Author Topic: 1971 CB500 Shed find. Rust to ridable? (Read 4340 times)

matt167 · « **on:** June 02, 2021, 04:10:42 PM »

I just inherited this 11/1971 build CB500 Four from my late grandfather.. It was in one of the sheds we are cleaning out and I had forgotten about this bike. Had not been in the shed since I was a kid... Was riding in 1986 and rode right into the shed where it has sat until Memorial Day 2021.. A 1970 CB350 and a 1971ish CB450 Twin were also in there, the twin was painted with house paint and is stuck, and the 350 was blown up and is missing the tank for some reason. But they are otherwise complete if I needed parts.

It kicks over ( now lubed with 2 stroke oil in the cylinders ), it shifts, rear brake is free. and I have a key for that bike. But it needs everything. Carbs are stuck and I have not checked for spark

Having trouble getting the pics to load.

matt167 · « **Reply #1 on:** June 02, 2021, 04:13:08 PM »

goodtryer · « **Reply #2 on:** June 02, 2021, 04:16:46 PM »

Howdy!

And congrats on the bike. Looks complete & even has a couple of neat accessories. I like the color, too.

Start here: http://manuals.sohc4.net/cb500/

matt167 · « **Reply #3 on:** June 02, 2021, 04:47:54 PM »

The manuals have been bookmarked.

Is 4 into 1 a good site to shop on? I know I'll need carb kits, points and condensors ect... I do have a local Honda dealer that has been open probably since Honda's beginning in the USA, but not sure if they can help with a 50 year old bike

Shtonecb500 · « **Reply #4 on:** June 02, 2021, 04:51:08 PM »

very nice, nice stuff, nice color, you are going to end up with a gorgeous bike.

Stev-o · « **Reply #5 on:** June 02, 2021, 06:43:33 PM »

Quote from: matt167

Is 4 into 1 a good site to shop on? I know I'll need carb kits, points and condensers ect...

First off welcome. I had a similar looking bike a few years ago, I named it it "The Patina Bike".

Yes, 4into1 is a good vender, they ship quick.

Warning: do not buy cheap carb kits, they will cause nightmare tuning. You most likey can reuse your brass parts [if they are genuine] and just replace gaskets.

And you will be better off buying Honda parts rather than cheapchinacrap for your Japanese bike.
Cheap condendensers have been known to fail quickly.

Good luck...

matt167 · « **Reply #6 on:** June 03, 2021, 04:05:45 AM »

I found the local Honda dealer specializes in vintage bikes, so they probably can supply what OEM parts they can, or even provide service if I get stuck.. They even sold the parts condition Honda 350 I have either new or used as it has their tag on it

MauiK3 · « **Reply #7 on:** June 03, 2021, 08:54:13 AM »

Welcome to the fun house!!
Yamiya sells very good stuff, they are in Japan. Not sure if they have a lot of 500/550 stuff but they may.
David Silver Spares is a good source too.

matt167 · « **Reply #8 on:** June 03, 2021, 04:03:10 PM »

I also checked Megazip.net which is some sort of OEM drop shipper based out of Japan. I've had a couple JDM vehicles and they are pretty much required to order from to keep them on the road.. They do list the CB500 Four and plenty of parts are still obtainable..

The local dealer is looking into parts availability for me. They have to go through some old stock and see if they have some of the stuff

rb550four · « **Reply #9 on:** June 03, 2021, 08:27:11 PM »

Welcome Matt, cb500 is an excellent bike one of my favorites, the 450 is a legend, both worthy of rebuild. The 350 was a surprisingly nimble little machine that is often overlooked as a collectable and decent riding machine too. Your grand dad had good taste.
I rebuilt my first 350 when I was 17, the rebuild was straight forward and easy even for a beginner with some tools, the 500 is just like that only it has 2 more cylinders. just have to follow the manuals. The 450 is a little bit different and most people have trouble with the cam chain when rebuilding but otherwise the rest of these bikes are very similar .the 450 and 500 share many of the same parts.
Will you be doing the work on the 500 or will the Honda shop be doing the work? It has been my experience that an unexplainable bond will form when you work on the machine that will aide both rider and machine in years to come.

matt167 · « **Reply #10 on:** June 04, 2021, 03:43:49 AM »

The 450 is pretty rough. House paint, ape hangers and the shifter is sheared off inside the transmission case. The 350 needs an engine and a tank but is otherwise complete..

