Author Topic: '71 CB500 Four Scrambler (Read 24201 times)

DurangoCB · « **Reply #50 on:** March 09, 2018, 09:34:24 AM »

Ain't NOBODY right all the time!

Pin2Hot · « **Reply #51 on:** March 09, 2018, 09:36:44 AM »

Regarding your electrical learning curve, do you have a multimeter? I would say that's gonna be your #1 tool to help you diagnose wiring issues and you can get them pretty cheap at Lowe's or HD. The primary functions you'll use are checking for continuity (checking to see if A is connected to B) and to check the resistance of various parts of the electrical system. The Honda manuals have a lot of great information for checking to see if your charging system is up to par (ensuring there's sufficient resistance in the charging coil, etc). It's a cheap investment for peace of mind.

DurangoCB · « **Reply #52 on:** March 09, 2018, 09:43:53 AM »

Yeah, I have a cheap $15 one. I will admit that my lack of broader knowledge of electricity means that the myriad of settings on the average multimeter confuses me a little.

What I don't have and is on the shopping list today is a test light.

Pin2Hot · « **Reply #53 on:** March 09, 2018, 10:06:34 AM »

Your multimeter serves as a different, if not more functional version of a test light. Instead of the light turning on, you get a voltage reading giving you more information than just an illuminated lamp. Electrical systems are my jam, hopefully I can help if you run into trouble.

DurangoCB · « **Reply #54 on:** March 09, 2018, 10:30:28 AM »

I bet I’ll lean on you more than once! And I’m jealous- electricity has always confused me a little. But I have put very little effort into learning more. Looking forward to changing that.

WhyNot2 · « **Reply #55 on:** March 09, 2018, 02:32:35 PM »

I'm watching to see what comes about.......love the brat style builds.

Electricity on these suckers throw me for a loop quite a bit too.

So will watch and read with with hopes of learning as much as I can too.

May be able to throw some (very little) knowledge your way, and hope to pick some up as well.

So, drive on.

Scramps · « **Reply #56 on:** March 09, 2018, 05:23:26 PM »

Electrical work is somewhat of a passion of mine, I’m gradually becoming kind of obsessive about it. If you run into anything that stumps you, I might be able to help you out

DurangoCB · « **Reply #57 on:** March 09, 2018, 05:30:48 PM »

Music to me ears, lads!

Welcome aboard, WhyNot2!

DurangoCB · « **Reply #58 on:** March 09, 2018, 05:38:41 PM »

Anybody know a better resource for learning about the battery plate (?) doohickies and gizmos than this?

https://www.bikebandit.com/oem-parts/1971-honda-cb500/o/m9140#sch393501

I want to know what the parts are but I also would like to learn exactly what their function is.

DurangoCB · « **Reply #59 on:** March 09, 2018, 08:00:02 PM »

I’m all over it, calj. Keep an eye on me though.

I tell you wut, boys (and Marissa), this mess really offends my sense of orderliness and beauty. Is that manner of chaos just how it has to be? Or could I recreate this harness and improve it?

This is the squirrels nest of wires found crammed inside of the headlight. And I can just barely stand it!

DurangoCB · « **Reply #60 on:** March 09, 2018, 09:28:54 PM »

If those units were $120, I'd be all over it, no question. I just don't have $350 to put toward it.

Unless I rattle can my frame instead of having it powder coated. Hmmm.

What do you love about the m-Unit?

This video made me drool (

but man, that's a lot of money for a bike that's worth $1500.

DurangoCB · « **Reply #61 on:** March 10, 2018, 08:06:26 AM »

Quote from: calj737 on March 10, 2018, 04:51:12 AM

I have seen you post repeatedly about Hesse bikes only being worth $1,000-$2,500. Perhaps that is what folks bought them for, but many people invest much more money than that into them. It doesn’t make them sound investments, but it does represent the “value” some owners place on them.

I'm on the same page. If I had the money, I'd be going buck wild on this bike. And the CX project that will follow it. My original plan was to pick up both bikes for $1,000 each and then spend another $1,500 on customizing each one. If I pick up the m-Unit I'll be $500 over budget on the CB.

And yes, end up with a bike that is worth more than $3,000 to me. I just don't know if my wife would agree.

