Author Topic: CB500K1 Cafe to Stock (well more or less!)  (Read 12449 times)

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Offline AndyH

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Re: CB500K1 Cafe to Stock (well more or less!)
« Reply #25 on: September 14, 2017, 01:34:03 AM »
While setting up a float bowl swap between #1 and #2 carbs to isolate an annoying leak in #2, I took the LHS crankcase cover off to more easily remove the bowls (clutch cable in the way).

Pleasingly, there's no sign of any oil leaks from the various seals, and the clutch push rod is still in one piece!  8)
I also took the opportunity to give the neutral switch components a clean up, as I was experiencing the odd time when the indicator didn't indicate when in neutral!

Now to wait to see if the overflow leak problem has swapped to #1 carb, stayed on #2 carb or gone away.  ::)
1971 CB750K1 (US import)
1972 CB500 Four K1 (SOLD)
Previously owned..
1967 Honda Sports 90
1971 Yamaha CT2 175
1973 Yamaha RD250
1975 Kawasaki KX125
1983 Yamaha XT250T
BMW R65
BMW R80
BMW R100LT

Offline AndyH

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Re: CB500K1 Cafe to Stock (well more or less!)
« Reply #26 on: September 15, 2017, 02:24:48 AM »
Well, #2 still leaked.  See my other thread for further details.
1971 CB750K1 (US import)
1972 CB500 Four K1 (SOLD)
Previously owned..
1967 Honda Sports 90
1971 Yamaha CT2 175
1973 Yamaha RD250
1975 Kawasaki KX125
1983 Yamaha XT250T
BMW R65
BMW R80
BMW R100LT

Offline AndyH

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Re: CB500K1 Cafe to Stock (well more or less!)
« Reply #27 on: September 16, 2017, 02:18:33 AM »
Took the bike for a blat this arvo after tweaking the timing on the Dyna S.  Went like a shower of ****!!  8) ;D
Waiting now for the paint job on the side covers to be done.  Tappet check/adjust tomorrow and carb sync a bit further down the track.  Even furtherer down the track, new or cad-plated existing spokes and a cleanup of both rims, hubs etc.
1971 CB750K1 (US import)
1972 CB500 Four K1 (SOLD)
Previously owned..
1967 Honda Sports 90
1971 Yamaha CT2 175
1973 Yamaha RD250
1975 Kawasaki KX125
1983 Yamaha XT250T
BMW R65
BMW R80
BMW R100LT

Offline AndyH

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Re: CB500K1 Cafe to Stock (well more or less!)
« Reply #28 on: September 18, 2017, 01:17:55 AM »
I received the replacement (read "correct") tacho from Bryanj today and checked its operation...all good!
Now in the process of refurbishing before mounting it permanently.
Also did a check of the charging circuit.  Voltage at 3000rpm and above was a bit low so tweaked the regulator voltage adjust screw, now seeing ~14.5v as per shop manual.
Waiting now for the paintjob completion on the side covers.
Also received a carb repair kit from cruzinimage_au.
1971 CB750K1 (US import)
1972 CB500 Four K1 (SOLD)
Previously owned..
1967 Honda Sports 90
1971 Yamaha CT2 175
1973 Yamaha RD250
1975 Kawasaki KX125
1983 Yamaha XT250T
BMW R65
BMW R80
BMW R100LT

Offline AndyH

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Re: CB500K1 Cafe to Stock (well more or less!)
« Reply #29 on: September 18, 2017, 02:42:49 AM »
Also received a carb repair kit from cruzinimage_au.
Don't use the "hard parts" only the O-rings and gaskets. Whenever possible stick with stock jets, needles and float valves.

That was my plan Cal but it seems the carbs already have non-OEM hard parts, if carb #1 is anything to go by.  >:(
1971 CB750K1 (US import)
1972 CB500 Four K1 (SOLD)
Previously owned..
1967 Honda Sports 90
1971 Yamaha CT2 175
1973 Yamaha RD250
1975 Kawasaki KX125
1983 Yamaha XT250T
BMW R65
BMW R80
BMW R100LT

Offline AndyH

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Re: CB500K1 Cafe to Stock (well more or less!)
« Reply #30 on: September 18, 2017, 03:11:18 AM »
In your signature...

