Author Topic: '71 CB500 Four Scrambler  (Read 23607 times)

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Offline DurangoCB

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Re: '71 CB500 Four Scrambler
« Reply #175 on: June 25, 2018, 06:23:00 PM »
That’s a beauty of an engine!

These forums can be pretty quiet, I’ve noticed. It’s nice to get a little recognition from time to time, though.

What sort of stuff are you using to polish?

Thanks!  Turned out nice and getting the engine really clean was less of a PITA than I expected.  (ScotchBrite pads, then soap and water, then acetone.)

I don't know if I'd call it recognition, but I get what you're saying.  Mostly I just want people who know more than me to let me know if I'm doing anything wrong, or just doing it the hard way!  I don't expect accolades for this build... it's my first and I'm not doing anything that hasn't been done before.  In fact, I made a point of copying a real builder as practice for my first build!  #ideathief

For polishing... 150 grit wet sand, then 320 grit, then 800 grit, then 1500 grit... then Mother's Aluminum polish with a cotton wheel on a drill.  I'm not going for a chrome/mirror finish, but if you wanted to, it's really all about the additional time on the last step with the Mother's.

Have fun, amigo! 
1971 CB500 Four- current project http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,170622.0.html
1978 CX500- next in line

Offline DurangoCB

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Re: '71 CB500 Four Scrambler
« Reply #176 on: June 25, 2018, 06:24:30 PM »
I've been watching your build man. Just put mine into the frame this past weekend. I figured I'd start a build thread once it's all done. I also wondered how you got it all shined up. Looks nice.

Your engine looks great, too.  Nice work.  Looks like you've got the polishing down pretty good. 
1971 CB500 Four- current project http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,170622.0.html
1978 CX500- next in line

Offline calj737

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Re: '71 CB500 Four Scrambler
« Reply #177 on: June 26, 2018, 03:40:31 AM »
Fire it up! Fire it up! Fire it up!
'74 550 Build http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=126401.0
'73 500 Build http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132935.0

"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of it's victim may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated, but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." - C.S. Lewis

Offline Stev-o

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Re: '71 CB500 Four Scrambler
« Reply #178 on: June 27, 2018, 04:05:04 PM »
Glad to hear you're okay. Those pics of the smoke plume are pretty impressive!

 If it weren't for you, I'd be replying to myself.  LOL
 

What do you mean, look at the stats of your thread:

177 Replies
3,590 Views

Not every guy will reply to your every post but we are viewing!

Nice job Durango, keep it going!!
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline DurangoCB

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Re: '71 CB500 Four Scrambler
« Reply #179 on: June 27, 2018, 10:17:33 PM »
Fire it up! Fire it up! Fire it up!

Getting close! 
1971 CB500 Four- current project http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,170622.0.html
1978 CX500- next in line

Offline DurangoCB

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Re: '71 CB500 Four Scrambler
« Reply #180 on: June 27, 2018, 10:18:58 PM »
What do you mean, look at the stats of your thread:

177 Replies
3,590 Views

Not every guy will reply to your every post but we are viewing!

Nice job Durango, keep it going!!

Hey, I'm a thenthative guy!  LOL  Thanks Stev-o. 
1971 CB500 Four- current project http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,170622.0.html
1978 CX500- next in line

Offline Pin2Hot

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Re: '71 CB500 Four Scrambler
« Reply #181 on: June 28, 2018, 07:39:27 AM »
Lookin good dude!  That engine sure did polish up nice.  I agree, let's hear it!  PS, you're totally gonna beat me.

Offline rosewood

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Re: '71 CB500 Four Scrambler
« Reply #182 on: June 28, 2018, 01:55:33 PM »
I'm with Stev-o.... been following this closely here and on Instagram....

looking forward to it finally coming together....and great work so far..

rosewood 

Offline DurangoCB

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Re: '71 CB500 Four Scrambler
« Reply #183 on: July 02, 2018, 10:27:37 PM »
Thanks rosewood- I’ve seen you on IG. Appreciate the kind words.

Lookin good dude!  That engine sure did polish up nice.  I agree, let's hear it!  PS, you're totally gonna beat me.

Don’t know about that. Progress is slow over here. I stopped counting my hours long ago.
1971 CB500 Four- current project http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,170622.0.html
1978 CX500- next in line

Offline calj737

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Re: '71 CB500 Four Scrambler
« Reply #184 on: July 03, 2018, 05:18:13 AM »
Looking at your hoop, I fear tire conflict may be in your future  :-\
'74 550 Build http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=126401.0
'73 500 Build http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132935.0

"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of it's victim may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated, but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." - C.S. Lewis

Offline DurangoCB

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Re: '71 CB500 Four Scrambler
« Reply #185 on: July 03, 2018, 05:59:53 AM »
Yeah it’s on my radar because you mentioned it a while back. The bike is based very heavily on Justin Webster’s CB550.  This was really just a very expensive way for me to test whether his bike is a trailer queen or actually rideable. :)

Hope you’re wrong though. I’d have to turn it into the world’s first scrambler hardtail.
1971 CB500 Four- current project http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,170622.0.html
1978 CX500- next in line

Offline calj737

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Re: '71 CB500 Four Scrambler
« Reply #186 on: July 03, 2018, 06:37:31 AM »
Well, worst case, you could drop to a 17" rear and 18" front to get the clearance required. And maybe slightly longer shocks...
'74 550 Build http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=126401.0
'73 500 Build http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132935.0

"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of it's victim may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated, but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." - C.S. Lewis

Offline DurangoCB

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Re: '71 CB500 Four Scrambler
« Reply #187 on: July 03, 2018, 06:48:16 AM »
Well, worst case, you could drop to a 17" rear and 18" front to get the clearance required. And maybe slightly longer shocks...

