Topic: 1971 K0 CB500

[grcamna2]

I would get a better job done on those outer stripes;is there a way you can put some legal,etc. leverage on the shop that did that ?

[Shtonecb500]

I would get a better job done on those outer stripes;is there a way you can put some legal,etc. leverage on the shop that did that ?

Im over and moved on from engaging with that shop. Ive got 5k tied up in this bike, im just not willing to even attempt selling it with this paint job, its too embarrassing...i was hoping once i got the tank dressed it would look better but it looks just as #$%*. I might get lucky and find a good cb500 tank at mid ohio, i have brand new decals too. If i can find a patina tank and covers up there ill toss them on and sell the bike. Ill eat my loss on the paint job.

[grcamna2]

I would get a better job done on those outer stripes;is there a way you can put some legal,etc. leverage on the shop that did that ?

Im over and moved on from engaging with that shop. Ive got 5k tied up in this bike, im just not willing to even attempt selling it with this paint job, its too embarrassing...i was hoping once i got the tank dressed it would look better but it looks just as #$%*. I might get lucky and find a good cb500 tank at mid ohio, i have brand new decals too. If i can find a patina tank and covers up there ill toss them on and sell the bike. Ill eat my loss on the paint job.

Ok,got it.

[Shtonecb500]

I would get a better job done on those outer stripes;is there a way you can put some legal,etc. leverage on the shop that did that ?

Im over and moved on from engaging with that shop. Ive got 5k tied up in this bike, im just not willing to even attempt selling it with this paint job, its too embarrassing...i was hoping once i got the tank dressed it would look better but it looks just as #$%*. I might get lucky and find a good cb500 tank at mid ohio, i have brand new decals too. If i can find a patina tank and covers up there ill toss them on and sell the bike. Ill eat my loss on the paint job.

Ok,got it.

.

[grcamna2]

I would get a better job done on those outer stripes;is there a way you can put some legal,etc. leverage on the shop that did that ?

Im over and moved on from engaging with that shop. Ive got 5k tied up in this bike, im just not willing to even attempt selling it with this paint job, its too embarrassing...i was hoping once i got the tank dressed it would look better but it looks just as #$%*. I might get lucky and find a good cb500 tank at mid ohio, i have brand new decals too. If i can find a patina tank and covers up there ill toss them on and sell the bike. Ill eat my loss on the paint job.

Ok,got it.

lol its sooooo bad i cant stop laughing when i see it.

   I think an inexperienced child could have done the same..
Did that shop at least give you some of that same color gold touch-up paint ?

[Shtonecb500]

found a tank at mid ohio.

[WideAWAKE]

Well that’s good to hear.

Glad you scored a win.

[grcamna2]

found.a.#$%*ing.tank.

i found a tank on the grass at mid ohio, walked up to it and saw no dents, used to be orange so its 550, emblems were in great shape, looked inside........#$%*ING PERFECT NO RUST.

i feel a little better now knowing i found a prefect tank to replace the one i sacrificed for this garbage ass paint job.

thats all.

That certainly helps !
Then you can look for some matching side covers 

[Shtonecb500]

Since I actually found a tank, Should I buy VMR paints for 500-600 bucks and attempt a spray job with spray guns myself?

What do you guys thinks?

edit: bike is finally up at the shop, wondering what Phil will find once he opens up the motor.

[Shtonecb500]

This bike must have a Barnett clutch in it because it was stuck together today when attempting to get it started, it hadn't been engaged for 2-3 months...had to roll it to get it running and slam on the brakes to get them to break loose. Oil was coming out of a couple places then we noticed a whole bunch in the fins so I removed the carbs so the head can come off. I took it down the road and made it though all gears and that was the longest i've ridden the bike, It felt really, really great lol. These original cb500's are awesome.

I removed the luggage rack brackets for the turn signals and put the signals back in their original positions but I had to remove the grab bar and straighten one of the attachment mount first, put it in the vise. Removed the air filter and housing, airbox, carbs, clutch and cover, coils, exhaust, and now it's ready for Phil to do in the frame top end rebuild down to base gasket. Pulling the air filter housing, batter box and then removing the air box back through the triangle is by far the easiest way to remove all that stuff. I have my cb550 motor pulled out of the frame on the bench for him to tackle too. The rims cleaned up a little with some 0000 wool but I think I still want to replace the rims.... these K0 500's are NICE, maybe sell my 550 instead of this??

I put the  black 550 tank I scored from mid-Ohio on it today and rode it around, replaced the incorrect bolts the PO installed with correct hardware on the fender support to fork lowers and still need to get the shock and sissy bar bolts correct. Need to order a rebuild kit for the petcock, grabbed fresh exhaust collars, the clutch cover was super clean on the inside I was happy to see it, polished the brake plate and power washed the bub, cleaned up the spokes, brake stay with steel wool.

here are some pictures.

[Little_Phil]

Looks clean so far, seems to confirm the low mileage. Shame about the leaks.