1972 CB500 Four K1 (AUS version) 8)
Previously owned..and thoroughly miskept

FTFY  8)

So true!  >:(
1971 CB750K1 (US import)
1972 CB500 Four K1 (SOLD)
Previously owned..
1967 Honda Sports 90
1971 Yamaha CT2 175
1973 Yamaha RD250
1975 Kawasaki KX125
1983 Yamaha XT250T
BMW R65
BMW R80
BMW R100LT

Offline AndyH

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Re: CB500K1 Cafe to Stock (well more or less!)
« Reply #31 on: September 27, 2017, 03:42:56 AM »
My sidecovers should be ready for pickup at the end of this week! ;D
Also have a sync kit on its way.  The leaking carbs (overflow after a day or 3) are still unresolved as #3 dumped today.  :(
Anyway, I'll sync the carbs and at a later date pull the carbs if the o/flow issue with petcock ON still occurs.
1971 CB750K1 (US import)
1972 CB500 Four K1 (SOLD)
Previously owned..
1967 Honda Sports 90
1971 Yamaha CT2 175
1973 Yamaha RD250
1975 Kawasaki KX125
1983 Yamaha XT250T
BMW R65
BMW R80
BMW R100LT

Offline AndyH

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Re: CB500K1 Cafe to Stock (well more or less!)
« Reply #32 on: October 02, 2017, 03:03:31 AM »
The carb sync gauges arrived today.  Being relatively cheap I didn't expect "professional" quality and I didn't get it!  :(
The needles at rest were all in different spots so I figured there must be a way to make them all the same.  The "way" was to ease off the front faces of each gauge and "reset" the needles to the proper spot.  This done, I then set up my trusty old vacuum cleaner to provide a pretty constant vacuum for the 5mm hoses.  Fortunately, all 4 gauges read within a gnat's c0ck of each other!  8)  Unexpected roadblocks notwithstanding, I'll do the sync tomorrow.

Long story short, the original side covers are now being replaced with a set from Joe (www.fb-stuff.com) which I ordered over the w/end here, so hopefully will see them in the next couple of weeks.
« Last Edit: October 02, 2017, 03:05:46 AM by AndyH »
1971 CB750K1 (US import)
1972 CB500 Four K1 (SOLD)
Previously owned..
1967 Honda Sports 90
1971 Yamaha CT2 175
1973 Yamaha RD250
1975 Kawasaki KX125
1983 Yamaha XT250T
BMW R65
BMW R80
BMW R100LT

Offline AndyH

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Re: CB500K1 Cafe to Stock (well more or less!)
« Reply #33 on: October 05, 2017, 02:28:41 AM »
Still wasn't happy with the gauges, so borrowed my mate's Motion Pro Synchroniser to confirm what the gauges were saying.

It was interesting to watch the interaction between the carbs as adjustments were made.  I was able to get all 4 carbs pretty well exactly the same and also confirm that the gauges were close, but not quite as accurate.  I believe this type of comparison has been discussed elsewhere but it's nice to see it in the real world!

I still have this current problem though, if I restart the bike after 15min/30mins/1hr/6hrs etc. it stumbles and farts and sounds like at least one cylinder is not firing properly, if at all  ???.  It's very hard to get running 1st off.
But once it “clears its throat” it idles quite well and seems to accelerate without coughs or splutters.  Blipping the throttle, it comes back to idle without drama.

This lack of normal start has only occurred since I put some Nulon (Aussie stuff) carb cleaner in the tank, hoping at the time it may have cleared the problem with the overflow on #2 carb.  In fact #3 has started o/flowing as well!  :o

I have new hoses from the tank to the carbs, but maybe the small hoses that interconnect 1 to 2, and 3 to 4 have reacted to the carb cleaner and particles from them are now clogging the float needle(s) and maybe the slow jets ……either that or crud that has existed in the carbs before “dosing”.   In any case, a complete carb refurb seems to me to be the best approach now.
Sound like a good idea?

Cheers, Andy (aka Himble)
« Last Edit: October 05, 2017, 02:33:17 AM by AndyH »
1971 CB750K1 (US import)
1972 CB500 Four K1 (SOLD)
Previously owned..
1967 Honda Sports 90
1971 Yamaha CT2 175
1973 Yamaha RD250
1975 Kawasaki KX125
1983 Yamaha XT250T
BMW R65
BMW R80
BMW R100LT

Offline AndyH

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Re: CB500K1 Cafe to Stock (well more or less!)
« Reply #34 on: October 05, 2017, 05:17:26 PM »
Did a CT test 2 or 3 weeks ago Cal.  Carbs 1,3 and 4 were ~2mm below seam, carb 2 was ~6mm.  It was the only one overflowing at the time. 