That said, I was up late last night convincing myself that I must have the m-Unit for the CB. I am convinced.

Quote

Why an M-Unit? For a custom build, it can not be beat for its simplicity, reliability, and organization. Yes, they cost $300, but they resolve many inherent design flaws in the older system, and allow those who are new to electrical/wiring the ability to do it from scratch with absolute confidence. I’ve seen many “poo-poo” them, but I’ve never seen anyone who actually installed one say anything but how great and wonderful they are. So take that for what it’s worth.

I dug and dug last night. Didn't find a single person who said, "Tried the m-Unit. Wasn't for me."

I would imagine that when the new Blue unit came out, many people upgraded so perhaps there are used ones going on eBay/CL, etc?

DurangoCB · « **Reply #62 on:** March 11, 2018, 08:00:08 PM »

Experimenting with sanding down the rusty fork upper tubes. I think it’s going to be alright with some primer and paint of an as-yet-to-be-determined color.

The other fork leg has about 12 times as much rust. Not as bad as most I’ve seen, but still going to take a lot of sanding.

DurangoCB · « **Reply #63 on:** March 11, 2018, 09:19:22 PM »

The one rust spot on that first tube I treated with Prep & Etch. I’m not sanding that leg down any further and I’m hoping the Prep & Etch plus rust primer will keep it from rusting further. Which I’m not too worried about in general because metal rusts so slowly here. There wouldn’t be a speck of rust on this bike if it hadn’t been for the awful design of those stock headlight brackets.

DurangoCB · « **Reply #64 on:** March 15, 2018, 08:58:41 PM »

Had an hour or two to spare this afternoon and managed to cut the battery tray out. Just needs to be welded up and then will go to powder with the rest of the bits.

Scramps · « **Reply #65 on:** March 16, 2018, 04:22:58 PM »

I absolutely love that tray, and I’m probably gonna unabashedly copy it for my bike

754 · « **Reply #66 on:** March 16, 2018, 06:05:02 PM »

Please notch the rear tray mount , to match the frame curve, lt will look killer....

DurangoCB · « **Reply #67 on:** March 16, 2018, 06:57:04 PM »

Here you go. I have a sheet metal shear that made cutting it out really easy and then made the bends with a rubber mallet and a large bench vise.

DurangoCB · « **Reply #68 on:** March 16, 2018, 07:03:37 PM »

Quote from: 754 on March 16, 2018, 06:05:02 PM

Please notch the rear tray mount , to match the frame curve, lt will look killer....

That’s a good idea! The bolt hole is in the way though.

DurangoCB · « **Reply #69 on:** March 19, 2018, 06:34:20 PM »

Welding is hard. Even harder with a $99 flux core welder. But nobody’s gonna be looking under the seat, I figure.

Stev-o · « **Reply #70 on:** March 19, 2018, 07:13:33 PM »

We're looking! Why did you put those angle pieces in there?

DurangoCB · « **Reply #71 on:** March 19, 2018, 07:19:01 PM »

Quote from: Stev-o on March 19, 2018, 07:13:33 PM

We're looking! Why did you put those angle pieces in there?

Ah, the million-penny question. I wanted to run a bead on the inside corners but I couldn't make it happen with that welder. It blows out the 22-gauge sheet way too easily. And I just couldn't bring myself to take it to a random muffler shop to have it TIG welded- DIY ethic and all.

With the angles, I was able to just tack weld and leave the outside corners looking pretty.

DurangoCB · « **Reply #72 on:** March 19, 2018, 09:02:03 PM »

Thanks cal. Makes sense- I’ll play around with some scrap and see if i can get that tek down for next time.

Pin2Hot · « **Reply #73 on:** March 20, 2018, 08:52:13 AM »

Silicon bronze brazing rod and a gas torch?

DurangoCB · « **Reply #74 on:** March 20, 2018, 08:44:51 PM »

Thanks guys- if I could afford a TIG welder, that’s what I’d do. I’m actually really interested in welding now, but I only have room for so many hobbies.

Spent about 60 minutes tonight sanding and polishing this fork leg.

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Author Topic: '71 CB500 Four Scrambler (Read 24201 times)