Topic: A glutton for punishment... 1973 CB500 resto-mod

[Scott S]

 I like it, and it'll compliment the color scheme I'm going with.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Scott,

I am digging this build.  I can't wait to see the pipes mounted and (even moreso) hear them.

[Fezzler]

I like it, and it'll compliment the color scheme I'm going with.

Will make the bike unique and not cliché when done.

[Scott S]

 Man, how cool is that?! The Goldwing brake splitter matches up PERFECTLY to the pre-drilled holes on the R6 lower triple!
 I found out that the R6 used a 14mm master cylinder, so I ordered one of the Honda style masters from 4into1.com (also 14mm) and picked up this splitter. Now I'll have no wires on the bars, a stock looking master, and the factory brake light wiring will plug right in! I talked to Shaun at Slingshot the other day and have a set of braided hoses on the way. I should have working front brakes soon!

[flatlander]

that is cool. and shaun's hoses are good. are you getting stealthy black ones? he didn't have them yet when i had mine made, now i'm of course wanting those.

[Scott S]

 Yes, stealthy black. I want this bike to look nearly stock to the casual observer, but make those in the know do a double take. "Heyyyy....that's not stock!".

[flatlander]

that was my idea as well, but at the time he did not have the black. i tried to keep mine stock looking with invisible performance mods. of course with the exhaust that's out the window, now.

[Scott S]

 Got a lot more "invisible" work done. Got the new wiring harness laid, electrical panel cleaned up and installed, battery box, tool tray (and cleaned the tools and super cool fuse holder).
 Got the chain on and adjusted.

[Scott S]

 Also started on installation of the 400F pegs. No matter what you've heard, these are NOT "bolt on". I previously flipped the heim joint to make it a straighter shot. You also have to elongate the hole on the back of the foot peg to fit the matching peg on the frame. Oddly enough, the RH side slips right on (after removing that odd bracket).



 I prepped the 400F brake pedal to be heated and bent tomorrow. I'll also have a tab welded on for the rear brake switch spring.

[Scott S]

 While I was wrapping that up, the UPS man showed up with my Speedhut gauge. I have to say, Rachel and the crew at Speedhut were a pleasure to deal with. I picked my font, background, bezel, etc., and I had them raise the red line to 12K RPM.
 They also sealed the gauge with silicone since it is going on a motorcycle and shortened the GPS cable (for the speedometer). But, coolest of all is the HRC logo I had them add!

[joeyvans]

Dude.... that gauge is my new favorite!!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

While I was wrapping that up, the UPS man showed up with my Speedhut gauge. I have to say, Rachel and the crew at Speedhut were a pleasure to deal with. I picked my font, background, bezel, etc., and I had them raise the red line to 12K RPM.
 They also sealed the gauge with silicone since it is going on a motorcycle and shortened the GPS cable (for the speedometer). But, coolest of all is the HRC logo I had them add!

That gauge is all kinds of pretty damn cool.  The next one will have to have the RSC logo!

[Scott S]

 Worked on fitting the front fender today. I picked up a "Harley" or universal fender from eBay because I wanted one with no holes for cable guides, etc.' I wanted chrome. And I wanted a somewhat stock look.
 I started by taping some fuel line to the tire as a clearance guide.



 I had to drill a new hole at the rear and notch the front. I also had to compress the "ears". But, we got it on. I could drive myself insane trying to get it absolutely centered, but it's close enough.

[Scott S]

 That's the good news. The bad news is that while fitting the fender I noticed that the front tire is on backwards. GRRRR!!!
 I tried just flipping the wheel around, but the spacers are side specific to center the calipers over the rotors. Guess I'll drop off the tire this afternoon to be swapped around.

[joeyvans]

That's the good news. The bad news is that while fitting the fender I noticed that the front tire is on backwards.

Damnit, I meant to mention that last week, Scott. I wonder what, if any difference, it would make running the tread like the rear tire? Maybe somebody much smarter than I will chime in?



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Bummer.  This just happened to friend of mine who bought a bike with the rear tire facing the wrong way.  Probably not unsafe but designed for channeling water the other way.

[bwaller]

It might de-laminate

[Stev-o]

Aren't those Avons? I believe the fronts can be run either way on the AM26. Or does the sidewalk have the directional arrow?

AM26 can be run front or rear

[joeyvans]

Aren't those Avons? I believe the fronts can be run either way on the AM26. Or does the sidewalk have the directional arrow?

My front AM26 has a directional arrow..... running the opposite of Scott's installed front.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Scott S]

 You are all correct in a way. The front is uni-directional, but different for rear use or front use. The old tire was one of those ribbed tires from 1973 and the shop didn't notice or, more accurately, know that the Lester is now directional because of the spacers.
 No biggie, it's fixed now and back on the bike.

[Scott S]

 Got a package from 4into1.com AND from Slingshot today and kept plugging away at more of the little things. Or, as Fezzler is fond of saying, "eating the elephant".
 Got the new bulb in the headlight ring, started assembling the brake hoses, and made a center stand stop. The chrome bracket was from my parts pile, probably a leftover exhaust hanger of some sort. The bumper is a Honda part. Drilled out the hole a little bigger and pressed it in and gave the hanger a bend.




 And now the center stand doesn't hit the chain or brake stay anymore!

[Scott S]

 Slingshot lines installed and routed to the Goldwing splitter.




 Reproduction master cylinder installed. I started the bleeding process, but I'll have to come back to that when I have some help in the garage.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

That GL splitter is pretty cool.  I didn't have one for my GL front that I grafted onto my 750.  I like how it neatly hides the lines rather than having to do a long run, or a piggy back loop.

[Scott S]

 Took a couple of 400F brake pedals....



 Heated and bent them and welded on a tab for the brake switch spring...




 ...had one powder coated "chrome" for my project...



 ...and got it on the bike today. Yes, I know the lock nut needs to be underneath. And I'll fold down the spring once everything is adjusted.

[Scott S]

 Got the Pamco wired up today, and I adjusted the clutch. Gratuitous progress pics.