Topic: Making some progress

[Fezzler]

1971 cb500 Four K0

After problem with powder coat (getting the frame back), graduations, work, college move out, college move in - started to make progress.

[Scott S]

 Looks great.  Hours and hours of work there.

[Fezzler]

Including adopting the HF stand for engine.  But I have a couple of good coaches.

Wheels are done.  New All Balls races and tapered bearings.  New brass swingarm bushings.  New grease (as opposed to using the old grease?  LOL).  VIN tag remounted with new rivetts.

So next up is fork rebuild, upper tree (have D washers), new gaiters, new shock bushings (shocks done), found near perfect stock seat in 9-out-of-10 shape....etc.

I'll check back in. 

Already thinking about doing a 3rd one.  I really enjoy working on these.  Relaxing.

[Stev-o]

Good to see some progress on a project, Fezz, looks good! 

My project stalled when the temp guage hit 95 but I'm getting antsy to get back at it soon.

[beemerbum]

Looks very good. Is that a HF engine stand?

[Fezzler]

Looks very good. Is that a HF engine stand?

Yes, the smaller one.  I had a coupon and I think I paid like $38 for it.  But it was at least that in bolts and washers and other stuff needed to convert it into a stand for the 500 engine.  But very handy.  Makes working on engine and moving around garage a snap.  The yellow jack is HF too.  The little red floor stand was from Walmart Online.

[Fezzler]

Good to see some progress on a project, Fezz, looks good! 

My project stalled when the temp guage hit 95 but I'm getting antsy to get back at it soon.

Hot and humid in Charlotte too.  Soaked when I come in from garage.  But, sitting in office all day, it feels good.

[Fezzler]

Eating Dumbo

[Fezzler]

Front roller.  Slogging along.

Someone gave me the tip to use old cardboard to not get oil and cleaner dripping all over the garage floor.  But another benefit is when you drop a small part, like a washer, it doesn't bounce and go goodness knows where.  They stay on the cardboard. 

Challenge of buying a parts bike in boxes, you can bag and tag the parts you remove from frame, etc.  But finding missing bolts, washers, nuts is slow going. 

Anyway, making progress.

[Fezzler]

You are so right my friend!  You learn something new with each build.  If I do another one like this, I'll work through the parts list and inventory up front, tag, bag and clean.  I'm doing it as I go now.  Not too bad, but lesson learned.

Also, I'm constantly re-reminded that I need to refer back to that parts list, service manual, cross-tab parts, SOHC4 (BEFORE asking questions -the answers are in there often).

These projects are a good lesson in patience.

 

[Stev-o]

Basket cases can be a challenge, but you learn so much more when assembling one!

[Scott S]

 Some of the funnest basket cases are the "sweep the floor bikes". There are no rules there. It doesn't have to be shiny or clean. Scratches are OK.  And if the seat or turn signals or whatever aren't correct, so what?

[Fezzler]

Basket cases can be a challenge, but you learn so much more when assembling one!

I think I've heard my wife say that about me!

[Stev-o]

Basket cases can be a challenge, but you learn so much more when assembling one!

I think I've heard my wife say that about me!

Wives do think they can "remodel" their spouses....my wife has not had an easy time with me!

[Fezzler]

New shoes, rear wheel on to give wife hope she'll get a parking spot this fall/winter.

Hey, chain is new but has sat in bag a few years.  Chain lube good enough or should I oil it in some manner?

[RAFster122s]

If you want to give it a spa day, Cut a quart oil container side out and fill with kerosene, provided your chain can be immersed in a bath in the bottle.  Soak it for 3-4 hours to cut any grease and oil, provided it isn't one of those fancy x-ring or o-ring chains...

Then pull it and dry it off and drop it in a new bottle of oil. Then you soak overnight.
That's the way I used to do std chains.  You can use a gallon jug for more room, just need more fluid.
Can use diesel instead of kerosene if you like as kerosene is $4/gallon whereas diesel is $3 or less.

[Stev-o]

Chain is fine, lube it once it is ready for the road.

[Fezzler]

Chain
Handlebars
Ignition housing bracket
Instrument Panel (do they sell new rubber bulb holders?)
Headlamp and front blinkers

Plodding along.

You learn about the different between models doing a frame up build.  I don't think the '71 cb500 four K0 came with the front brake rotor black plastic shield.  I put one on any way as I like the way they look.

Chain guard had 40 years of hard grease and dirt.  Spent the weekend in the Fabuloso soak bucket. 

Next up, chain guard, polished covers, stator (need to search how to test) and install carbs.

[jaytee-nz]

4 into 1 sell replacement bulb holders but beware - the made in China bulbs in them are crap. Two of the bulbs in mine collapsed where they contact the terminal and kept blowing the fuse. Took a long time to figure it out. Other than that it worked fine.

[754]

The disc fender came in  73.. probably a good idea.
 Don't use motor oil on a chain, gear lube is ok. But I bet it came out of the box with at least anti rust lube..

[Scott S]

 What's that bracket in front of the pilot light panel?

[jgger]

Gauge mount.

[Scott S]

 That's not stock. At least, not like any 500/550 triple I've seen.

[Fezzler]

That's not stock. At least, not like any 500/550 triple I've seen.

Ditto.

Interesting.  Well, being a '71 that came in parts, I bet it has passed through many hands.  Also, it's been fun in a nerdy way to stumble across the differences between models.

Here is the meter set plate from the parts manual and a close up of what came on the project bike.

[Scott S]

 OK, maybe I've just never seen it disassembled before!