Topic: Newby 1972 CB500 project

[Goofaroo]

I'm still waiting for the paint to be finished and the upholstery on the seat but I've been ordering a few parts and pushing forward.  I finally made a decision on the mirrors. 

I also ordered a new badge for the stator cover.  Unfortunately a cover for the air box seems to be a bit hard to find and also the retaining spring for the air filter. I've already posted in the parts wanted section but let me know if anyone has one for sale.  I'd also be interested in suggestions for retaining the air filter that would be a bit more glamorous than the cabinet shim I am currently using. 

[Scramps]

Bike looks good! Glad to see that you’re dedicated to finishing the build.

I kind of skimmed over the thread, what did you decide to do with your exhaust?

[Goofaroo]

I put a Mac 4 into 1 on it.  I'm pleased with how easily it bolted up and it sounds really good. I was afraid it would be too loud but it is actually not too bad and it has a nice tone.    For now I just bolted it on but I'm expecting the paint to burn off. When that starts to happen I'm going to pull it back off and have it ceramic coated.  When I take it in for the coating I'm going to pull the baffle for coating as well and I'm thinking I may try packing it a bit when I put it back in.   Right now I just want to get this thing in the road. 

I'm not going to reveal my paint scheme for the bike but even though it is a custom design I'm trying to create a bike that has a factory (ish) look to it.   The paint scheme has been the most difficult decision I've had to make throughout this entire build.   My thread doesn't show it but I've put much more work into this bike than I intended.   It should ride like a new CB500 and be very reliable when I get it finished.   If not, it won't be from lack of effort.

[Scramps]

Very nice. I like it. Looking forward to the big reveal!


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[DurangoCB]

Also looking forward to it.

My Mac 4 into 1 arrived today. Gonna be a minute before I reassemble though. Glad to hear it’s not too crazy loud, but loud enough that you want to quiet it just a little. Sounds about perfect to me! 

[Goofaroo]

I've still got some work to do but I picked up the tank and hard bags from the painter.  It's a long story but the guy that is painting my bike became good friends with my father-in-law when he painted his 32 Ford Roadster.  The Roadster has won many awards including the Grand National Roadster Show and has been on display at the Peterson Museum.  Unfortunately my Father-in-law passed away about a year ago. I contacted Harold and asked if he would be interested in any of my father's trophies or memorabilia.  He has a shop about 60 miles from me and builds rods and muscle cars and I knew he would like to add to his collection.  I also figured that he would love to have the GNRS trophy to display in his lobby.  After all, it was his work that earned it.  Anyway, he was very happy to get some of my father's things to display.  I had boxed them up and he picked them up at my shop one day.  He saw my CB sitting on the lift and I told him I was almost done with it except for the paint.  I told him I would like for him to paint it and described what I wanted.  He instantly insisted that he was going to paint it for me and that there would be no charge.  An argument ensued but he was very determined.  In the end, he agreed that I could buy him a nice steak dinner.   I will be forever grateful.  He even insisted on painting the front fender and side covers for my Goldwing. 

So anyway, here's a few pics of the tank and the bags.  The Trail 90 frame tube cover in the pics was my inspiration.   I gave him that and told him where I wanted the stripes and to use the same gray color for the tank and the bags.  The headlight bucket and side covers will be a different color. 

My whole plan was to try to create a custom but try to make it look like something Honda might have built.  I'm not sure if I'll succeed but I sure do like the results and I can't wait to get it assembled.  The final hurdle is the seat but I finally found the material that I wanted and I'll be working with my upholstery guy pretty soon to come up with a design. 

Here's some crappy pics but you can kind of see where I'm headed with this.

[Scramps]

Very cool! I love that design. Do you have any pictures of that Roadster? Sounds like it must be quite a machine

[Goofaroo]

Very cool! I love that design. Do you have any pictures of that Roadster? Sounds like it must be quite a machine

I don't have any pics of the Roadster on my phone that I can post right now but I'll post one when I can.  It's nothing crazy, it is black with tan interior and red steel wheels but it is very tastefully done and the craftsmanship is top notch.  Thanks for the reply.  I

[Goofaroo]

It’s been well over two years since I posted my progress so I figured I wouldn’t seem overzealous if I posted an update. 

After a few failed attempts by Upholstry guys that had no idea what they were doing I finally have a guy that knows what he’s doing.  I decided to make a custom cover and modify the foam. I ordered some leather basketweave material from Corbin and it is all in his hands.

Unfortunately, when I handed everything to the painter I also gave him some water slide decals that I ordered from Italy to put on the side covers.  I showed him the correct orientation but he completely botched it.   I haven’t been able to find the same decals but I do have the paint that he used so I think I’m going to have a local guy sand them out and respray them in the same British Racing Green. Then I’ll figure out some sort of badge to put on there.  I knew he had botched it when I picked them up but considering he painted this bike at no charge I thanked him profusely and figured I would deal with it later.  The headlight bucket is the same green color.  It really pops out in the sun.

I’m not a total slacker. I have completed several other projects over the years that I have been working on this one.  This has just been a pet project that I work on when I can and it looks awful purty sitting on the lift.  Everyone that comes in my shop comments on it and I have had some ridiculously high offers to buy it but it is not for sale.  lol

Anyway, it gets a bit closer to being finished a little at a time. The led lighting in my shop doesn’t do it justice but here it is waiting for a seat.

[Goofaroo]

Can’t get the pics to attach.  Still trying.....

[Goofaroo]

An attempt

[Goofaroo]

Again

[Goofaroo]

There! lol.    Not sure why they wouldn’t go the first few tries. 

[chiefum]

Wow!! That looks nice! Very nice color combo.

[Goofaroo]

Wow!! That looks nice! Very nice color combo.

Thanks!  Obviously the green wasn’t correct but the gray and the stripe design were correct for a 72 Honda.  The bike does have a sort of “factory” look to it.