[Shtonecb500]

Looks clean so far, seems to confirm the low mileage. Shame about the leaks.

honestly, ive never had a cb500/550 come through my hands in michigan that didnt need a rebuild.  Every. Single. One. had a leak or a someweeping or was just one season away from a leak or weep. I'm kinda sick of getting one of these and NOT performing a top end rebuild right away so this is a breath of fresh air. Im actually wondering if i should go to the base gasket after seeing how badly it leaks when those lower o rings finally go bad.

[Shtonecb500]

Motor rebuild is finished. The two o rings on the side after you remove the head were incorrect, supposed to be some fat donut looking o rings there and the previous owner installed some really thin ones, which explained all the seeping we were getting. We were going to resurface the head but the guy was out of town. I’ve got everything back together it just needs tank and side covers, tune up and carb sync. Battery got some distilled water and a full charge. The front end is coming apart so I can polish the fork lowers, re install the original caliper after I restore it, take off this aftermarket one, install original MC, new fork fluid and seals if it needs it. The lower and top triple will get fresh paint as well and then this bike is done.

I’ll upload pictures later.


edit: srry for the #$%*ty pics.

[grcamna2]

The engine And Pipes  cleaned-up real nice;how many teeth on your front/countershaft sprocket ? it looks like the largest one made for it,which may slow down your passing power.

[Shtonecb500]

The engine And Pipes  cleaned-up real nice;how many teeth on your front/countershaft sprocket ? it looks like the largest one made for it,which may slow down your passing power.

It looks like an 18 tooth up front. I feel lucky to have ridden this bike, it really is some driving miss daisy #$%*, the seating position, the bars, its not fast at all but its tight and smooth, what a difference between this and a 550.

Edit: carb 1 was leaking, the overflow tube was conveniently pinched closed so I wouldn’t notice it leaking. The overflow tube we cracked, spot in different bowl.

[grcamna2]

The engine And Pipes  cleaned-up real nice;how many teeth on your front/countershaft sprocket ? it looks like the largest one made for it,which may slow down your passing power.

It looks like an 18 tooth up front. I feel lucky to have ridden this bike, it really is some driving miss daisy #$%*, the seating position, the bars, its not fast at all but its tight and smooth, what a difference between this and a 550.

You plan on using it as a daily driver for a while ?

[Shtonecb500]

The engine And Pipes  cleaned-up real nice;how many teeth on your front/countershaft sprocket ? it looks like the largest one made for it,which may slow down your passing power.

It looks like an 18 tooth up front. I feel lucky to have ridden this bike, it really is some driving miss daisy #$%*, the seating position, the bars, its not fast at all but its tight and smooth, what a difference between this and a 550.

You plan on using it as a daily driver for a while ?

outside of the a couple long rides for test ride, im too worried about messing up the pipes while in my possession, dropping it, there seems to be a ding on the the lower right pipe that i dont think was there before...not sure if i did that or it happened while in my aunts garage but the idea of more "dings" appearing randomly before i sell it gives me anxiety.

[Shtonecb500]

So, the previous owners were slick, they went into the motor, wish they didn't but they didn't cause any damage so it's alright. Would have been nice not to touch this motor. The number one overflow tube in the float bowl was cracked, thats why they had the overflow line pinched and tied, so I wouldn't see it leaking when they started the bike for me the day I bought it....I'm surprised it ran the way it did when I rode it with it like that.

Pulled the forks out of the triples to polish them, I only sanded them with 320 grit and forgot to follow up with 800 and 1000 before polishing. Polished the front fender and supports, the brake line/ banjo at the brake switch had both crush washers on one side, wasn't leaking tho. I left the after market MC and caliper on there for now, reinstalled the stock brake lever though.

Enjoy my ugly ass paint job. Gonna replace the trim with some chrome door edging or whatever from ebay.


still needs timing done, carb sync, install fuel lid and get a rebuild kit for the petcock, new emblems for side covers and maybe tank, speedo cable is broken, buff out frame paint, straighten out fame support cross member where fender attaches...

edit: just priced out emblems and stuff and thats alot of money lol.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Those headers look pretty good.

[Shtonecb500]

Those headers look pretty good.

ya they arent bad, two of them have scrapes but they shine enough to make them difficult to see.

[Shtonecb500]

was offered 6k, probably going to take it and move on.

edit: submitted to BAT this morning too.

[grcamna2]

was offered 6k, probably going to take it and move on.

 
I think that's decent for mid-August

[Shtonecb500]

I talked to the guy and it’s a firm offer at 6k, he said to let him know if BAT doesn’t accept it.

[grcamna2]

The bike has spent it's life garaged in one of those excellent Michigan garages;saved it.
Looks real good 

[Shtonecb500]

The bike has spent it's life garaged in one of those excellent Michigan garages;saved it.
Looks real good 

Thank you, i'm proud of saving this one, it deserved it. Deserved to not have a botched engine job either. Michigan garage didnt hurt it too bad, haha.