Topic: New guy from Washington state

[Matty]

I was given a neat bike 72 CB500 with like 2100 original miles. I'm not a mechanic (I'm a carpenter) but I'm going to fix it up and drive it... Thought you guys could help! Been sitting for years needs both brake and clutch handle assemblies. Rust in tank but carbs are mint!

[70CB750]

Welcome! 

You can download shop manual here:

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,17788.0.html

[Matty]

Reading here I'm wondering If this might end up being over my head? Such a nice bike with almost no miles. You guys seem to love and adore these things... Maybe Its better I get it to someone who would appreciate it more and knows what the f$#@  they are doing. I really want to try this, but I figured it was old junk... Doesn't work out... No harm no foul
 Now I realize these things are almost sacred to some of you. Needs to be treated with respect.

[ev0lve]

You can't f it up, man - just don't cut the frame.

Might take years. You'll be fine

Oh, also... it is actually worth something. Leave it out, someone will take it. So, yeah, don't do that either

[Matty]

I'm keeping it in garage... Maybe in 2045 my kids will sell it to someone! Actually I'm going to go for it. Should be fun.

[Gene]

Matty, It's difficult to kill these bikes. Any restoration you can do to get that bike on the road is better than letting it sit.  They were meant to be operated, don't be too precious with it - and have some fun getting it back to working order.

Parts are available, follow the manual.  It's actually a fairly cheap hobby unless you start getting crazy.

[mrbreeze]

I've had mine for 15 years and it's still not done! I outa paint work in progress across the gas tank! If you decide to keep it and do the work on it you will be rewarded with a fun little bike to ride that has a big wow factor to it. Nothing cooler than pulling up to a lot full of Harleys and everyone crowds around yours to check it out. One time I was at the watering hole parked next to 4 of em and mine was the only one with spoked wheels and a kicker!! Parts are still around in droves and aren't too expensive. I recommend having an extra one to ride if yours gets stuck in the garage for too long.

[Matty]

No way... I never get lucky.... I hooked a car battery with jumper cables to bike to see if lights horn etc worked
 They did! I hit a button not knowing what it was and it was the starter and it turned over
 For #$%*s and giggles I poured some Coleman stove fuel in the two tubes that go to the tank and what the f! It started!!!!

Sitting 40 years
.. Wow!

[Prairieboy43]

Congrats Matt you are off and Running. Everything is a breeze after that. Bike looks clean.
PB43

[Gene]

Now you're hooked.

[rickmoore24]

It's on!!

Sent from my Desire HD using Tapatalk 2

[TomsK8resto]

Matty,

Welcome to the forum.  Lots of great info and helpful folks on this forum. Good luck with your new project!

Tom