As carb 3 is now overflowing, I'll do another CT test on all and report back next hour or two  (having breakfast now!).
1971 CB750K1 (US import)
1972 CB500 Four K1 (SOLD)
Previously owned..
1967 Honda Sports 90
1971 Yamaha CT2 175
1973 Yamaha RD250
1975 Kawasaki KX125
1983 Yamaha XT250T
BMW R65
BMW R80
BMW R100LT

Offline AndyH

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Re: CB500K1 Cafe to Stock (well more or less!)
« Reply #35 on: October 06, 2017, 01:20:01 AM »
Definitely some crudge hanging around in the carbs.  Drained all 4 and some varnish type bits showing up.
Time to pull the rack and give them a good going over!
1971 CB750K1 (US import)
1972 CB500 Four K1 (SOLD)
Previously owned..
1967 Honda Sports 90
1971 Yamaha CT2 175
1973 Yamaha RD250
1975 Kawasaki KX125
1983 Yamaha XT250T
BMW R65
BMW R80
BMW R100LT

Offline AndyH

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Re: CB500K1 Cafe to Stock (well more or less!)
« Reply #36 on: October 06, 2017, 02:00:32 AM »
You might pause and check your fuel tank thoroughly. And do clean up the petcock too. Make sure the internal fuel filter is in place inside the tank.

Did that this afternoon Cal.  A very small amount of junk was caught by the filter.  The varnish bits found in draining the carbs would not have passed thru the petcock filter.
1971 CB750K1 (US import)
1972 CB500 Four K1 (SOLD)
Previously owned..
1967 Honda Sports 90
1971 Yamaha CT2 175
1973 Yamaha RD250
1975 Kawasaki KX125
1983 Yamaha XT250T
BMW R65
BMW R80
BMW R100LT

Offline AndyH

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Re: CB500K1 Cafe to Stock (well more or less!)
« Reply #37 on: October 10, 2017, 02:57:26 AM »
OK, carbs have been removed, de-racked, disassembled, cleaned, refurbished, reassembled, re-racked and now on the bench for some checks before returning to the bike.
All is good….so far!

1971 CB750K1 (US import)
1972 CB500 Four K1 (SOLD)
Previously owned..
1967 Honda Sports 90
1971 Yamaha CT2 175
1973 Yamaha RD250
1975 Kawasaki KX125
1983 Yamaha XT250T
BMW R65
BMW R80
BMW R100LT

Offline AndyH

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Re: CB500K1 Cafe to Stock (well more or less!)
« Reply #38 on: October 11, 2017, 02:34:40 AM »
Carb sync....almost there!


1971 CB750K1 (US import)
1972 CB500 Four K1 (SOLD)
Previously owned..
1967 Honda Sports 90
1971 Yamaha CT2 175
1973 Yamaha RD250
1975 Kawasaki KX125
1983 Yamaha XT250T
BMW R65
BMW R80
BMW R100LT

Offline AndyH

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Re: CB500K1 Cafe to Stock (well more or less!)
« Reply #39 on: October 12, 2017, 06:58:30 PM »
Bike is running nicely now, and today I received the side covers from Joe!  8)
Once they're painted and the emblems fitted, that will be "practical completion".  ;D

Season #2 will commence after "Down Under" Summer!  :P
« Last Edit: October 13, 2017, 03:23:11 AM by AndyH »
1971 CB750K1 (US import)
1972 CB500 Four K1 (SOLD)
Previously owned..
1967 Honda Sports 90
1971 Yamaha CT2 175
1973 Yamaha RD250
1975 Kawasaki KX125
1983 Yamaha XT250T
BMW R65
BMW R80
BMW R100LT

Offline AndyH

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Re: CB500K1 Cafe to Stock (well more or less!)
« Reply #40 on: October 16, 2017, 02:53:02 AM »
Side covers in with the painter today.  Should get them back at the end of the week.

This is how the bike looks now, sans side covers.

