Author Topic: A glutton for punishment... 1973 CB500 resto-mod (Read 43083 times)

Scott S · « **Reply #200 on:** May 17, 2017, 03:58:50 PM »

Before:

After:

Stev-o · « **Reply #201 on:** May 17, 2017, 04:01:25 PM »

One word...WOW!!!! Too early to nominate for BOTM? Great job, Scott.

Scott S · « **Reply #202 on:** May 17, 2017, 05:43:30 PM »

Here's a vid. You may notice I was having trouble shifting into 3rd gear. I'm having an issue with the 400F shifter. I can't seem to adjust the "slop" or free play out of the linkage. It's moving WAY too much before moving the shift shaft.
I'm not sure what's going on, as this is the 3rd bike I've used them on. I referred to my old pics and such but can't seem to figure it out. The good news is that I have all the stock parts and, when I slapped on a stock peg and shifter, everything works just fine. I might just clean up/detail/paint/polish the stock stuff and use it for now. I'm anxious to get it out of the neighborhood and get some shakedown miles on it!

Scott S · « **Reply #203 on:** May 17, 2017, 06:05:21 PM »

And a few more with better light. No washed out emblems on the tank.

ChromeDreams · « **Reply #204 on:** May 17, 2017, 06:36:36 PM »

I feel like that cartoon wolf, eyes buggin' at the beauty!

seanbarney41 · « **Reply #205 on:** May 17, 2017, 06:55:39 PM »

Scott, what an awesome bike!

I suggest you stick with the 400f pegs. What I did on a 750 was just get rid of the shift linkage all together and use a shortened stock shift lever.

Scott S · « **Reply #206 on:** May 17, 2017, 07:35:54 PM »

I fixed it. There was an extra locating dowel (one in the case, one in the side cover) that was keeping it from fitting flush. Removing that dowel and playing with the linkage on the pegs got me the clearance I needed!

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #207 on:** May 17, 2017, 10:41:37 PM »

Beautiful Silver Bullet.

flatlander · « **Reply #208 on:** May 17, 2017, 10:48:15 PM »

totally excellent, congratulations!
now you just need to get it out on the open road

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #209 on:** May 18, 2017, 10:43:34 AM »

I smell another BOTM nomination!

bwaller · « **Reply #210 on:** May 18, 2017, 04:46:42 PM »

Quote from: calj737 on May 18, 2017, 04:00:14 PM

Quote from: SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan on May 18, 2017, 10:43:34 AM
I smell another BOTM nomination!
No, thats me. Just had my once-a-month shower

We'll call you Mr. Clean.

Scott S · « **Reply #211 on:** May 20, 2017, 04:39:19 PM »

Because of work, getting sick, etc., I've managed to put a grand total of about 13 miles on this bike since finishing it. $:-\$

Initial impressions:

- The R6 front end, iKon shocks and Avon tires give an AMAZING ride and really good handling.
- The jetting is really close, but I think I can get it better. I'm trying to schedule some dyno tuning.
- The reproduction style 14mm master cylinder has a somewhat soft feel at the lever, but the brakes are really, really good. I'm talking two-finger good. EBC pads up front, EBC shoes out back. Drilling that hole on the brake arm for better leverage is noticeable, too. Very good brakes all around.
- The pipes aren't as loud as I expected, especially after hearing Flatlander's review. Nice growl, rips alittle at higher RPM.
- It's comfy. The NOS seat and 400F bars give me a nice riding position. Especially with the nice suspension. In the past, when I've seen pics of me on a 500/550, I've always thought "Gee, that bike doesn't feel as small as it looks in that pic". The Honda middleweights really "fit", to me.

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #212 on:** May 21, 2017, 01:54:54 AM »

Scott,

This is a nicely sorted bike. I bet that R6 front and brakes provides a hell of an improvement to modern stopping power and much better handling.

