Author Topic: Sometimes, they find you. 1971 CB500 (Read 7227 times)

Scott S · « **Reply #25 on:** May 28, 2022, 04:40:03 PM »

The '71 only small reflectors were relocated to the fork lowers because of the fairing.

I put them back where they belong....

....along with the turn signals, but not before spending a little time on them with some 0000 steel wool and chrome polish.

Scott S · « **Reply #26 on:** May 28, 2022, 04:41:24 PM »

I had to hit a tiny spot on the exhaust. These will clean up nice.

Scott S · « **Reply #27 on:** May 28, 2022, 04:42:35 PM »

Mo' better, already. I still have hours of cleaning and polishing ahead of me. Plus all the mechanical work.

Scott S · « **Reply #28 on:** May 28, 2022, 04:46:46 PM »

I cleaned up the tank, hit it with the clay bar, then some wax. It's currently sitting with some EvapoRust inside.

And the side covers got the same treatment (minus the EvapoRust). I wish that one dealer sticker wasn't messed up. I'm afraid to attempt removing them for fear of damaging the paint, or possibly leaving a "ghost" image of unfaded paint.

grcamna2 · « **Reply #29 on:** May 28, 2022, 04:47:49 PM »

That's shaping up nice

What tires will you be installing:stock size ?

Scott S · « **Reply #30 on:** May 28, 2022, 04:48:31 PM »

One of them has a broken piece. It was held on (poorly) with some rubber cement or something. I'll come up with a better method to save it.

Scott S · « **Reply #31 on:** May 28, 2022, 04:49:45 PM »

Quote from: grcamna2 on May 28, 2022, 04:47:49 PM

That's shaping up nice
What tires will you be installing:stock size ?

That's way down the road. What are the latest offerings in vintage style? I'd love to keep the same look that's on it now, but not sure what's out there. It's been a minute since I shopped for SOHC4 tires.

Scott S · « **Reply #32 on:** May 28, 2022, 04:51:34 PM »

This is the ONLY spot on the entire exhaust. It's really nice and straight and solid everywhere else.
Someone suggested brazing a Japanese coin over it. I looked up some 1971 Japanese coins, and even considered a Mercury dime. The wings on the Mercury head would even be facing the right direction!

grcamna2 · « **Reply #33 on:** May 28, 2022, 04:53:29 PM »

Quote from: Scott S on May 28, 2022, 04:49:45 PM

Quote from: grcamna2 on May 28, 2022, 04:47:49 PM
That's shaping up nice
What tires will you be installing:stock size ?

That's way down the road. What are the latest offerings in vintage style? I'd love to keep the same look that's on it now, but not sure what's out there. It's been a minute since I shopped for SOHC4 tires.

I think IRC GS11 AW still has 3.50x18 Rr. and 3.25x19 Fr. (stock)and that's more of an OEM stock look tread.

Don R · « **Reply #34 on:** May 28, 2022, 04:56:38 PM »

They do find you sometimes.

Shtonecb500 · « **Reply #35 on:** May 28, 2022, 08:53:33 PM »

this is the first one ive seen this color that wasnt faded to complete #$%*, nice to see one with good original paint. Damn, I guess im buying some chrome polish and 0000 wool and gonna get to work lol.

I just welded some stock pipes, it didnt leave burn marks like I thought it would, you should be able to close that up and polish it....but maybe the coin idea if best.

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #36 on:** May 29, 2022, 01:24:44 AM »

WOW!! What a survivor. That paint polished up amazingly.

Scott S · « **Reply #37 on:** May 29, 2022, 03:01:16 AM »

Quote from: Shtonecb500 on May 28, 2022, 08:53:33 PM

this is the first one ive seen this color that wasnt faded to complete #$%*, nice to see one with good original paint. Damn, I guess im buying some chrome polish and 0000 wool and gonna get to work lol.