1971 CB750K1 (US import)
1972 CB500 Four K1 (SOLD)
Previously owned..
1967 Honda Sports 90
1971 Yamaha CT2 175
1973 Yamaha RD250
1975 Kawasaki KX125
1983 Yamaha XT250T
BMW R65
BMW R80
BMW R100LT

Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: CB500K1 Cafe to Stock (well more or less!)
« Reply #41 on: October 16, 2017, 07:42:54 AM »
Beautiful bike.
1975 CB550K1 "Blue" Stockish Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=135005.0)
1975 CB550F1 frame/CB650 engine hybrid "The Hot Mess" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,150220.0.html)
2008 Triumph Thruxton (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,190956.0.html)
2014 MV Agusta Brutale Dragster 800
2015 Yamaha FZ-09 (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,186861.0.html)

"There are some things nobody needs in this world, and a bright-red, hunch-back, warp-speed 900cc cafe racer is one of them — but I want one anyway, and on some days I actually believe I need one.... Being shot out of a cannon will always be better than being squeezed out of a tube. That is why God made fast motorcycles, Bubba." Hunter S. Thompson, Song of the Sausage Creature, Cycle World, March 1995.  (http://www.latexnet.org/~csmith/sausage.html and https://magazine.cycleworld.com/article/1995/3/1/song-of-the-sausage-creature)

Sold/Emeritus
1973 CB750K2 "Bionic Mongrel" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132734.0) - Sold
1977 CB750K7 "Nine Lives" Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=50490.0) - Sold
2005 RVT1000RR RC51-SP2 "El Diablo" - Sold
2016+ Triumph Thruxton 1200 R (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,170198.0.html) - Sold

Offline AndyH

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Re: CB500K1 Cafe to Stock (well more or less!)
« Reply #42 on: October 29, 2017, 10:21:37 PM »
After returning the carbs to the bike and performing a vacuum sync (carbs were very close with the bench sync) this project is now essentially complete!  8)  The bike runs well at all throttle settings and returns to the same 1000rpm idle spot.  At some stage I may contemplate a 4 into 4 exhaust but for the time being I'm happy!  ;D



1971 CB750K1 (US import)
1972 CB500 Four K1 (SOLD)
Previously owned..
1967 Honda Sports 90
1971 Yamaha CT2 175
1973 Yamaha RD250
1975 Kawasaki KX125
1983 Yamaha XT250T
BMW R65
BMW R80
BMW R100LT

Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: CB500K1 Cafe to Stock (well more or less!)
« Reply #43 on: October 30, 2017, 08:13:52 AM »
Way to go.  The bike is a looker.
1975 CB550K1 "Blue" Stockish Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=135005.0)
1975 CB550F1 frame/CB650 engine hybrid "The Hot Mess" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,150220.0.html)
2008 Triumph Thruxton (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,190956.0.html)
2014 MV Agusta Brutale Dragster 800
2015 Yamaha FZ-09 (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,186861.0.html)

"There are some things nobody needs in this world, and a bright-red, hunch-back, warp-speed 900cc cafe racer is one of them — but I want one anyway, and on some days I actually believe I need one.... Being shot out of a cannon will always be better than being squeezed out of a tube. That is why God made fast motorcycles, Bubba." Hunter S. Thompson, Song of the Sausage Creature, Cycle World, March 1995.  (http://www.latexnet.org/~csmith/sausage.html and https://magazine.cycleworld.com/article/1995/3/1/song-of-the-sausage-creature)

Sold/Emeritus
1973 CB750K2 "Bionic Mongrel" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132734.0) - Sold
1977 CB750K7 "Nine Lives" Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=50490.0) - Sold
2005 RVT1000RR RC51-SP2 "El Diablo" - Sold
2016+ Triumph Thruxton 1200 R (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,170198.0.html) - Sold

Offline AndyH

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Re: CB500K1 Cafe to Stock (well more or less!)
« Reply #44 on: October 30, 2017, 09:00:13 PM »
Thanks Don!
1971 CB750K1 (US import)
1972 CB500 Four K1 (SOLD)
Previously owned..
1967 Honda Sports 90
1971 Yamaha CT2 175
1973 Yamaha RD250
1975 Kawasaki KX125
1983 Yamaha XT250T
BMW R65
BMW R80
BMW R100LT

Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: CB500K1 Cafe to Stock (well more or less!)
« Reply #45 on: January 02, 2018, 02:52:28 PM »
Congratulations, Andy.  Your bike has been nominated for Bike of the Month February 2018.  To be eligible for voting, please go to the nomination thread and post that you "accept" the nomination.  http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,169960.0.html
1975 CB550K1 "Blue" Stockish Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=135005.0)
1975 CB550F1 frame/CB650 engine hybrid "The Hot Mess" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,150220.0.html)
2008 Triumph Thruxton (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,190956.0.html)
2014 MV Agusta Brutale Dragster 800
2015 Yamaha FZ-09 (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,186861.0.html)

"There are some things nobody needs in this world, and a bright-red, hunch-back, warp-speed 900cc cafe racer is one of them — but I want one anyway, and on some days I actually believe I need one.... Being shot out of a cannon will always be better than being squeezed out of a tube. That is why God made fast motorcycles, Bubba." Hunter S. Thompson, Song of the Sausage Creature, Cycle World, March 1995.  (http://www.latexnet.org/~csmith/sausage.html and https://magazine.cycleworld.com/article/1995/3/1/song-of-the-sausage-creature)

Sold/Emeritus
1973 CB750K2 "Bionic Mongrel" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132734.0) - Sold
1977 CB750K7 "Nine Lives" Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=50490.0) - Sold
2005 RVT1000RR RC51-SP2 "El Diablo" - Sold
2016+ Triumph Thruxton 1200 R (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,170198.0.html) - Sold

Offline AndyH

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Re: CB500K1 Cafe to Stock (well more or less!)
« Reply #46 on: January 06, 2018, 02:39:09 AM »
Wow, awesome!  Just to be nominated is a real thrill, thanks Don!

The bike has now become an almost daily rider....I can't sit and look at it in the shed, it has to come out and breathe some air!!


I was considering moving it on to buy another SOHC but I've kinda fallen in love with the thing!  So it stays, and I'll continue to enjoy the sweet little bike!   8) 8)
1971 CB750K1 (US import)
1972 CB500 Four K1 (SOLD)
Previously owned..
1967 Honda Sports 90
1971 Yamaha CT2 175
1973 Yamaha RD250
1975 Kawasaki KX125
1983 Yamaha XT250T
BMW R65
BMW R80
BMW R100LT

Offline trigger

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Re: CB500K1 Cafe to Stock (well more or less!)
« Reply #47 on: January 06, 2018, 02:55:39 PM »
Looks great Andy, not sure what the 500 in OZ is down as in the parts book. Maybe DR,CMSNL, DSS have to check on Honda 4 fun site ;D ;D ;D

Offline AndyH

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Re: CB500K1 Cafe to Stock (well more or less!)
« Reply #48 on: January 09, 2018, 01:59:35 AM »
Looks great Andy, not sure what the 500 in OZ is down as in the parts book. Maybe DR,CMSNL, DSS have to check on Honda 4 fun site ;D ;D ;D


Have to admit I'm not 100% sure either Graham!  :-\
I've been using this DSS parts list in combination with this General Export Model list from CMSNL.  Seems to have worked pretty well but I have a feeling that a couple of "cosmetic" things on my bike may lend themselves more to either the UK or USA.   
I reckon BryanJ and one or 2 Aussie CB500 punters might have a better idea than me!  ;)
1971 CB750K1 (US import)
1972 CB500 Four K1 (SOLD)
Previously owned..
1967 Honda Sports 90
1971 Yamaha CT2 175
1973 Yamaha RD250
1975 Kawasaki KX125
1983 Yamaha XT250T
BMW R65
BMW R80
BMW R100LT

Offline trigger

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Re: CB500K1 Cafe to Stock (well more or less!)
« Reply #49 on: January 10, 2018, 01:27:13 PM »
Looks great Andy, not sure what the 500 in OZ is down as in the parts book. Maybe DR,CMSNL, DSS have to check on Honda 4 fun site ;D ;D ;D


Have to admit I'm not 100% sure either Graham!  :-\
I've been using this DSS parts list in combination with this General Export Model list from CMSNL.  Seems to have worked pretty well but I have a feeling that a couple of "cosmetic" things on my bike may lend themselves more to either the UK or USA.   
I reckon BryanJ and one or 2 Aussie CB500 punters might have a better idea than me!  ;)

It is a Honda mate, enjoy it  ;) At least you have better weather than what we have in the UK  8) And I still have to wait at least 3 months to see any kind of good biking weather  >:(