Topic: '71 CB500 Four Scrambler

[Scramps]

Pretty shiny!

[DurangoCB]

Was time to drop the engine and finally got a better look at the oily mess under the sprocket cover.  At first glance it looks like a shifter spindle seal failure, but I'll clean it tomorrow and get a closer look. 

[DurangoCB]

And dropping the engine wasn't as simple as it sounded.  It wasn't the weight but the fit.  I removed the oil filter cover, but it sure seemed like removing the breather cover would make it easier.  Or the oil pan.  Or the exhaust studs. 

Tomorrow I'm going to remove the last two chainguard tabs, weld in the new seat hoop and work on prepping the frame for powder. 

And for the record, polishing the left side fork lowers was a 3 hour job, which is 3x longer than the right side lower took, thanks to the additional caliper bracket mounts and the fact that the factory didn't bother smoothing out the metal under/around the caliper at all. 

[Hasenkopf]

if you cut the end of that frame off, make sure you save it in case some poor slob needs one to fix their bike.

[seanbarney41]

if you cut the end of that frame off, make sure you save it in case some poor slob needs one to fix their bike.

yup, couple more years and the brat trend goes bye bye... gonna be lots of poor slobs wishing they had an unwacked frame

[DurangoCB]

It so hard to resist taking a piss, ain't it?

People have been modifying motorcycles for 100 years, taking a motorcycle that isn't what they want to ride and turning it into something that is.  Even if I were in the market for a brand new bike, I wouldn't choose a heavy one with buckhorn bars and giant brake light assemblies and turn signals.  And I'm not looking for those things in a vintage bike.   

I'm looking for a bike I can pick up for under $1,000, replace or restore 75% of the bike for another $1,000, including updating the POS fire-hazard electrical system, and end up with a bike that I want to ride. 

As far as I'm concerned, every modification I'm making to my bike is an improvement.  You disagree, I get it.  If running these bikes bone stock is your thing, knock yourself out.  If I swing by your project thread, I'll try to be helpful rather than taking a dump on what you choose to build. 

[seanbarney41]

Ok, so you are certainly allowed to chop off useful parts of your cb500 and throw them away so that they can never be used by anyone .  I get that, but I don't understand why you are so sensitive to criticism.  Are you really concerned with what the internet thinks of your motorcycle modification choices?  You are more than welcome to dig up any of my threads and make any comments you like.   You may find that I have never owned a bone stock motorcycle and I encourage forum members to criticize what has been done.  And I  apologize for any offense you have taken to my comments.

[Stev-o]

In proper condition, the electrical systems on these bikes is really reliable, and rather good. Just saying...

+1....the only "POS fire-hazard electrical system" issue I've had was on my Kawasaki 500, dumbass PO removed the main fuse holder and I smoked the ignition wiring.

If I struggled with electrical, the last thing I would do is replace the reliable stock wiring harness.  Just sayin'...

[DurangoCB]

OK, fair enough.  Maybe by this forum's standards and culture, I'm being sensitive.  I have to wonder how it would come across though if we all commented on every stock bike, "Nice bike... shame you haven't gotten rid of the huge turn signals."  Pretty sure you'd see some grumpy dudes getting even grumpier. 

As for the electrical, I overstated its weaknesses to make a point, but I do think the old electrical system when compared to new technology is a compromise, both in reliability and function.   

I'm not throwing any parts away.  In fact, I'm funding the project partly by selling off the old used stuff.  If anyone wants the tail end of my bike, it will be available to anyone who wants to pay shipping. 

[Moto nut]

I say chop away! It’s your bike, damm the torpedoes, let em eat cake, etc etc etc....enjoy

[DurangoCB]

I say chop away! It’s your bike, damm the torpedoes, let em eat cake, etc etc etc....enjoy

It’s too late to turn back now!  Angle Grinder Mafia already dropped in.

[DurangoCB]

Cleaning and polishing. Starting to prep the engine for paint (Duplicolor engine).

I have an engine oil seal kit on the way. Shift rod seal needs to be replaced so I’ll just replace as many as I can easily get to. Open to suggestion on that! 

Anyone have an opinion about whether I should repair the crack in the left crank case cover (see last photo)?  If so, should I JB Weld it?  Outside and sand it down or inside just for structural soundness?

 

[Stev-o]

Ouch!

That needs some real work to be made right.

Not worth the effort, I'd find a nice replacement.

[DurangoCB]

Thanks, guys. I’ll start looking around.

So it sounds like that cover is serving some structural function vs simply serving as a cover and anchoring the clutch cable housing.  True?

What if I'm not all that worried about the cosmetics of the cover?  Those cracks are serious, however, you can't get any of the metal to flex by hand.  It's pretty solid. 

[02z06dave]

its cosmetic

[DurangoCB]

Hey, it is what it is. Thanks for your help. The crack is up above the shift lever though, at the top of the cover.  But that probably makes little difference. 

[DurangoCB]

The postman brought a few goodies I needed to keep this project moving forward.
 
Grips and J.Webster handlebar clamps, engine oil seals, wheel bearings, all 4into1.com.  Ordered Saturday, delivered Monday.  Somebody's working weekends. Brass swingarm bushings from Kenosha Kid. A set of brand new Dunlop K70 tires I found on CL for $90.
 
Finally received the Made and Shipped on a Slow Boat to China seat that I needed in order to karate chop the subframe and begin refining the details of the brake/tail/turn LEDs.  If some abominable hipster is out there with huge regrets over having modified his/her CB500, the tail I chopped off is available.    Regretful hipster just pays shipping.
 
Another few hours of work and ready for the powder shop and digging into the engine a bit more, starting with replacing as many seals as I can get to.

[Scramps]

I’m worried about my oil pump now. Is it a common issue with the 500s?


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[Stev-o]

I’m worried about my oil pump now. Is it a common issue with the 500s?

No, just Cal's!  His hasnt worked in at least two years now!!

[DurangoCB]

I'll definitely get that done, cal.  Thanks for looking out!  Please keep an eye on me... I'm bound to do some stupid #$%*.

[Scramps]

Cool cool cool, I can deal with that. Does it come out from the side or am I in for another case splitting?

[DurangoCB]

Can someone confirm that this throttle will work on my CB500?  I have a replacement MC/lever and non-stock switches. 

http://4into1.com/motion-pro-push-pull-throttle-black/



The bike came with a new set of push/pull cables from 4into1.com so I have those already. 

[Scramps]

Durango, that’s the same throttle I got for mine, it’s a little cheap-feeling, but it works well.

Seconded on the trimming that cal mentioned, I had to take about 3/8” off for my grips

[Scramps]

I have a replacement MC/lever and non-stock switches. 

What kind of switches did you get? I’m on the fence about keeping mine

[DurangoCB]

I'm rewiring my bike and running an m-unit.  I'm going to use these momentary push buttons.  Two on the left will control the L TURN and HORN, two on the right will control R TURN and HEADLIGHT. 



Revival sells the same buttons but they're something like $20 ea.  The eBay buttons are 4 for $10 and they actually have a slightly better water-resistance rating.  I'm on the hunt for saddle washers that will allow them to sit more flush with the handlebars. 

By the way, the guys at Revival Cycles have been really generous with their time and help and I intend to purchase everything I can (afford) from them.