I just welded some stock pipes, it didnt leave burn marks like I thought it would, you should be able to close that up and polish it....but maybe the coin idea if best.

That played a big part in deciding to keep this one. The Jade Green is probably my favorite 500/550 color and you just can't replicate it without spending BIG money on a professional candy paint job. Plus, the very solid 4-4 pipes.

I think maybe the fairing protected the paint from the sun, and then the bike went into decades long indoor storage.

What method did you use to weld up the exhaust?

Stev-o · « **Reply #38 on:** May 31, 2022, 06:44:15 AM »

Looking great! +1 on the IRC tires, have a nice vintage tread and made in Japan. Have them on my 550F.

https://www.motosport.com/product/?cc=us&gclid=Cj0KCQjw-daUBhCIARIsALbkjSb0B4WohoJ2VUHzHB3F31_BJXDtFibrubC_ifjd5B9W1Enz_KEt_KEaAoz1EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds&key=IRC-GS11-Grand-High-Speed-Rear-Tire&pssource=true&segment=badger&utm_medium=pla&utm_source=google&variant[IRC000A]=IRC000A-X001-Y001

drodg33 · « **Reply #39 on:** June 03, 2022, 09:38:23 AM »

Looks great and I am amazed at how everything is coming out. Beautiful bike. Candy Jade?

MauiK3 · « **Reply #40 on:** June 03, 2022, 11:30:01 AM »

Great project, keep the photos coming!

rb550four · « **Reply #41 on:** June 04, 2022, 07:42:21 PM »

That was a great story, the bike needed to find you ,and although you were unsure if you would keep it in the beginning , sounds like this is one of those" meant to be "stories to me. It's looking so much happier now ,and I can tell, you are connecting with it a little more with every thing you do to it. It's gonna be a looker for sure . Nice work .

PeWe · « **Reply #42 on:** June 04, 2022, 11:03:45 PM »

As so many times with our CB's.
They look better as stock from Honda!

All these bikes had so much various aftermarket parts back in the 70-80's and we had to rebuild them! This was very fun back then.

Later years we find expensive parts to undo the old "improvements" closer to the stock look or 100% stock.

newday777 · « **Reply #43 on:** June 05, 2022, 12:40:05 AM »

Here is another 71 CB500Four, Low miles. Gas tank needs cleaning as well as the carbs.
I was at an open house of Hondarestoration.com(NOS Parts) yesterday. Steve is selling his bikes as he hasn't riden them in some time and they need brought back to life. He knows their values so they aren't cheap.

Gurp · « **Reply #44 on:** June 15, 2022, 03:34:55 PM »

Man that tank shined up amazing!!!
Jade green is prob the prettiest stock color on anything IMO.

Scott S · « **Reply #45 on:** August 29, 2022, 01:23:50 PM »

I've been really slack on updating this one. Now that the XS650 is done, I moved it to the "guess I'm gonna work on it" spot.

Scott S · « **Reply #46 on:** August 29, 2022, 01:25:22 PM »

I didn't document it, but I rebuilt the stock master cylinder and caliper.
This bike has been sitting for around 20 years and the master cylinder still moved! That's a first for me. Even the caliper piston had no pitting. I went ahead and used the new on I ordered anyway, though.

Scott S · « **Reply #47 on:** August 29, 2022, 01:27:00 PM »

The front wheel got a little elbow grease and chrome polish.
I used a wire wheel on the fork uppers to remove rust, then treated them with rust converter. The lowers got a polish.
I have new seals and oil for them, so a full rebuild is up next.

grcamna2 · « **Reply #48 on:** August 29, 2022, 01:31:54 PM »

Looks like high quality work Scott

Gman · « **Reply #49 on:** August 29, 2022, 07:02:43 PM »

Don't know how I missed this earlier - beautiful paint! Is this what the filter clip was for? If so, I can't imagine a better home!

Peace,
G

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Author Topic: Sometimes, they find you. 1971 CB500 (Read 7227 times)