Topic: 1971 K0 CB500

[Shtonecb500]

Based on that auction house plate on the license plate holder it looks to have been purchased by PO through auction estate sale, but who knows. I dont recall if the PO said they bought it directly from the owner or what, the title handed to me was brand new issued to him in 2021. He said the motorcycle was originally a California bike, had the tank and side covers painted this green 70's scheme and was ridden to Michigan.There are 4,078 miles reading on the odometer. He told me the tank and pipes were pulled off the bike and dry stored until recently to get the bike running after their purchase, the tank has a little rust in there and the pipes have some surface rust and slight pitting in some spots, mostly rust around the drain holes at the bottom....After the polishing wheel I dont see there being any rust left on these.

Im probably selling the 70's body kit, I have another tank and side covers ready to send out for paint, after looking at the bike today it looks like Ill have to take the wheels apart to polish everything out, replace the left fork ear, top end rebuild on the motor OR maybe these guys just dont know how to adjust the valves.

The more I think about it, I think they got this bike and the other jap import 550 from auction, my bike came in pieces and they put it back together and got it running, rebuilt the carbs, replaced the M/C and brake caliper with aftermarket (original hardware was provided to me),they purchased new rear muffler brackets to finish installing the pipes. They said they adjusted the valves, it kinda sounded loose. It looks like the headers on the bottom right scraped the ground but didn't dent the pipes but scraped them pretty good, no chrome remaining on those spots, the muffler portion looks like it may have some close to scratching or scraping but didnt...still looks like something that will buff out fairly easily.

Why does my seat not have the little door underneath for documents? - need to find a strap for the seat, might have a better turn signal with less pitting in storage, the underside of the fenders aren't terrible, no serious pitting anywhere but i found more than i would to have liked on the bulbous portion of the mufflers.

[Shtonecb500]

doesnt the gap between the front fender and front tire look larger than usual, the gap reminds me of a stock fender with an 18in wheel?

[grcamna2]

Great looking CB500 with the 'Rad' paint job. 
I know you'll be putting it all back to stock 'survivor status'  I think the inside of that tank will respond well to Phosphoric acid or Evaporust.

[Shtonecb500]

Great looking CB500 with the 'Rad' paint job. 
I know you'll be putting it all back to stock 'survivor status'  I think the inside of that tank will respond well to Phosphoric acid or Evaporust.

Thank you, the paint job has been sold off, someone else wanted to rescue it before I stripped all paint off of it. I have a donor tank and side covers ready to go - yes, that rust on the inside should come out fairly easily for sure.

[Stev-o]

doesnt the gap between the front fender and front tire look larger than usual? the gap reminds me of a stock fender with an 18in wheel.

Now that you mention it, it does look a little larger than normal. What size is the tire?  How old??

[grcamna2]

Great looking CB500 with the 'Rad' paint job. 
I know you'll be putting it all back to stock 'survivor status'  I think the inside of that tank will respond well to Phosphoric acid or Evaporust.

Thank you, the paint job has been sold off, someone else wanted to rescue it before I stripped all paint off of it. I have a donor tank and side covers ready to go - yes, that rust on the inside should come out fairly easily for sure.

What color donor tank/covers ?

[Shtonecb500]

idk, probably gold.

[grcamna2]

Yeah,those top ones with the gold and black,excellent color choice.

[Stev-o]

Yeah,those top ones with the gold and black,excellent color choice.

+1....my vote for paint color is Candy Gold

[Little_Phil]

I see you have titled this a 72 K-2. But surely it is a 71 K0. Thought I saw engine number in the 1028000s which makes it K0. What does the VIN plate say?
The early bikes didn't have the document holder under the seat. And it's definitely a K0 seat with the large spring.
Also K0 fork ears with small side reflector. You will find they are on a M5 thread if you can get them off. K1---had M6.

[Little_Phil]

Brackets that the rear flashers are on don't look standard.

[Shtonecb500]

Brackets that the rear flashers are on don't look standard.

That's what I thought as well but I looked at some CB500's and saw that same bracket on many of them.

edit: The "L" brackets were used when a luggage rack came on the bike from factory. Wish this bike came with its rack.