Ugh- hope not.  But wouldn't be the end of the world.  What travel did the 500/550 have in the rear?  My rough calculation is that I'll have enough clearance for 130-140 mm of travel, but now I'm worried that the 500/550 has more travel than I thought. 
1971 CB500 Four- current project http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,170622.0.html
1978 CX500- next in line

Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: '71 CB500 Four Scrambler
« Reply #188 on: July 03, 2018, 06:50:21 AM »
Justin's hoop has some angle to it for clearance.  Also, it's not made for any serious off-roading.
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 calj737

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Re: '71 CB500 Four Scrambler
« Reply #189 on: July 03, 2018, 06:52:46 AM »
If you genuinely intend to use this bike in a dual purpose riding style, then I would definitely drop to a 17" rear. Suspension travel and tire selection alone would move me off an 18" rear. And quality rear shocks would be a must.
'74 550 Build http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=126401.0
'73 500 Build http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132935.0

"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of it's victim may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated, but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." - C.S. Lewis

Offline DurangoCB

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Re: '71 CB500 Four Scrambler
« Reply #190 on: July 03, 2018, 07:02:09 AM »
Right on- thanks guys.  This bike is intended for gravel/dirt forest roads, at most- it's not truly a scrambler.  It's for my wife to ride around town.
 
I'm pretty sure the angle of this hoop is identical to Justin's bike.  The 500/550 subframe has a natural upward trajectory rearward of the shock mount that the hoop follows. 

But I guess there's one way to find out, so let's build it up and see.  I'll let you know how it goes when I jump it over a school bus the first time.  :) 
1971 CB500 Four- current project http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,170622.0.html
1978 CX500- next in line

Offline Snoefy

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Re: '71 CB500 Four Scrambler
« Reply #191 on: July 27, 2018, 05:22:09 AM »
Just saying hi...
I'm one of those viewers that hasn't been replying  8)
1971 Red CB500K "Rhonda"

Offline riverfever

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Re: '71 CB500 Four Scrambler
« Reply #192 on: July 27, 2018, 08:01:30 AM »
Looks god Durango. I may have missed it (on my phone and not wearing my glasses) but what bars are those?
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=127186.0

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Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: '71 CB500 Four Scrambler
« Reply #193 on: July 27, 2018, 09:11:36 AM »
The bike is based very heavily on Justin Webster’s CB550.  This was really just a very expensive way for me to test whether his bike is a trailer queen or actually rideable. :)

I'll have to point this post out to Justin and let him flame you.  ;)

Being a trailer queen and being rideable are NOT mutually exclusive.  His bike was spec built to sell, so not something he'd thrash on before selling.  Show bikes are built to keep the builder relevant and promote their product (custom builds and parts).  That said, it is rideable.  It is not designed to desert race or motocross.  It is designed to be a street scrambler.  If I recall correctly from speaking with him last week, I think it was already sold.

Scrambler-style bikes, like the Ducati Scrambler line (other than the Desert Sled) and Triumph's Scrambler are best for street and some light-off-road use (like fire roads).  I think Motorcyclist did a video last year showing how they can handle some off-road terrain but suffer (the Triumph lost its pipes).

Justin's more recent Triumph scrambler build has much more ground clearance and travel allowing for both street and off-road riding.  He had the forks and shock built specially for such use, but it was still outfitted with street tires.  It might be just my opinion, but the Triumph is more akin to a Supermoto.
« Last Edit: July 27, 2018, 09:23:33 AM by SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan »
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 calj737

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Re: '71 CB500 Four Scrambler
« Reply #194 on: July 27, 2018, 10:14:26 AM »
The bike is based very heavily on Justin Webster’s CB550.  This was really just a very expensive way for me to test whether his bike is a trailer queen or actually rideable. :)
I'll have to point this post out to Justin and let him flame you.  ;)
Not kicking sand into anyone's eyes, but...

"Ride-ability" is also very dependent upon the rider as much as the machine. Take for instance many GP bikes. Some are setup in such ways that only the intended pilot could ever manage a straight line or a turn with them. Put a different rider on them, and its hay bales. With respect to Scrambler bikes, skill, suspension travel, surface conditions, geography all limit/expose both the rider and machine's abilities.

So the only question to really answer is: can you ride the bike you are building? Or will it become a garage queen? ???
'74 550 Build http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=126401.0
'73 500 Build http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132935.0

"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of it's victim may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated, but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." - C.S. Lewis

Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: '71 CB500 Four Scrambler
« Reply #195 on: July 27, 2018, 12:50:16 PM »
LOL. I was just being a smart-ass about the flame comment.

That said, Justin's 550 uses stock footpeg and nothing unusual as to the handlebars.  It features a high mount exhaust that routes inside the frame to avoid any leg burn issues.  So if it's as rideable as a stock 550, why is rideability up for debate?  My guess is that the buyer purchased it to ride and not sit in a garage.  It's not a Vincent Black Shadow.

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 DurangoCB

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Re: '71 CB500 Four Scrambler
« Reply #196 on: July 28, 2018, 12:06:03 PM »
Agree with all of it ^^.  The trailer queen joke was exactly that, since I know Justin is a member here.  I know him a bit just from emailing back and forth with questions and pointers and I think he knows how much I respect and trust what he does.  He is one of the best builders out there mixing it up right now, at least for my tastes.  His bikes have a classic, understated look and yet the closer you look, the more apparent it is that he has considered every single detail and cut zero corners.  The way he builds bikes has to be absolutely exhausting. 

That Triumph was him outdoing himself- killer bike. 
1971 CB500 Four- current project http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,170622.0.html
1978 CX500- next in line