Scott S · « **Reply #213 on:** May 26, 2017, 12:57:02 PM »

Out and about. Getting closer and closer on the carb tuning. First tank got me 40 MPG, which isn't bad considering all the fiddling I've been doing with the carbs. Picked up a new timing light and double checked the timing. It's dead on at full advance on both coils. Got the mixture screws back out to closer to where they should be. Running pretty good, too!

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #214 on:** May 26, 2017, 02:36:19 PM »

Looking good!

flatlander · « **Reply #215 on:** May 27, 2017, 02:45:31 AM »

good indeed. sounds like you are very close to having it sorted. are you still planning a dyno run?
i am having a bit of a time-out now. will be in spain and greece while the poor bike is waiting back in amsterdam for jets to arrive from cal.

Scott S · « **Reply #216 on:** May 27, 2017, 03:58:13 AM »

Yes, I figured I should take it easy on her for 500-1,000 miles before thrashing her to redline. It runs good now, with just a few spots where it could be better, but I'm keeping the revs reasonable. I've also noticed that it doesn't like being lugged. I guess maybe the porting has changed some of the low speed characteristics. But a quick tap down to keep it above 3,400-4,000 and it runs great. The mid-range is excellent.
I didn't do a proper plug chop, but I did pull one plug out of curiosity. Just rode it home like normal and pulled a plug. Still rich (black and dry on the electrode), but some color on the ceramic. Still see a tan/coffee color there. I figure that the jetting is safe for now and I'll continue breaking it in properly.

bwaller · « **Reply #217 on:** May 27, 2017, 07:08:37 AM »

Scott take a ride without the filter to see what it does. Better still if you have new plugs put them in to see.

Scott S · « **Reply #218 on:** May 27, 2017, 07:21:01 AM »

Installing the new EMGO filter helpe. I picked up a used UNI for, like, $5. I took out the old foam and installed some new UNI foam that I had and lightly oiled it. It runs better on BOTH of those filters than the old stock paper filter.

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #219 on:** June 01, 2017, 03:06:10 PM »

Any minute now, you'll be asked to "accept" a nomination for BOTM July 2017. http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,166177.0.html

Scott S · « **Reply #220 on:** June 03, 2017, 02:07:06 PM »

Rode it up to Cyclemania - Charlotte today. Took the back way in and put another 100 miles on her. Ran great. It has a really nice mid-range and pulls well at 4K and above. I took it to 7k for a couple of quick bursts on the way home. I still have just under 300 miles on it so I'm gradually increasing the revs.
I haven't looked at the plugs yet, but it seems to run well. I got about 37 MPG on the last fill up, which isn't too bad. Could maybe be a little better. Haven't looked at plugs again. Gonna let her cool down first.
Speaking of cooling down, as soon as I hopped off and removed my helmet and gloves, I hit it with the IR temp gun. I'm getting about 235 on the cylinders, 260 on the head and the exhausts were 385-400 right at the exhaust port and the bend. I've found that bend is always the hottest part on any bike. Just a few inches down the headers and the temps drop to 350-365. I don't think that's bad, seeing as I just rode it an hour home and it's not exactly cool out today.

Parked next to this nice CB750. Is that any of you guys?

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #221 on:** June 03, 2017, 06:13:48 PM »

No but for a second there, the color reminded me of my 550!

grcamna2 · « **Reply #222 on:** June 05, 2017, 08:52:29 PM »

Scott,
Those R6 front dual calipers look nice on it,they must be 'the balls' for doing a stoppie

joeyvans · « **Reply #223 on:** June 16, 2017, 07:44:26 PM »

Hey Scott.... After you got the lag sorted out.... what is your take on the Speedhut tach/speedo combo?

I really like the look and simplicity of those.

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #224 on:** June 16, 2017, 10:06:32 PM »

I have a clean '03 R6 front stashed away for a rainy day build.

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Author Topic: A glutton for punishment... 1973 CB500 resto-mod (Read 43083 times)