Topic: honda cb 500 four more power?

[grcamna2]

400 four and 500 needs rpm..this bikes dont pull up from lov..so dont go for a cam thange...it vill only reise the rpm need..so yes...in that case 650  cc are the right vay..

They like RPM's kept up,shifting around 8-8500+ rpm's w/ a finely tuned machine and only a few mods
will yield you all the acceleration you need.

[turboguzzi]

Hei Sam, nice discussion no?
I think it's going to be the first time since this the HIGH PERFORMANCE forum section was created that a guy who wants to Hipo his motor is told, advised, recommended, whatever - NOT to Hipo his motor.
Lovely.
have a good weekend my friends 

[calj737]

You can HiPo a 500 motor, but not for cheap. I'm just about done with mine, but the cost was enormous to do it:

Stage III heads from Mike R
Wiseco 59mm pistons
MegaCycle Cam
Kibblewhite oversized valves, guides, springs and retainers
Undercut trans
CR-26 carbs
MotoGP 4:1

Throw about $6,000 at it, and it will run like a stabbed rat. And I went cheap as I didn't opt for Carillo rods becuase I'm too tight.

[bwaller]

Kranta, the CB500 has gotten a bad rap for it's original gearbox, and there were improvements with the 550. But there is no reason the 500 can't be a slick shifter. It does take some focus to make sure components aren't worn out.

Just some info, a stock 550 produces 36-38 rwhp, likely very similar to the 500. In my wifes CB550 I installed some 61mm pistons and the larger bore alone increased compression to 1:10.1. I did some port clean up and the valve seats didn't need more than a light lapping in of the stock valves. A mild Megacycle cam (probably very similar to CB650) and $65 Kibblewhite valve springs completed the package. It uses the stock carbs. It truly made a huge difference and now produces 51rwhp. Not race type power but the power band is very linear just like the stocker, but improved. CB550 sleeves are thin after boring to 61mm so you may need a 550 cylinder or sleeves at least instead of the 500 parts.

Of course there are boring costs but otherwise these changes were not expensive at all, done at home. The acceleration is vastly improved and is fun to ride. Obviously you can spend way more and get even more power but for little money improvement is possible.

[kranta]

what i found from ebay there was 59mm hold big bore kit. but first time i ride my 500 (last summer) i was first like that "you gotta be kiding, this thing can be so powereless" because it only was going 100km/h and reasons for that was
1. over 1 kg sugar in tank
2. it was running only 3 cylinder
3. cam timing was 1 tooth off
4. cam chain tensioner was broken

[grcamna2]

kranta,
Now that you've fixed those 4 problems,how much better is it running ?

[kranta]

it was going lot a faster and the response for the gas was good too. but i actually cannot test top speed because autumn and winter come in finland so early.

[turboguzzi]

calj, kudos to you on so much work,
have you dyno'd it? how much is the thing putting out on the rear wheel now?
of course there are less extreme but satisfying improvements like brent explains.
my first 500c.c. race motor?

megacyle cam
race valve springs
cheap VM26s (with self made manifold)
used marving exhaust
DIY porting
Milled block with taper squish area in pistons
used GSXR igntition

maybe 500 $ total expenses and it gave 55 rwhp....
it could have been easily used on the street too. so it can be done.... if you know what to do.

funny how the next development step cost more (CR29's, +1mm pistons, Ti retainers) but gave only some 7 hp more...

BTW, the 500 motor has great rods, doesnt really need carillos.

krnata, my asumption is that you have the motor back to good stock condition before you decide to step up in power.... if you havent done so, then go to the regular forum and come back to us in hipo when you are in fine tune

[calj737]

Not yet, TG, but one day soon (I hope). Its a build for my college boy and like all college boys, everything the parents want done takes MUCH longer :^)

I'd suspect it will be in the 60s for HP, maybe mid- high-40s at the rear wheel? It will be spending some significant time on the dyno due to the non-stock valve train and carburetors. Also considering the C5 optical ignition for some dynamic tuning abilities. Not a race bike, just want optimum performance after the investment of goodies and handiwork.

[kranta]

i have fixed everything all ready. but this thing would be i future.

[turboguzzi]

Not yet, TG, but one day soon (I hope). Its a build for my college boy and like all college boys, everything the parents want done takes MUCH longer :^)

I'd suspect it will be in the 60s for HP, maybe mid- high-40s at the rear wheel? It will be spending some significant time on the dyno due to the non-stock valve train and carburetors. Also considering the C5 optical ignition for some dynamic tuning abilities. Not a race bike, just want optimum performance after the investment of goodies and handiwork.

grab any early nineties GSXR ignition, it's almost bolt on, amazing reliabilty, 13K redline, both bwaller and i race with them

[calj737]

And what about the coils for the GSXR igntion?

[Retro Rocket]

And what about the coils for the GSXR igntion?

I would like to see a stand alone thread on this topic and stickied...  

[flatlander]

i agree. sounds interesting.

[MRieck]

And what about the coils for the GSXR igntion?

I would like to see a stand alone thread on this topic and stickied...

That is a good idea

[alacrity]

i am running that cruznImage overbore kit in my bike...It went in pefectly and has cooked along just fine for over 3000miles now.

[keychainc]

I actually figured out that I could fit a set of 550 jugs on my 500 base with no issues. So then I got a big bore kit for the 550 which was 3 mils over. Turning my 500 into something closer to a 600. Off the line I take on newer 600's all day long. So far it's survived a season with no issues.   

[kranta]

lets see what i found in my bike

[bwaller]

I actually figured out that I could fit a set of 550 jugs on my 500 base with no issues. So then I got a big bore kit for the 550 which was 3 mils over. Turning my 500 into something closer to a 600. Off the line I take on newer 600's all day long. So far it's survived a season with no issues.   

Taking them on is one thing, being embarrassed afterwards is the reality. 

[calj737]

I actually figured out that I could fit a set of 550 jugs on my 500 base with no issues. So then I got a big bore kit for the 550 which was 3 mils over. Turning my 500 into something closer to a 600. Off the line I take on newer 600's all day long. So far it's survived a season with no issues.   

Taking them on is one thing, being embarrassed afterwards is the reality. 

And I suppose you're going to say, "There's no such thing as the Easter Bunny" too, Brent? 

[bwaller]

Yeah I have no imagination.

[Retro Rocket]

I actually figured out that I could fit a set of 550 jugs on my 500 base with no issues. So then I got a big bore kit for the 550 which was 3 mils over. Turning my 500 into something closer to a 600. Off the line I take on newer 600's all day long. So far it's survived a season with no issues.   

Taking them on is one thing, being embarrassed afterwards is the reality. 

And I suppose you're going to say, "There's no such thing as the Easter Bunny" too, Brent? 

There's no Easter bunny Cal, Santa told me....

[calj737]

I'd bet both you and Brent enjoy taking candy from babies... You big cyber Bulllys! 

[Retro Rocket]

I'd bet both you and Brent enjoy taking candy from babies... You big cyber Bulllys! 

Ok ok, if you keep going i'll get the damn tooth fairy involved...

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I think your best power for money option is to drop in a 650 motor into your frame.  Stock it will make noticeably more power/torque than your 500 motor. You can tune it, IF you want, by boring it out to a 674 -- then you'll similar power to an overbored 750 in a lighter chassis.