550/CB500-550_K3-K4.pdf
That 500K3 is a bit special, you know and shares many parts with the 550K3.

[dave500]

didn't Europe get some weird ass 500 with a 550 bottom end?

[kranta]

yes they got, but my engine number say: CB 500E and cylinder says:498CC but i have that gearshift guide srew like in 500 and if i have figured correctly that 550 doesnt have that guide screw.? and if figured correctly the 500 is k3 if clutch lever and cable is on right side of engine?

[Deltarider]

Kranta, I'm afraid you're on your own. Nor Dave nor I have a seen a CB500K3 in real life and I doubt others have. We only have the Honda documents. Strynboen or Pewe, both from Scandinavia, might have a clue. The serie was very limited indeed. Some went to Germany, Switzerland, Austria and maybe Italy. I have the impression most went to Scandinavia but I admit it's a guess.
You could ask here in the CB 500 forum http://www.cbfourclub.de/. There has been some posts about your model but they were mostly carburetor related.

[strynboen]

hey ...yes, the 500 k3 vas sold most in norvay and denmark..in few numbers...they have the  550 bottom. oil pump in gear box and no, chlutch  push rod.dont think i have seen a k4..think lars in norvay have one..he had not been at forum for some time

[dave500]

can you post some good clear photos of your engine please kranta?from a couple of angles.

[kranta]

I dont have very good pictures of engine but i have these few picture which one can help.

[dave500]

yes it looks like you have one of those rare oddball 500 barrels with 550 bottom end combinations from the factory?if that's the case any 550 transmission/clutch/shifter drum parts will fit your bottom end,if you take the barrel off again can you please measure the openings in the top of the upper case where the barrels fit into,im wondering if Honda machined those smaller than the 550 barrels to suit the 500 barrels or just left them the same?

[kranta]

yes, i have think is that the engine those weird combination but i have that gearshift drum guide screw and 550s bottom end doesnt have those, am i right?

[dave500]

I cant focus properly on your photos of that guide screw,if you could please take another shot of that screw?another possibility is someone has used the 550 clutch update within a 500 bottom end?this is doable with the correct parts,it involves using the clutch cover from a 550 to make it work,and the cable bracket/rear right engine mount and clutch cable from the 550,either of the left covers can be used with the 550 clutch but the 500 seal #91203-292-005 must be replaced with the 550 one #91207-374-000,also to use the 550 basket the primary reduction gear must be used with it,ideally also you would have the 550 rear sprocket of 37 tooth compared to the 500s 34 tooth.

do you have this with the red arrow?this is a 500 bottom end.

heres the 550 bottom end,ive tried to highlight a couple of obvious differences with a description here.

look at the internal shifter mechanism changes also.

[kranta]

Yes i have that nut so my engine is not europian k3? Maybe it is usa k3?  but i can post some photos later. and this is very comfused because honda cb 500 k3 doesnt have that guide screw but i have. and honda cb 500 k2-k1-k0 have the clutch lever and cable on the left side of engine. and my motor cannot be 550 because them doesnt have gearshift drum guide screw. and how my bike can be k3 because k3 doesnt have gearshift drum guide screw? or my bike can have 550 transmission and gearshift drum if thats pictures 550 k gearshift drum have guide screw?

[Deltarider]

I agree, it is quite a puzzle, Kranta.
I've looked up partnumber 24446-323-000 (in my CB500K2 [ED] partslist described as SCREW, SHIFT DRUM GUIDE). I did this on Motogrid and indeed it's only found on CB500, 500K1 and 500K2. http://www.motogrid.com/pages/OemParts?aribrand=HOM#/s/HOM//24446-323-000/1
Click <select model> and have a look at the view GEARSHIFT FORK + DRUM. The picture indicates it has been modified.
And there's that K2like enginenumber of yours... I'm afraid I'm not of much help. But I've put your question on the German and French site.

[kranta]

my computer doesnt want to post my own pictures but these are same parts what i got.

[Deltarider]

Are you sure those carbs are the newer KEIHIN 46 B(B)PC/? In the picture they look oldstyle to me.

[kranta]

i dont know because those arent my pictures and is some where website where i can find out what engine and frame i have with engine and frame numbers?
engine number:cb 500E-2170315
frame number: CB500K-1002***
but mine engine number says that my engine cannot be k3 because thems engine numbers are CB500E 2200008 - 2204080. so what f#ck my engines model is.

[dave500]

like I suggested maybe yours has had the later 550 clutch unit put into a normal 500 bottom end as an upgrade/improvement at some stage?if you can manage to post pictures of yours with the clutch cover removed we should be able to see what we think it is?

[Deltarider]

Don't want to make things more complicated than they already are but I had this association.
On the Italian site Honda4Fun we find amongst others this CB500 Owner's Manual that I've never understood.
http://www.honda4fun.com/pdf_libretti/500/CB500_75/libretto500_2.pdf
Have a look at p. 72 if you like. In the picture we clearly see a clutch that is operated on the right side. This is strange. On the cover of that manual it says 1975 and I have never seen a CB500 in real life nor in pictures with a clutch that is similar to the CB550 before the arrival of the CB500K3 around 1978.
Also in p. 67 we see strange things. The airfilter is similar to the CB550 as well as the breather element beneath it. But again: on a CB500 this was not seen before the CB500K3 around 1978.
To be complete, the first part of that Owner's Manual is here: http://www.honda4fun.com/pdf_libretti/500/CB500_75/libretto500_1.pdf
And the third and final part is here:
http://www.honda4fun.com/pdf_libretti/500/CB500_75/libretto500_3.pdf
Obviously that doesn't help you, Kranta, but maybe someone else can shed some light.
Or was this Owner's Manual born already corrupted at Honda?

[dave500]

we need the clutch cover off and look or drop the pan and see if it has the second oil feed as per 550?

[kranta]

yes, i can take some photos maybe today.