Author Topic: Help me identify what i purchased..... (Read 1563 times)

jcboal · « **on:** November 14, 2020, 12:14:11 PM »

I purchased a 1971-ish cb500 with a custom lattice frame and i am wondering if it might look familiar to anyone...is it a kit, a one off, a race bike?
Here are a few things I know:
- Well built lattice frame, where the lower engine cradle unbolts from the rest of the frame
- it has an aluminum swing arm
- eccentric chain adjuster in the frame
- Arces triple tree
- Drilled rear hub for cooling (and brake shoes)
- Clear right side magneto cover
Really odd things:
- Cable operated kick stand
- Additional switched on the handle bars
- accessory red light above the left rear turn signal

I am wondering if it wasn't a race bike that someone tried to make street legal.

Any other ideas?

Stev-o · « **Reply #1 on:** November 14, 2020, 12:35:47 PM »

First off, welcome. Frame appears to be a one-off.

That headlight assm with speedo/tach is similar to a 60's Suzuki X6 Hustler like mine....

754 · « **Reply #2 on:** November 14, 2020, 12:46:18 PM »

It's a Ceriani triple tree, do you have the fork assemblies. Does top tree look similar ?

jcboal · « **Reply #3 on:** November 14, 2020, 01:13:59 PM »

I am glad to be here! this will be a long term project and I am excited to be educated by this group!

The gauges are actually from a Honda CB77. I like how the Tach and Speedo are in one gauge. (not sure it will end up with them though.

I do not have the forks... the upper is similar to the lower, but painted red. Apparently the bike had high end wheels (Fontana hubs, ect) and a nice aluminum tank. the guy i bought it from sold these separately. I am now trying to run them down.

754 · « **Reply #4 on:** November 14, 2020, 01:51:06 PM »

Stock forks will fit in there, not sure if width of triples is the same..

scottly · « **Reply #5 on:** November 14, 2020, 05:49:23 PM »

My first thought is it looks something like some of Tony Foale's trellis frames? The swing-arm looks like something from a '60s Butaco or Montessa, but they didn't have the eccentric front pivot chain adjusters or the multiple shock mount holes. Perhaps you should post on the High Performance/Racing board, asking about the frame?
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/board,113.0.html
Did you get any story from the seller? Is anything stamped into the steering neck of the frame? You may have a diamond in the rough there.

bryanj · « **Reply #6 on:** November 14, 2020, 11:59:53 PM »

The Foal frames i have seen didnt look that complex, quite a few makers used the eccentic chain adjuster idea

BenelliSEI · « **Reply #7 on:** November 15, 2020, 05:38:52 AM »

What an interesting find! Some pretty talented fabrication work. No idea what it is, but unlikely it’s a race build, with rear foot peg mounts? What are you plans with it?

jcboal · « **Reply #8 on:** November 15, 2020, 08:45:43 AM »

Here is what I was told by the previous owner....
He bought a barn full of mainly UK bike from a friend that had collected his whole life. In with those bikes was this one, and a "feather bed" framed CB400, that was less complete than this one. When he bought those bikes this one had a tank and front end, but he sold those. The tank supposedly went to a reseller in Montana. He did see pictures of this bike when it was complete, years ago. It has not been registered since 1978.

I plan on building it into a cafe racer. I'll probably put a newer front end on it, clear out the electrical stuff and update some stuff, while keeping what I can on it.

It just has some stuff I have never seen before and I like that unique stuff, hahaha

jcboal · « **Reply #9 on:** November 15, 2020, 08:51:26 AM »

Here is the other frame-
https://boise.craigslist.org/mpo/d/boise-honda-racing-frame-and-motor/7223566596.html

754 · « **Reply #10 on:** November 15, 2020, 08:57:27 AM »

If you end up selling the trees , let me know , dibs...please.

jcboal · « **Reply #11 on:** November 15, 2020, 09:07:11 AM »

Quote from: 754 on November 15, 2020, 08:57:27 AM

If you end up selling the trees , let me know , dibs...please.

Will do!

scottly · « **Reply #12 on:** November 16, 2020, 09:22:29 PM »

Quote from: BenelliSEI on November 15, 2020, 05:38:52 AM

What an interesting find! Some pretty talented fabrication work. No idea what it is, but unlikely it’s a race build, with rear foot peg mounts? What are you plans with it?

Hey John, what are the visual differences, if any, between a Honda 500 and a Benelli 500?

bryanj · « **Reply #13 on:** November 16, 2020, 09:42:11 PM »

Benelli looks "squarer"

scottly · « **Reply #14 on:** November 16, 2020, 10:02:32 PM »

The Benelli motor looks "squarer"? Where? I thought it was quite similar? I've seen a couple of Sei's before, but never a 500.

robvangulik · « **Reply #15 on:** November 17, 2020, 01:12:09 AM »

bryanj · « **Reply #16 on:** November 17, 2020, 01:11:15 PM »

Head very flat on sides and all the horizontal fins make it look squarer to me

Deltarider · « **Reply #17 on:** November 17, 2020, 01:27:38 PM »

Here a comparison test between the CB500 Four and the Benelli 500 Quattro at the Nürburgring in: Motorrad*, #23, 1974.
*AFIK Best Motormagazine in the world.

Deltarider · « **Reply #18 on:** November 17, 2020, 01:43:30 PM »

... and 30 years later a British magazine copied the idea.

BenelliSEI · « **Reply #19 on:** December 01, 2020, 05:00:49 PM »

Sorry..... I missed this post! Regarding the Benelli 500 Quattro, the answers are correct. Like the 750 SEI, the major difference is the cylinder head. The ends where squared off and stuck out more. The funny part is the motorcycle and bodywork were identical to both bikes. Benelli just stuffed the bigger motor in, and added the twin Brembo disc brakes to the front.

BenelliSEI · « **Reply #20 on:** December 01, 2020, 08:03:01 PM »

Here’s a better picture of the “squarer” head....

News:

Author Topic: Help me identify what i purchased..... (Read 1563 times)