[Shtonecb500]

There is an oil leak coming out of the 2nd cylinder valve cover, also some oil coming up between the head bolt on the other side.

[Shtonecb500]

I see you have titled this a 72 K-2. But surely it is a 71 K0. Thought I saw engine number in the 1028000s which makes it K0. What does the VIN plate say?
The early bikes didn't have the document holder under the seat. And it's definitely a K0 seat with the large spring.
Also K0 fork ears with small side reflector. You will find they are on a M5 thread if you can get them off. K1---had M6.

vin on bike is 71 on title is says 72

[Shtonecb500]

doesnt the gap between the front fender and front tire look larger than usual? the gap reminds me of a stock fender with an 18in wheel.

Now that you mention it, it does look a little larger than normal. What size is the tire?  How old??

 These may be original factory tires, haven't found any dry rot anywhere on them....the front tires reads 3.25-19 .

[Stev-o]

I see you have titled this a 72 K-2. But surely it is a 71 K0. Thought I saw engine number in the 1028000s which makes it K0. What does the VIN plate say?
The early bikes didn't have the document holder under the seat. And it's definitely a K0 seat with the large spring.
Also K0 fork ears with small side reflector. You will find they are on a M5 thread if you can get them off. K1---had M6.

vin on bike is 71 on title is says 72
 so its this a 71'-72'? I have a couple 750's like this.

Your bike is a '71  K0.

http://www.sohc4.com/cb550/cb500/#serial-numbers

Back then, bikes were titled per the year. So even though your bike was manufactured 7/71, it most likely didnt sell until 1972 and was titled as such. Quite common but they stopped doing that in the late 70's...

BTW - The CB500K0 was available in Candy Jet Green, Candy Garnet Brown, and Star Light Gold, slightly different than the Candy Gold you were planning to paint.

[Shtonecb500]

I see you have titled this a 72 K-2. But surely it is a 71 K0. Thought I saw engine number in the 1028000s which makes it K0. What does the VIN plate say?
The early bikes didn't have the document holder under the seat. And it's definitely a K0 seat with the large spring.
Also K0 fork ears with small side reflector. You will find they are on a M5 thread if you can get them off. K1---had M6.

vin on bike is 71 on title is says 72
 so its this a 71'-72'? I have a couple 750's like this.

Your bike is a '71  K0.

http://www.sohc4.com/cb550/cb500/#serial-numbers

Back then, bikes were titled per the year. So even though your bike was manufactured 7/71, it most likely didnt sell until 1972 and was titled as such. Quite common but they stopped doing that in the late 70's...

BTW - The CB500K0 was available in Candy Jet Green, Candy Garnet Brown, and Star Light Gold, slightly different than the Candy Gold you were planning to paint.

Damn, I dont like the star light gold, thank you for catching that for me.

[Shtonecb500]

Removed the lid and petcock, wrapped up ready for a new home. Petcock was full of flakes.

[Stev-o]

Petcock was doing it's job.  Did Sean buy the tank and covers?

[Gurp]

The tank and covers are Radddd AF.
And the bike is Soo clean. Great find man.

[Shtonecb500]

Petcock was doing it's job.  Did Sean buy the tank and covers?

yeah, grabbing it tomorrow.

[Shtonecb500]

The tank and covers are Radddd AF.
And the bike is Soo clean. Great find man.

Gurp! that wheel work out for you? Thanks man, hopefully i can make this thing look nice and make a couple bucks.

[seanbarney41]

Yup!  See you tomorrow Shtone.

[Little_Phil]

I also have a 71 4000 miler, but came from further south. Colorado Springs for its first 45 years. It is candy jade green. Pretty nigh perfect. Except it got one of those things that didn't need doing. A tank liner, a fad that did far more damage than good at the time (badly done). A few other minors fork gator, carbs gummed.
Also had a spare body set and like you I didn't fancy the starlight gold (too yellowy) and had it done in candy gold. Also mods to make it look like the European version.
So take your choice green or gold?

[Shtonecb500]

Nice bikes little phil! Looks like 'ill have to take my wheels apart and clean them up.