I think I'm going to get the 500 running well, and then run the bike up to the Honda shop to have the forks/ head tube rebuilt and the whole bike gone through. Get it clean enough to ride a little before winter, and then paint and fix some things over the winter. The left side cover is broken. I see that they are available so I will have to have one paint matched

rb550four · « **Reply #11 on:** June 04, 2021, 01:43:20 PM »

You're not anywheres around upstate NYare you?

matt167 · « **Reply #12 on:** June 04, 2021, 02:17:44 PM »

In the Catskill mountian's

matt167 · « **Reply #13 on:** June 04, 2021, 03:57:52 PM »

Do I dare put power to the bike and see what it does? I know it's not going to run but it was a running bike when it was stored.. ALL the wiring looks in good shape, the key switch appears in good shape and the points actually look new. They will probably clean up with some paper. Condensers are blown out. I know I can check the timing with an ohm meter instead of a test light.

I have the tank off and filled with evapo rust. It was very nasty inside, but it's not leaking.

matt167 · « **Reply #14 on:** June 04, 2021, 05:04:04 PM »

Also, should I lubricate the side cover grommets with something like WD 40 so I can get them off? I know I need new ones due to being rock hard, but also do not want to damage at least the RH cover as it is in good condition

Stev-o · « **Reply #15 on:** June 04, 2021, 05:10:08 PM »

Put power to the bike! You'll need a battery, I like the sealed AGM's like Scorpion...

https://www.batterystuff.com/powersports-batteries/sYT12C.html

Be careful removing the side covers, they are very brittle.
But once off, I've used a dab of grease to lube the post, makes it slip right in, ya know?!

Mark1976 · « **Reply #16 on:** June 04, 2021, 07:21:58 PM »

+1, put a battery in it. find out what ya don't have and go from there...
Your in my neck of the woods, 45 mins. or so away.

matt167 · « **Reply #17 on:** June 05, 2021, 03:15:17 AM »

I'm going to lubricate the grommets with WD 40 so that the covers should pull off with ease.

rb550four · « **Reply #18 on:** June 05, 2021, 06:36:40 AM »

I have done that and greased them before but 50 yr old rubber don't stay plyable for long. they are for sale on line and will stay soft. The 50 yr old plastic covers are a little brittle by now , careful not to force them in they break easily . PM'd you.

matt167 · « **Reply #19 on:** June 05, 2021, 09:22:04 AM »

Yes, I will be getting new grommets so I'm not opposed to even damaging the originals to be sure and save the covers from damage. The original grommets seem to be rock hard. I put as much force as I dared to on them and they did not budge.. I think WD 40 and possibly cutting them will allow them to free up without damage

matt167 · « **Reply #20 on:** June 05, 2021, 10:18:20 AM »

I used a little lubricant and they slid right out... Powered it up with jumper cables and my boat battery.

Turn signals ( no flash ), brake light and headlight all work. The neutral light is also working.. The horn and the starter buttons do nothing. I did not check power to the points/ coils to see if they are energized. But I think for sitting since 1986 it's a good start

rb550four · « **Reply #21 on:** June 05, 2021, 12:59:31 PM »

PM'd you. I'm just over the other side of the mountain from you.

matt167 · « **Reply #22 on:** June 05, 2021, 06:35:34 PM »

messaged you back..

I jumped the solenoid and it cranks over without a problem. I'll have to check the connections and ground and then rebuild the switches

wolf550 · « **Reply #23 on:** June 05, 2021, 09:46:56 PM »

Quote from: matt167 on June 04, 2021, 03:43:49 AM

The 450 is pretty rough. House paint, ape hangers and the shifter is sheared off inside the transmission case. The 350 needs an engine and a tank but is otherwise complete..

I think I'm going to get the 500 running well, and then run the bike up to the Honda shop to have the forks/ head tube rebuilt and the whole bike gone through. Get it clean enough to ride a little before winter, and then paint and fix some things over the winter. The left side cover is broken. I see that they are available so I will have to have one paint matched

on that broken left side cover try and get in contact with Jeffd here on the forum. I sold him a set of the gold when he only had a left side on his 500. after that I linked him to an ebay right side that he bid on but don't know if he won it or not. if he didn't he might be willing to sell his original or the extra I sold him. or if worst case scenario you can go treasure hunting in a salvage yard in the forest where you live. I saw a yellow bike near me in a salvage that I am going to go hunting for when I get to my new home.

matt167 · « **Reply #24 on:** June 06, 2021, 08:44:59 AM »

that looks just like mine.

I've got an order picked out with 4 into 1 for about $400 with as much OEM parts as I can find, and I think it's all the parts I need for the rebuild..

Is there any way to JUST source the gaskets for the carbs, being that the aftermarket brass is horrible? I mean $50 to throw most of it out is crap.. I added 2 condensors ( no points given mine are OEM or quality aftermarket in good shape ) just so it has spark. I might do the Dyna kit once I get it running

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Author Topic: 1971 CB500 Shed find. Rust to ridable? (Read 4340 times)